Posted: August 15, 2010 - 12:00am
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An ambitious four-city, 13-day trip to Spain for seven St. Augustine officials is down by one official, one city and four days. Mayor Joe Boles pulled out Wednesday to ensure there is no hint of impropriety of government-in-the-shade -- Sunshine Law violations -- during the city-sponsored trip.
Three ranking staff members -- City Manager John Regan, Heritage Tourism Director Dana Ste. Claire and Comptroller Mark Litzinger -- are joining three commissioners on the scaled-back trip to Aviles, Cadiz, and Malaga. Madrid is out. The trip is now scheduled for Aug. 25-Sept. 4.
If Boles pulled out to avoid any impropriety, what are the other commissioners thinking by staying in? Vice Mayor Errol Jones, Commissioner Don Crichlow and Commissioner Leanna Freeman come under the same law.
By Florida law, two or more members of an elected or appointed board cannot discuss business outside an announced public meeting. Regan assured us Friday he will keep them from violating the Sunshine law. They won't be in any meetings together where future city business might be discussed.
After Boles told Regan, he was not going, Regan rethought the trip's length, shaving considerable expense from the estimated $25,000 cost. He should rethink the size of the staff contingent, too.
A significant addition in our view and, at his own expense, is attorney Don Wallis who is coordinating the new First America Foundation Inc., the nonprofit group which will run the city's 450th celebration, 2013-2015. We believe his Chamber of Commerce leadership expertise also will help develop the business relationships the city has sought for years.
The trip is built around St. Augustine officials' annual celebratory visit to Aviles for the St. Augustine Fiesta in honor of our city's patron saint. The city delegation will also see the replica ship of City founder Pedro Menendez. The San Pelayo is under construction and will sail here during the 450th.
The other cities on the trip have ties to St. Augustine, too.
* Cadiz: The 200th anniversary of the Spanish Constitution will be celebrated in 2012 there. Cadiz officials want St. Augustine to cast a mold of its Constitution monument so other cities can buy one if they desire. Boles wants St. Augustine to be the official 2012 America celebration city.
* Malaga: A replica ship, The Galveston, is being built in conjunction with the St. Augustine and Lighthouse Museum. It was a tall ship that fought on the side of the United States during the Revolutionary War. It plans to sail here during the 450th. A celebration is planned on this trip to honor St. Augustine.
While the trip has many events, it should not require three commissioners and three staff when official business cannot be conducted.
Regan he wants the staff to what it would take to elevate St. Augustine as the nation's premiere Spanish city. But, the reduced cost is still questionable although Aviles picks up part of the tab and St. Augustine reciprocates when Aviles officials visit.
We understand the value of city-to-city exchanges. St. Augustine has received numerous gifts from Aviles. The most visible is the Menendez statue in front of City Hall. We sent Aviles the anchor from the Spanish treasure ship, Atocha, which sunk off Florida.
High school student exchanges are the enduring part of the relationship through the St. Augustine Sister Cities Association.
We are not opposed to city trips with a defined business purpose. Wallis' presence helps, although it is directed at securing interest from potential 450th sponsors. Each contact could have a lasting business and tourism benefit.
Boles' decision to pull out and Regan's decision to shorten the trip are wise moves. We think the other commissioners should rethink their plans, too.
But if they are still committed to going, then Regan should put them to work. He should give each their own assignment over the three cities to study an element that could contribute to making St. Augustine America's premier Spanish heritage city.
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Comments (6)
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paradisefl1
Thank You new
By paradisefl1 | 08/15/10 - 01:24 am
Record Staff for taking a stand on this, although we the people Don't think Any should go.
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dangerdogs
A TRIP TO SPAIN new
By dangerdogs | 08/15/10 - 03:37 am
WE CITIZENS OBJECT TO FOOTING THE BILL FOR THIS TRIP TO SPAIN. WE QUESION ITS BEING IMPORTANT THAT THE CITY WORKERS GO AT ALL, AND MOST CERTAINLY THEY CAN AVOID THIS EXPENSE WHEN THE WORLD IS IN ECONOMIC CRISIS.
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activevoter
Just like the FEDS new
By activevoter | 08/15/10 - 07:08 am
City leaders are out of touch with what the people - reminder here: the VOTERS - support. This is just another example of government not listening to the taxpayers and voters. Who approved this trip and expenditures? They need to be fired. And any elected official who continues to Spain, should not be re-elected.
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activevoter
Public Records request new
By activevoter | 08/15/10 - 07:17 am
A Public Records request for all documentation for this trip, including travel authorizations, anticipated expenditures, etc. can be made and the City must respond to it by providing the documentation. It will be interesting to see exactly what their paperwork indicates, rather than what they are reporting......
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seminolesam
Don? new
By seminolesam | 08/15/10 - 11:06 am
why not pay for this trip yourself? Would make you look classy!
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skurvey
Another Chamber of Commerce Editorial new
By skurvey | 08/15/10 - 03:35 pm
This is a disappointing editorial and is in keeping with The Wreckord's play it safe mentality. If violation of the Sunshine Law was not in question we wouldn't see any position at all on the subject of the trip to Spain. Not just Aviles, but multiple stops in Spain.
SeminoleSam asks why Crichlow doesn't pay for his own ticket. Says doing that would make Don "classy." In a rat's arse. The entire commission lives and breathes entitlement--they are entitled to anything they want under any circumstance even when it is illegal. Appearance and morality make no matter to any of them. Mayor Bowels took himself out--was that classy? He didn't have the decency or guts or wit to prevent the remaining three commissioners from going and as a lawyer is enabling them to break the law.
What would make a difference is for Crichlow, Jones, and Freeman to take themselves out of the junket. At least pretend you have standards and awareness of THE LAW you will be violating.
Transparency in government? Not here and not now. Let's see the itinerary for this business trip to Spain POSTED ON THE CITY WEBSITE--NOW NOT AFTER THE FACT.
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Your name: EdSlavin
Subject: This editorial should have been stronger
Comment: Part of the problem with being friends with all of the City officials is that you can't write tough editorials. Better to bring in a 25-year-old editorial writer or someone else without 40 years of friendships here.
The editorial should have called the trip what it is -- the latest in a long-running series of Sunshine violations by City offiicials, involving out-of-state meetings.
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