Guest Column: St. Augustine must have a national historical park, seashore and scenic coastal parkway --- check out www.staugustgreen.com

ED SLAVIN
St. Augustine
Publication Date: 03/26/07


Real estate speculators (some foreign-funded) continue to destroy our local wildlife, habitat, nature and history. Roads are clogged. Noise abounds. Our way of life is being destroyed. Unfeeling, uncaring Philistines are turning St. Johns County into an uglier, unreasonable facsimile of South Florida. Unjust county government stewards allowed an asphalt plant near homes. Another plant reportedly emits 50 tons/year of volatile organic compounds into residents' and workers' lungs and brains.

Speculators are even trying to build homes on top of unremediated septic tanks/fields, while vacationing boaters pollute our Bay front with untreated sewage (the only boat-pumpout-station is at Conch House Marina). Our Bay front (which lacks a harbormaster) had an oil spill Jan. 15. Developers demand to build docks over city-owned State Road 312 area marshes for boat-owners' pleasure. Enough.

Let's invite environmental tourism by preserving an "emerald necklace of parks," including the city-owned marsh.

Ask Congress to hold hearings to map our "St. Augustine National Historical Park and National Seashore" (SANHPNS), using 1928-style trolleycars to save gasoline, uniting the Castillo and Fort Matanzas National Monuments, "slave market park," downtown streets, Government House, Red House Bluff indigenous village (next to historical society), marshes, forests, National Cemetery, GTM NERR, Anastasia State Park, Fort Mose and other city, county, state and St. Johns River Water Management District lands.

Let's cancel future shock/schlock/sprawl/ugliness/skyscrapers and eliminate temptations to abuse/neglect/misuse state parks and historic buildings for golf courses and rote, rube commercialism.

In December, State Sen. Jim King suggested Florida donate "deed and title" of state buildings to our city. I suggested that we deed them to the National Park Service (NPS), with St. George Street visitor center in restored buildings, saving millions (as in the New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park).

St. Augustine needs a national civil rights and indigenous history museum, celebrating local residents and national leaders, whose courage helped win passage of 1964's Civil Rights Act. Why not put the museum in the old Woolworth's building, restored to its former glory, with wood floors, lunch-counter and exhibits on the civil rights struggles that changed history (well- documented in Jeremy Dean's documentary, "Dare Not Walk Alone"), with "footsoldiers monument" across the street ?

Why not (finally) implement the 2003 National Trust for Historic Preservation and Flagler College study on how to protect our history? Let's tax tourists more to fund historic preservation, as in Charleston/elsewhere.

Let's preserve/protect the quality of our lives and visitors' experience (and property values) by preserving forever what speculators haven't destroyed (yet).

Let's adopt a three-year moratorium on growth, while we work to adopt truly comprehensive plans worthy of the name.

Colonial National Historical Park (NHP), Philadelphia's Independence NHP and NHPs in Boston, New Bedford, Valley Forge, San Francisco and Saratoga.

There's a Martin Luther King historical site in Atlanta, NHPs for "Rosie the Riveter" (California) and the "War in the Pacific" (Guam), and new parks slated for ten Japanese internment camps.

Florida hosts Everglades, Dry Tortugas and Biscayne National Parks and Canaveral National Seashore. Let's add St. Augustine to the list.

From sea to shining sea, America's coastal areas enjoy national parks. Where's ours?

Let's make parts of State Road A1A a National Parkway and hiking/biking trail, like the Colonial National Historical Parkway and the Baltimore Washington, George Washington, Rock Creek and John D. Rockefeller (Wyoming) Parkways and the Appalachian Trial and C&O Canal.

Let's add St. Augustine to the list of our nation's most beloved national parks, joining Zion, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon and the Great Smoky Mountains.

Florida's 500th and St. Augustine's 450th anniversaries are only six and eight years away (2013 and 2015). Enacting a national park and seashore will forever preserve the treasures that we love. It will halt the sprawl we hate, increase tourism and reduce local taxes, paying speculators to stop.

Mayor Joe Boles' mother graciously thanked me for speaking out on these issues after the Jan. 22 City Commission meeting -- issues that Mrs. Boles has been outspoken about for "30 years." Let's honor/heed Mrs. Boles' wisdom -- and those who proposed a national park before World War II. Let's save St. Augustine and our environment forever.



Ed Slavin lives in St. Augustine.


Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/032607/opinions_4479465.shtml

© The St. Augustine Record

National Parks and Conservation Association: List of What Congress Included in Omnibus Park Bill

NPS-related Highlights of H.R. 146
NPCA Advocated For These Enhancements:

* Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park — (KY) redesignation from National Historic Site to National Historical Park.
* Competitive Status for Federal Employees in the State of Alaska — (AK) brings locals into the competitive service when they are first hired, allowing them to share their local knowledge and skills and begin a life-long career with the National Park Service.
* Concessions Management Advisory Board — reauthorizes concessions board.
* Eastern Sierra and Northern San Gabriel Wilderness — (CA) designates the Amargosa River as Wild and Scenic, providing much-needed protection to water resources at Death Valley NP.
* Fort Davis National Historic Site — (TX) expands boundary for the purpose of protecting the park's historic 19th century viewshed in perpetuity.
* Green McAdoo School study — (TN) studies the possible addition of the Green McAdoo School in Clinton, TN to the NPS. In 1956, 12 students from Green McAdoo became the first African-Americans to integrate a state-operated school (1 year before Little Rock High School).
* Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail — (Pacific Northwest) authorizes the creation of the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail in the Pacific Northwest — the first national geologic trail in the NPS.
* Funding for Keweenaw National Historical Park — (MI) improves the National Park Service's ability at Keweenaw NHP to fully tell the inspiring story of the copper miners in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, who helped shape the Industrial Revolution.
* Little River Canyon National Preserve boundary expansion — (AL) adjusts boundary of Little River Canyon NP to preserve scenic views of the canyon and alleviate threats of adjacent development.
* Martin Van Buren National Historic Site — (NY) boundary expansion of 261 acres.
* Minute Man National Historical Park — (MA) expands Minute Man NHP to protect the historically-significant farm of Colonel James Barrett, commander of the Middlesex Militia.
* Paleontological Resources Preservation — toughens penalties on the illegal collection of fossils on federal lands, including national parks such as Badlands in South Dakota and Petrified Forest in Arizona.
* Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Park — (TX) boundary expansion and renaming of Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site to Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Park.
* Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park — (NJ) establishes Paterson Great Falls NHP as a unit of the NPS, to preserve and interpret historical, cultural and natural resources associated with the Historic District.
* Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Wilderness — (MI) designates more than 11,000 acres of wilderness in Pictured Rocks NL.
* River Raisin National Battlefield Park — (MI) — designation of River Raisin National Battlefield Park, honoring the fallen soldiers of one of the bloodiest battles of the War of 1812.
* Riverside County Wilderness — (CA) includes designation of @ 70,000 acres of additional wilderness in Joshua Tree NP.
* Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness — (CO) designates @ 250,000 acres of Rocky Mountain NP as wilderness.
* Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Wilderness — (CA) includes designation of more than 84,000 acres of wilderness in Sequoia and Kings Canyon NP.
* Trail of Tears National Historic Trail — (multi state) additions to the Trail of Tears NHT, which traces the route of the Cherokee Nation when they were forced to relocate to Oklahoma.
* Walnut Canyon Study — (AZ) study of adding potential lands to the Walnut Canyon National Monument.
* Washington County Wilderness — (UT) designates nearly 125,000 acres of Zion NP as wilderness and designates 165 miles of the Virgin River as Wild and Scenic.
* Women's Rights National Historical Park — (NY) establishes a commemorative trail that will link together many significant sites across New York State that tell the stories of the women's rights movement.

Other Parks In the Bill:

* Battle of Camden — (SC) study potential for adding Battle of Camden site to the NPS.
* Battle of Matewan special resource study — (WV) study potential for adding the Battle of Matewan site to the NPS.
* Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area — (MA) pertaining to cooperative agreements between Boston Harbor Islands NRA and eligible entities.
* Butterfield Overland Trail — (multi state: MO, TN, AR, OK, TX, NM, AZ, CA) study potential for addition of Butterfield Overland Trail to the National Trail System.
* Cape Cod National Seashore Advisory Commission — reestablishes advisory commission.
* Cold War sites theme study — to conduct a national historic landmark theme study to identify sites and resources that are significant to the Cold War.
* Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park — (OH) additions of historic sites to Dayton Aviation Heritage NHP and establishment of cooperative agreements.
* Estate Grange — (Virgin Islands) study potential for including Estate Grange, Alexander Hamilton's boyhood home on the island of St. Croix as a unit of the NPS.
* Everglades National Park — (FL) inclusion of Tarpon Basin Property.
* Fort San Geronimo — (Puerto Rico) study potential for including Fort San Geronimo as part of San Juan National Historic Site.
* Harriet Beecher Stowe House — (ME) study potential for including the Harriet Beecher Stowe House as a unit of the NPS.
* Harry S. Truman Birthplace — (MO) study potential of either adding the Harry S. Truman Birthplace to the Harry S. Truman National Historic Site, or designating birthplace as a separate unit of the NPS.
* Hopewell Culture National Historical Park boundary expansion — (OH) boundary expansion.
* Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve boundary expansion — (LA) land acquisition for the Baratavia Marsh Unit of Jean Lafitte NHP & P.
* Kalaupapa National Historical Park — (HI) establishment of memorial at Kalaupapa NHP to honor and perpetuate the memory of those individuals who were forcibly relocated to the Kalaupapa Peninsula from 1866 — 1969.
* New River Gorge National River — (WV) ensures that hunting remains a purpose of the New River Gorge National River.
* Shepherdstown battlefield — (WV) study potential for adding the Shepherdstown battlefield to either Harpers Ferry NHP or Antietam National Battlefield.
* Snake River Headwaters Legacy Act — (WY) designates the rivers and streams of the headwaters of the Snake River System (which runs through Grand Teton NP) as Wild and Scenic.
* St. Augustine 450th Commemoration Commission — establishes commission to plan, develop and carry out activities appropriate for the commemoration of St. Augustine's 450th anniversary.
* Thomas Edison National Historical Park — (NJ) land acquisition and renaming of Thomas Edison National Historic Site to Thomas Edison National Historical Park.
* Tule Lake Segregation Center — (CA) study potential for inclusion of Tule Lake Segregation Center as site in the NPS.
* Weir Farm National Historic Site — (CT) land acquisition for purposes of locating visitor and administrative facilities.
* William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historical Site — (AR) designation of the William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home Site as a National Historic Site and unit of the NPS.

Watching Rep. JOHN LUIGI MICA claim that he supports farmers is like watching a duck make love to a football!

JOHN LUIGI MICA's sins have found him out -- Rep. JOHN LUIGI MICA consistently votes against farmers, as exemplified by his low National Farmers Union votes. See below.

MICA GETS LOW RATINGS FROM NATIONAL FARMERS UNION

Agriculture Issues

(Back to top)

2007-2008 Based on a point system, with points assigned for actions in support of or in opposition to National Farmers Union's position, Representative Mica received a rating of 14.


2007 Representative Mica supported the interests of the National Association of Wheat Growers 24 percent in 2007.

2007 Representative Mica supported the interests of the National Council of Agricultural Employers 100 percent in 2007.

2007 Representative Mica supported the interests of the United Fresh Produce Association 0 percent in 2007.

2005-2006 Representative Mica supported the interests of the American Farm Bureau Federation 94 percent in 2005-2006.

2005-2006 Representative Mica supported the interests of the National Farmers Union 0 percent in 2005-2006.

2005 Representative Mica supported the interests of the National Association of Wheat Growers 100 percent in 2005.

2005 Representative Mica supported the interests of the National Council of Agricultural Employers 66 percent in 2005.

2003-2004 Representative Mica supported the interests of the National Farmers Union 40 percent in 2003-2004.


2002 Based on a 2002 survey given to all congressional candidates Vote Hemp chose to rate Representative Mica as Anti Hemp.

2001-2002 Representative Mica supported the interests of the Minnesota Farm Bureau 86 percent in 2001-2002.

2001-2002 Representative Mica supported the interests of the Minnesota Farm Bureau 88 percent in 2001-2002.

2001-2002 Representative Mica supported the interests of the National Farmers Union 30 percent in 2001-2002.


2000 Representative Mica supported the interests of the American Farm Bureau Federation 67 percent in 2000.

1999-2000 Representative Mica supported the interests of the National Farmers Union 50 percent in 1999-2000.

1999 Representative Mica supported the interests of the American Farm Bureau Federation 100 percent in 1999.

1998 Representative Mica supported the interests of the National Farmers Union 67 percent in 1998.

1997 Representative Mica supported the interests of the National Farmers Union 83 percent in 1997.

1996 Representative Mica supported the interests of the National Farmers Union 40 percent in 1996.

1995-1996 Representative Mica supported the interests of the American Farm Bureau Federation 90 percent in 1995-1996.

1995 Representative Mica supported the interests of the National Farmers Union 20 percent in 1995.


1994 Representative Mica supported the interests of the Competitive Enterprise Institute - Agriculture 100 percent in 1994.

1994 On the votes that the National Farmers Union considered to be the most important in 1994 , Representative Mica voted their preferred position 44 percent of the time.

1993-1994 Representative Mica supported the interests of the American Farm Bureau Federation 86 percent in 1993-1994.

1993 On the votes that the National Farmers Union considered to be the most important in 1993 , Representative Mica voted their preferred position 44 percent of the time.

How to Interpret these Evaluations:
(Back to top)

Project Vote Smart collects performance evaluations from special interest groups who provide them, regardless of issue or bias. If you have any comments concerning performance evaluations or know of a group that provides ratings not included here, please contact us at ratings@vote-smart.org.

Keep in mind that ratings done by special interest groups are biased. They do not represent a non-partisan stance. In addition, some groups select votes that tend to favor members of one political party over another, rather than choosing votes based solely on issues concerns. Nevertheless, they can be invaluable in showing where an incumbent has stood on a series of votes in the past one or two years, especially when ratings by groups on all sides of an issue are compared. Website links, if available, and descriptions of the organizations offering performance evaluations are accessible by clicking on the name of the group.

Most performance evaluations are displayed in a percentage format. However, some organizations present their ratings in the form of a letter grade or endorsement based on voting records, interviews, survey results and/or sources of campaign funding. For consistency, Project Vote Smart converts all scores into a percentage when possible. Please visit the group's website or call 1-888-VOTESMART for more specific information.

http://www.votesmart.org/issue_rating_category.php?can_id=26805&type=category&category=4

Farmers seek help with crops

Farmers seek help with crops

By CHAD SMITH
chad.smith@staugustine.com
Publication Date: 05/22/09

The two most important disaster-relief officials in Washington coincidentally will be in central Florida at a previously scheduled meeting today, and a congressman intends to ask that they expedite relief for the farmers facing huge losses after their fields were flooded by heavy rainfall this week.

"This timing couldn't be better to have all of the key players in our district to get some attention," U.S. Rep. John Mica said in a telephone interview Thursday before flying back to Florida.

Mica, Janet Napolitano, the secretary of Homeland Security, Craig Fugate, the administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Sen. Mel Martinez are scheduled to meet with other officials in Lake Mary to discuss emergency response.

Calling the flooding a "disaster," Mica said the federal government needs to respond.

Many fields in southwestern St. Johns County were under water after a slow-moving storm dumped several inches of rain on the area this week as many farmers were preparing to harvest their crops of potato, cantaloupe and cabbage.

Mica said he was going to ask Lt. Gov. Jeff Kottkamp, who will also attend the meeting, to forward the local requests for emergency declaration to Washington, and he'll ask Fugate and Napolitano to grant the requests.

The emergency declaration would open doors for impacted farmers to get aid money.

Flagler County, which has been among the hardest hit areas, reported an estimated $45 million worth of damage done to potato farmers in Flagler, Putnam and St. Johns counties, where there are nearly 20,000 acres of potato farms.

Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/052209/news_052209_061.shtml

© The St. Augustine Record

USDOJ Press Release & AP: Former Okaloosa County Sheriff Convicted of Felonies

U.S. Department of Justice News Release:

Pensacola, Florida – Thomas F. Kirwin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced today the conviction of former Okaloosa County Sheriff Charles “Charlie” W. Morris, 59, of Shalimar, Florida.

Appearing before Senior United States District Judge Lacey A. Collier, Morris confessed his guilt to each of the six federal crimes charged by an indictment returned last month: conspiracy to commit theft of programs receiving Federal funds, by converting to their own use and the use of others property and funds of Okaloosa County and of the Sheriff’s Department (Title 18, United States Code, Section 371 - Count One); stealing, fraudulently obtaining, converting to the use of others, and misapplying over $5,000 of those funds (Title 18, United States Code, Sections 666, - Counts Two, Three); conspiracy to commit money laundering (Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1956(a)(1)(i), (B)(i), and (B)(ii) - Count Four); engaging in monetary transactions and property derived from specified unlawful activity (money laundering) (Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1957, 2 - Count Five); and conspiracy to commit theft of honest services by means of wire fraud (Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349 - Count Six).

Morris admitted that while the incumbent Sheriff of Okaloosa County, he and his then- Director of Administration and Finance and co-defendant, Teresa Adams, 50, Niceville, Florida, created fictitious bonuses to sheriff’s department employees. Sheriff’s Office employees were directed to return all or a portion of the bonuses in the form of cash and cashier’s checks under the pretense that these returned funds were to be used for charitable purposes.

Morris’ plea was incident to a “Plea and Cooperation Agreement” with the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, which requires that he cooperate fully and truthfully with the United States Attorney and agencies involving any matter under investigation, to include debriefing and testifying at grand jury or trial as requested. The Agreement includes Morris’ commitment to surrender all forfeitable assets to the United States or agencies designated by the United States, transferring such assets prior to his sentencing. At the end of his plea colloquy, Morris stated, “I apologize to you and this Court for being here today.”

Morris will be sentenced by Senior United States District Judge Collier on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. The conspiracy to commit program fraud theft (Count One) is punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine or both, 3 years of supervised release, and courtordered restitution. The theft from programs receiving federal funds (Counts Two and Three) is punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and
court-ordered restitution. The conspiracy to commit money laundering (Count Four) is punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment, a fine of $500, 000 or twice the value of the involved property (whichever is greater), 5 years of supervised release, and court-ordered restitution.

The money laundering is punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment, a fine of $250, 000 or twice the value of the criminally derived property (whichever is greater), 5 years of supervised release, and
court-ordered restitution. The wire fraud conspiracy (Count Six) is punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment, a fine of $250, 000, 5 years of supervised release, and court-ordered restitution.

The indictment and resulting guilty plea resulted from an investigation by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Randall J. (Randy) Hensel.

------------------------------------------------
SHALIMAR, Fla. (AP) _ A Panhandle sheriff charged with fraud and
money laundering is expected to avoid trial by entering a plea on
Tuesday.

According to court documents, suspended Okaloosa County Sheriff
Charlie Morris is scheduled to appear in federal court in Pensacola
Tuesday morning to change his not guilty plea.

Federal prosecutors allege Morris pocketed more than $80,000 by taking kickbacks from bonuses he gave his employees.

FBI agents arrested Morris in Las Vegas in February.

USDOJ Press Release: Former Okaloosa County Sheriff and Director of Administration Indicted on Federal Conspiracy, Theft, and Money Laundering Charges

Department of Justice Press Release
white spacer
For Immediate Release
April 23, 2009 United States Attorney's Office
Northern District of Florida
Contact: (850) 942-8430

Former Okaloosa County Sheriff and Director of Administration Indicted on Federal Conspiracy, Theft, and Money Laundering Charges

PENSACOLA, FL—Thomas F. Kirwin, United States Attorney for the Northern District
of Florida, announced today the return of a federal indictment charging former Okaloosa County Sheriff Charles “Charlie” W. Morris, 59, of Shalimar, Florida, and former Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office Director of Administration Teresa Adams, 50, of Niceville, Florida, with federal crimes. The indictment alleges conspiracy to commit theft of programs receiving Federal funds, by converting to their own use and the use of others property and funds of Okaloosa County and of the Sheriff’s Department (Title 18, United States Code, Section 371 - Count One); stealing, fraudulently obtaining, converting to the use of others, and misapplying over $5,000 of those funds (Title 18, United States Code, Sections 666, - Counts Two, Three); conspiracy to commit money laundering (Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1956(a)(1)(i), (B)(i), and (B)(ii) - Count Four); engaging in monetary transactions and property derived from specified unlawful activity (money laundering) (Title 18, United States Code, Sections 1957, 2 - Count Five); and conspiracy to commit theft of honest services by means of wire fraud (Title 18, United States Code, Section 1349 - Count Six). The indictment also contains a declaration of the United States’s intent to forfeit property of the defendants.

The indictment alleges that while Sheriff, Morris, with the assistance of his Director of Administration and Finance, Adams, created fictitious bonuses to sheriff’s department employees. The indictment alleges that Sheriff’s Office employees were directed to return all or a portion of the bonuses in the form of cash and cashier’s checks under the pretense that these returned funds were to be used for charitable purposes.

The conspiracy to commit program fraud theft (Count One) is punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine or both, 3 years of supervised release, and court-ordered restitution. The theft from programs receiving federal funds (Counts Two and Three) is punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, 3 years of supervised release, and court-ordered restitution. The conspiracy to commit money laundering (Count Four) is punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment, a fine of $500, 000 or twice the value of the involved property (whichever is greater), 5 years of supervised release, and court-ordered restitution. The money laundering is punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment, a fine of $250, 000 or twice the value of the criminally derived property (whichever is greater), 5 years of supervised release, and court-ordered restitution. The wire fraud conspiracy (Count Six) is punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment, a fine of $250, 000, 5 years of supervised release, and court-ordered restitution.

Mr. Morris and Ms. Adams will appear before United States Magistrate Judge Elizabeth M. Timothy to be arraigned on the charges Monday, April 27, 2009 at 11:00 a.m.
The indictment is the result of an investigation by agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Randall J. (Randy) Hensel. An indictment is merely a formal charge by the grand jury. Each defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in United States District Court.

USDOJ Press Release: Highlighting Recent FBI Public Corruption Investigations

Press Release

For Immediate Release
May 20, 2009


Washington D.C.
FBI National Press Office
(202) 324-3691

Highlighting Recent FBI Public Corruption Investigations

Public corruption is one of the FBI’s top investigative priorities—behind only terrorism, espionage, and cyber crimes—and is the top priority of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division. It can affect everything from how well our borders are secured and our neighborhoods protected to verdicts handed down in courts to the quality of our roads and schools. It also takes a significant toll on our pocketbooks by siphoning off tax dollars. It is estimated that public corruption costs the U.S. government and the public billions of dollars each year.

“Public corruption erodes public confidence and undermines the strength of our democracy. In investigating these crimes, the FBI can leverage tools such as undercover operations and electronic surveillance to root out those who betray the public trust,” said Assistant Director Kenneth W. Kaiser of the FBI’s Criminal Investigative Division.

The FBI’s Public Corruption Program also targets Foreign Corrupt Practices Act violations. To combat international corruption, the FBI has created a number of target-specific programs. For example, the International Contract Corruption Initiative addresses growing corruption within the global community. The International Contract Corruption Task Force addresses the systemic, long-term, multi-billion dollar contract corruption and procurement fraud crime problem linked to the war and reconstruction efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan. This multi-agency task force combines the efforts of the FBI, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the Army Criminal Investigative Division, the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction, the United States Agency for International Development, and the Department of State.

A selection of recent press releases from 2009 related to public corruption investigations is listed below. For more information, visit www.fbi.gov.

* On 01/08/2009, a former executive at a California valve company pled guilty to bribing foreign government officials. More


* On 01/08/2009, a retired Army Major pled guilty in a bribery scheme involving Department of Defense contracts in Kuwait. More


* On 01/21/2009, Puerto Rico Senator Jorge De Castro Font pled guilty to honest services wire fraud and conspiracy to commit extortion More


* On 01/23/2009, a former New York Power Authority employee was sentenced to 37 months in jail for a bribery and fraud scheme. More


* On 02/03/2009, the former finance director of a California valve company pled guilty to bribing foreign government officials. More


* On 02/05/2009, a government contractor was sentenced to 30 months in prison on bribery charges. More


* On 02/11/2009, Kellogg Brown & Root LLC pled guilty to foreign bribery charges and agreed to pay a $402 million criminal fine. More


* On 02/24/2009, a former employee of the Export-Import Bank of the United States was charged with corruption and tax violations. More


* On 03/05/2009, two UK citizens were charged by the United States with bribing Nigerian government officials to obtain lucrative contracts as part of a joint venture scheme involving Kellogg, Brown & Root Inc. More


* On 03/05/2009, a former U.S. Tax Court official was sentenced for engaging in a conspiracy to commit bribery. More


* On 03/06/2009, a former staff member in the U.S. House of Representatives was indicted on corruption charges. More


* On 03/10/2009, a former Congressional staffer pled guilty to conspiracy to commit honest services fraud. More


* On 03/12/2009, a former Alaska State Representative pled guilty to public corruption charges. More


* On 03/19/2009, a third defendant pled guilty to a money laundering scheme involving bribes for contracts at a Kuwait Army base. More


* On 03/26/2009, a former Michigan school official was sentenced to 46 months in jail for participating in a fraud scheme. More


* On 04/03/2009, a lobbyist was sentenced for destroying evidence in a public corruption investigation. More


* On 04/09/2009, two Department of Defense contractors were charged in a bribery conspiracy related to contracts in Afghanistan. More


* On 04/21/2009, a former military official pled guilty to participating in a bribery conspiracy involving a $206 million telecommunications contract in Korea. More


* On 05/06/2009, a Korean businessman was indicted in a bribery conspiracy and wire fraud scheme involving a $206 million contract. More


*****Sign up for FBI email alerts at www.fbi.gov by clicking on the red envelopes.*****

Follow the FBI on Twitter @ FBIPRESSOFFICE

REP. JOHN LUIGI MICA, CONGRESSMAN CRYBABY

PUBLIC AIRING

Republican Rep. John L. Mica, who represents central and northeastern Florida, was obviously not happy to have missed three of the most recent roll call votes in the House, informing the speaker and entire free world for that matter that it was "due to mechanical problems relating to US Airways flight number 859."

http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/may/20/inside-the-beltway-20889747/

What a BIG CRY BABY!!!! JOHN LUIGI MICA is the top Republican on the Transportation Committee and his campaigns have been partly funded by the airline, airport, trucking and other transportation lobbies. Reckon when he's not flying in corporate jets or Air Force jets, MICA occasionally gets to see how the "other half" lives.

So why do babies cry? Here's seven reasons from BabyCenter.com


Seven reasons babies cry and how to soothe them
Reviewed by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board
Last updated: November 2006


Highlights
How can I tell why my baby is crying?
I can't figure out why she's crying. What should I do?

Babies cry. There's no way to avoid it — it's one way they communicate. Since your baby can't flat out tell you, you may worry, "How will I know what she wants?" It can be difficult at first, but a large part of parenting is trial and error and you'll soon learn to anticipate her needs, read her cues, and wipe away her tears. Here are the most common reasons babies cry. If your little one is wailing, work your way down the list and chances are you'll find something that helps.

How can I tell why my baby is crying?

She's hungry
Once you learn to recognize the signs that your baby wants to eat — she'll fuss, make noises, and root around for your breast if you pick her up — you'll get pretty good at feeding her before she starts to really cry. Until then, checking to see if she's hungry is a good first step when your baby cries. Food might not stop her crying right away, but let her keep eating if she wants to. She'll stop once her stomach is full.

She needs a fresh diaper
Some babies let you know right away when they need to be changed. Others don't mind when their diapers are soiled — it's warm and comfortable to them. (Parents are often surprised when they pick up their infant and find she's been sitting in a dirty diaper and never made a sound.) Either way, this one is easy to check and simple to remedy.

She's too cold or hot
Newborns like to be bundled up and kept warm. (As a rule, they need to be wearing one more layer than you need to be comfortable.) So when your baby feels cold, like when you remove her clothes to change her, she'll express her discomfort by crying. You'll learn how to quickly change a diaper and wrap your baby back up. Be careful that you don't overdress her, since she's less likely to complain about being too warm than about being too cold and won't cry about it as vigorously.

She wants to be held
Babies need a lot of cuddling. They like to see their parents' faces, hear their voices, and listen to their heartbeats, and can even detect their unique smell (especially Mom's milk). After being fed, burped, and changed, many babies simply want to be held. You may wonder if you'll "spoil" your child by holding her so much, but during the first few months of life that isn't possible. Infants vary a lot in how much they want to be held. Some demand a lot of attention, while others can spend long periods of time sitting calmly by themselves. If your baby likes the attention, pick her up, wear her in a front carrier or sling, or place her next to you.

She can't take it anymore
While newborns often thrive on attention, they can easily become overstimulated and have a meltdown. You may find that your baby cries longer than usual after spending a holiday with many adoring family members or has periods at the end of each day when she seems to cry for no reason. Newborns have difficulty processing all the stimulation they receive — the lights, the noise, being passed from hand to hand — and can become overwhelmed by too much activity. Crying is their way of saying, "I've had enough." This usually happens when your baby is tired. Take her somewhere calm and quiet and let her vent for a while, and then see if you can get her to sleep.

She doesn't feel good
If you've just fed your baby and checked that she's comfortable (she can be troubled by something as subtle as a hair wrapped around her toe or a clothing tag that's poking her), but she's still crying, consider checking her temperature to make sure she isn't ill. The cry of a sick baby tends to be distinct from the hunger or frustration cry, and you'll soon learn when your baby's cries "just don't sound right" and she needs to be taken to the doctor.

None of the above
Sometimes you might not be able to figure out what's wrong. Many newborns develop periods of fussiness when they're not easily soothed. These fussy periods can range from a few minutes of crying to full-blown colic. Colic is defined as inconsolable crying for at least three hours a day and at least three days a week. Even if your baby isn't crying this much, these episodes may be difficult for you. When all else fails, try the tips below.
I can't figure out why she's crying. What should I do?

Wrap her up and hold her close
Newborns like to feel as warm and secure as they did in the womb, so try swaddling your baby in a blanket, wearing her, or holding her against your shoulder. But be aware that some babies find swaddling or cuddling too constrictive and respond better to other forms of comfort such as rhythmic movement or sucking a pacifier.

Let her hear the rhythm
Babies are used to the sound of your heartbeat; that's another reason they love to be held close. You can also try playing soft music, singing a lullaby, or even putting her close to the rhythm of an electric fan or the white noise of a vacuum cleaner.

Put her in motion
Sometimes just the motion of carrying your baby will be enough to calm her. Other times, it may help to rock her gently in a rocking chair or swing, set her in her bouncy seat, or place her in her car seat on top of the dryer while it's on (the dryer's vibrations can cause her seat to move enough to fall off, so make sure you stay by her side while you do this!). You could also push her around outside in her stroller or take her for a ride in the car.

Massage her
Most babies love to be touched, so a massage might be just the thing to soothe your baby. Don't worry about not knowing the perfect movements — as long as they're gentle and slow, they should bring comfort. Also, try rubbing your baby's back or belly. This will help if she's having gas pains — which may be the problem with some colicky babies.

Let her suck on something
Even when she's not hungry, sucking can steady an infant's heart rate, relax her stomach, and calm her flailing limbs. Give her a pacifier or a finger to clamp onto and let her go to town.

Take care of yourself
No baby ever cried herself to death, but a crying baby can be very stressful for new parents. You're chronically sleep-deprived and may already be unsure about how to care for this baby. Mom's emotions are all over the place due to the hormonal changes she's going through. Dad may not be sure what role he should play in caring for the newborn or whether he'll ever get Mom's attention again. Add a crying baby to this scenario and many parents can become overwhelmed with feelings of incompetence.

If you know your baby's needs have been met and you've tried to calm her but she's still crying, it's time to take care of yourself so you don't get too exasperated:

• Put your baby down in a safe place and let her cry for a while.
• Call a friend or relative and ask for advice.
• Give yourself a break and let someone else take over.
• Put on quiet music to distract yourself.
• Take deep breaths.
• Remind yourself that nothing is wrong with your baby and crying won't hurt her — she may just need the release.
• Repeat to yourself, "She will outgrow this phase."
• Whatever you do, don't take your frustration out on your baby by shaking her.

Fortunately, babies (and their parents) are resilient and somehow manage to get through even the most difficult crying episodes. Take heart that by the time your baby is 8 to 12 weeks old, she'll be better able to soothe herself and much of the crying will stop.

Let's welcome Steven Spielberg and DreamWorks SKG to St. Augustine!

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. arrested by Police Chief Virgil Stuart in St. Augustine for seeking service in segregated restaurant at Monson Motel (Stuart, a KKK member/sympathizer, blamed "outside agitators" for unrest -- our City government has named police headquarters against the racist police chief)


Rev. Ralph David Abernathy & Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in St. Augustine Jail
(Dr. King said it was the nicest jail he'd ever been in and wrote rabbis from his jail cell about how St. Augustine is the "most lawless" city in America.


African-Americans denied service and arrested at Woolworth's, St. Augustine, 1964
(This holy place in our Nation's civil rights and African-American history, owned by an Episcopal Church, is currently a tacky t-shirt shop. It would become a national civil rights museum under proposed St. Augustine National Historical Park, National Seashore and National Scenic Coastal Parkway Act of 2009)
see www.staugustgreen.com


Civil rights protesters in Slave Market Square, June 1964


Rev. Ralph David Abernathy and Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.


EVEN THE BEACHES WERE SEGREGATED -- BEACH WADE-IN AND POLICE RIOT


MONSON MOTEL OWNER JIMMY BROCK POURS MURIATIC ACID IN POOL


Let's welcome Steven Spielberg and DreamWorks SKG to St. Augustine - they've obtained the rights from the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. estate for a biographical movie on Dr. King.

Dr. King was here in St. Augustine during 1964, where he and local residents helped change world history. The 1964 Civil Rights Act enacted as a result of what happened right here, in our Nation's Oldest European-founded City.

Dr. King called St. Augustine "the most lawless city in America" in his June 11, 1964 letter to reform rabbis.

Ongoing racism is the focus of a pending EPA Environmental Justice complaint under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.


Here's more courtesy of the ACCORD website:

Local and National Background

Through most of the southern United States, beginning in the latter part of the 19th century and becoming the entrenched law of the land by the early years of the 20th century, segregation by race was the legal system. That is, by law, blacks and whites were separated in all public facilities. Blacks could not eat in restaurants, stay in hotels or motels, swim in public beaches or pools, or attend the same schools or churches if any of these facilities or institutions were used by white people. In St. Augustine, a black person could not get a drink of water from a public fountain or use the restrooms in public facilities. Although they could purchase goods from the local stores, they could not sit at the lunch counter and order food in the same store. State and local police forces as well as the courts of the state were all required to uphold and enforce these laws. Educational and job opportunities- although the law did not require it-were restricted on the basis of race.

In 1954, The Supreme Court of the United States declared that the "separate but equal" legal status of public schools made those schools inherently unequal and ordered the desegregation of all public schools in the United States. In St. Augustine, by 1964 — ten years later — only 6 black children had been admitted to white schools, and the homes of two of the families of these children had been burned by local segregationists and other families had been forced to move out of the county because the parents had been fired from their jobs and could find no work.

In the spring of 1964, a major Civil Rights Bill was pending in the United States Senate. This bill — if made into law — would outlaw all segregation on the basis of race in all public facilities. That is, if the facility, such as restaurants, hotels, beaches, buses, trains, restrooms, etc, were open to public use, no one could be denied the right to use it on the basis of race. Major civil rights demonstrations in many southern cities had convinced most Americans that the laws of segregation violated the constitution of the United States and were morally wrong. The house of Representatives had passed the Civil Rights Bill on February 10, 1964, and a majority of senators had declared they would vote in favor. A group of senators from southern states began a filibuster — a non-stop speech preventing any action on any bill from taking place. Senate rules require a 2/3rds vote to halt a filibuster. There were not enough Senators willing to do so. Teams of Senators had kept the speech going for months. The Civil Rights movement seemed stalled, hopes for the passage of this bill began to dim. It was in that atmosphere that demonstrations in St. Augustine played a major role in securing the needed votes to stop the filibuster and pass the Civil Rights Bill.

Origins of the St. Augustine Movement

JUNE 1963. Dr. Robert Hayling, a black dentist in St. Augustine, organized the Youth Council of the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). They began street protests in front of Woolworths on King Street, in front of the Plaza. They carried signs that asked "If We Spend Money Here Why Can't we Eat Here?"

JULY 1963. A "sit-in" at a local pharmacy (young people sat down on the stools of the lunch counter and asked for service, refusing to leave when told to do so) led to the arrest of 16 young blacks, including 7 juveniles. The county judge, Charles Mathis, told the parents of the juveniles he would release the children into their custody only if they pledged to keep them away from further demonstrations. The parents of three of the children agreed; the others said "no." Mathis then sent the four young people to state reform school where they remained for six months.

SEPTEMBER 1963. Anger at such treatment of their children brought on the first mass demonstration which protested the city commission's refusal to appoint a biracial commission to discuss the problems of race relations in the city.

In that same month, the Ku Klux Klan, an organization of white segregationists, held a rally outside of town. Dr. Hayling and three others tried to observe the rally, were seen, seized, beaten, and saved from being burned to death only at the last minute. Dr. Hayling and others continued their efforts to bring about a peaceful resolution, with no success.

FEBRUARY 1964. Local segregationists fired a shotgun into Dr. Hayling's home, narrowly missing his wife and children, killing his dog.

MARCH 1964. Dr. Hayling, Henry and Katherine Twine, and other local civil rights leaders, asked Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his organization — the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) — to come to St. Augustine to help.

St. Augustine, SCLC, and Dr. King

APRIL 1964. Dr. King and SCLC, fearing the proposed Civil Rights Bill being filibustered in the U.S. Senate would be defeated, decided to come to St. Augustine and make a stand here. He rallied northen supporters to come and help

Two of these supporters who came were Mrs. Malcolm Peabody, the mother of the governor of Massachusetts and Mrs. John Burgess, wife of the Episcopal Bishop of Massachusetts. The two women joined a sit-in at the Ponce de Leon Restaurant, led by Dr. Hayling along with other blacks, requesting service, and refusing to leave. Their arrest and jailing brought national attention to St. Augustine. All of the major newspapers of the nation as well as television and radio stations began to cover events here and broadcast them to the nation and the world.

MAY-JUNE 1964. Among the activities told to the world: Dr. King spoke in local churches, rallying supporters and teaching his methods of non-violent resistance. No matter how demonstrators were abused, beaten, or verbally assaulted, they were not to fight back nor resist arrest in any way.

Nightly marches down King Street, around the Plaza and the "Slave Market" and back up King street were met by white segregationist and verbal and physical assault on the marchers and resulted in hundreds of arrests and jail sentences (of marchers only). The City banned the night marches and ordered large bonds of $1500 to $3000 be paid to be released from jail. There were so many demonstrators in the jail — both local people and others who had come to help, both black and white, — that there was no room in the jail, and people were kept in a stockade during the day, in the hot sun with no shade.

Mrs. Katherine Twine, who came to be known as the "Rosa Parks of St. Augustine " for her leadership in the movement, was arrested so many times that she began to carry a large-brimmed hat which she called her "Freedom Hat" with her whenever she thought she would be arrested in order to have some shade from the sun in that stockade. The hat had "Freedom Now" printed on it and a button from the 1963 March on Washington, and has been preserved as a precious artifact of those times. Young and old, black and white shared the dangers of the marches, the assaults and the jails.

Attempts were made to integrate the beaches of Anastasia Island — demonstrators were driven into the water by police and segregationists, some could not swim and had to be saved from drowning by other demonstrators.

A small group of women attempted to enter a white church on King Street on a Sunday morning, wishing to take part in the service. They were met by a group of whites, arms linked together to prevent them from worshiping with them.

St. Augustine & Passage of the Civil Rights Bill

JUNE 9, 1964. Federal Court Judge Simpson signed orders reducing the amount of bonds that could be imposed on arrested demonstrators to $100, limited the length of jail terms, and declared night marches to be legal. Local officials were ordered to allow the marches and keep order.

JUNE 10, 1964. The constant coverage of the nightly marches and assaults in the nation's news media brought on a vote in the United States Senate to invoke "cloture" — the vote to end the filibuster. The way was now clear to pass the Civil Rights Bill, after each senator had been given a chance to speak to it. It was the courage and determination of the demonstrators in St. Augustine that had finally convinced the people of the United States that segregation must end.

But on that night, despite Judge Simpson's orders, the nightly march was met by an angry crowd of more than 100 white men who broke through police lines and attacked the marchers.

JUNE 11, 1964. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and other members of the SCLC were arrested and jailed for trying to eat lunch at the Monson Motel Restaurant on the bay-front in town.

JUNE 18, 1964. A group of black and white protesters jumped into the swimming pool at the Monson Motel — the resultant photographs of the owner pouring muriatic acid into the pool and a policeman jumping into the pool to arrest them were broadcast around the world — and became some of the most famous images of the entire Civil Rights Movement.

JUNE 19, 1964. The United States Senate passed the Civil Rights Act, outlawing segregation in all public places and facilities. President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the bill into law on July 2, 1964.

Aftermath of the St. Augustine Movement

SUMMER OF 1964 IN ST. AUGUSTINE. Despite the passage of the Civil Rights Act, there was still strong resistance in St. Augustine to implementing its provisions and further demonstrations and violence continued. But such resistance was doomed. The law of the land would prevail in time.

Many of the demonstrators lost their jobs because they asked for their basic human rights, many were physically assaulted, some lost their homes. Each night they had to face their fears and agree to once again march down King Street.

But they prevailed. Not only the city of St. Augustine and all of its residents, no matter their color, are the better for it, but the entire nation is indebted to them. Their courageous actions had a direct impact on the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. These brave people deserve our respect, and our thanks.





Saint Augustine Florida — population 15,000 (roughly 75% white, 25% Black) — is still thoroughly segregated in 1963. Founded in 1565 by Spanish colonizers, it claims to be "the oldest city in America" — meaning, of course, the oldest city settled by Europeans because some of the pueblo towns of the Southwest date back to the 11th Century or earlier. Until the Civil War, St. Augustine was a slave trade center, and when the town became a vacation destination in the 1890s the old slave market was turned into a tourist attraction.

Lincolnville is St. Augustine's Black neighborhood and Mrs. Fannie Fullerwood — who works as a maid for a white family — is president of the local NAACP. In March of 1963, she sends a letter to President Kennedy and Vice President Lyndon Johnson asking that they reject a $350,000 grant to the city for a segregated celebration of its 400th anniversary. With Greenwood and Birmingham on front pages around the world, LBJ replies that: "No event in which I will participate in St. Augustine will be segregated." But what does that mean? Does it mean that places and events will be temporarily desegregated while he is present, or does it mean he will only participate in locations that have been permanently integrated?

Intense negotiations between the local NAACP, St. Augustine's white power structure, and LBJ's representatives ensue. LBJ comes to town for a banquet, and for the first time in history, Blacks enter the lavish Ponce de Leon Hotel ballroom as guests rather than maids or bus boys (they are seated by themselves at two "Negro" tables). But St Augustine's lunch counters, rest rooms, and other facilities remain segregated, as does the Ponce de Leon after the Vice President leaves. And the next day when NAACP leaders show up for a promised meeting with the City Commision, they are shown to an empty room with a tape recorder. They are told to record their complaints because no white official will meet with them in person.

By early June, the hope that had soared at the time of LBJ's visit is dying. Nothing has come from the tape-recorded grievances, and so far as the city is concerned, the 400th anniversary celebations are going to be on a segregated basis. Dr. Robert Hayling, a young Black dentist recently arrived in the city, becomes head of the St. Augustine NAACP Youth Council (SAYC). He announces that unless there is some tangible progress, the young people of St. Augustine are ready to begin nonviolent direct-action like the children of Birmingham. A few days later he leads small groups of pickets at the local Woolworths to protest segregation. They carry signs reading: "If We Spend Money Here Why Can't We Eat Here?"

The Klan threatens to kill Hayling. Hayling tells a reporter: "I and others have armed. We will shoot first and ask questions later. We are not going to die like Medgar Evers." The press, which has ignored the Black community and issues of segregation, seize on his remark, sensationalizing it to mean that Blacks are arming to attack innocent whites. National leaders of the NAACP repudiate Hayling's statement as a provocation. They assure the FBI that they are working to silence Hayling.

In July, sixteen SAYC members sit-in at the segregated counter and are arrested. Seven of them are younger than 17 and thus legally classified as juveniles. Charles Mathis, the local judge, denies them bail. He refuses to release them unless their parents sign a promise that they won't demonstrate until they reach age 21. Four of the families refuse to agree, and the "St. Augustine Four" — JoAnn Anderson Ulmer, Audrey Nell Edwards, Willie Carl Singleton, and Samuel White — are sent to state reform schools. When an NAACP attorney tries to free them, Judge Mathis claims that they are beyond the jurisdiction of the legal system. The young teenagers remain locked up, away from their parents and out of school, until January when pressure on the Florida governor finally wins their release.

Outraged at the indefinite incarceration of the St. Augustine Four and the continued refusal of the city to appoint a bi-racial commission or meet with Black leaders, Dr. Hayling leads a mass march of more than 100 adults towards the Old Slave Market on Labor Day. The police attack, arresting Hayling and 26 others.

Two weeks later, shortly after the Birmingham church bombing, the Ku Klux Klan holds a rally and cross-burning in a nearby field. Rev. Lynch, head of the National States Rights Party, addresses 300 racists, telling them that the four young girls slain in Birmingham were: ".. old enough to have venereal diseases," and were no more human or innocent than rattlesnakes. "So kill 'em all, and if it's four less niggers tonight, then good for whoever planted the bomb. We're all better off!"

Suddenly the cry "Niggers! Niggers!" goes up from the crowd who push forward Dr. Hayling and SAYC activists Clyde Jenkins, James Hauser, and James Jackson who have been caught observing the rally. They are brutally beaten unconscious with fists, chains, and clubs. Only the arrival of Highway Patrol officers prevent them from being burned alive. St. Johns County Sheriff L.O. Davis — a Klan sympathizer — arrests four whites for the beating and also arrests the four unarmed Blacks for "assaulting" the 300 armed Klansmen. Charges against the Klansmen are dismissed, Hayling is convicted of "criminal assault."

Over the following weeks, tension escalates. The home of a Black family whose child has integrated a white school is burned. A carload of KKK night riders races through Lincolnville shooting into Black homes. Blacks return fire, killing one Klansman. NAACP activist Rev. Goldie Eubanks and three others are indicted for murder. Meanwhile, disturbed by Hayling's militancy, the national NAACP removes him as head of the Youth Council. Hayling, Eubanks, Henry & Kathrine Twine, and other freedom fighters leave the NAACP and contact SCLC for assistance.

NPR: I Have A DreamWorks: Spielberg Gets King Movie Rights By Frank James Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks SKG studio has obtained the rights

I Have A DreamWorks: Spielberg Gets King Movie Rights

By Frank James

Steven Spielberg's DreamWorks SKG studio has obtained the rights from the estate of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. for a biographical movie on the civil-rights icon.
description

The studio says Spielberg will be joined in producing the biopic by Suzanne de Passe, a long-time Hollywood executive, and Madison Jones, who has produced documentaries on King and Robert F. Kennedy.

Spielberg's participation in this project obviously provides it with the kind of Hollywood titan one would expect for such a monumental undertaking, a major feature film the life of one of the nation's most historic figures.

De Passe is much less known generally but is also a Hollywood figure of some significance. As a writer, she won early praise for her "Lady Sings the Blues" screenplay.

But she made a huge impact, especially as an African American woman, when she optioned the Larry McMurtry novel "Lonesome Dove," then produced the hugely successful television miniseries.

DePasse and Jones also have a connection to President Barack Obama: they co-produced the 2009 Commander in Chief's Inaugural Ball, according to the DreamWorks press release.

An excerpt from the press release:

The DreamWorks film will be the first theatrical motion picture to be authorized by The King Estate to utilize the intellectual property of Dr. King to create the definitive portrait of his life.


"In trying to tackle such an ambitious project, the question we had to ask ourselves is, why now? The answer lies in MLK's own words: 'all progress is precarious.' With every step forward, new obstacles emerge and we must never forget that his life and his teachings continue to challenge us everyday to stand up to hatred and inequality," said Stacey Snider. (Snider is DreamWorks Studios CEO and Co-Chairman.)

"We are all honored that the King Estate is giving us the opportunity to tell the story of these defining, historic events," said Steven Spielberg. "It is our hope that the creative power of film and the impact of Dr. King's life can combine to present a story of undeniable power that we can all be proud of."


"The King Estate is committed to working very closely with Dreamworks, Suzanne de Passe and Madison Jones to create the first major motion picture on the life of my father. We hope that this will be the definitive film on his life and legacy," said Dexter King, Chairman and CEO of the King Estate.

Controversy has surrounded the King family for years over their approach to the civil-rights leader's papers which they have jealously guarded. Scholars and even the public have criticized the family for claiming ownership of the papers. Some have said the documents are part of the legacy King left the nation and even the world.

But King family members have long maintained that the slain civil-rights leader left them relatively little money and thus the papers were their inheritance. In 2006, they raised the possibility of auctioning off the papers which might have meant the documents would leave Atlanta, King's hometown. The city raised $32 million to keep the papers local.

King's children have also been at odds over the management of their father's legacy but apparently their squabbling was irrelevant to the movie-rights deal.

The Associated Press reports:

Dexter King's siblings, Bernice King and Martin Luther King III, were not involved in negotiating the deal. They did not immediately return a phone call Tuesday from The Associated Press.

The siblings have been involved in several disputes regarding their parents' intellectual property in the past year. Bernice King and Martin Luther King III have accused their brother of tarnishing
their parents' legacy with his business decisions, and say he has been operating The King Estate for years without their input.

DreamWorks spokeswoman Kristin Stark declined to say how much the deal is worth. It is not clear when the movie might be made.

Stark said she did not believe the siblings' legal differences would affect the project.

"What we have gained access to is the life rights, which is not what they are fighting about," Stark said.

2:15 PM ET | 05-19-2009 | permalink

ENVIRONMENTAL RACISM: Riberia Street is St. Augustine's worst street is flooded today, with cars trapped and unable to drive on it

Photo credit: Marie Hardage


Photo credit: Marie Hardage

To the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (and the EPA Administrator, EPA Deputy Administrator, EPA Director of the Office of Civil Rights and the General Counsel of EPA):

We look forward to your finding jurisdiction, after four months, on our Title VI complaint on Environmental Racism, filed January 15, 2009.

Your Environmental Justice (EJ) investigation will help make peoples' lives better here in St. Augustine. See the flooded streets (above), which African-American and low-income residents of St. Augustine have endured since anyone can remember. The traditionally African-American and low-income community of Lincolnville was founded by freed slaves in 1866 and is among the oldest-African-American communities in America. After local residents brought Dr. King here in 1964, Lincolnville and West Augustine were neglected out of retaliation. Riberia Street is part of that retaliation.

We know that people in other parts of St. Augustine (and America) would not put up for a minute with the unequal spending and rank discrimination that results in regular heavy-duty flooding here on Riberia Street, a main artery that is never repaired. Riberia Street is scheduled for repairs on a racially discriminatory basis (white areas first), with repairs stretched out for years.

Riberia Street is brought to you by the same City of St. Augustine city government that brought us police riots and the arrest of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. here on June 11, 1964 (which resulted in Congress enacting the 1964 Civil Rights Act).

Riberia Street is brought to you by the same City of St. Augustine city government that secretly dumped 40,000 cubic yards of solid waste in our Old City Reservoir and put semi-treated sewage effluent in our saltwater marsh, concealing their dumping for years. Our Congress and state governments have rightly told the City of St. Augustine that they will not receive any grants or earmarks -- why? Apparently because of documented environmental violations, wasteful spending and racial discrimination.

Will you please give the St. Augustine EJ complaint your most urgent personal attention? It is time and it is right.

With kindest regards, I am,
Sincerely yours,
Ed
Ed Slavin
www.staugustreen.com
www.cleanupcityofstaugustine.blogspot.com
Box 3084
St. Augustine, Florida 32085-3084
904-829-3877 (direct)
904-471-9918 (fax)

Time to Retire MICA, Keep AMTRAK's Promises to St. Augustine

In 2001, AMTRAK was working on railroad passenger service for St. Augustine. See below.
Today, that promises remains unfulfilled. Democratic Congressional candidate Faye Armitage supports an AMTRAK station for West Augustine.
Rep. JOHN LUIGI MICA is busy getting his photo taken with fancy shovels, shoveling for picture-taking shills as he breaks ground on a new Auto Train terminal in Sanford.
People who want to take the train to St. Augustine for their weddings or vacations must get off in Palatka or Jacksonville (singularly unromantic places at best).
Apparently, AMTRAK is not being pushed by the senior House Republican on transportation issues to do anything to bring AMTRAK (or trolleys) to St. Augustine.
After several years, it's plain that MICA's never going to get back to Peter Romano, former Lincolnville Neighborhood Association Chair (and former Republican County Vice Chair) about Mr.Romano's excellent idea on a a trolley system for tourists and locals.
That idea is incorporated in the proposed St. Augustine National Historical Park, National Seashore and National Scenic Coastal Parkway Act of 2009. MICA won't communicate about it, either.


It's time for MICA to go

Orlando Sentinel: Officials break ground on new Amtrak station

Officials break ground on new Amtrak station

Rachael Jackson | Sentinel Staff Writer
1:59 PM EDT, May 18, 2009

SANFORD - Officials broke ground on a new Auto Train station this morning, launching a more than $10.5 million project that they said would bring jobs and better serve the nearly 250,000 people that travel on the train annually.

The Amtrak train, which goes to Lorton, Va. with no stops, is the only one in the country that allows riders to bring their cars onboard with them. While the current station has a cramped waiting area and uses a tent for overflow, the new station, funded by federal dollars, will have seating for 600 people.

U.S. Rep. John Mica, R- Winter Park, promised to expand the Auto Train service to other parts of the country. Mica, Republican leader of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, noted his disappointment that they were not also breaking ground on stations that were planned for the 61-mile commuter rail system, which did not win state approval in the Legislature this year.

Amtrak, FEC mull passenger train deal -- Nearly eight (8) years later, St. Johns County is still waiting, Rep. MICA doesn't care

Amtrak, FEC mull passenger train deal

By PETER GUINTA
Staff Writer
Publication Date: 01/26/01

The nation's largest passenger railroad, Amtrak, may be close to signing an agreement with St. Augustine-based Florida East Coast Railroad to secure an Amtrak station in St. Johns County.

However, the deal depends on the companies' securing $60 million in state Department of Transportation money for capital improvement, mainly new railway side tracks, or sidings.

Kevin Johnson, an Amtrak spokesman based in Chicago, said the agreement is moving forward, but isn't yet solid.

''St. Augustine is an excellent destination,'' Johnson said. ''Basically, it will be up to the community to show interest. But there are all kinds of things that have to happen first.''

The state DOT has said stations are possible at Daytona Beach, Titusville, Melbourne, Vero Beach, Fort Pierce and Stuart, though that list is very tentative and subject to approval by the Legislature.

An Amtrak station in St. Augustine would most likely be sited at a proposed $10 million to $15 million multimodal transportation center that is planned across U.S. 1 North from the St. Augustine Airport.

This facility, also called a ''consolidated transportation center,'' would jointly house air, bus, train, taxi and rental car companies, with passengers making connections from one mode of transportation to another.

A walkover over U.S. 1 would provide connections to commuter flights at the airport.

The St. Augustine Airport Authority's board of directors has already taken the lead and said it will work with St. Johns County officials to apply for grants to pay for the multimodal center project. The authority already owns land on the west side of U.S. 1, where the terminal would be located.

Next month, a citizens committee and a technical committee plan to meet at the airport's administration building to chart the terminal's progress.

Edward Wuellner, the authority's executive director, said Amtrak once offered passenger service along the East Coast of Florida, but that ended after a bitter railroad strike during the 1960s.

''We've been working on this project for at least a year,'' he said. ''The city said they couldn't do this inside city limits and felt it would be better in the county. We called Amtrak and got a $126,000 grant for a feasibility Study.''

A Jacksonville engineering firm will measure ridership forecasts, how money for the project will be raised, what the building should look like and where it will be located. This study should be completed by spring, Wuellner said.

He said the cost will come from a ''public/private partnership,'' if possible.

Jane Covington, FEC's director of communications, said Amtrak and FEC have agreed on most major provisions of the arrangement.

''There are a number of issues, but both sides are really, really close,'' she said. ''The state still has to give us the money for the capital improvements.''

Covington said that after the money is secured, it will be at least 10 months before the improvements can be made for one passenger train to begin service.

The improvements include some crossing changes and additional sidings so fast-moving passenger trains don't get delayed by slower-moving freight trains. Slow trains will then be able to pull onto sidings while faster ones fly by on the main track, she said.

''Amtrak is interested in serving the East Coast of Florida with on-time service. The railroads are congested right now and Amtrak service is suffering,'' Covington said. ''We're running a freight operation here. We don't want anything to mess up both our schedules.''


Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/012601/new_0126010076.shtml

© The St. Augustine Record

Speak May 21 at 2PM Meeting of Historic Architecture Review Board -- Does This Ugly, Palatka-Style Block Belong at Cathedral Place & St. George St?

Speak May 21 at 2PM Meeting of Historic Architecture Review Board -- Does This Ugly, Palatka-Style Block Belong at Cathedral Place & St. George St?




Not one of the public hearing witnesses at the April 27, 2009 City Commission meeting thought so.

The St. Augustine Record editrial (below)agrees with 100% of the witnesses.

What do you think? Be heard on May 21st.

See below.




I have one key question for GEORGE McCLURE, which he didn't answer when he was busily committing the tort of assault and battery with his finger in my eye at a Commission meeting last month. As Matt Damon said character said to the crooked corporate lawyer in the movie, "The Rainmaker": "Do you even remember when you first sold out?" (Of course, if GEORGE McCLURE never had any ideals, then he would have to object to the question as assuming facts not in evidence, the poor dear).

HISTORIC ARCHITECTURAL REVIEW BOARD: St,. Augustine City Code, Sections 28-81 to 29-91

DIVISION 3. *

__________
*Cross references: Boards, commissions, etc., § 2-191 et seq.

__________

Sec. 28-81. Created; membership.
There is hereby created an historic architectural review board consisting of five (5) members to be appointed by the city commission from applications submitted on forms as from time to time promulgated by the city manager and approved by the city commission. Each member shall have either thorough training or experience demonstrating competence in the field of historic preservation. Qualifications shall include training or experience in architecture, history, architectural history, art history, planning, archeology, or related disciplines to the extent that such professionals are available in the community. Board membership shall also include other persons who have demonstrated special interest, experience or knowledge in history, architecture or related disciplines. Two (2) members of the board as established herein shall be appointed for a term of one (1) year; two (2) for a term of two (2) years; and one (1) for a term of three (3) years. Thereafter all members shall be appointed for three-year terms except those appointed to fill vacancies for unexpired terms, in which case the appointment shall be for the unexpired term only.
(Code 1964, § 33-183)

Sec. 28-82. Minimum qualifications criteria.
As utilized herein the following fields of experience shall have the minimum qualifications set forth. In addition to the following qualifications, one (1) seat on the board shall be designated for a licensed, professional architect.
(1) History. The minimum professional qualifications in history are a graduate degree in history or closely related field; or a bachelor's degree in history or closely related field plus one (1) of the following:
a. At least two (2) years of fulltime experience in research, writing, teaching, interpretation or other demonstrable professional activity with an academic institution, historic organization or agency, museum or other professional institution.
b. Substantial contribution through research and publication to the body of scholarly knowledge in the field of history.
(2) Archaeology. The minimum professional qualifications in archaeology are a graduate degree in archaeology, anthropology or closely related field plus:
a. At least one (1) year of fulltime professional experience or equivalent specialized training in archaeological research, administration or management.
b. At least four (4) months of supervised field and analytic experience in general North American archaeology.
c. Demonstrated ability to carry research to completion. In addition to these minimum qualifications, a professional in prehistoric archaeology shall have at least one (1) year of fulltime professional experience at a supervisory level in the study of archaeological resources of the prehistoric period. A professional in historic archaeology shall have at least one (1) year of fulltime professional experience at a supervisory level in the study of archaeological resources of the historic period.
(3) Architectural history. The minimum professional qualifications in architectural history are a graduate degree in architectural history, art history, historic preservation or closely related field, with course work in American architectural history; or a bachelor's degree in architectural history, historic preservation or closely related field plus one (1) of the following:
a. At least two (2) years of fulltime experience in research, writing or teaching in American architectural history or restoration architecture with an academic institution, historical organization or agency, museum, or other professional institution.
b. Substantial contribution through research and publication to the body of scholarly knowledge in the field of American architectural history.
(4) Historic architecture. The minimum professional qualifications in historic architecture are a professional degree in architecture or state license to practice architecture, plus one (1) of the following:
a. At least one (1) year of graduate study in architectural preservation, American architectural history, preservation planning or closely related field.
b. At least one (1) year of fulltime professional experience on historic preservation projects. Such graduate study or experience shall include detailed investigations of historic structures, preparation of historic structures research reports, and preparation of plans and specifications for preservation projects.
(5) Art history. The minimum professional qualifications in architectural history are a graduate degree in art history or closely related field, with course work in art history; or a bachelor's degree in art history or a closely related field plus one (1) of the following:
a. At least two (2) years of fulltime experience in research, writing or teaching in art history with an academic institution, historical organization or agency, museum, or other professional institution.
b. Substantial contribution through research and publication to the body of scholarly knowledge in the field of art history.
(6) [Appointment.] Persons who have demonstrated special interest, experience or knowledge in history, architecture or related disciplines who do not have a professional degree in any of the fields set forth in this section may be appointed by the city commission when persons with such degrees are not available for appointment, or when such appointment is determined to be in the best interest of the city.
(Code 1964, § 33-183.5; Ord. No. 00-17, § 1, 6-12-00; Ord. No. 05-15, § 1, 6-13-05)

Sec. 28-83. Residence; tenure.
All members of the historic architectural review board shall hold no government office nor receive any salary or compensation for their services to the board herein created. While preference shall be given to current city residents, the city commission may appoint a non-resident upon a finding that such non-resident is uniquely qualified. No member shall be appointed for more than two (2) consecutive full terms.
(Code 1964, § 33-184; Ord. No. 96-66, § 1, 12-9-96; Ord. No. 03-14, § 2, 4-14-03; Ord. No. 05-15, § 2, 6-13-05)

Sec. 28-84. Transfer of records.
All records of the historic architectural review board created by former section 33-183 of the Code of the City of St. Augustine are hereby transferred to the historic architectural review board created by this division. All applications pending before the historic architectural review board created by former section 33-183 shall be heard and considered by the historic architectural review board herein created.
(Code 1964, § 33-185)

Sec. 28-85. Attendance at meetings.
Any member of the historic architectural review board who fails to attend two (2) of three (3) consecutive meetings without approval of the chairman shall be considered to have resigned the position, and the vacancy shall be filled by the city commission as any other vacancy.
(Code 1964, § 33-186)

Sec. 28-86. Number of meetings; rules.
The members of the historic architectural review board herein created shall meet once a month or upon call of the chairman. The board shall annually elect one (1) of its members as chairman and one (1) as vice-chairman, who shall serve only two (2) consecutive terms. It shall be the duty of the chairman to preside over all meetings of the board. In the absence of the chairman, the vice- chairman shall preside. Three (3) members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the purposes of meetings and transacting business. No recommendations or formal action of the board shall be taken without a majority vote of those voting and without the concurrence of at least two (2) members. Failure to receive a majority vote of those voting and at least two (2) affirmative votes shall act as a denial by the board. Members of the historic architectural review board shall be mindful that they are acting as a quasijudicial board and shall, therefore, act and dress in their meetings with all appropriate decorum.
(Code 1964, § 33-187)

Sec. 28-87. Responsibilities.
The members of the historical architectural review board herein created shall have the following responsibilities:
(1) Review petitions for certificates of appropriateness required within the historic preservation districts (HP-1 thru HP-5) under article III, division 3 of this chapter. Additionally, the board shall review all applications for building permits on property abutting or immediately facing the HP-1, HP-2 and HP-3 historical districts to ensure reasonable compatibility of the facades of such buildings visible from within such districts with the authentic restoration or preservation of the districts, and where found to be reasonably compatible, issue a certificate of appropriateness.
(2) Participate in the adoption of existing codes, ordinances, procedures and programs to reflect policies and goals designed to conserve historic districts.
(3) The review of all applications for demolition permits for structures that are fifty (50) years old or older, which are listed on the Florida Master Site File maintained by the State of Florida Division of Historic Resources, or which have been designated as an historical landmark. Also, review all applications for demolition permits for primary structures within historic preservation zoning districts and National Register districts for potential designation as an historic landmark.
(4) Cooperate with the agencies of city, county, regional, state and federal governments in planning proposed and future projects to reflect the concerns and policies expressed in this chapter; assist, as a consultant, in the development of proposed and future land use plans.
(5) Advise property owners and local governmental agencies concerning the property protection, maintenance, enhancement and preservation of resources designated under this chapter.
(6) Advise the city commission concerning the effects of local governmental actions on resources designated or that appear to qualify for designation under this chapter.
(7) Conduct regular public meetings and call special meetings.
(8) Recommend to the planning director the issuance of a stop work order when it appears that there has not been compliance with the requirements of section 28-90(a).
(9) Develop rules and procedures necessary to implement its powers and duties consistent with the provisions of this chapter.
(10) Designate historical landmarks. As utilized herein the term "historical landmark" shall mean a building, object, site, or structure of the highest historical, architectural, cultural, or archaeological importance and whose demolition, removal, relocation, or alteration would constitute an irreplaceable loss to the character and quality of the city. In the event the historic architectural review board desires not to issue a demolition permit for a structure that is not fifty (50) years old, or older, the historic architectural review board shall initiate proceedings for designation of the structure as an historic landmark. In the designation of an historical landmark, the historic architectural review board shall evaluate the subject property using criteria and standards established by the National Register of Historical Places substituting the importance of the resource to the city and state rather than the nation as a whole. No property shall be designated as an historic landmark without first providing the owner of the proposed historic landmark with notice and an opportunity to be heard in the same manner as that provided for a rezoning of property. Any determination of the historic architectural review board shall be subject to appeal by any affected person to the city commission without any fee being charged or levied.
(11) Issue certificates of appropriateness for newspaper vending machines and similar machines designed to dispense advertising papers, brochures or magazines. The historic architectural review board is authorized to issue certificates of authority for newspaper vending machines and similar machines designed to dispense advertising papers, brochures or magazines and to prepare and issue guidelines for the placement of such machines, conformity of design, size and color, which guidelines shall be submitted to the city commission for its approval prior to taking effect. Initial guidelines shall be prepared by the historic architectural review board and submitted to the city commission for approval no later than ninety (90) days after the passage of this ordinance. The guidelines shall not unreasonably restrict the placement of newspaper vending machines and similar machines designed to dispense advertising papers, brochures or magazines on city rights-of-way but shall provide standards for uniform design and color and shall contain reasonable restriction on the numbers of such machines which may be placed by any one vender within a city block and a reasonable restriction on the location of such machines so that newspapers and advertising papers, brochures or magazines shall generally be available but shall not unduly or unreasonably impact upon the historical perspective and view of the streetscape.
(Code 1964, § 33-188; Ord. No. 90-11, §§ 1, 2, 7-9-90; Ord. No. 94-14, § 2, 1-9-94; Ord. No. 03-17, § 6, 6-23-03; Ord. No. 04-08, 5-24-04)

Sec. 28-88. Procedures.
The historic architectural review board shall follow the following procedures:
(1) The board shall adopt rules prescribing the procedure for making and reviewing applications for a certificate of appropriateness or request for opinion of appropriateness.
(2) Applications for a certificate of appropriateness or request for opinion of appropriateness shall be initiated with the building official or planning director.
(3) Unless a longer time shall be agreed upon by the applicant and the board in the particular case, a public hearing shall be held by the board to consider any application for a certificate of appropriateness or request for opinion of appropriateness within not more than thirty (30) days from the date of filing of the completed application. Notice of public hearing shall be made as provided. Notice of any public hearing shall be published once in a newspaper of general circulation not less than ten (10) days in advance of the date of such hearing. Such published notice shall be in a form prescribed by the board and/or city commission, as appropriate, and written and published by the planning and building division. Proof of publication shall be on file with the planning and building division. Procedures described herein shall also apply to public hearings conducted by the city commission.
(4) A motion to deny an application for certificate of appropriateness or request for an opinion of appropriateness shall contain the reasons for denial, which shall then be endorsed on the application and a copy of such reasons provided to the applicant.

(5) The certificate of appropriateness shall describe the project for which issued and the type of work to be done. The board may require certain terms or conditions as a prerequisite for the approval of a certificate of appropriateness, which shall be clearly stated thereon.
(Code 1964, § 33-189; Ord. No. 90-11, § 5, 7-9-90; Ord. No. 94-01, § 5, 1-24-94)

Sec. 28-89. Criteria for certificate of appropriateness or demolition review.
The criteria for certificate of appropriateness review shall be as follows:
(1) In reviewing an application for a certificate of appropriateness, the board and/or building official and/or planning director shall consider the design and appearance of the structure, including the interior visible from the outside, front, sides, rear and roof; materials, textures and colors; plat plan or site layout, including features such as walls, walks, terraces, plantings, accessory structures, signs, lights, awnings, canopies, and other appurtenances. The decision to issue or not to issue the certificate shall be based on the conformance of the proposed work to the Architectural Guidelines for Historical Preservation of the City of St. Augustine as from time to time promulgated by the historic architectural review board or the city commission and approved by resolution of the city commission, hereinafter referred to as 'AGHP,' and Albert Manucy's Houses of St. Augustine - 1565-1821. When reviewing a certificate of relocation of a structure, consideration will be given to the immediate surroundings and to the district or districts in which it is located or to be located. The board shall not exercise any control over land use, such as governed by this chapter, or over construction, such as is governed by the building code, unless such control is within the intent and scope of this chapter.
(2) Before approving the plans for any proposed structure or signs located or to be located in a district, the board shall find:
a. In the case of a proposed alteration or addition to an existing structure, that such alteration or addition will not materially impair the architectural or historic value of the structure.
b. In the case of a proposed new structure, that such structure will not, in itself or by reason of its location on the site, materially impair the architectural or historic value of a structure on adjacent sites or in the immediate vicinity.

c. In the case of a proposed new structure, that such structure will not be injurious to the general visual character of the district or districts in which it is to be located.

d. In the case of the proposed demolition of an existing structure, that the removal of such structure will not be detrimental to the historic and architectural character of the city or that, balancing the interest of the city in preserving the integrity of the city and interest of the owner of the property, approval of the plans for demolition in the latter event the board may issue an order to postponing demolition for a period of not to exceed twelve (12) months after which the owner must reapply. The board may issue a second postponement with the total postponement period not to exceed two (2) twelve (12) month periods. If the board concludes that the demolition should be postponed, it shall, before issuing any final order with respect to such postponement, afford the applicant an opportunity to appear before the board to offer any evidence he may desire to present concerning the proposed order. Within the period of postponement, the board shall ascertain what the city or other agency or organization may do to preserve such structure and shall make recommendations to that effect to the city commission or otherwise cause the structure to be preserved. This section shall not apply to any permit for demolition which has been applied for, in proper form, prior to the effective date of this section. If the building or structure is of exceptional significance, is a contributing property to a National Register of Historic Places District or has been individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the board can deny the demolition if the board finds the removal of such building or structure will be detrimental to the historic and architectural character of the city and the applicant has not proven the denial will cause an undue economic hardship. The destruction of colonial buildings listed on the Florida Master Site File, designated Local Landmarks, or buildings meeting the criteria for eligibility on the National Register of Historic Places must be approved by the city commission.
Additional application requirements:
1. The owner shall permit access to the subject property for the purpose of inspections and/or appraisals required by the board or preservation officer.
2. Signs required. The planning and building department shall cause a sign or signs to be posted on any land upon which an application with respect to relocation or demolition has been made not less than seven (7) days in advance of the date of the public hearing at which such application is to be considered. Such sign shall show the date of construction of the existing building and be erected in full view of the public on each street side of such land. Where such land does not have frontage on a public street, such signs shall be erected on the nearest street right-of-way with an attached notation indicating generally the direction and distance to the land concerning which a public hearing is scheduled. Such sign shall be posted in full view of the public and shall be maintained by the applicant until final determination has been made by the board or city commission.
3. Mailed notices. Not less than ten (10) days in advance of the date of the required public hearing(s) at which an application for a certificate of demolition is to be considered, the time and place of the public hearing shall be posted by United States mail by the applicant to all owners of real property within one hundred fifty (150) feet of the boundaries of the land upon which the application is made. For the purpose of notice requirements to adjoining owners within one hundred fifty (150) feet, the names and addresses shall include information obtained from the St. Johns County Property Appraiser records within ninety (90) days prior to the application date. Such list prepared for any required public hearing with the historic architectural review board, if appealed, shall also be used for a required public hearing with the city commission. A record of the date on which the list was compiled shall be provided to and maintained by the planning and building department.
4. Applications for a certificate of demolition shall be presented to the historic architectural review board by the property owner.
5. As a condition of issuing a certificate of demolition, the board may require the replacement design be approved by the board and that no permit be issued for the demolition of said structure until drawings sufficient for a building permit and all necessary requirements for the construction of a new building have been submitted for the new construction.
6. As a condition of issuing a certificate of demolition, the board may require, at the applicant's expense, salvage and preservation of significant building materials, architectural details and ornaments, fixtures, and the like for reuse in restoration of other historic properties. The board may also require at the applicant's expense the recording of the structure for archival purposes prior to demolition. The recording may include, but shall not be limited to, photographs and measured drawings.
7. If an owner/applicant fails to appear for three historic architectural review board meetings, the application may be considered as withdrawn.
8. Fees. The application fees for a certificate of demolition shall be one hundred dollars ($100.00) for part of a building or structure and three hundred dollars ($300.00) for an entire building or structure.
e. In the case of any proposed new or altered sign, that the sign will not materially impair the architectural or historic value of any structure to which it is attached, nor any adjacent structure, and that such sign is consistent with the architecture of the building and the historical character of the area.
f. The board shall not have the authority to consider interior arrangements.
(3) Applications for certificate of demolition of a building or structure that is of exceptional significance, has been a contributing property to a National Register of Historic Places District or has been individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places shall require the following with the burden of proof to be on the applicant. The board may also require the following of structures considered to be contributing to the historical character of the city:
a. A report from an architect or structural engineer licensed in the State of Florida with demonstrated experience in restoration, rehabilitation or renovation as to the structural soundness of the building and its adaptability for continued use.
b. Proof of unreasonable or undue economic hardship. In any instance where an undue economic hardship, as defined in this chapter, is claimed by a property owner, the property owner may submit to the board any or all of the following information before the board makes a decision on the application for certificate of demolition:
1. An estimate of the cost of the proposed construction, alteration, demolition, or removal;
2. The estimated market value of the property in its current condition; after completion of the proposed construction, alteration, demolition, or removal; and, in the case of a proposed demolition, after renovation of the existing property for continued use;
3. In the case of a proposed demolition, an estimate from an architect, developer, licensed contractor, real estate consultant, appraiser, or other real estate professional experienced in rehabilitation as to the economic feasibility of rehabilitation or reuse of the existing structure on the property;
4. The annual gross income from the property for the previous two (2) years; itemized operating and maintenance expenses for the previous two (2) years; and depreciation deduction and annual cash flow before and after debt service, if any, during the same period;
5. The remaining balance on any mortgage or other financing secured by the property and annual debt service, if any, for the previous two (2) years;
6. All appraisals obtained within the previous two (2) years by the owner or applicant in connection with the purchase, financing, or ownership of the property;
7. Any listing of the property for sale or rent, price asked, and offers received, if any, within the previous two (2) years;
8. The assessed value of the property according to the two (2) most recent assessments;
9. The real estate taxes for the previous two (2) years;
10. The form of ownership or operation of the property, whether an individual, sole proprietorship, for profit or not-for-profit corporation, limited partnership, joint venture, or other;
11. Any other information considered necessary by the board to a determination as to whether the property does yield or may yield a reasonable return to the property owner. The board may require that the property owner furnish such additional information as the board believes is relevant to the board's determination of any alleged undue economic hardship. No decision of the board shall result in undue economic hardship for the property owner. In any case where undue economic hardship is claimed, the board shall make two (2) specific findings. First, the board shall determine if the owner would be entitled to a certificate of demolition without consideration of undue economic hardship. Second, the board shall determine whether the owner demonstrated an undue economic hardship.
(4) The building official and/or planning director may, based upon the AGHP and consistent with this article, make the decision to issue or not to issue the certificate for the following work:
a. Placement of utility service.
b. Repainting with the same color if previously approved for painting with a color selected from the AGHP guidelines.
c. Structural maintenance and repair utilizing the same materials and architectural character.
d. Any structural maintenance, repair or remodeling which does not exceed two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00).
e. Exterior construction or equipment not visible.
f. All signs and graphics.
g. Landscape features, including fences, walls, walks, patios, decks, driveways, plant materials and ornamentation that does not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000.00).
h. Placement of exterior utility support equipment, including air conditioning compressors, gas tanks, etc.
(5) Appeals from decisions of the building official and/or planning director under subsection (3) of this section may be taken to the board within fifteen (15) days from such decision.
(Code 1964, § 33-190; Ord. No. 02-17, § 1, 8-26-02; Ord. No. 05-22, § 2, 8-8-05)

Sec. 28-90. Administration and records.
(a) Any necessary building or demolition permit and/or certificate of occupancy shall not be issued unless the building official and/or the planning director and/or the historic architectural review board approves the application for a certificate of appropriateness. Such permit shall be subject to the terms of such approval as well as other necessary provisions of this Code.
(b) Applications for certificates of appropriateness shall be submitted through the office of the building official and/or planning director and shall include, in duplicate, all plans, elevations and other information necessary to determine the appropriateness of the features to be passed upon.
(c) Prior to issuance or denial of a certificate of appropriateness required by the board, the board shall take such action as may reasonably be required to inform the owners of any property likely to be materially affected by the application and shall give the applicant and such owners an opportunity to be heard. The board shall hold a public hearing concerning each application.
(d) Every decision of the board and/or building official and/or planning director in passing upon plans for structures or signs located or to be located in the district shall be in the form of a written order stating the finding of the board, its decisions and reasons therefor.
(e) The board shall not disapprove any plans without giving its recommendations for changes necessary to be made before the plans will be reconsidered. Such recommendations may be general in scope, and compliance with them shall qualify the plans for reconsideration by the board.
(f) An appeal may, within thirty (30) days thereafter, be taken by any aggrieved person to the city commission from the board's action in granting or denying a certificate of appropriateness. The appeal shall be as prescribed in section 28-29(g). Any appeal from the decision of the city commission shall be heard by the circuit court of the county, on writ of certiorari, as in the case of any other zoning decision from the city commission.
(g) Any decision of the historic architectural review board certified by the planning director to be in conflict with a determination or decision of the planning and zoning board or of the board of adjustments and appeals; shall be reviewed by the city commission in the same manner as an appeal and the commission shall review the determination of the historic architectural review board, and the decision of the planning and zoning board or board of adjustments and appeals as to which it is certified to be in conflict and shall determine whether the decision of the historic architectural review board should be affirmed, modified or reversed and the decision of the commission shall supersede the decision reviewed. All affected persons shall be notified of the hearing by the city commission in the same manner as that provided for appeals from decisions of the planning and zoning board. The hearing before the commission shall be de novo.
(Code 1964, § 33-191; Ord. No. 05-22, § 3, 8-8-05)

Sec. 28-91. Enforcement.
Enforcement of this division shall be as follows:
(1) Neither the owner of nor the person in charge of a structure of exceptional significance or within an historic district shall permit such structure to fall into a state of disrepair which may result in the deterioration of exterior appurtenance or architectural feature so as to produce or tend to produce, in the judgment of the historic architectural review board, a detrimental effect upon the character of the district as a whole or the life and character of the structure in question.
(2) A stop work order shall be issued by the building official in any case where work has commenced or preparation for work has commenced, if no certificate of appropriateness has been obtained where one is required by section 28-90. The stop work order shall be issued to the owner, the occupant, or any person commencing work or preparation for work in violation of this division. The stop work order shall remain in full force and effect until a certificate of appropriateness has been obtained or it has been determined by the board that no certificate of appropriateness is required.
(3) Any person who violates any provision of this division shall be punished as provided by section 28-35.
(4) Any person who files with the board and/or building official and/or planning director any application or request for a certificate of appropriateness and who refuses to furnish, upon demand by the board and/or building official and/or planning director, any information relating to such application or request, or who willfully makes any false statement in such application or request, or who, upon such demand, willfully furnishes false information to the board and/or building official and/or planning director shall be punished as provided by section 28-35.
(Code 1964, § 33-192; Ord. No. 05-22, § 4, 8-8-05)

Secs. 28-92--28-110. Reserved.