Published by former Mayor George Gardner June 6 2012
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George Gardner 57 Fullerwood Drive St. Augustine FL 32084 |
Hardy 16th century settlers meet 21st century codes
Boat shed needs permit | |
 A 16th century boat shed, to house construction of a 16th century chalupa and caravel tall ship, the vision of the St. Augustine Maritime Heritage Foundation since its formation as a 450 Corps Ship Committee four years ago, has run afoul of 21st century building codes.
City officials notified John Fraser at the Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park where a boatyard has been established that the 40 by 20 foot boat shed would require a building permit, and with it necessary engineering and safety elements for use by the public.
A volunteer crew has been at work under Project Director Alexander Cameron since he "dug the first post hole the day before Christmas," harvesting, peeling, and setting log posts and beams, following historic data on 16th century construction.
Palm fronds were being set to roof the structure when the foundation voluntarily stopped work on it, turning its attention to the chalupa until a solution is worked out, Foundation President Maury Keiser says.
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The William Bartram Scenic and Historic Highway (WBSH) has been hard at work recording history for posterity.
WBSH has recorded and presented to the St Augustine Historical Society Library 59 oral history transcripts, 34 from the WBSH and 25 from the A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway.
Also getting great reviews, Up from the Roots, a William Bartram Scenic Highway timeline historical video.
Both the oral histories and historical timeline video in the WBSH Oral History project have been honored with an Outstanding Public Participation Award by the First Coast Chapter of the Florida Planning and Zoning Association.
Visit bartramscenichighway.com |
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38 compete for
bed tax grants |
Thirty-eight community organizations and events, seeking $1,290,215 in bed tax grants for next year, are vying for less than half that amount.
An estimated $500,000 will be available for the coming year, October, 2012 through September 30, 2013.
The applicants will make oral presentations to a grants panel June 13 starting at 9 a.m. at the County Auditorium, 500 Sebastian View, with its recommendations going to the Tourist Development Council July 16.
The number of applicants is down, 38 compared to 57 in 2011-2012, in part due to restructuring of procedures. One example: the Historic Florida Militia represents nine living history reenactment units. Applying for individual events last year, they must now seek a single grant for all reenactment events.
Topping the applicant list at the maximum $100,000 for regional impact events:
Ø City of St Augustine 450th, Picasso Exhibition
Ø Gamble Rogers Folk Festival, Festival and Workshops
Ø Flagler College Legacy Tours, Flagler 125th anniversary tours
Ø Romanza, Romanza Festival Marketing
Each applicant will have five minutes to present its case to the grants panel. The applicant list with presentation times is here. |
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Total bed tax revenue for 2012-2013 is estimated at $8,507,840. Here's the anticipated distribution:
ØDestination Marketing $3,445,157. Advertising and marketing managed by the Visitors and Convention Bureau
ØArts, Culture & Heritage $1,269,403. Grants and marketing for community programs and events, managed by St. Johns Cultural Council
ØRecreation & Leisure $1,326,517. Sporting events and recreation resources, beach renourishment and clean-up, managed by the county Parks and Recreation Department.
ØAdministration & Special Uses $2,466,763. Support for visitor centers, special events such as July 4 fireworks and Nights of Lights; debt payment on amphitheatre and convention center shortfall |
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Categories for bed tax grants |
Regional Events - multiple consecutive day recurring events, up to $100,000 with 50% spent targeting out of market audiences. Requires a minimum 1:1 match with not more than 25% in-kind services or products. Volunteer hours are not eligible. Arts Culture and Heritage annual or ongoing Cultural Program Development and Presentation - Up to $50,000 for extraordinary visitor-related programming; significant traveling exhibits or a sustained presentation of literary, performance or visual arts representative of St. Johns County's culture. Minimum $2 cash match for every TDC $1. Extraordinary presentations are not part of organization's usual presentations. Enhancement Events with no or little income potential - up to $10,000. 1:1 Match with 75% documented in- kind services or products, excluding volunteer hours. Low tourist draw but appealing activity for visitors who come for another reason. Historic reenactment, single day arts & crafts shows, concert programs, parades, etc. Fundraising Events that are Arts Culture and Heritage focused - Up to $10,000. 1:1 cash match. 50% allocated to out of market advertising and promotion. Fundraising Events that are Arts Culture and heritage focused but support projects or programs of non-ACH related applicants - Up to $10,000. 1:1 cash match. 100% allocated to out of market advertising and promotion. |
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Commentary
History is, well, history
First it was the 34 state-owned historic properties, turned over to the University of Florida after State Rep. Bill Proctor turned from a well-thought-out proposal for $1 million in annual state support to forming a task force which recommended UF.
 Then it was closing the city's signature heritage venue, the Colonial Spanish Quarter, after the city failed to follow up on plans to make it more visible and add programs.
Next came the struggle to get "heritage" included in the arts and culture category for bed tax grants, followed by the edict that living history reenactment organizations combine all applications under the 501 (c) (3) "umbrella" of the Historic Florida Militia.
Those all-volunteer units include Men of Menéndez - 16th Century Spanish, St. Augustine Garrison - 18th Century Spanish, 60th Regiment of Foote - 18th Century British, East Florida Rangers - 18th Century British, HOTAO - 16th Century Indian, St. Augustine Textile Guild - 18th Century Crafts, Searle's Buccaneers - 17th Century British, Drake's Men - 16th Century English, and First Florida Frontier - 16th Century Crafts.
Along the way, the city crafted an ordinance limiting parades on St. George Street to three a year by individual units, wiping out among other living history events the traditional weekend Changing of the Guard, and to avoid hucksters handing out time share coupons, another ordinance prevents a period-dressed Townsfolk Program of ambassadors greeting visitors and handing out information.
Now the city, unaware the Saint Augustine Maritime Heritage Foundation was actually going to build a 16th century boat shed - although it negotiated with the foundation for a Spanish Quarter site for 1½ years - finds a determined crew of volunteers building it at the Fountain of Youth Park - without a permit. The foundation has voluntarily stopped until things are worked out.
Pity our poor small town, saddled with history. | |
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History's Highlight |
3 years, 3 months, 3 days to St. Augustine's 450th anniversary
Pedro Menendez was no stranger to funding struggles like those faced today by the all-volunteer Saint Augustine Maritime Heritage Foundation and reenactment community. Described in letters to King Phillip, early in 1566, his colony in desperate need of supplies, he must seek Havana Governor Garcia Osorio's support.
Menendez' timing in sailing to Havana was unfortunate, for the governor had just committed a very arbitrary and high-handed offence against Juan de la Parra, a captain of the fleet of New Spain and subject to the orders of Menendez.
La Parra, while on his way to Havana, had captured a Portuguese prize. Within an hour of his arrival the governor had forcibly seized it, mutilating the pilot in charge, to which La Parra had quietly submitted; but as he was unable to withhold some expressions of anger at the unwarranted proceeding, Osorio had also seized him and confined him in a dark prison.
Menendez learned of this and of the governor's unwillingness to discuss the matter.
The day following his arrival, Menendez met the governor and exhibited two royal cedulas, which ordered Osorio to furnish him with a vessel, five hundred soldiers, and twenty horses for the conquest of the country.
He modestly stated he would be content with one-fifth of the amount the armament would cost, or the proceeds of the sale of the Portuguese prize. He added that even four thousand ducats would be sufficient, and ended by asking Osorio to surrender La Parra to his jurisdiction.
At this the governor became enraged, and flatly refused to give up the man or loan the money.
It was a serious situation for the anxious Adelantado, for Cuba was the center to which his ships were constantly plying in search of supplies for his Florida colony; and he feared the treatment to which his captains and officials would be exposed at the hands of one who could be so arbitrary with their commander.
But his tact was equal to his courage. Clearly appreciating the importance of retaining at least the semblance of good terms with the governor, and the necessity of committing no act of violence which could expose him to contempt of Osorio's legitimate authority, he controlled his temper, courteously doffed his hat and left his presence.
"I assure Your Majesty," wrote Menendez to King Phillip, "that I secured a greater victory in submitting patiently and quietly to his bad treatment than that which I gained over the French in Florida."
Upon his return he was rejoiced to find that Admiral Juan de Avila had arrived from Spain with fifteen vessels and a thousand men, a large quantity of supplies, and what was most gratifying to Menendez, a letter of commendation from his sovereign. |
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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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