Published by the Department of Public Affairs, City of St. Augustine. Florida September 9 2011 |
'Reopen Quarter by March 1'
Commission seeks 'highest quality' museum program
In a 1 1/2 hour budget public hearing Thursday, city commissioners heard the pleas of a half dozen Colonial Spanish Quarter supporters, acknowledged the current program isn't working, and called for reopening the living history museum "as soon as possible, with the highest quality" program, as Commissioner Leanna Freeman put it.
The action came during the first of two legally mandated public hearing on the 2011-2012 city budget. the final hearing will be September 22.
Supporters included 16-year-old Quarter volunteer Megan Schmidt, who had gathered 308 signatures supporting the Quarter, and veteran reenactors Dianne Jacoby and Margaret Kaler.
"This is breaking my heart," the teen volunteer said. "Without this, we're just another tacky tourist town."
City Manager John Regan said the partnership with the University of Florida, managing 34 state-owned properties here, is causing delays. The city manages the Quarter by agreement with the university.
"The (request for qualifications) has gone out" to look for private sector proposals to revitalize the Quarter, Regan said. "I understand privatization programs would put reopening at March 1, and that's the city schedule."
Mayor Joe Boles, a member of the university's direct support organization, promised to take the message to a meeting of that board later Thursday.
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Container
with a cause
Convert a transoceanic shipping container into a living unit?
Flagler College's Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE) said YES, and the proof is on view from 1 to 6 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday in the southwest parking lot of The St. Augustine Record, State Roads 312 and 207.
Their success story in Containers for a Cause will soon be delivered to Ray Anderson Jr., a 27-year-old quadriplegic in Hastings.
Image: SIFE Advisor Donna Delorenzo shows off container unit living area |
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Report funding restored | |
Commissioners Bill Leary, Leanna Freeman, and Nancy Sikes-Kline pushed for $15,000 in continued funding for the St. Augustine Report, prepared by former Mayor George Gardner and published by the city's Public Affairs Department for the past three years.
Mayor Joe Boles and Commissioner Errol Jones cautioned against getting involved in the city manager's job, as Boles put it.
Regan said discontinuing the Report was part of a "reevaluation of the public affairs office, with the hiring of a journalism school graduate to coordinate 450th commemoration activities."
The city does a lot more than the 450th," Leary said. "I believe we need that broader communication with the public. I find (the Report) a very valuable tool."
Regan suggested the funding can come from $328,000 anticipated annually in the 450th commemoration fund through a parking rate restructure in the Visitor Center Parking Facility.
A second legally mandated public hearing on the budget will be at 5 p.m. September 22 in the Alcazar Room at City Hall.
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| Graffiti ordinance readied | |
A graffiti ordinance with fines not less than $500 and 500 hours community service for serious offenses goes before the City Commission Monday for consideration.
The commission will meet in regular session at 5 p.m. in the Alcazar Room at City Hall, following a 450 commemoration workshop at 3:30.
City Commissioner Bill Leary called for the ordinance following a spate of graffiti incidents. Specified for heavier penalties are attacks on historic property.
"If a minor violates this section, the parent or legal guardian of the minor and the minor are liable for payment of the fine and restitution" under the proposed ordinance. |
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Design bid for former M&M building |
A South Carolina architectural design firm has won top ranking from a city evaluation panel to develop plans for the former M&M Market property in Lincolnville.
City staff will ask commission approval Monday to negotiate a contract with the firm.
Sons & Daughters Architectural Design proposes "that a public/private partnership will be the best way to develop the property.
"We feel that 'buy-in' from the city of St. Augustine will be important for many reasons. It will be important to the neighborhood that they see the City as being concerned about their particular issues. And it will be important to have the City's involvement in order for the property to reach its highest potential as a real building block for developing community."
The firm estimates six months to complete a development plan ready for a construction contract.
County role in 450th to be discussed
The City Commission Monday will hear from Richard Goldman of the county Visitor & Convention Bureau (VCB) and Glenn Hastings of the Tourist Development Council on the VCB's role in the 450th Commemoration.
The VCB is the advertising and promotional arm of the Tourist Development Council, which manages bed tax revenue.
Also on tap for a 3:30 p.m. workshop before the commission's regular meeting at 5 is discussion on an Event Master Plan. |
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1902 fire bell to ring for 9/11 | |
St. Augustine's 1902 fire bell, restored and set on the grounds of the city's fire department, will be rung to conclude ceremonies Sunday morning commemorating the tenth  anniversary of terrorist attacks on America's east coast.
The 700-pound bell, forged by McNeely & Co. in West Troy, N.Y., was originally set in the City Building at Hypolita and St. George streets. Initially it alarmed citizens of fire, and the "first man to hitch his horses to the fire pump and get to the fire got $5," according to a plaque set in the bell frame. A paid fire department was established in 1902.
The bell was borrowed by the National Park Service in 1939 and hung in a tower of the Castillo de San Marcos until 1965. In 1986 the bell was donated to the St. Augustine Historical Society, which has presented it on loan to the department.
"We're proud to have the bell on the fire department grounds," Fire Chief Mike Arnold said, "and to inaugurate its setting on the anniversary of the tragic events in which so many firefighters and first responders gave their lives."
The coquina concrete walkway and base copy the shape of the adjacent Flagler fountain site at the Malaga Street location, originally site of a train station established by oil magnate Henry Flagler.
The bell's restoration is a cooperative effort of the city, Flagler College, the University of Florida, and the St. Augustine Historical Society.
Sunday's ceremonies begin at 8:30 a.m. with the bell-ringing at 8:45, when the first of two hijacked jetliners hit New York's twin towers ten years ago. Ceremony details here. |
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Weekend for city's 446th anniversary | Pedro Menendez de Avilés will step ashore at 10 a.m. Saturday, two calendar days beyond that Saturday in September, 1565, to commemorate his founding of St. Augustine 446 years ago.
The living history reenactment of his landing and first Mass on these lands will take place at the rustic altar of the Mission of Nombre de Dios, to be followed by a procession to the Mission's museum and Prince of Peace Church.
Meanwhile, the Historic Florida Militia will be demonstrating 16th century life at neighboring Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park.
Two figures will stand out during three days of anniversary activities at the Mission and Fountain of Youth:
Ø Reenactor Chad Light is an unmistakable image of Menendez, and has added dimension in studying the founder's papers and reports to present a creditable Evening with Pedro Menendez Friday from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Fountain of Youth.
Ø University of Florida Distinguished History Professor Emeritus Michael Gannon, both a former director of the Mission and most famous chronicler of St. Augustine history, will deliver the Founder's Day address at the Mission's Prince of Peace Church following landing ceremonies Saturday.
Also noteworthy: Sunday's speaker series starting at 11 a.m. at the Fountain of Youth, featuring University of Florida's Distinguished Research Curator of Archaeology Kathy Deagan, Florida's Lost Tribes artist Ted Morris, and Lighthouse Archaeological Maritime Program's Dr. Sam Turner.
Details of the weekend's activities here.
Photo: Jackie Hird |
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History's highlight
St. Augustine, September 8, 1565 | |
4 years to St. Augustine's 450th anniversary
Days before setting foot on land himself, Pedro Menendez had sent two companies of infantry ashore to find a suitable location for fortification, while he continued searching the coastline for the French. 
His troops were well received in the Indian village of Seloy, the chief offering his timber and thatch house to them. Around this immense house, capable of holding 300 persons, the troops built an entrenchment with a slope of earth and facines (timbers).
From the memoir of Father Francisco Lopez de Mendoza Grajales, principal priest to Menendez:
"On Saturday, the 8th, the general landed with many banners spread, to the sound of trumpets and salutes of artillery. As I had gone ashore the evening before, I took a cross and went to meet him, singing the hymn Te Deum laudamus.
"The general marched up to the cross, followed by all who accompanied him, and there they kneeled and embraced the cross. A large number of Indians watched these proceedings and imitated all they saw done.
"The same day the general took formal possession of the country in the name of his Majesty, and all the captains took the oath of allegiance to him, as their general and governor of the country.
"When this ceremony was ended, he offered to do everything in his power for them, especially for Captain Patino who . . . I think, will be rewarded for his assiduity and talents in constructing a fort in which to defend ourselves until the arrival of help from St. Domingo and Havana."
University of Florida Distinguished History Professor Emeritus Michael Gannon established through research that, following the landing and a Mass of Thanksgiving, a feast was ordered by Menendez, at which Seloy's tribe took part - the first Thanksgiving in these lands. |
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The St. Augustine Report is published by the Department of Public Affairs of the City of St. Augustine each Tuesday and on Fridays previewing City Commission meetings. The Report is written and distributed by George Gardner, former St. Augustine Mayor (2002-2006) and Commissioner (2006-2008) and a longtime newspaper reporter and editor. Contact The Report at gardner@aug.com |
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