The editorial that St. Augustine's putative PR man, PAUL WILLIAMSON, should have read before Wednesday's meeting

Our view: Always include the public in 450th planning
May 18, 2011 editorial
Summary:

Now that most of St. Augustine's 450th Commemoration Commission has been announced -- there's one person left to be vetted -- planning for the first meeting of the commission in St. Augustine moves forward today. The meeting is open to the public, 2:30 p.m. -4 p.m. in the Virginia Room of Flagler College's Ringhaver Student Center.

Now that most of St. Augustine's 450th Commemoration Commission has been announced -- there's one person left to be vetted -- planning for the first meeting of the commission in St. Augustine moves forward today. The meeting is open to the public, 2:30 p.m. -4 p.m. in the Virginia Room of Flagler College's Ringhaver Student Center.

While the meeting was initially limited only to invited participants, it has been opened to the public only because more than one St. Augustine City Commissioner asked to be in attendance. Florida's Government-in-the-Sunshine Law on open meetings says that when two of more members of the same board are present, the meeting has to be noticed and opened to the public.

We only found out yesterday that there's more to the agenda than just a discussion of logistics of the federal commission's anticipated first meeting. We learned that there is another significant item on the agenda. The notice states, "While it is likely to be informal, it (the meeting) will be focused on the planning for the commission's inaugural meeting, as well as the process of interworking and cooperation between the St. Augustine 450th Commemoration Commission and other entities."

We think the process to address the interworkings and cooperation between the commission and the various entities involved is an important step and should have been made public early on. Our community has long talked of expectations; this officially begins the discussion. If you go, you should get an idea of the perspectives of the key groups involved. Workshops don't require public comment but at least you can watch and listen to what is happening and make your comments later.

Those expected to be at the table for discussion are: Mayor Joe Boles, City Manager John Regan, Gordon Wilson, superintendent of the Castillo de San Marcos and Fort Matanzas, Lindsey Phillips, National Park Service, First America Foundation Chairman Don Wallis and Acting Executive Director Jamie Alvarez,

Linda Dixon and Jan Matthews, University of Florida Historic St. Augustine, Inc.; Adele Griffin, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio's office; Michelle Barth, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson's office and Patrick Kelly, U.S. Rep. John Mica's office. That's in addition to the two federal staffers on the site visit, David Vela, National Park Service Regional Director for the Southeast, and Deanna Archuleta, senior advisor to the Secretary for Historic and Cultural Preservation, Department of Interior, Washington, D.C.

We're glad for the beginning of this important process. The public should always be included in the discussions whether City Commissioners are expected to attend or not. The 450th commemoration is our city's celebration and we are its citizens.