Published by former Mayor George Gardner December 7 2011
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George Gardner 57 Fullerwood Drive St. Augustine FL 32084 |
Natural gas returns to city
TECO/Peoples Gas echoes Flagler's service
Those yellow posts you see along some city streets mark the underground installation of natural gas lines in a reprise of Henry Flagler's natural gas service a century ago.
Tampa Electric (TECO)/Peoples Gas is installing the lines in areas of the city and Anastasia Island.
Public Works Director Martha Graham and city Project Supervisor Reuben Franklin say the service, where available, will provide an alternative energy source as well as franchise and utility tax fees for the city.
Graham says the city has no records of where Flagler installed his lines, "but we occasionally run into sections while working on utilities."
Today's installation is aided by modern technology - horizontal drilling, which allows 400-500 foot sections without tearing up the ground surface. Those yellow posts mark ends of drilling which are then coupled together.
At least one customer is ready to go: the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind has extensions off San Marco Avenue at Fullerwood, Macaris, and Milton streets.
Should residences tie in, they might reduce costs for their stoves, hot water heaters, clothes dryers and the like. Gas line extensions could also be one reason Florida Power & Light is proposing a rate decrease. | |
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Freedom Trail
has audio tour
ACCORD's Freedom Trail sites have gone high tech, offering cell phone narratives at each marker.
A work in progress, some stops are still under construc-tion, but you can try out the system: dial 904.335.3002, then 301 for a personal account at the County Jail marker.
The Freedom Trail marker program has been funded by Northrop Grumman Corp.
Find brochures at the Visitor Center. ACCORD welcomes sponsorships to continue development of the audio tour program. Call Liz at 904.347.1382.
A summary of Freedom Trail sites here. |
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Where those gas lines
are being installed | |
Planned or installed lines include San Marco from Picolata (SR 16) to West Castillo Drive, to US 1, to Malaga, to King Street, west to the Public Works complex.
The city negotiated this latter leg in exchange for an easement under the bayfront to Anastasia Island. It will allow the city complex to connect in the future.
Another leg will run along A1A Anastasia Blvd. from the Bridge of Lions to SR 312. |
Riberia Street section
Open for Christmas? | |
Christmas will come on time for Riberia Street motorists, Public Works Director Martha Graham hopes.
"We plan to have this (King to Bridge Street) section open," she said. "There's still work to be completed putting power lines underground, but that service is installed and ready for transfer from the poles."
A subsurface has been laid on the section, closed since April to install a stormwater management system, new road surface, sidewalks, and underground power crossings to remove the array of overhead power lines crossing the street.
This is Phase One of the $8.2 million project to improve Riberia Street from King Street to the Galimore Center. The second phase, to complete the project, begins in the spring and is expected to take a year. |
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Progress |
Children's Museum & Sebastian Inland Harbor
Seems like ladies have always led the way in meaningful city projects, like saving the City Gate years back, saving the lighthouse, stewardship of the Pena Peck House, and developing a Children's Museum.
The museum organization had a grandiose plan for a multi-venue museum (see previous issues May 17 2011) and now they have the location to make it work - the Dow Museum of Historic Homes at Bridge, St. George, and Cordova streets.
Meanwhile, developer Wally Devin is coming out of economic hiatus in an effort to revive the Sebastian Inland Harbor project at US 1 and King Street, according to the St. Augustine Record.
Devlin says he's negotiating with Wells Fargo Bank, which foreclosed earlier as plans for a flagship hotel, condominiums, and retail space were stalled in the economic downturn.
And the Children's Museum of St. Johns (http://www.explorecmsj.org/) has a six-month lease to purchase agreement with the Museum of Arts & Sciences in Daytona Beach to acquire the Dow property.
The location will offer all the necessary space to create the envisioned five theme areas: Our Town Center, Life on the River, St. Augustine Story, Spuds 'N' Buds Farm, and Our Beautiful Beaches - each offering a wide variety of multi-disciplinary, hands-on learning experiences. |
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Firefighters get assistance to assist others |
"Carbon monoxide is the most common cause of poisoning in the U.S.," says St. Augustine Fire Chief Mike Arnold. So he was thrilled Tuesday to accept new equipment, a RAD-57 Pulse CO-Oximeter, to measure the amount of carbon monoxide in a person's blood.
The donation of the $4,000 unit was made by the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation in ceremonies at Cobblestone's Firehouse Subs.
"With continued budget restraints, this support from the private sector is most welcome," said Arnold. "The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation has proven time and time again its support of firefighters. We are both proud and grateful for this donation."
The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation is on its website, www. Firehousesubs.com. |
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Collecting stuffed toys for Caroling Train |
Bringing holiday cheer to seniors in nursing homes is what Lincolnville's Carrie Johnson is all about, and St. Augustine Police are happy to help, asking donations of stuffed animals for the December 20 program. Contact Officer Mark Sampson at 904.209.3456 for details.
Carrie's Annual Caroling Trainwill depart 4:30 pm December 20 from Galimore Center parking lot carrying carolers, stuffed animals, and handwritten Christmas cards from Ketterlinus and R. B. Hunt elementary students.
Contact Gale Burnick (kingsferryway@bellsouth.net) for a head count if you plan to join the fun.
Solar power at Lincolnville Farmers' Market
Solar power comes to the Lincolnville Farmers' Market Sunday, as local high tech Solar Stik offers portable solar energy systems to power vendors and musicians.
Market Director Sue Agresta promises more surprises as Christmas approaches, including, December 18, a visit from Santa Claus and horse-drawn sleigh-rides for little market-goers, live music by local solo artist Gary Lee Wingard, and a new "Lincolnville Spice Bazaar" for creative holiday cooking.
Among the growing number of unique vendors, look for Growers Alliance Coffees and Robbin's Nest Egg - one-of-a-kind beaded utensils using Czech fire-polished crystal, glass beads or gemstones. |
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Lizzie |
Hi: My name is Lizzie; I'm an 8-year-old Golden Retriever rescue pup, and I'm getting adjusted to my new home with George and Sally - Mom and Dad to me. 
My family of 7½ years had to give me up when they moved, and their neighbor lady took me in, but six months later her husband died and she gave me up to Coastal Retriever Rescue in Jacksonville.
Mom says Casey sent me because she left them with a lot of love they ought to share.
I hope your Thanksgiving was as thankful, and your Christmas as blessed, as mine. |
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History's highlight
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3 years, 9 months, 2 days to St. Augustine's 450th anniversary
Old men, women and children in the center, younger, stronger men in front and behind, carrying wooden spears, the silent column of some 150 trudged north along the trail from New Smyrna to St. Augustine.
They were unconcerned about attacks from Indians, or being hunted by their overseers, or insects or beasts of the forest. In nine years they had suffered all forms of misery. 
Three of their number had secretly made the 70-mile trek before them, and filed complaints with East Florida Governor Tonyn. This tattered band would testify further to broken contracts, forced labor, beatings and death at the hands of overseers charged with making a success of an agricultural colony carved out of the wilderness.
It was May 5, 1777, nine years and 18 days after their arrival on the Mosquito Coast.
The New Smyrna survivors were granted small parcels of land at St. Augustine where, their hopes finally realized, they quietly built new lives and became a major influence on the future development of St. Augustine.
Six years after the exodus, England returned Florida to Spain. The New Smyrna survivors remained - through Spanish, American and Confederate occupations and finally American statehood.
Reminders survive in the St. Photios Shrine on St. George Street, dedicated to the first Greek settlement in America. It was on the second floor of this building that the New Smyrna survivors met and prayed.
Reminders survive, too, in the many Menorcan descendants in St. Augustine today. Their heritage is honored each year as the ceremonial Royal Family of St. Augustine is chosen from their number.
Image: Detail in statue of Father Camps, the Monorcans' priest, in Cathedral Basilica's west courtyard.
Account from St. Augustine Bedtime Stories. Click for further information on this fascinating historic series. |
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The St. Augustine Report is published weekly, with additional Reports previewing City Commission meetings as well as Special Reports. The Report is written and distributed by George Gardner, St. Augustine Mayor (2002-2006) and Commissioner (2006-2008) and a former newspaper reporter and editor. Contact the Report at gardner@aug.com |
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