Finding archaeology's place

   St. Augustine's archaeology program is referred to as the city's best-kept secret.

City Archaeologist Carl Halbirt and his volunteer St. Augustine Archaeological Association mean to change that with their package of activities during the 450h commemoration period.

   Marsha Chance, a preservation consultant chairing the SAAA 450th Committee, says financial and volunteer support can help make it happen.

Archaeological Marker Program - already under way, potential sites for new markers include the Mission of Nombre de Dios; Pocatalaka Mission site on South Street; Palica Mission site at Bridge and Oneida Streets; Aviles Street and the Cofradia site on Aviles Street, and aqueduct at the south end of the National Cemetery.

Florida Anthropological Society Annual Meeting, 2013 - SAAA expects some 300 as it hosts the society May 10 - 12, 2013.

Archaeological Exchange Program with Aviles - archaeologists here and in our sister city and birthplace of our founder plan a new program beginning in 2012, with exchanges to study excavations in both cities.

Archaeological Walking Trail - both real hikes and leisurely walking tours, potentially a Smartphone connection, and links to markers and map sites.

Extended Excavation with Interpreters On-site - a second certified archaeologist could facilitate ongoing excavation interpretation while City Archaeologist Halbirt continues his necessary work. Under discussion: a traveling exhibit that could be moved from site to site, or exhibit kiosks that could be restocked and moved around.

Publication of City Archaeological Reports - Halbirt has done over 600 projects, not all significant enough for report presentation, but selected information can be scanned into the city website.

Archaeological Exhibits - SAAA hopes that archaeology can take its rightful place in explaining the past as historic exhibits are developed for the commemoration.

Military offensive for 2012

   With military precision, a company of active and veteran services is targeting dates and maneuvers for the 2012 phase of the 450th commemoration.

   Harry Metz 461-545 is keeper of the calendar:

April 28-29 - Buffalo Soldier reenactors at the Fountain of Youth and possibly Fort Mose on the 28th and County Horse Facility in Hastings on the 29th. Some Buffalo Soldiers are buried in St. Augustine's National Cemetery, making it possibly the first integrated National Military Cemetery.

May 5 - Castillo reenactment of the change of flags from Spanish to English in 1763   

May 26-27 - Memorial Day Weekend and Air Show

May 29 - Memorial Day Ceremony at the National Cemetery 

June 23 - Reenactment "Battle of Bloody Mose"

Aug 18 - Second Seminole War Commemoration Ceremony at the National Cemetery

Sep 16 - Anniversary of the First Militia by Florida National Guard

Nov 11 - Veterans Day at Francis Field, organized by St Johns Veterans Council

   In the works: Dr. Jim Cusick on "The Other War of 1812" in late spring.

    Why didn't I hear about that?

   How come the first I hear of something like closing the Spanish Quarter or Galimore Center is when it's a done deal?

   Many actions develop before they reach the City Commission for formal discussion.

   Procedurally, the city manager briefs each commissioner on items on an upcoming meeting agenda or under consideration by the city manager.

   That's not a violation of the Sunshine Law, but when an item reaches a formal commission meeting, commissioners know the subject matter and can often forget that this is the first the public's heard of it.

   That's why the Report tries to preview City Commission and lower boards meeting agendas, highlighting items it feels are of greatest interest or impact to the community.

  Send your comments or questions to the Report.

       Flag arguments don't fly 

   Readers aren't buying arguments preventing flying the American flag on the Bridge of Lions. Some responses to the item in the October 4 Report:

• This is AMERICA.Put the flag back on the Bridge of Lions.Probably would not hurt to say a PRAYER at the same time!!
• Simple logic dictates the necessity for having them (and only the US flag and city flag should be there) as they are excellent wind indicators for sailors and vessel operators to gauge the run to the bridge opening.
• So what if the loops on the original posts were for wires, they would work just as well for a flag and many flags hang from buildings without being able to flap around a pole.
• There are plenty of buildings in St. Augustine, public and private as well as governmental, that fly the American flag. They are not obligated to fly every other flag that anyone wants.
• Red, white and blue pennants on lines could be strung from post to post through the trolley cable grommets. If the city owned the pennants and flew them and only them on national holidays, controversy could be avoided.
• If the US flag is not content neutral - what is? It is, after all, the American Flag. Its content is the National representation of all of its citizens.To be fed some line about having to make space for other organizations' flags is mere stupidity.

   A study proposing a 49.8 mile bicycle route network in St. Johns County, with 108 bicycle parking locations for 607 bicycles, will be presented to city commissioners Monday.

   Chris Fellerhoff of Sprinkle Consulting will present the study, contracted by the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization (NFTPO ) at the request of City Commissioner Nancy Sikes-Kline. A briefing was presented to the bicycling community last June.

   "Recommendations for routes in the city will be included," Sikes-Kline says, "however the NFTPO has already moved forward with its determination on the need for education."

   She said a Cycling Savvy course was presented this weekend for ten local students as well as County Highway Supervisor Joe Stephenson and representatives of the Florida Department of Transportation, and Flagler College. The course teaches safe commuting for cyclists and includes a course tailored to the city.