Obama ceremony televised in Plaza

Obama ceremony televised in Plaza



From Staff
Publication Date: 01/19/09


Residents can watch President-elect Barack Obama's inauguration Tuesday on a large-screen television in St. Augustine's downtown plaza.

The City Commission approved the gathering to be held in the Plaza de la Constitucion, and some residents said it shows the community is not viewing this as a bipartisan event. Others said it was a sign of healing for residents to come together and watch an African-American be sworn in as president after St. Augustine's role in the 1964 Civil Rights struggle.

A grassroots group led by resident Dee Lovell has put together the event. And to ensure the city was not backing a particular political party, Mayor Joe Boles paid for the event's permit fee of $150 so it could be held in the city's downtown plaza.

The celebration runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Those attending should bring their own chairs.

Francis Field on Castillo Drive will be open for free parking for the event. Free shuttles will run from there, 10:30 a.m. till 2:30 p.m., by Old Town Trolleys and Ripley's Sightseeing Trains. They'll also provide free bus transportation from the Galimore Center on Riberia Street and from Collier-Blocker-Puryear Park (formerly Calvin Peete Park) on West King Street, from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Buses will return to those places after the Plaza event is over.

Holiday closings

All branches of the St. Johns County offices are closed today in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and will re-open tomorrow at regular hours. All city and St. Augustine Beach offices are closed today and re-open Tuesday.

Garbage and trash collection with Seaboard Waste Systems and Advance Disposal will run their regular routes as scheduled.

All St. Johns County schools are closed today in observance of the holiday including St. Johns Technical High School and St. Joseph Academy.

Banks will be closed Monday, re-opening Tuesday.


Click here to return to story:
http://www.staugustine.com/stories/011909/news_01-19-09_003.shtml

© The St. Augustine Record