Letter: Gardner lack of vision clear on 'livable' cities

Letter: Gardner lack of vision clear on 'livable' citiesAngie MaisenbergerPonte Vedra BeachPublication Date: 10/27/06
Editor: I read with great interest the article "Is city walkable enough?" I was amazed at Mark Knight's and George Gardner's response to Dan Burden's vision for walkable communities. Mr. Knight said that although Burden's view is ideal for cities, it's not always practical. Whatever does that mean -- St. Augustine is a city! And Mayor Gardner said that "Governments don't build communities, people build communities." Of course, governments can impede "livable cities" through lack of leadership and vision, and through Band-aid ordinances on density, parking, zoning and design -- which the current city commission promotes.
With more than 100 residents, I attended a presentation a year ago by the graduate students of the University of Florida on a vision for St. Augustine neighborhoods. Through maps, statistics and visuals, they presented a dynamic vision for a neighborhood with growth, amenities and beauty. Mayor Gardner was also there. I remember standing near him when he said to the Urban Planning professor that visions do not become reality. I am glad that Walt Disney had a vision; for President Kennedy's vision of man on the moon; or the Rockefeller's vision preserving Williamsburg for us. Visions do not become reality without leadership, dialogue, planning and hard work. Gardner's and Knight's responses to Burden's vision for a walkable city are clear examples of a city government that lacks leadership/vision.
Prosser Hallock said working with governments is difficult because of the codes and rules. Maybe those codes and rules should be changed based on a clear vision for the city.
So, if people are to build communities to meet their needs, government, including Knight and Gardner, need to get with the program.
And from the Gardner's comments on two occasions, I doubt that the leadership is in place for St. Augustine -- maybe it is a time to change leadership for someone who does believe that vision becomes reality -- someone like Peter Romano.Click here to return to story:http://staugustine.com/stories/102706/opinions_4165594b.shtml © The St. Augustine Record