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Published by former Mayor George Gardner June 12 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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Mini golf makeover
$250,000-$392,000 for 'multi-purpose park'
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Plan from video presentation includes marina building (1), food kiosks (2), seawall promenade (3), multi-purpose area (4), and 9-hole mini golf course (5).
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City commissioners Monday endorsed a concept to create a multi-purpose park with seawall promenade along the waterfront while retaining the mini golf course under lease to Ripley Entertainment at $42,176 to $46,561 a year for the next five years.
City Manager John Regan provided cost estimates for one of three 'schemes' developed after commission debate and charettes conducted by Commissioner Roxanne Horvath, an architect.
That estimate, $391,800, includes addition of north and south seawall walkways, three food kiosks for a café area, and an open multi-purpose area, with a nine-hole disabilities-compliant golf course. A less expensive plan would leave the golf course at 18 holes.
Regan will flesh out all three variations on the concept for later commission review.
He said the plan is not to compete with wedding and large event venues. "This would be more for family related activities," he said.
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New office,
old friend
Perhaps the greatest welcoming gift for Jeanne Prickett upon taking over as president of the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind is an old friend, a tactile globe first produced in 1955 by the American Printing House for the Blind and distributed to schools for the blind nationwide.
"I was hired to teach in the Resource Room at Metcalf School, the laboratory school for Illinois State University for students who were either blind or deaf in Normal, Illinois in 1973," says Jeanne, "and I found one exactly like this in my classroom.
"I treasured it for the seven years I taught in that classroom, and missed it when I moved into university teaching. When I arrived at FSDB last spring, this one was in the waiting room for the President's office. Of course, I was delighted!
"Staff members commented that they thought I could 'ditch' the globe. That was not going to happen - now that I've got my globe back after more than 35 years, I'm not parting with it!"
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Compromise proposed
on disputed alley closing
City commissioners, in split votes Monday, passed to public hearing and final action at a later date vacating a dead-end alley, but rejected vacating another alley after a suggestion that a land swap may solve numerous concerns. Both alleys are in the Lighthouse Park area.
Both Vice Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline and Commissioner Leanna Freeman, called for a review of all the city's alleys - many no longer used - and were on the losing end of stalling the dead-end alley action but successful in moving and seconding denial of action on the second alley.
"I'm not inclined to close alleys, not when neighbors are pitted against neighbors," Sikes-Kline said.
Among speakers from the neighborhood, some argued the alley is a pathway to a Little Beach area, while others said it's attracted drug use and loud parties.
Commissioner Roxanne Horvath focused on one point, suggesting a land exchange between the city and a private property owner could at least correct an area where alley users are actually trespassing.
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Commission gives cautious
nod to non-profit for 450th
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Browning
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City commissioners Monday welcomed a plan for a community non-profit to raise funds for 450th commemoration programs and projects, but stopped short of formal endorsement because, as Mayor Joe Boles put it, "That would make you a city committee subject to the Sunshine Law ..."
Ponte Vedra insurance agent Jim Browning, born and raised in St. Augustine and with "a lot of interest from the heart," outlined a plan to create a non-profit 501.c.3 with a management team including former Mayor Len Weeks, Cathedral Priest Tom Willis, Historical Society Director Susan Parker, and Jeff King.
Browning said this "Focus 450" group would "fund some events, some projects, just like they did when I was a kid." He noted the community was able to raise some $6 million for the 400th commemoration in 1965.
Mayor Boles early in 450th planning stopped the idea of a community based non-profit, saying such a major event would have to be governed by the City Commission with top-down fundraising first, then project and program development. The effort is now managed by a city hall trio that's been unable to attract funding or develop many 450 programs.
Commission security begins June 24
Following up on a commission request to tighten security at its meetings, Police Chief Loran Lueders "will implement one part of the Commission Room Security Plan" at the June 24 commissioner meeting.
"All persons and bags entering the Commission Room will be subject to search," wrote the chief in a memo approved by commissioners Monday. "Persons will be required to empty their pockets and be scanned with a metal detector wand before being allowed entry into the Commission Room. This process will occur upon re-entry also."
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Alcohol, vendors and a fence
City commissioners Monday tackled three sensitive issues, moving proposed ordinances to allow alcohol sales within 100 feet of a church and regulation of vendors to public hearing and final action June 24, and taking a wait and see approach to a fence at the Anastasia Inn adjacent to the Bridge of Lions.
Alcohol sales
In a 4-1 vote with Vice Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline opposed, commissioners moved forward an ordinance for alcohol service within 100 feet of a church, Sikes-Kline questioning the ability to audit
a condition that service be allowed only in restaurants with more than 50 percent in food sales, while Commissioner Don Crichlow said, "I would only oppose if the religious community opposes."
The ordinance was prompted by owners of the former Exchange Bank building, considering creating a marketplace in its vacated bank lobby, but it would also affect the Floridian Restaurant across Cordova Street from Grace Methodist Church, which currently serves wine in a rear room more than 100 feet frown the church.
Vendor regulation
An fee of $75 a month for all vending permits plus $50 a month for the popular "designated spaces" adjacent to the Visitor Center promenade, along with a one photo identification, were modifications as commissioners moved a vendor regulation ordinance to public hearing June 24.
The ordinance was initiated by commissioners concerned with vendors along the Visitor Center promenade, but City Attorney Ron Brown cautioned that a ban there might not leave reasonable alternatives that would stand up in court.
Also altered was a proposed requirement for two photo IDs with permit applications, reduced by commissioners to one.
The fence
City Manager John Regan promised commissioners Monday "we will not close the permit (process) until the FDOT matter is settled" on a contentious 8-foot wood fence constructed around the Anchorage Inn, but offered little more satisfaction to residents complaining that the fence is an intrusion on views.
The Florida Department of Transportation has charged that the fence is partially on its property, and has ordered that section moved. Regan said the only other consolation is consideration by property owners, the Whetstone family, to lower the fence, "but no size has been given."
City Planning and Building Director Mark Knight has said he "cannot find reason why the permit should not have been issued" for the fence.
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Aggressive grant-seeking for city
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Design charette at Florida Trust conference
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While city commissioners continue to wrestle with fences, mini golf and commission room security, Vice Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline, and City Planning and Building Director Mark Knight and Historic Preservation Planner Jenny Wolfe are quietly moving forward on support for St. Augustine's historic sites, archaeology, and reputation for small city qualities.
"Mark, Jenny, and our neighborhood associations are in the lead accomplishing these efforts," Sikes-Kline says. Those efforts include not only a matching grant for work on the historic North City Rail/Waterworks building but as well non-matching grants for a GIS program (Geographic Information System which integrates hardware, software, and data for study of geographically referenced information)and to catalogue and record previously studied archeological sites into the Florida Master Site File.
For that high-ranking small city reputation, Knight and Sikes-Kline successfully sought $75,000 in federal funds for a St. Augustine Bicycle/ Pedestrian Safety Awareness Campaign plan - this through the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization on which both represent the city.
Sikes-Kline praised neighborhood associations for "fantastic response" to an appeal for support for the North City building grant application.
That site and building were subjects of a design charette during the Florida Trust for Historic Preservation annual conference held here two weeks ago.
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Henry according to three Mrs. Flaglers
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 "As a fourth generation Floridian, I feel especially close to St. Augustine and the Flaglers," Dianne Jacoby says.
"My grandparents were involved in the pioneering days of Florida as Henry Flagler built the Florida East Coast Railroad. My grandfather, a railroad engineer, was chosen to drive the first train across the newly completed Overseas Railway from Miami to Key West in 1912."
Dianne is writer/producer/star of The Three Mrs. Flaglers dinner theater Thursday, June 13, in the Casa Monica Ballroom.
"I grew up hearing stories about the Flaglers. When I began teaching at Flagler College, I was immersed in the glorious ambiance of the grand hotels, inspiring me to research and write my one woman historical drama, The Three Mrs. Flaglers.
Her portrayal of each of Henry's three wives as they tell the Henry Flagler story opens with dinner recreated from an 1888 menu at 6:30 with the performance at 7:30. Dinner and show $49, reservation's required at 904.819.6006.
Dianne's St. George Players also present comedy hits from the 1500s at the Spanish Bakery Saturdays June 15 and 29 at 8 pm.
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'In this vicinity on September 8, 1565'
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 A marker memorializing Founder Pedro Menendez' landing and "the first parish mass in what is now the United States of America" has been set on the grounds of the Mission Nombre de Dios, courtesy of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
In unveiling ceremonies, DAR State Historian Dawn Lemongello noted, "We are historians not only of family history, but also of our country. We have to be absolutely certain that what a marker stands for is true and correct."
Her assurances were endorsed by Dr. Michael Gannon, Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Florida. Gannon, considered a foremost authority on the Spanish colonial history of Florida, is a St. Augustine native and former director of the mission.
Photo and coverage by Michael Isam
Festival of 'education, excellence and heart'
 Jorge Pena acted on a vision six years ago to provide quality music in a magnificent St. Augustine location.
His colleagues with the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra agreed, despite a lack of funds, and the free St. Augustine Music Festival (SAMF) began in the Cathedral Basilica.
This year's festival at 7:30 June 20-22 and June 27-29 promises, "music by composers from Spain, Venezuela, Paraguay and Brazil," Festival Artistic Director Pena says. "And we are bringing in guest musicians with world-class credentials and Latin-American roots."
There's financial assistance now from Florida Blue and the Tourist Development Council, and contributions are welcome. Visit www.StAugustineMusicFestival.org.
"SAMF from the start has been about authenticity, education, excellence and heart," says SAMF board member Rhey Palmer. "The festival's growth shows that audiences recognize and support the real thing."
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History's Highlight
Searle's raid - the aftermath
2 years, 2 months, 28 days to St. Augustine's 450th anniversary
After the buccaneer raid of 1668, the city was utterly destitute. Notwithstanding, the sack of San Agustin was a blessing in disguise, for it shocked the ponderous Spanish bureaucracy into action.
The governor of Havana, Don Francisco Oregon y Gascon, lent 1,200 pesos for masting and rigging the presidio's frigate, thus insuring San Agustin's communication with its supply bases in Cuba and New Spain. The viceroy of New Spain, Don Antonio Sebastián de Toledo Molina y  Salazar, released the 1669 situado (subsidy) of 76,172 pesos, with an additional 1,200 pesos for general repairs, weapons, gunpowder, and lead for bullets.
He also promised 75 men to bring the garrison's troops up to authorized strength. Furthermore, the presidio was allowed to keep an 18-pounder bronze cannon that had been salvaged from the wreck of the Nuestra Señora de las Maravillas.
It was Mariana, Queen Regent of Spain, ruling during the minority of her son, Carlos II, who gave permanent aid to San Agustin in three decrees addressed to New Spain's viceroy.
On March 11, 1669, she ordered him to pay the Florida situado on time and add an adequate amount for building the fortress proposed by the presidio's governor.
Next, on April 10, she commanded him to support a full 300-man garrison in Florida, instead of the customary 257 soldiers and 43 missionaries.
Finally, on October 30, she enjoined him to hear the views of Don Manuel de Çendoya, Florida's newly appointed governor, on an effective fortification and provide for its construction.
Even so, it would be four more years before the multiple levels of the royal bureaucracy could translate the resolutions of the Queen and her Council of the Indies into funds, troops, and a day of groundbreaking for the new stone fort.
The Castillo de San Marcos was finally completed in 1695 and still stands, an enduring reminder of Florida's exciting heritage.
From research by Davis Walker of Orlando on Searle's Sack of St. Augustine.
Image: Mariana, 1660, by Spain's most famous painter at the time, Diego Velázquez, now hangs in the Prado.
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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