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Published by former Mayor George Gardner May 15 2013
The Report is an independent publication serving our community.
Contributions are greatly appreciated.
or mail to
George Gardner 57 Fullerwood Drive St. Augustine FL 32084
Click to order St. Augustine Bedtime Stories -
two sets of twelve, $15 each set
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Comment to the fore
Commission to revise agenda for public input
Public comment before the City Commission, moved to the fore by the previous administration then slid back in intervening years, came full forward Monday with assurance it will top the agenda by state law October 1. 
BJ Kalaidi opened the issue during public comment, which came after reading and approval of a consent agenda. "You should put (public comment) before you people decide to vote on what you want to vote on," she argued.
City Attorney Ron Brown said the state legislature has decreed that "every agenda item be allowed to have public comment." He added the consent agenda was put at the top of the agenda Monday "to show what could happen."
Mayor Joe Boles commented, "It may be we want to have public comment before we do anything, including prayer. There may be someone who wants to protest the use of clergy here."
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Romanza
Historica
Changing of the Guard wasn't a celebration back in the day - it was a necessity.
The nightly ritual will be reenacted Saturday at 5 pm, along with an art festival on Cuna Street all day and candlelight tour of the Castillo, among 20 Romanza Festivale events, exhibits and tours that day.
The Changing of the Guard, reenacted only three times a year due to a performance limit on St. George Street, begins with St. Augustine's 1740 Spanish Garrison soldiers gathering on north St. George, relieving guards posted at the City Gate, then marching to the Governor's House in the Plaza de la Constitución for the guard change, volley of musket fire, and presentation on 18th century military arts.
Spanish soldados and distaff of the 1740s, the period represented at the Castillo, will conduct candlelight tours of the fortification 7:30 - 9 pm, demonstrating military arts and interfacing with visiting guests.
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Listening
Whetstone fence on June 10 agenda
Commissioners demonstrated Monday they're listening to public comments. Commissioner Leanna Freeman said she "didn't realize so many people are concerned about the (Whetstone Anchorage Inn) fence issue" following public comments. Commissioners decided to place the matter on the June 10 agenda for full discussion with residents and Whetstone representatives.
Anastasia Island alley hearing
And the proposed vacating of an Anastasia Island alley - one access point to Little Beach, which drew comment, was passed to first reading as an ordinance with assurances there will be a public hearing before final action.
'Faneuil Hall' in bank lobby
A proposed ordinance to allow alcohol sales within 100 feet of a church, if it is part of a restaurant, will go to first reading June 10 and public hearing June 24. Commissioner Don Crichlow pointed out as example, "if four priests and five rabbis come and say we don't want this, we won't pass it."
The action came after careful debate on legal protection against early evening restaurants becoming late night bars.
Earlier in the meeting, Attorney George McClure apologized for previously stating the adjacent cathedral had no objection to the sale of alcohol within 100 feet of a church.
The cathedral's Father Tom Willis wrote to the city that the Bishop would have to decide the matter after a formal request.
Vendors in south promenade
A draft ordinance allowing vendors to remain in the Visitor Center south promenade but with regulation was moved to first reading June 10 and public hearing June 24, Mayor Joe Boles noting, "banning it won't hold up in court."
The commission will have to deal with another plan for that area - a set of chimes a civic group is planning to set there as a "Let Freedom Ring" tribute to the 1964 Civil Rights movement here.
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'Flexible' PUD adopted
The use and potential abuse of Planned Unit Development (PUD) zoning was debated once again Monday before the City Commission, on a 4-1 vote, enacted it into law.
Commissioner Roxanne Horvath, still troubled over language allowing change of use to any allowed category in historic preservation districts, opposed the measure, as did three residents of Spanish Street, Nancy Pellicer and Ron and Martha Mickler.
But commissioners assured them the city will now look at more code language to list uses to be encouraged as well as discouraged in the historic district.
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Anticipating 25,000 fans with 6,000 cars Sept 13-14 for a Mumford & Sons concert, City Comptroller Mark Litzinger assured city commissioners Monday a team is in place evaluating the city's infrastructure in safety, logistics, administration and communication.
"We view this event as an opportunity to put systems in place," Litzinger said.
Coordinating with the county, that system so far includes parking those 6,000 cars at the county fairgrounds on SR 207 and people-moving in a fleet of 60 buses.
Street closings with resident access and regular communications to the Tourist Development Council, Visitor and Convention Bureau and neighborhood associations are also in the mix.
Wayfinding 1,650 historic places here
There are 1,650 historic places in St. Augustine recognized by the federal government. That would be a lot of wayfinding signs, but Planning and Building Director Mark Knight told commissioners Monday a signage program will be keyed to include as many as possible.
The program, with $80,000 in construction money on hand and awaiting final locations approval by the Historic Architectural Review Board, will be keyed to educational, government, shrines and National Register historic places, with Knight working with businesses, attractions and tour programs.
Missing on a proposed signage list was Memorial Presbyterian Church which, surprise to many, is not on the National Historic Register. Knight promised to adjust the list.
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A 450th worth celebrating?
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Historian David Nolan awaits introduction Monday at Markland
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Local historian David Nolan had some thoughts Monday on commemorating the city's 450th anniversary, including perhaps a redirection of $328,000 in City Commission-authorized annual funding - two-thirds of it for three city staffers, and a $750,000 state grant for "historic renovation" of public bathrooms on St. George Street.
Speaking before a full house at Markland for a meeting of the Flagler Model Land Company Neighborhood Association, he suggested:
- Replacement/restoration of architectural features, like a missing ornament high atop the cathedral spire, removed after the 2004 hurricanes and never replaced.
- Reclaiming and gathering historic items related to St. Augustine but located elsewhere, "like letters written home to New England during the Civil War and reprinted in many northern newspapers."
- Regular scheduled maintenance of our public sculptures and other outdoor treasures "so they don't wind up like the historic railroad engine given to the city, then moved to Jacksonville Beach when time came to maintain it. We have too long a history of getting rid of stuff."
- Historic trails and markers - "The Freedom Trail marker program set 30 markers for $45,000. We could do that for our art colonies, and authors."
 - Replanting the live oak trees that once made San Marco Avenue look like the street in front of the Fountain of Youth.
- Mobilize photographers to take pictures of "every house, as the character changes over time. It would be an invaluable tool for restoration."
- Invite descendants of St. Augustine-related figures: the direct descendant of Edward Rutledge, one of the three signers of the Declaration of Independence held prisoner in St. Augustine during the American Revolution - Goldie Hawn. The direct descendant of Agustin Zamorano, California's first printer and acting governor, born in St. Augustine - Linda Ronstadt. And the great-great-great-great grandson of Rev. John Forbes (1740-83), first Anglican rector in St. Augustine - Secretary of State John Kerry.
"What is the future historian going to wish we had saved?" concluded Nolan.
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Maritime Foundation lists events
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Maritime Foundation President Maury Keiser describes chalupa progress to Historical Society Senior Librarian Charles Tingley
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Beginning with a Pig Roast today, the St. Augustine Maritime Heritage Foundation is planning food, fun and focus on the environment over the next two months as the community nonprofit seeks to boost membership and recognition in its mission to celebrate St. Augustine's maritime heritage.
Pig Roast 6 pm, Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park, features roast pig on the spit, rice and beans, choice of salad and deserts.
Cash bar for beer, wine and sangria, complimentary soft drinks and coffee. Tickets $22 in advance at the park or online www.staugmaritimeheritage.org $25 at the door.
Spaghetti dinner May 19, 1 pm to 5 pm, Back 40 Urban Café, South Dixie Hgy, choice of spaghetti style and fresh salad, $15.
Family Fun Day June 8, 11 am - 3 pm, Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park. Model boat building and races, ship wreck artifacts, youth sailboat rigging, demonstrations, fun exhibits, and hands-on activities. Free with park admission (St. Johns residents free).
Expedition Florida 500 June 24-25. Justin Riney visits on his expedition from Pensacola to the Dry Tortugas to Jacksonville on stand-up paddleboard, kayak, powerboat, sailboat, airboat and alternative energy vehicles, to raise awareness of environmental threats to our ocean, waterways, and freshwater ecosystems.
June 24, at 3 pm, stand up paddlers, kayakers, and canoes invited to paddle with Justin from the bayfront north of the Bridge of Lions to the Lighthouse Park boat ramp on Salt Run. June 25, 10:45 am Marine Combat Landing Salute for Justin including cannon fire, muskets, and drums, then a tour of the St.Augustine Maritime Heritage Foundation'sAstillero (boatyard).
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Jewish-Muslim dialogue May 20
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Rabbi Mark Goldman of Temple Bet Yam and local Muslim leader Hazem Bata will discuss "Building Understanding in Our Multi-Faith Community" Monday, May 20, after a potluck dinner hosted by the St. Augustine Initiative for Compassion (SAIC).
The dinner and discussion at the St. Cyprian's Episcopal Church Mission House, 130 M.L. King Ave., are free. Potluck begins at 6 and conversation between Rabbi Goldman and Mr. Bata at 7 pm.
The St. Augustine Initiative for Compassion (SAIC) is a self-organized, grassroots group of residents affirming an international Charter for Compassion. SAIC strives to enliven the Charter community-wide and inspire the desire within the nation's oldest city for it to become one of a growing number of Compassionate Cities worldwide.
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History's Highlight
Montiano and Matanzas
2 years, 3 months, 25 days to St. Augustine's 450th anniversary
April 29, 1737, Don Manuel de Montiano was appointed governor of La Florida. October 30, 1739, Great Britain declared war on Spain. 
That war, the War of Jenkins' Ear, was fought as part of a larger conflict, the War of Austrian Succession. (Jenkins had the dubious honor of his historic naming while attempting to smuggle goods past the Spanish coast guard. His ship was boarded by the coast guard and he was punished by having his ear cut off.)
The new Spanish governor's mettle would be tested over the next eleven years of stewardship. Montiano came to St. Augustine as the British were overtaking Spanish missions to establish Georgia and intensifying attacks on the Spanish colonial capitol here.
A year after his arrival he established Fort Mose, the first legally sanctioned free black settlement, and two years later Montiano began the construction of Fort Matanzas, the critical southern entrance to St. Augustine. With Georgia's James Oglethorpe's ships blockading both the inlet and Matanzas as he began his siege in June, 1740, Montiano could see the value of a strong fortification at Matanzas.
Construction began in the fall of 1740, shortly after Oglethorpe - unable to penetrate the Castillo's walls, withdrew. Its need was underscored during that 38-day siege.
Oglethorpe had hoped his bombardment and blockades of the inlet and Matanzas would force surrender. But a small Spanish vessel managed to get through the blockade and set sail for Havana. On July 7 a courier returned to St. Augustine and told Montiano six supply ships were 68 miles south, and that the British had withdrawn the vessel blocking Matanzas Inlet.
Montiano sent five small vessels out the Matanzas Inlet to gather the supplies. Just as the boats returned to Matanzas Inlet, they met two British sloops taking soundings. The sloops opened fire which continued until twilight, when they returned to their squadron.
The Spanish flotilla then promptly entered the Matanzas Inlet, sailed up the river, and safely anchored at St. Augustine, allowing supplies to be brought to the Castillo without opposition.
On July 20, his blockade breeched, the Spanish garrison resupplied, Oglethorpe withdrew.
St. Augustine Bedtime Stories - Dramatic accounts of famous people and events in St. Augustine's history - in booklets designed for quick reads before bed. Information here.
Click to order St. Augustine Bedtime Stories through Paypal.
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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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