Published by former Mayor George Gardner November 11 2015
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Huge roundabout for
May Street congestion?
 The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) Monday unveiled a sweeping design to ease congestion along May Street and San Marco Avenue, gobbling up most of the city-owned former 7-Eleven site and FDOT property across May Street to create a large roundabout with pass through traffic.
FDOT Project Engineer James Knight told city commissioners maximum and average queue lengths along eastbound May Street would be drastically reduced, from a current maximum of 6,494 feet to 788 feet and average from 4,500 to 84 feet.
The proposal was immediately met with opposition from Commissioner Todd Neville, a bicyclist:
"That looks like a highway intersection, and we're dumping it into the middle of a neighborhood. Our city is not only looking at traffic movement but also pedestrian and bicyclist safety."
City Manager John Regan noted his staff''s concerns, including "weaving" bicycle traffic, pedestrian movement, the location adjacent to a park, and drivers coming into an unfamiliar system.
"It definitely has some advantages ... in terms of traffic flow," said Regan. "Clearing the queue lane does reduce the cut through traffic (in the Nelmar neighborhood).
"It does take away some parking on the southern side of Davenport Park," said Regan, "(but) this might be what accelerates our revitalization of the waterworks building and its integration into the park (with) access to parking on the north side of the building."
Commissioners look toward a public session on the plan Monday 5-7 pm in the Alcazar Room at City Hall for public input, suggesting FDOT's Knight will have to "make a better presentation."
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On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as "the Great War."
Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following year, November 11th became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938.
In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars.
Red poppies, a symbol of World War I (from their appearance in the poem In Flanders Fields by John McCrae), are sold on Remembrance Day to raise money for veterans or worn in the lapel as a tribute.
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Commission bludgeons
burgeoning bureaucracy
This is $5,000. It's .0089 percent of our budget. John, write the check, take all this bureaucracy out of it, and let's be done with it.
Commissioner Todd Neville
In the midst of discussion Monday on handling $5,000 in grant money, Commissioner Todd Neville cut to the chase, and in the midst of discussion on how the check should be written, City Manager John Regan interjected, "I assure you, give me three votes of the commission I'll figure this out."
Public Affairs Director Paul Williamson had suggested "The St. Johns Cultural Council now working with all these groups could manage this $5,000 in grants."
Mayor Nancy Shaver agreed with Commissioner Leanna Freeman that the grant - discussed by commissioners during budget sessions - was intended for any community event or function - parades, schools, but the mayor added, "my interest is more on reenactors walking on the streets, not necessarily events.
"When reenactors are on the streets, people interact with them, to broaden that sense of who we are, being a physical picture of our history."
Regan will "write the check."
Neighborhood grants, too
As commissioners took up procedure for distributing $10,000 in neighborhood grants, Neville quickly said, "I have the same feeling on this," and immediately got seconds from fellow commissioners.
"John, do it," concluded Commissioner Nancy Sikes-Kline.
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Amended thinking
on further discussion
Mayor Nancy Shaver's proposal to have discussion before but not after a motion is made met with, er, discussion from commissioners Monday, led by Commissioner Leanna Freeman.
"A lot of times we're struggling with whether a motion might include a modification or caveat. After a motion is made, a commissioner might say, 'You know, if you adds this or that I can support it, then we have an amended motion and a unanimous vote.'"
Shaver responded, "We have very robust discussions," and while agreeing with commissioners' feelings, said, "I would ask that we focus our discussions."
Decorum rules win
over mayor's concern
Mayor Nancy Shaver argued Monday a meeting decorum ordinance focused on disruptive behavior "is making rules for the sake of making rules. Disruptive behavior is what this gavel is for." But fellow commissioners were unmoved, Commissioner Leanna Freeman saying, "I feel that on a regular basis our staff and we are subject to stuff we shouldn't have to tolerate. This empowers you to react to this behavior." Commissioner Nancy Sikes-Kline said, "It's always more fair to everyone when the rules are clear, and Commissioner Roxanne Horvath added, "It gives an added layer to the public addressing us." The final vote was 5-0 to pass the resolution, Mayor Shaver voting, "Yes, in order to respect the fellowship at the table."
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Two alternates for review board
Commissioners Monday called for an ordinance to provide two alternates to the Historic Architectural Review Board. City Attorney Isabelle Lopez told commissioners vacations scheduled simultaneously and bare minimum quorums occur more often than board member conflicts of interest.
Architect wins HARB appointment
Architect Katherine Duncan was appointed Monday to fill an immediate vacancy on the Historic Architectural Review Board.
Commissioner Todd Neville, in promoting her appointment, said, "she's a working architect and most of her clients are not local, so you won't get conflict of interest."
Commissioner Roxanne Horvath, also an architect, endorsed Duncan as well before the vote.
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Festive weekend
Maritime Fun and Lincolnville festivals
From the Fountain of Youth to Eddie Vickers Field, the weekend promises family fun for all.
Maritime Fun Fest The St. Augustine Maritime Heritage Foundation's festival at The Fountain of Youth Archaeological Park showcases the St. Augustine Maritime Heritage Foundation's boatyard, complete with hands-on maritime activities and 16th century utility workboat, the San Agustín. Look for Maritime Pup Parade, Kidz Maritime Art Competition, classic field games, children's maritime education corner, food and beverages, music. Saturday afternoon features Bartender's Chalupa Rum Challenge and Saturday Evening at the Fountain Fine Food Faire Party with food by SAIRA, music by The Coconuts and a presentation by Dr. Roger Smith. $20 per person. Lincolnville Festival The Lincolnville Festival at Eddie Vickers Park promises live music and dancing, great food and drinks, local vendors, fun activities for the children, and will feature one of the founding fathers of the Lincolnville Festival, internationally known jazz musician Doug Carn. Free roundtrip shuttle service for the event from the Historic Downtown Parking Facility and the Visitor Information Center will depart every half hour.
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History's Highlight
Long before the Great War, the red poppy had become a symbol of death, renewal and life. The seeds of the flower can remain dormant in the earth for years, but will blossom spectacularly when the soil is churned.   Beginning in late 1914, the fields of Northern France and Flanders became the scene of stupendous disturbances. Red Poppies soon appeared. In 1915, at a Canadian dressing station north of Ypres on the Essex Farm, an exhausted physician named Lt. Col. John McCrae would take in the view of the poppy strewn Salient and experience a moment of artistic inspiration. The veteran of the South African War was able to distill in a single vision the vitality of the red poppy symbol, his respect for the sacrifice made by his patients and dead comrades, and his intense feeling of obligation to them. McCrae would capture all of this in the most famous single poem of the First World War. In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row by row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard among the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe;
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If yea break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields. Poppies on headstones, Essex Farm Cemetery,
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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 a former newspaper reporter and editor. Contact the Report at gardner@aug.com or gardnerstaug@yahoo.com
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