Published by former Mayor George Gardner February 29 2012
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George Gardner 57 Fullerwood Drive St. Augustine FL 32084 |
Legislator gets commitment for Bridge of Lions
Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Ananth Prasad has endorsed the flying of flags on the Bridge of Lions and "will install the poles, but the city has to authorize the flag and agree to pay  for cost of the materials and for proper maintenance per the flag protocols including such aspects as raising and lowering or lighting if it is left in place."
This in an email to City Manager John Regan Monday from State Rep Fred Costello, R-Ormond Beach, who learned of limitations on flying the American flag in a St. Augustine Report item, and asked, "How can I help with flags? You/we should be able to display American flag anywhere/anytime!"
In rapid order, Costello contacted his FDOT district director, was referred to St. Augustine's district director, then, at the Daytona 500, "was able to chat with and impose upon Secretary Prasad."
At Monday's City commission meeting, City Manager John Regan was asked to find out if FDOT would allow flags, what additional structures would be needed, and what costs would be involved.
Costello also asked Senator John Thrasher's help: "Any suggestions as to how we can authorize American flag display anywhere/anytime? ...specifically on the Bridge of Lions!," and notified an aide, "Since it is too late for a bill, where can we amend something to allow display of American flag anywhere/anytime (appropriately lighted, etc) without opening up requirement to display other flags? How about American Law in American Courts? ... American flag anywhere/anytime!"
Costello was a member of the infamous "30-second" House Economic Affirs Committee during the FSDB eminent domain hearings, and visited the city to better understand neighborhood concerns.
The former mayor of Ormond Beach and first term legislator plans to run for the new congressional "coastal district" 6 that runs from Volusia to the northern border of St. Johns County. | |
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Searle returns in living history
Real St. Augustine history is recreated Saturday, March 3, as Searle's Buccaneers and the Men of Menendez (members of the Florida Historic Militia) present the 1668 sack of San Agustin by the English Pirate Robert Searle, which left 60 townspeople dead and others captured for ransom.
A17th century military encampment will be open to the public at the Fountain of Youth Park from 10 to 5 with drills, demonstrations, and historic interpretation.
The reenactment of the sacking and burning of the town begins at 5pm at the Plaza, ending at the City Gate.
Visit http://searlesbucs.com/ |
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FSDB board meets Thursday on pact
The Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind Board of Trustees meets Thursday at 3 pm to consider an agreement with the city, along with a request to exempt the entire city permanently from any eminent domain action rather than for ten years as currently written.
another modification would allow more time for design of a neighborhood-friendly fence at the Collins House on Nelmar Avenue, as the existing institutional fence will be replaced and set back 20 feet.
Neighbors praised the agreement, and commissioners praised the neighbors for carrying the fight against eminent domain to Tallahassee.
City Manager John Regan said part of the negotiations worked out with Senator John Thrasher, who pulled a Senate bill from committee and called for the two sides to find agreement, was that the city not oppose any further action by Thrasher.
Mayor Joe Boles said he doesn't mind terminating a city lobbyist he considered "not nearly as effective as the citizens were."
Regan anticipates that, with formal agreement between the city and school, Senator John Thrasher will force modification of the already-passed House bill into a Senate bill that has been stripped down to the eminent domain alone.
This would leave in place state statute elements authored by former Representative Doug Wiles to cooperatively resolve issues between agencies and governments. | |
Community effectively
'jammed the process'
Describing State Representative Bill Proctor's eminent domain legislation as "a tool of control ... to bring the neighborhood into submission," City Manager John Regan Sunday afternoon praised residents for "effectively, as a community, jamming the process."
Regan spoke with two dozen resident neighbors of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind in an hour-long session following a rally at the home of James Register, the lone surviving homeowner on the Genoply/Allred block bought up by the school several years ago.
That rally drew some 50 residents, who donned "grouchy neighbor" tee shirts, signed petitions against the legislation, and vowed to continue the fight against it.
Regan admitted at the neighborhood gathering that the ten-year limit on citywide protection from eminent domain was timed to coincide with the likely remaining political influence by Proctor, a longtime champion for the school. | |
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Grouchy Neighbors, Round Two |
Even as residents of Nelmar Terrace and Fullerwood Park Historic Districts began to relax, businesses along King Street rose Monday night to take their place, furious that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) plans to detour eastbound traffic during a nine month drainage reconstruction project from Malaga Street to Markland Place.
Businesspeople argued they had not been part of the planning process and, one said, "We could be welcoming visitors to our commemorations along an entry corridor of empty buildings."
City Manager John Regan said his staff "will regroup" with FDOT and the businesses to seek a less impacting plan. The project is scheduled to begin in March. |
Archaeology Month 2012 recognizes Civil War |
 A proclamation and poster were presented at Monday's City Commission meeting recognizing Archaeology Month 2012, themed on the Civil War, which began 151 year ago. FPAN Northeast  and the St. Augustine Archaeological Association will offer free posters, bookmarks, and giveaways at the gates of Flagler College during First Friday Art Walk.
The Archaeological Association will kick off Archaeology Month not with the Civil War but with events 300 years earlier. Dr. Charles Ewen, Anthropology Professor at East Carolina University, will discuss Soldier of Misfortune: DeSoto and the Spanish in the New World at the asssociation's monthly meeting Tuesday, March 6, at 7pm in the Flagler Room at Flagler College.
De Soto's North American expedition ranged throughout the southeastern United States searching for gold and a passage to China. De Soto died in 1542 on the banks of the Mississippi River. |
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History's Highlight |
Sack of San Augustín, 1668
3 years, 6 months, 11 days to St. Augustine's 450th anniversary
May 28, 1668, the Spanish presidio of San Agustín awaits the arrival of a supply ship bringing flour from Veracruz. The ship anchors two leagues off the inlet.
That evening a second, smaller ship, the local frigate that left for Havana 50 days earlier, is sighted.
Both these ships were expected, and cause no alarm.
It's unknown that both have been captured by the pirate Captain Robert Searle. As night descends, more than 100 pirates slip into boats to coast up the San Sebastian River to the uninhabited side of the city and attack at daybreak.
At 1 a.m., detected by a solder who sounds the alarm, the pirates storm ashore.
Shouting, cursing bands scatter through the narrow streets, seizing or shooting frightened, half-naked inhabitants as they emerge from their houses. The senior officer of the presidio's garrison, aroused at his home, leads 130 bewildered men, women, and children - including 70 unarmed soldiers - to safety in the woods.
For an hour and a half, the corsairs storm the fortress walls, only to be driven back by heavy musket fire. Firing at the glowing matchcords carried by the Spanish musketeers, the brigands kill five and wound five more. They finally withdraw, with 11 men dead and 19 wounded.
The raiders systematically sack San Agustín. The king's treasury yields 138 silver marks; the royal warehouses are emptied of 760 yards of sail canvas and 25 pounds of wax candles intended for Mass.
On the afternoon of May 29, the governor sends out two parties of 25 men each to drive the pirates from the city. They are unaware that only 40 buccaneers are still ashore. After receiving fire that wounds both party commanders, the governor recalls them "so that the enemy would not kill them as if they were sheep."
That evening the remaining pirates row back to their ships. The sack of San Agustín has lasted 20 hours and left a grief-stricken people - 60 of their relatives and friends are dead.
Searle's raid prompts plans for construction on a strong fortress, the Castillo de San Marcos, which begins four years later.
Excerpt from 'Sack of San Agustin,' in 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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