Published by former Mayor George Gardner November 12 2014
The Report is an independent publication serving our community
|
 |
|
Sister cities exchange
Monument for San Pelayo
St. Augustine hopes to dedicate a 3-foot model of founder Pedro Menendez' ship, the San Pelayo, next February, while Menendez' birthplace, Aviles, Spain, hopes to have a replica of our Constitution Monument dedicated next March.
 | |
San Pelayo model in development
|
 | |
Monument specification sheet
|
City Commissioner Don Crichlow Monday unfolded negotiations and finances for this exchange project, a $40-$45,000 ship model from Aviles and $53,000 in financing from St. Augustine for the Constitution Monument replica.
City Manager John Regan said the model will be displayed in the Visitor Center "so visitors can get an overview and then walk down to the marina and see the real ship," a full scale replica of San Pelayo being built in Spain.
Crichlow, an architect who has been coordinating both projects, said $25,000 has been received in private donations and another $15,000 from a 2012 legal symposium pledge. The balance includes $9,000 which is by agreement one-third of a Green Trolley price increase and $4,000 from city reserves, "though the fundraising will continue and we may not need that reserve money," Crichlow said.
|
|
|
|
All services
and all wars
Though many people believe that Memorial Day and Veterans Day are observed for the same reason, there is a subtle but important difference between the two holidays.
While both honour military personnel, Memorial Day pays tribute to the men and women that died serving our country in a war, while Veterans Day celebrates the soldiers who are still alive and have served in the forces at any time - during peace or war.
Tuesday, November 11th, is Veterans Day - a special day set aside to pay tribute to the brave men and women of the armed forces who put their lives at risk to ensure that the rest of us can enjoy the freedom we often take for granted.
The origin of the holiday can be traced all the way back to 1938, when it was observed as Armistice Day to honour the soldiers who served in World War I. November 11th was picked because the war ended exactly at 11 am on 11.11.1918.
Contributed by former resident Hugh Gibbs
|
|
|
City appointments
and political parties
|
Final meetings before changes on the City Commission are always a bit awkward.
The commission Monday took up appointments to city board vacancies, a Planning and Zoning Board (PZB) vacancy created by John Valdes' resignation to run for commission and a Historical Architectural Review Board (HARB) vacancy created by contractor Len Weeks' resignation in the wake of the emergency demolition of his 200 year old Fornells House.
Vice Mayor Nancy Sikes-Kline, reelected last Tuesday, said, "I've had a request from one of the applicants to postpone until the new commission is seated. It's a very short period of time."
Commissioner Don Crichlow leaving office December 1, responded, "I just look at similar situations. Is a Democrat president not going to appoint a judge so his Republican successor can? No, not going to do that."
Sarah Ryan was appointed to the PZB and Matt Armstrong to HARB.
|
|
|
|
Adjusting entry corridors
|
Amendments to the city's Design Standards for Entry Corridors along King Street, San Marco Avenue and Anastasia Boulevard went before city commissioners Monday - one to be considered for public hearing and the other in public hearing and final action.
Approved after public hearing is an amendment to allow variances in new construction, but requiring Planning and Zoning Board approval.
Advanced to public hearing December 8 is an amendment allowing streetside signage for businesses set back from the roadways.
|
|
First city through
the eyes of masters
|
 A 450 exhibit, The First City Through the Eyes of Masters, opens Saturday at the Visitor Center, featuring themed works of Florida painters in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The works are from the collection of Cici and Hyatt Brown, the Museum of Arts & Sciences at Daytona Beach.
An added touch - current day photos to see exactly where those painters sat to do their work. An exhibit brochure includes a map to locate those areas.
Featured artists include Frank Henry Shapleigh, who wintered at Henry Flagler's Hotel Ponce de Leon in 1886-7 and was the hotel's resident artist from 1889 to 1892.
Joining Shapleigh's work are those of William Staples Drown, John James Audubon, Anthony Thieme, and George Seavey.
The exhibit will continue to January 12, 2015.
|
|
Visit The Box for Homeless Week
| 
Lee Weaver presents The Box at the new Corazon Cinema & Café (former Pot Belly's) on Granada Street Thursday, November 20 as part of National Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week.
The live performance will benefit the Emergency Services and Homeless Coalition of St. Johns County, Inc. (ESHC).
A tax-deductible $15/person donation is requested. Food will be available for purchase.
Doors will open at 5:45 pm with the play at 6:30 pm.
|
|
|
|
|
Goals of a campaign
 Although I did not win I did, however, achieve several personal goals that are important to me. Allow me to share them with you.
Commission candidate John Valdes had four specific goals in the recent City Commission campaign won by Todd Neville.
Campaign financing
Campaign ethics
Campaign spirit
Campaign issues
Now out of the campaign but not out of the fray, Valdes plans to offer any assistance his skills and expertise can as a new City Commission takes on the challenges to "make this magical city even more special than it is today."
Read Valdes' letter.
| |
|
The preservation of Eddie Vickers Park
 A benefit performance last Saturday at Limelight Theatre was part of a fundraising effort by the Vickers Park Preservation Project to recognize "the park that plays an active role in all our lives, whether you played there as a kid, enjoyed the first Lincolnville Festivals, swam in the pool or walk your dog..."
The project board hopes to fund historic markers, a museum area with timeline, and applications for State and National Register recognition.
And what a timeline, including a golf course, bicycle velodrome, horse racing, site of first St. Paul AME Church and American Legion Post 194, World War I aviation and World War II military training, all turned up in preliminary research.
Donations can made payable to Lift Up Lincolnville Revitalization Corp., Box 989, St. Augustine FL 32085
| |
|
|
History's Highlight
Before Eddie Vickers Park
301 days to St. Augustine's 450th anniversary
Bicycles, golf, polo, trap shooting, baseball, horse racing, cows, geese, pigeons and ostriches.
The many lives of the south end of Riberia Street before becoming Eddie Vickers Field are recounted by Historian Tom Graham with an extensive search of historic records to compile a timeline.
 |
St. Augustine Country Club flies US and British flags during 1900 international golf tournament. Bicycle velodrome track is in front of the clubhouse/ grandstand.
Photo: Collection of the St. Augustine Historical Society Research Library
|
Excerpts from reports of the day:
The recoded beginning was February 20, 1897, when "James Ingraham, a Flagler (Model Land Company) vice-president, is building a bicycle track in Dupont Park," according to "Gossip" in The Tatler.
"As part of the Washington's Birthday celebration, bicyclists will gather at the Casino tennis courts and ride to Dupont Park for the opening of the bicycle track. Track will be used for bicycle and horse races."
A year later, "Twenty men are now clearing the land for the golf course. Present course on fort grounds is considered too small."
In 1899, "Trap shooting of clay pigeons has been added. The cycle track is only in fair condition and may not be used much this year."
The year 1900 saw two top finishers in the US Open and US and British Open champions competing on the course.
In 1904 horses races took over, and at season's end, "Ira C. Rinehart announced plans to fence 30 acres and create a chicken, dairy, pigeon farm. The grandstand will become a pigeon house. 500 homing pigeons are already on site. He has turkeys and ducks now and plans on adding ostriches."
In 1906, "Albert Lewis purchased Rinehart's farm and lease on the property. Valuable chickens on the place. Ostrich farm also on part of the property. Twelve cows."
After a resurgence of golf in 1909, World War One, and "In 1916 the Army created an air field by leveling the golf course."
In 1917 "New golf links opened north of city. A Flagler system project," the Ponce de Leon Course.
In 1946, "The City Commission voted to turn over the links to the Community Recreational Association. Will be done by July 1. Called 'Twin River Country Club' or 'Little Links.' The land will be used for baseball and softball fields. Some part could be used for 'colored' youngsters. The city bought the property from the Catholic Church in 1925."
And the rest is history.
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
