Erkelens

   Retired U.S. Army Col. Rik Erkelens, Military Officer's Association president and 450 Military Committee chair for the setting of three replica cannons in Oglethorpe Battery Park last summer, describes a plan to reset the memorial in the center of Government House's west garden with a backdrop of shields of the five military services along an existing wall.

   "There is no greater love a man has for his country than to lay down his life for it," Erkelens says. "We are judged by the manner in which we honor our heroes. This site will provide that singular honor."   

   To reverse recent City Commission approval of a move within the Plaza, the veterans "are working closely with the pilot club which placed the monument in its present location in 1946" and enlisting the help of the University of Florida, manager of the state-owned Government House property. They'll be up against sentiments such as Vice Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline, who said, "I can think of no more honored place than putting (the memorial) in the central plaza." 

   With such a move, Erkelens envisions a ceremonial next year, St. Augustine's 450th anniversary: "Veterans organizations will conduct an appropriate re-dedication and parade of colors from the National Cemetery to the memorial on Memorial Day 2015." 

Recommendation advances

for vacated signs removal

The Planning and Zoning Board (PZB) Tuesday approved a proposed ordinance for removal of vacated signs and sign structures, after modifying the measure to require that sign structures be removed within six months rather than one year. Signs would have to be removed with fifteen days, both actions following a commercial vacancy.

The proposed ordinance will go to the City Commission for action.

Planning and Building Director Mark Knight noted vacant signs and structures are "all over town, including the city's own sign structure at the former garden center on San Marco Avenue."

Poster child for unsightly sign remnants is the rusting sign structure on the former Hardee's property at US 1 and King Street, but Knight's staff compiled a photo collection of vacated sign structures to support the ordinance.

Gas pump limit - The board also approved for recommendation to the City Commission an ordinance limiting to eight the number of filling station gas pumps along the city's entry corridors, King Street (including West King Street), San Marco Avenue and Anastasia Boulevard. 

Only Matt Shaffer voted against the measure, holding out for gas stations to be prohibited entirely on San Marco Avenue. His Nelmar Terrace Neighborhood Association is battling plans for a 12-pump 7-Eleven station and store at congested San Marco and May Street. A permit denial on that project will be appealed to the Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) February 20.

2014 Easter Festival Queen Christine Marie Capallia, attended by daughter Kylie Christine Solana, receives scepter from 2013 Queen Leslie Goode at Sunday's ceremonies. Photo: garyneissphotography.com

   St. Augustine's annual Easter Festival opened last Sunday in the Isabella Garden on St. George Street with the transfer of the Royal Family from 2013 to 2014, the trio representing Spain's royal family of 1672, the year construction of the Castillo de San Marcos began.

   On March 2 the garden will be the setting for its annual Knighting Ceremony. Then comes the Blessing of the Fleet April 13, signature Parada de Los Caballos y Carruajes April 20, and Menorcan Fromajardes Celebration and Royal Family Tea, wrapping up a traditional festival period struggling to stay alive in changing times.

   The 54 year old traditional Easter Sunday parade received a $7,000 grant from the Tourist Development Council for this year and a waiver of some $6,000 in parade fees from the city . But it's out of money, and can't use that grant until after the Easter Festival Committee pays the bills - as reimbursement. Struggles with funding and volunteering forced cancellation of the festivities in 2008.

   Formed more than 50 years ago at the request of city and Chamber of Commerce officials to spike a normally slow tourist period, the annual festival, while poorly promoted for lack of advertising funds, always draws a crowd somehow expecting, yet surprised, to see the 17th century unfold before them in the nation's oldest city.

   The parade is the primary focus for fundraising, with modest entry fees, sponsored carriages and viewing stand, but there's never enough to build a treasury for future years.

   Committee Treasurer Deborah Webb ddw82350@clearwire.net  (904-829-2333) and members Sally Walton (904-829-5859) and Michelle Reyna (904-669-1485) can answer questions on both contributing and volunteering for this unique St. Augustine experience. Contributions can be mailed to the nonprofit Easter Festival Committee at Easter Festival, P.O. Box 3631, St. Augustine, FL 32085.

   New Vision Steering Committee members Pat Reilly and Jeanette Berk have resigned from the Neighborhood Council as possibilities of violating the state's Sunshine Law loom.

   To the question of conflicts on the recently named 15-member committee, Assistant City Attorney Isabelle Lopez said, "To my knowledge, there is no known conflict of interest. Our office did advise members of the Visioning Committee on the importance of compliance with Government in the Sunshine. 

   "Two or more members of the Visioning Committee cannot discuss items likely to come before the Visioning Committee in another non-Sunshine meeting."

   Neighborhood Council President Rhey Palmer notified Lopez, "In order to keep the Neighborhood Council and the Vision Steering Committee totally transparent, both Pat Reilly and Jeanette Berk resigned from the Neighborhood Council board and the Council (their individual decisions). 

   "This will now allow neighborhood delegates to discuss ideas openly at meetings with NO conflict of interest and/or violation of Sunshine Laws either in letter or spirit." 

Commentary

Community dialog and Sunshine Law

Adjustments on the Vision Committee to accommodate the Sunshine Law point up the futility of local government managing community endeavors - like Mayor Joe Boles decreeing the 450th would be managed by the City Commission while the framework for a community-based organization was already in place.

The 1995 Vision Committee had ten planning element committees addressing a whole range of community interests. Today's Vision Committee may plan a number of subcommittees, likely encumbered with restrictions.

City Attorney Ron Brown says, "If the Commission or the Visioning Committee appoint them and give them delegated authority to advise the Visioning Committee, the subcommittees would be subject to the Sunshine statutes. 

"If the Visioning Committee members each hold a meeting where members of the public other than other members of the Visioning Committee may gather and offer comments to the Visioning Committee member, those meetings could fall outside the Sunshine statutes."

Local government should serve the community by sanctioning - not appointing - the community to freely discuss and shape ideas for the future - and commemorations of the past. 

1 year, 7 months, 4 days  to St. Augustine's 450th anniversary