Published by former Mayor George Gardner March 23 2016
The Report is an independent publication serving our community
|
History sauntering
on St. George Street
 Living history is sauntering in St. Augustine's historic district. "Last Saturday there were 22 saunterers," says Spanish Garrison President Bob Alvarez, whose been helping organize the effort with the city. "We usually have 15 to 20." With the "History on the Streets" program, Alvarez says, "This mayor and this commission, the city manager, they see that we're worth something to the city."
The restoration of living history interpreters along St. George and surrounding streets began with a $5,000 city budget item designated for the saunters, and Mayor Nancy Shaver and Andy Witt of the Cultural Council reached agreement to fund the program through the Tourist Development Council at $1,000 a month beginning in April. "But most are not doing it for the money," says Alvarez. "They just enjoy it." "Participants can wear whatever historically accurate clothing from Saint Augustine's past they choose," says Alvarez. "Historically accurate is the key. This allows the historical interpreters to explain and to show the visitors to our town the difference between fact and fiction." "The saunterings are scheduled around other events," he says. The next are scheduled for April 2 and 16. Read Alvarez' comments here.
|
|
|
St. Augustine Police Chief Loran Lueders will retire in November after 35 years with the department.
City Manager John Regan has named Commander Barry Fox to succeed Lueders. Fox will be assistant chief during the eight month transition period.
Regan interviewed five qualified candidates for the chief's position - all within the Police Department. He said of his choice, "He approaches solutions with creative answers and exhibits outstanding critical thinking skills combined with extensive training and education. He has excelled in every aspect of his work and is ready for this new position."
Fox joined the department in 1993 and has risen through the ranks from patrol officer to corporal, sergeant and in 2009, to Commander.
Fox holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Florida with Magna Cum Laude honors and last year completed the FBI's Executive Development Training program in Quantico, VA.
|
|
|
Mayor seeks input
to solve congestion
I don't know if these ideas-or any of my others will make the cut-but I do know that the more people who weigh in the better our solutions will be.
 Creating a long term plan grounded in proven best practices to meet our unique challenges as a small historic City, and delivering "early wins" that will offer quick improvements - ideas Mayor Nancy Shaver is mulling to conquer St. Augustine's city-choking traffic congestion. "It's no secret that we are a popular place and getting around in our City is often a challenge," writes the mayor about mobility on her website. Click to read. "Whether it's the couple of million vacation visitors we have every year, or you and I going grocery shopping, or the many folks from St. Johns County and Jacksonville who come here for the day or the evening or for one of our many events - it's a lot of people in cars - likely six million annually - and growing." The mayor's commentary defines mobility - the new phrase for the continuing parking and traffic mess, describes what the city is doing, and suggests how residents can help, including offering ideas to be filtered through city staff focused on mobility.
|
Many studies, little action
St. Augustine North Davis Shores Association president Susan Rathbone counts 25 traffic-related studies completed in the recent past, from Reconnecting the Castillo and Bayfront to a city Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan.
"Imagine if we had used the money we spent on these studies toward actual improvements, where we would be?" she asks.
The majority of the plans recommend satellite parking, a tram system, park-and-ride lots and adjusting the openings of the Bridge of Lions, Susan says.
"The problem isn't knowing what the issues are or gathering data through studies, it is actually implementing the recommendations by the numerous professionals that have already made them."
After an extensive presentation last week on traffic and events, City Manager John Regan promised city commissioners he's committed to solutions before the next big holiday period - July 4th.
|
2017 will mark 100 years since the City of St. Augustine began paying substantial sums to management companies to study the impact of motor vehicles on the City. In that time, certain results remain constant: the City lacks sufficient parking inventory and motor vehicles should be routed away from the central City.
What has changed is massive growth outside the City creating traffic which, given the restrictive topography of the City, must pass through the City to get anywhere.
Managing traffic seeking the City as a destination will prove frustrating if no parking exists. Drivers will troll for spaces creating more congestion.
Shuttles could work if offsite parking can be identified, if the City can keep the shuttles from being stuck in traffic and if they are affordable. Mumford was extremely expensive.
Former City Attorney Ron Brown
|
Read Attorney Brown's summary here |
|
|
|
Express lanes are an innovative concept to manage traffic congestion and provide choices for motorists. These additional lanes will provide more capacity in areas where traffic congestion is a major problem.
 The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is studying adding express lanes on I-95 from International Golf Parkway in St. Johns County to I-295 in Duval County. "This portion of 1-95 is an important link in the State's interstate system and provides a major north-south traffic movement through the St. Johns County and Jacksonville urban area," FDOT says.
"Based on the forecasted traffic volumes, traffic demand is expected to increase and the roadway will perform below the minimum level of service standard "D" if capacity is not added to the existing facility.
"Managed capacity can facilitate longer distance trips that 1-95 was originally intended to accommodate." Average traffic along this section ranges from 78,000 to more than 93,000 vehicles a day. The express lanes would be funded through tolls but without toll booths, rather the SunPass automated system. The prepaid transponder tags are available through http://www.sunpass.com.
|
1888 Milltop Tavern demolished
The 1888 Milltop Tavern and Grist Mill Gift Shop on St. George Street has been demolished after finding its "foundations were deteriorating, the beams supporting the walls were completely rotted out."
Partial demolition was approved earlier, and it was during interior work that severe damage was discovered.
City Manager John Regan waived the 30-day waiting period for its demolition after getting the report.
An identical reconstruction of the Milltop is planned.
Solar Stik in venture with German tech leader
Solar Stik, a U.S. based leader in the portable power industry headquartered in St. Augustine, and SFC Energy, a German provider of stationary and mobile power generation markets globally, have joined in a multi-phase, cooperative venture with Solar Stik providing support for SFC Energy to better serve its North American customers.
"As fuel cell technologies are rapidly maturing, this alignment of Solar Stik and SFC Energy will position both companies to take advantage of each other's strategic positions in the field of application," says Solar Stik CEO Brian Bosley.
Both Solar Stik and SFC have complimentary capabilities and both service similar customers in the portable power marketspace.
|
Easter weekend
Sunrise Services, Easter promenade and parade
Uptown Saturday Night 5 - 9 pm along San Marco Avenue features live music, refreshments, new exhibits, book signings and more at galleries, antique stores and unique shops.
Changing of the Guard 6 pm features authentic military drills before firing an exciting volley of musketry as 18th century soldiers of the Spanish Garrison march down St. George Street to Government House. http://hfm.club/garrison/cog/
Sunday Sunrise Services 6:30-7:30 am on the Castillo green, presented by The Marketplace Christian Professional Resources. http://www.upray2.com/
Easter Promenade 12 pm at Gazebo in Plaza de la Constitución features locals and visitors alike promenading in their Easter finery, with prizes in a variety of categories. www.oldestcityeaster.org/events.html
St. Augustine Parada de los Caballos y Coches (Parade of Horses and Carriages) 3 pm along San Marco Avenue and the bayfront, its 60th annual Easter presentation featuring St. Augustine's Royal Family and this year's grand marshal, two-time Emmy Award winner Loretta Swit. www.oldestcityeaster.org/events.html
Fromajardes Serenade 7 pm at the Queen Isabella Garden at the corner of Hypolita and St. George Streets, the traditional Menorcan Fromajardes celebration with delightful Menorcan cheese pastries. Winners from the Easter Parade will be announced. www.oldestcityeaster.org/events.html
|
|
History's Highlight
|
La Parada de los Caballos y Coches
From the 1982 Easter Festival program:
Here in the Nation's Oldest City we have a parade that is unique to the first colony in America. Saint Augustine has the La Parada de los Caballos y Coches, The Parade of the Horses and Carriages.
 The real story of the Easter Parade begins in 1954 with an Idea of Mildred Beery. On that Easter Sunday carriages and horses were borrowed from the Colee Stables. Hats that had been made by Mrs. Beery and friends were placed on the horses' heads. When the ladies came out of church that morning in all their Easter finery they stepped into these carriages and rode around the Plaza. From 1954 to 1958 the idea grew little by little. In 1958 the first real parade took place.
Carriages were decorated and the horses wore hats donated by the ladies. From there the idea "snowballed." Can you imagine a horse with a cage on his head, or the once fashionable Snood?
The Parade was born.
At first just the members of our community viewed this parade but the word has spread. Now residents and visitors alike line the parade route, sometimes three deep, to view the passing spectacle. Estimates at last year's parade put the crowds at over 10,000.
Many local and state dignitaries will sit on this year's viewing stand. They will hear the music of Jimmy Brooks as he again provides pre-parade entertainment. They will hear Fred Shilling act as master of ceremonies and state that "the parade has started on time as usual". They will see M. K. Murphy leading the parade as our "Parade Marshal". The Royal Entourage section of the Parade will again be narrated by Marie Colee.
One of the things that they will not see is the many hours of long work that the Parade Committee has put in. They will not see the long hours of preparation on the floats and on the various costumes.
Nor will they see Molly (pictured). She had participated in every Easter Parade since the beginning. She represented the history not only of the parade but also of Saint Augustine.
Molly went to the rainbow bridge last year. She will not don her Easter finery and march in this year's parade, but she will always be remembered because it is "La Parada de los Caballos y Coches."
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
