Published by former Mayor George Gardner September 20 2014

The Report is an independent publication serving our community

Now online at staugustinereport.net

Passive park proposed

for city's Riberia Pointe

The City Commission Monday will consider a resolution "in support of a passive park at the southern terminal end of' Riberia Street in the area locally known as Riberia Pointe, for the benefit of all citizens and to preserve open scenic vistas and conservation lands."

Lincolnville resident Cash McVay, who initiated the Lincolnville Community Garden at adjacent Vickers Field several years back, will make a presentation for the park designation.

The commission meeting begins at 5 pm in the Alcazar Room at City Hall.

Plans for an aquarium and children's museum at Riberia Pointe were halted in April after a public outcry. City Manager John Regan said at the time, "a positive outcome of that neighborhood meeting was realizing that our community wants to be heard."

And Commissioners Don Crichlow and Roxanne Horvath each said they initially supported the development concept, but agreed it's better to "let the community figure out what it wants."

At the end,

man's best friend

War doesn't end for thousands of veterans, beset by Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There's a veteran suicide every 80 minutes, officials say.

"K9s For Warriors

is dedicated to providing service canines to our warriors suffering from post-traumatic stress and/or traumatic brain injury as a result of military service post 9/11," according to its website.

Veterans chronicler Mike Rothfeld and company have completed their fifth documentary saluting veterans, this one focused on the K9s for Warriors

effort here. A trailer of the video, to be released after a film festival debut, is

here, and the complete collection is on the Veterans Council of St. Johns County website.

Sadly, the efforts of Rothfeld will be terminating due to lack of support and his not for profit will be terminating next year.

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Nine vie for two

plan board seats

In a rare opportunity for residents, city commissioners Monday will make two appointments to fill vacancies on the Planning and Zoning Board - without traditional reappointment of a sitting board member.

And residents have responded, with nine applicants to be considered.

Current members David Toner, who's reached the limit of two consecutive terms, and Janet Ponton Lewis, who's moving outside the city limits, open up the vacancies.

The terms are for three years and the board meets the first Tuesday each month.

The board hears applications for zoning exceptions and variances and appeals of decisions of the Planning and Building Department, and recommends to the City Commission land rezonings or changes to the Comprehensive Plan.

Garden plan blooming

A community garden for north city will make a big step forward Monday with expected commission approval of a License for limited temporary Use of City Property to Fullerwood Community Garden, Inc.

The item is on the commission's consent agenda, usually passed without discussion.

North city resident and city Street Tree Committee member Gina Burrell has quietly been advancing details for the small garden area adjacent to the Fullerwood Park.

Tolomato plans new fence

Hate the chain link fencing around the historic Tolomato Cemetery (TCPA) on Cordova Street?

So does the Tolomato Cemetery Preservation Association, whose president, Elizabeth Duran Gessner, announces, "new fence plans are ready to be unveiled to the public, at our next Open Day," today from 11 am to 3:00 pm.

"About a year ago," she writes, "architect Don Crichlow drew up plans for the restoration of the early 20th century concrete wall and complete replacement of the fence and gate that have surrounded Tolomato Cemetery since the 1940s.

"In between the labors of restoring the Varela Chapel crypt and floor, TCPA members spent time getting bids from fencing companies and considering design solutions."

Promised are live music, refreshments, a silk-screener producing special Tolomato items, and presentations on the fence and the history of the fences and walls at Tolomato Cemetery.

"Naturally, the centerpiece will be the rendering of the new fence and gate," writes Elizabeth.

Slave escapes date to 1687

Parker

They Run Daily to Your Towns, a look at the first documented blacks to escape to Spanish Florida from English Carolina, will be presented by Dr. Susan R. Parker in a St. Augustine Historical Society Program Monday at 7 pm in the Flagler Room at Flagler College.

Dr. Parker, a colonial historian and the society's executive director, has researched documents dating to 1687, fifty years before the creation of Fort Mose, finding these earliest freedom seekers lived with and among the residents of St. Augustine.

Joining Spanish, Hypolita and Treasury streets on the work zone list, Orange Street was fenced off this week to begin brick paving and a new drop-off for sightseeing vehicles. Reconstruction of the city's original Cubo Line between Orange Street and Huguenot Cemetery is also part of the enhancement project funded by the Paul S. Sarbanes Transit in Parks Program, established to address the challenge of increasing vehicle congestion in and around our national parks and other federal lands. Completion expected in early December.

Downtown Improvement District progress

Project Engineer Reuben C. Franklin issued a project report last week to keep residents, visitors and historic district businesses up to speed on street work that's disrupted life along Spanish and Hypolita and soon Treasury streets.

Charlotte and Hypolita Street

Work at the intersection was expected to be completed by week's end.

Hypolita between Charlotte & St. George

Brick pavers were scheduled to be installed last Monday.

Hypolita between St. George & Spanish

Construction of the south curb and sidewalk under way.

Hypolita between Spanish & Cordova

New water main installed. Drainage installation under way.

Spanish between Hypolita & Cuna

Water main, new hydrants and drainage installed.

Spanish between Hypolita & Calle Sita

Final sewer manhole being installed, followed by the drainage.

Treasury between Charlotte & Cordova

Awaiting contractor's revised schedule.

History's Highlight

Vengeance for Fort Caroline

361 days to St. Augustine's 450th anniversary

From Hubpages.com

News of the massacre at Fort Caroline brought with it a rising hatred and indignation among the common people, but not the French king and government. This apathy by the royal court likely cost France an opportunity for an empire in North America before England had founded her first colony.

Chevalier Dominique de Gourgues refused to accept the atrocity. Two years after Fort Caroline's fall the adventurer, by selling his property and with the voluntary donations of friends, equipped a small fleet of three vessels with a crew of one hundred and fifty men. The real purpose of his voyage was hidden from the royal court and populace by the stated intention of trading for slaves off the coast of West Africa.

Fort Caroline gate When well out to sea, De Gourgues declared his true objective to the ship's crew. He drew a picture in their minds' eye of the evils done to their countrymen, and with one voice they declared to avenge the murders and the dishonor done to their homeland's New World colonists.

The Spaniards were completely in the dark as to the mortal danger they were now in. Assuming the ships they sighted were from a royalist Catholic France, a hearty salute from the fort's ramparts was given by the men, which De Gourgues crew fervently returned, the better to confirm the Spanish in their assumed security.

Sailing on to a large river below La Caroline, they were soon discovered by a formidable body of Amerindian warriors who, recognizing the French dress and language, were delighted. Their offer to join the attack was immediately accepted and they were provided with halberds, swords, pikes and knives.

The defenses of the Spaniards were very formidable, but terror gripped the garrison when an exaggerated report on the numbers of the French and Indians reached their ears.

The fort was defended by three hundred men under a brazen governor, had a large number of cannon, plentiful amounts of ammunition, and supplies in abundance.

As the French began preparing scaling ladders, the governor of the fort made a fatal blunder. He sallied forth with seventy of his best men and had advanced a short distance when a French patrol cut off his retreat and wiped out the leader and his party.

Those still behind the walls were now without a commander. Beginning to panic, they soon bolted from their defenses seeking shelter in the neighboring thickets and woods. But here they encountered the warriors.

Survivors from this and the smaller forts were taken to the same trees where Menendez had previously hanged the French protestants under Ribault.

Removing the inscription by Menendez, which said "I do this not to Frenchmen, but to heretics," De Gourgues put another in its place -- "I do this not to Spaniards, nor infidels; but to traitors, thieves, and murderers."

Image: Fort Caroline gate

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 or gardnerstaug@yahoo.com