'Occupy St. Augustine' is Saturday at the Plaza
Posted: November 4, 2011 - 12:29am
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By PETER GUINTA
peter.guinta@staugustine.com
Downtown’s Plaza de la Constitucion will become the base camp Saturday for “Occupy St. Augustine,” a national phenomenon featuring musicians, political speakers and demonstrators focused on discussing the country’s growing economic inequity.
If you go, expect pointed political posters, curious tourists, students and other young people, a Tea Party picket line and — to keep the peace — several St. Augustine police officers.
Terry Buckenmeyer, one of the many organizers, said the event starts at 1 p.m. and ends 5 p.m.
“We want people to discourse with respect and dignity,” he said. “It’s kind of funny that the Tea Party wants to picket us. In other places, the Tea Party was part of it.”
Buckenmeyer believes the occupy movements across the nation have lasted so long because there are no leaders shouting, “Follow me!” and more groups of concerned people working out the agendas and actions with consensus.
“This is something new. Whatever it turns into, it’s a kick in the butt for democracy,” he said.
Bloggers supporting the initial movement, “Occupy Wall Street,” wrote on line this week that 105 U.S. cities have had “occupations” and that 50,000 people are in the streets of New York. Wall Street has been occupied consistently for a month.
Buckenmeyer said he attended the Occupy Jacksonville rally recently and saw a sign saying, “The beginning is coming!”
He added, “I believe in that.”
The occupiers, who call themselves the 99 percent, aren’t asking for anything but justice, they say.
Most share a frustration with gridlock in Washington, D.C., high-paid lobbyists writing the laws, government bailouts for banks and corporations “too big to fail” and the top 1 percent of earners in this country who collect million-dollar bonuses while laying people off from work.
Aubrey Skillman, a local organizer, has said, “They control the laws and the laws are in favor of that 1 percent. We just want it to be fair.”
Other complaints include the stranglehold on government by the pharmaceutical and agriculture industries, rampant stock market manipulation and mass foreclosures of h
Friday, November 04, 2011
Flagler College Gargoyle: Occupy St. Augustine set for this weekend
Occupy St. Augustine set for this weekend
Submitted by Gargoyle Staff on November 4, 2011 – 8:59 amNo Comment
Occupy St. Augustine set for this weekend
By Michael Isam | gargoyle@flagler.edu
A meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the Plaza de la Constitucion was abuzz with frenzied activity, in which organizers decided that Occupy St. Augustine will obtain a city permit for the Nov. 5 event.
The city permit costs $25 and will give the parties involved with the movement access to use the Gazebo and play music during the event.
Occupy St. Augustine is a peaceful march supporting protests around the world against economic injustices. In the U.S., protests began on Sept. 17 by a group of protesters in Liberty Square in Manhattan’s Financial District. The movement came to be known as Occupy Wall Street and inspired similar protests in more than 100 cities throughout the U.S., as well as the world.
Unlike most movements, Occupy St. Augustine does not have one specific leader who will be organizing the event.
“I know it frustrates folks in the media as this movement has very little form or shape compared to the norm,” said Aubrey Skillman, one of the organizers. “No apology; this is just the way it is.”
According to Skillman, people who attended Tuesday’s meeting showed up for different reasons. “And they are all valid,” he said. “This goes well beyond the norm as all facets of life for the 99 percent are affected by the actions of the 1 percent.”
According to the Occupy Wall Street website, it is a “people-powered movement, which is fighting back against the corrosive power major banks and unaccountable multinational corporations wield against democracy, and the role of Wall Street in creating the economic collapse that has caused the greatest recession in nearly a century. The movement is inspired by popular uprisings in Egypt and around the world, and aims to expose how the richest 1 percent of people are writing the rules of a dangerous neoliberal economic agenda that is stealing our future.”
Even if protestors blame the 1 percent for economic disparity, staunch Republican Brian Woodland of South Ponte Vedra, who works at a cigar shop on St. George Street, believes that the 1 percent is not to blame.
“The banks took advantage of the 99 percent’s greed. They [99 percent] wanted to be the 1 percent, and thought the bubble would just keep expanding. They [99 percent] set themselves up,” he said. “Instead of blaming the 1 percent, the 99 percent should go to Congress for the passing of new laws to keep this from happening again.”
Woodland says that in order for protesters to be heard, they need to march peacefully. Even if Woodland will not participate in the Nov. 5 event, he is not against the event from happening.
“That’s one of the great things about living in the United States,” he said. “That’s their right if they want to go out there and be the 99 percent and have their voices heard. They can do that.”
Even if most protesters seek to march peacefully, police forces have intervened in many protests.
Woodland’s only concern about the Nov. 5 event is the degree to which protests could interfere with residents’ everyday responsibilities.
“When you start imposing your thoughts on people to the point they can’t get to work or get out of the neighborhood, because you’re blocking it because you want to be heard, that’s where we start having problems,” he said.
Submitted by Gargoyle Staff on November 4, 2011 – 8:59 amNo Comment
Occupy St. Augustine set for this weekend
By Michael Isam | gargoyle@flagler.edu
A meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 18, at the Plaza de la Constitucion was abuzz with frenzied activity, in which organizers decided that Occupy St. Augustine will obtain a city permit for the Nov. 5 event.
The city permit costs $25 and will give the parties involved with the movement access to use the Gazebo and play music during the event.
Occupy St. Augustine is a peaceful march supporting protests around the world against economic injustices. In the U.S., protests began on Sept. 17 by a group of protesters in Liberty Square in Manhattan’s Financial District. The movement came to be known as Occupy Wall Street and inspired similar protests in more than 100 cities throughout the U.S., as well as the world.
Unlike most movements, Occupy St. Augustine does not have one specific leader who will be organizing the event.
“I know it frustrates folks in the media as this movement has very little form or shape compared to the norm,” said Aubrey Skillman, one of the organizers. “No apology; this is just the way it is.”
According to Skillman, people who attended Tuesday’s meeting showed up for different reasons. “And they are all valid,” he said. “This goes well beyond the norm as all facets of life for the 99 percent are affected by the actions of the 1 percent.”
According to the Occupy Wall Street website, it is a “people-powered movement, which is fighting back against the corrosive power major banks and unaccountable multinational corporations wield against democracy, and the role of Wall Street in creating the economic collapse that has caused the greatest recession in nearly a century. The movement is inspired by popular uprisings in Egypt and around the world, and aims to expose how the richest 1 percent of people are writing the rules of a dangerous neoliberal economic agenda that is stealing our future.”
Even if protestors blame the 1 percent for economic disparity, staunch Republican Brian Woodland of South Ponte Vedra, who works at a cigar shop on St. George Street, believes that the 1 percent is not to blame.
“The banks took advantage of the 99 percent’s greed. They [99 percent] wanted to be the 1 percent, and thought the bubble would just keep expanding. They [99 percent] set themselves up,” he said. “Instead of blaming the 1 percent, the 99 percent should go to Congress for the passing of new laws to keep this from happening again.”
Woodland says that in order for protesters to be heard, they need to march peacefully. Even if Woodland will not participate in the Nov. 5 event, he is not against the event from happening.
“That’s one of the great things about living in the United States,” he said. “That’s their right if they want to go out there and be the 99 percent and have their voices heard. They can do that.”
Even if most protesters seek to march peacefully, police forces have intervened in many protests.
Woodland’s only concern about the Nov. 5 event is the degree to which protests could interfere with residents’ everyday responsibilities.
“When you start imposing your thoughts on people to the point they can’t get to work or get out of the neighborhood, because you’re blocking it because you want to be heard, that’s where we start having problems,” he said.
Quotations to Live By (Courtesy of Park Ranger Jeff Edel of National Park Service, Castillo de San Marco)
“A good deed is never lost: he who sows courtesy reaps friendship; and he
who plants kindness gathers love.” (St. Basil)
“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit
atrocities."(Voltaire)
who plants kindness gathers love.” (St. Basil)
“Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit
atrocities."(Voltaire)
Thursday, November 03, 2011
IN HAEC VERBA: St. Johns County Commission Rules and Procedures No. 4.404 (Disruption of Meeting)
RULE 4.404 DISRUPTION OF MEETING
Any person disrupting a Board meeting by making personal, impertinent or slanderous remarks or by boisterous behavior while the Board is in session,may be removed from the meeting by the Sheriff's office. Such removal may be requested by the Chair in his/her discretion, or by consensus of the Board, or by the Sheriff's office if there is perceived to be an immediate threat to any person. No demonstrations of approval or disapproval from the audience shall be permitted; and if, after warning by the Chair, such demonstrations are made and result in a disruption of the meeting, the person(s)
creating such disruptionmay be removed from the meeting; or the Chairmay recess the meeting until order is restored. The Chair shall call upon the Sheriff's officers or other security officer who may be present during the meeting to enforce directions given by the Chair for any violation of this Rule.
Any person disrupting a Board meeting by making personal, impertinent or slanderous remarks or by boisterous behavior while the Board is in session,may be removed from the meeting by the Sheriff's office. Such removal may be requested by the Chair in his/her discretion, or by consensus of the Board, or by the Sheriff's office if there is perceived to be an immediate threat to any person. No demonstrations of approval or disapproval from the audience shall be permitted; and if, after warning by the Chair, such demonstrations are made and result in a disruption of the meeting, the person(s)
creating such disruptionmay be removed from the meeting; or the Chairmay recess the meeting until order is restored. The Chair shall call upon the Sheriff's officers or other security officer who may be present during the meeting to enforce directions given by the Chair for any violation of this Rule.
Wednesday, November 02, 2011
Best Editorial Cartoons on the Tea Party
http://media.oregonlive.com/ohman_impact/photo/ohman102710jpg-82cadf21b18e633b.jpg
Chattanooga News-Free Press
Chattanooga News-Free Press
Pensacola News-Journal: Voting mistake could cost Pace teacher $1,000 under new law -- Pace teacher faces fine for turning in registrations late
A Pace teacher could face up to a $1,000
fine for allegedly failing to turn the voter
registrations of 76 students in to the state
on time.
Dawn Quarles, who teaches government at
Pace High School, said the state's new law
requiring third parties to turn in voter
registrations within 48 hours is too hard to
follow.
"I won't be doing it anymore; it's too
dangerous," said Quarles, who has been
helping students register to vote since
2008 as a sponsor of student groups. "A
thousand dollars is a lot of money, and 48
hours isn't enough time."
The Republican-sponsored law, passed
during last year's legislative session,
requires voter registrations turned in by
third parties to be received by the
supervisor of elections no more than 48
hours after they were signed by the voter.
The previous time limit was 10 days. The
law assesses a penalty of $50 for each
registration received late. Penalties are
capped at $1,000.
On Tuesday, Quarles received a copy of a
letter sent last week from the Secretary of
State's Office to the Attorney General's
Office suggesting that she be fined for
violating the law. She said past mistakes
have made her a target.
Quarles said when she began sponsoring
voter-registration drives at the school, she
didn't know she had to be registered as a
third-party organization.
She said she tried to comply with the law
after being notified by the supervisor of
elections.
Chris Cates, spokesman for Secretary of
State Kurt Browning, said Quarles' violation,
however, won't prevent any of the students'
registrations from being accepted. He said
Quarles' past violations led Browning to
recommend that the attorney general
pursue the fine.
"In her case, she should have been aware
of the rules," Cates said. "She had a history
of keeping a student from voting because
she turned in his registration too late. The
student showed up at the polls (in the
Advertisement
2008 presidential election) and was turned
away because his voter registration had
been turned in late."
Quarles said she never was notified that
she allegedly had violated the law in that
case.
"There were some applications that student
leaders were responsible for that were
misplaced," she said. "When we found
them, we went ahead and mailed them in.
They got processed, and I never got told
anything was wrong."
Ann Bodenstein, supervisor of elections for
Santa Rosa County, said only a few third
parties are registered with the county to
submit voter registrations. The local office
is responsible only for accepting
registrations; the state determines
compliance, Bodenstein said.
Cates said the Secretary of State's Office
isn't trying to suppress voters. He said the
state has investigated six cases similar to
Quarles' since the law went into effect.
"We really want to encourage voter drives
and voter registration," he said. "We're not
trying to stifle voting. The purpose is to try
to protect people who are being registered
to vote."
Quarles has at least one legislator on her
side. She has spoken to Sen. Greg Evers,
R-Baker, who voted for the law, about her
case.
"Forty-eight hours for someone for whom
that's their job is not unreasonable," Evers
said. "For a teacher, it's totally out of
bounds."
Evers said he'd seek a clarification on the
law from the Legislature.
fine for allegedly failing to turn the voter
registrations of 76 students in to the state
on time.
Dawn Quarles, who teaches government at
Pace High School, said the state's new law
requiring third parties to turn in voter
registrations within 48 hours is too hard to
follow.
"I won't be doing it anymore; it's too
dangerous," said Quarles, who has been
helping students register to vote since
2008 as a sponsor of student groups. "A
thousand dollars is a lot of money, and 48
hours isn't enough time."
The Republican-sponsored law, passed
during last year's legislative session,
requires voter registrations turned in by
third parties to be received by the
supervisor of elections no more than 48
hours after they were signed by the voter.
The previous time limit was 10 days. The
law assesses a penalty of $50 for each
registration received late. Penalties are
capped at $1,000.
On Tuesday, Quarles received a copy of a
letter sent last week from the Secretary of
State's Office to the Attorney General's
Office suggesting that she be fined for
violating the law. She said past mistakes
have made her a target.
Quarles said when she began sponsoring
voter-registration drives at the school, she
didn't know she had to be registered as a
third-party organization.
She said she tried to comply with the law
after being notified by the supervisor of
elections.
Chris Cates, spokesman for Secretary of
State Kurt Browning, said Quarles' violation,
however, won't prevent any of the students'
registrations from being accepted. He said
Quarles' past violations led Browning to
recommend that the attorney general
pursue the fine.
"In her case, she should have been aware
of the rules," Cates said. "She had a history
of keeping a student from voting because
she turned in his registration too late. The
student showed up at the polls (in the
Advertisement
2008 presidential election) and was turned
away because his voter registration had
been turned in late."
Quarles said she never was notified that
she allegedly had violated the law in that
case.
"There were some applications that student
leaders were responsible for that were
misplaced," she said. "When we found
them, we went ahead and mailed them in.
They got processed, and I never got told
anything was wrong."
Ann Bodenstein, supervisor of elections for
Santa Rosa County, said only a few third
parties are registered with the county to
submit voter registrations. The local office
is responsible only for accepting
registrations; the state determines
compliance, Bodenstein said.
Cates said the Secretary of State's Office
isn't trying to suppress voters. He said the
state has investigated six cases similar to
Quarles' since the law went into effect.
"We really want to encourage voter drives
and voter registration," he said. "We're not
trying to stifle voting. The purpose is to try
to protect people who are being registered
to vote."
Quarles has at least one legislator on her
side. She has spoken to Sen. Greg Evers,
R-Baker, who voted for the law, about her
case.
"Forty-eight hours for someone for whom
that's their job is not unreasonable," Evers
said. "For a teacher, it's totally out of
bounds."
Evers said he'd seek a clarification on the
law from the Legislature.
The Power of One (1992 movie) quote reminds me of people opposing St. Augustine National Historical Park and National Seashore yesterday
[the African inmates are singing a song in Zulu, about the prison guards. One of the guards caught up with Piet and asks him what they are singing about]
Sgt. Bowmann: What are they singing?
Geel Piet: [translating] They run this way. They run that way. They are confused. They are afraid.
Sgt. Bowmann: We are afraid?
Sgt. Bowmann: What are they singing?
Geel Piet: [translating] They run this way. They run that way. They are confused. They are afraid.
Sgt. Bowmann: We are afraid?
Historic City News: National Park proposal rejected by commissioners
Historic City News: National Park proposal rejected by commissioners
News | November 2, 2011 | 0 Comments
The commission said no, unanimously — but some members of the public spoke in support of a proposal yesterday that sought acceptance for a plan that would turn over management of public lands in our area to the federal control of the Department of Interior, National Parks Service.
A frequent speaker at city and county government meetings, Edward A. Slavin, Jr., appeared before the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners at their regular business meeting and tried, unsuccessfully, to persuade commissioners to move forward in support of his proposed “St. Augustine National Historical Park, Seashore and Coastal Parkway”.
It was clear that “agenda item 1″ was controversial at the outset — people were waiting in two lines to speak their minds, the majority of which voiced opposition to the idea; citing a variety of reasons for their opinions.
Also clear was that the commissioners, with virtually military precision, were going to handle this proposal with an abundance of care. Slavin has been a controversial face in the community and has frequently taken local government and media to task for causes and viewpoints that he passionately advocates.
In what seemed to this reporter as a prepared, scripted and possibly rehearsed disclaimer read into the record before the process continued, Chairman Ken Bryan gave this introduction:
Just for clarification so that everyone understands what this item is …
This item is not an issue of, or initiated by, the Board of County Commissioners or the administration.
This item was presented by a citizen to the Legislative Delegation on October 31st, 2011 for support and approval if or when it was presented to them.
Since the members of the delegation asked for feedback and consideration by the board prior to being finally considered by them, we decided that it was only appropriate that this item be presented to the general public; for everyone concerned to have the opportunity to express their support or opposition to the idea of a proposed St. Augustine National Historic Park and National Seashore Act.
The Board has been asked to approve a resolution in support of this particular proposal. An idea has been around for several years and only recently, has this been brought to this Board and asked for us to take a position on it.
We are now allowing those who are promoting this idea to present it to this body with full disclosure to all of us, as well as to you.
This venue also provides and allows for public input and we can have a final and unified decision — once and for all.
With that, I’ll take a couple of minutes to explain how we’re going to proceed with this particular item today and the process we will follow as we move through this particular item this morning.
The presenter is Mr. Ed Slavin and he will be given a block time of fifteen minutes for his entire presentation, and you can use this time, Mr. Slavin, any way you like. You can start your presentation and use ten minutes, and use the final five minutes for your follow-up, or closing remarks — because you have contacted the Board to ask whether or not you will be able to have your rebuttal following the public comment.
So, you’re granted fifteen minutes — you can budget it, use it any way you like. Vice Chair Miner will be keeping track of time as we proceed through this.
Once Mr. Slavin makes his presentation, there will also, we’re going to open it up for public comment, because that’s what we’re here for. Each individual will be given three minutes for your presentation, or your comments — again, Commissioner Miner will keep track of the time.
Following public comment, we will bring it back to the Board for discussion; at which time this particular body will make a final decision as to how we will proceed with this.
With that, I’d ask if the County Administrator or County Attorney have any follow-up questions or remarks in regard to this item?
The County Administrator, Michael Wanchick, took his microphone and said:
Mr. Chairman, the only thing that I would say would be to re-emphasize your point that this was not an initiative brought forward by the Board of County Commissioners or administration — that it was simply a citizen’s right to be heard.
It’s been an item that has been kicked around for as long as I’ve been with the county and I think it’s only appropriate that you make a determination whether you want to proceed or not with this initiative so that we can lay it to bed one way or the other.
The County Attorney, Patrick F. McCormack, took his microphone and said:
Yes, I just want to remind the Board that for example the next item, number 2 is a quasi-judicial, this present item, number 1, is not a quasi-judicial; there’s no cross-examination, that type of thing. It’s basically a presentation, as the Chair has mentioned, opportunity for the presenter to have follow-up comments after the general public comments, thank you.
Only then was Slavin permitted to start his presentation. Slavin has been known for taking combative positions with local government. On more than one occasion, he has been threatened with removal from the podium by law enforcement, after the chair ruled him out of order.
Tuesday, however, his demeanor was professional, civil and respectful of the proceedings and he articulated his argument — point by point — for the first eleven minutes, reserving the final four minutes until after public comments.
The room was not “packed” — more attended when parents were threatened with lights being turned off at their baseball fields. Those who spoke, did so with purpose; concerns covered everything from the potential closing of additional beaches, losing the authority to regulate parks and beaches locally, forfeiting control of water from ground and rivers, to more philosophical objections comparing the nationalization of state and local parks to socialism, and even communism; with one speaker likening park rangers to a federal “goon squad” under a Nazi regime.
Judith Seraphin, Slavin’s employer, former State Representative candidate Faye Armitage, whose political run was supported by Slavin, and three or four additional private citizens, expressed concern that if the Board did not act in support of the proposal, the community was at risk of losing our place in history and that living components of our beach environment would be at risk of extinction from further urbanization and development.
After public comment concluded, each commissioner took a minute or two to reflect on why they were going to vote against the proposal — Commissioner Sanchez going so far as to say he was prepared to introduce a motion specifically to “not accept” the proposal. The process consumed the first 1 hour and 43 minutes of the meeting and was the last piece of business heard before the morning break.
The electronic vote recorded 5-0 against the proposal; however, Slavin has vowed to return to the commission. He is hopeful that the Board would allow the measure to appear as a public referendum item on the November 2012 ballot. He says that he wants to let the people decided whether or not it is an appropriate course of action.
News | November 2, 2011 | 0 Comments
The commission said no, unanimously — but some members of the public spoke in support of a proposal yesterday that sought acceptance for a plan that would turn over management of public lands in our area to the federal control of the Department of Interior, National Parks Service.
A frequent speaker at city and county government meetings, Edward A. Slavin, Jr., appeared before the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners at their regular business meeting and tried, unsuccessfully, to persuade commissioners to move forward in support of his proposed “St. Augustine National Historical Park, Seashore and Coastal Parkway”.
It was clear that “agenda item 1″ was controversial at the outset — people were waiting in two lines to speak their minds, the majority of which voiced opposition to the idea; citing a variety of reasons for their opinions.
Also clear was that the commissioners, with virtually military precision, were going to handle this proposal with an abundance of care. Slavin has been a controversial face in the community and has frequently taken local government and media to task for causes and viewpoints that he passionately advocates.
In what seemed to this reporter as a prepared, scripted and possibly rehearsed disclaimer read into the record before the process continued, Chairman Ken Bryan gave this introduction:
Just for clarification so that everyone understands what this item is …
This item is not an issue of, or initiated by, the Board of County Commissioners or the administration.
This item was presented by a citizen to the Legislative Delegation on October 31st, 2011 for support and approval if or when it was presented to them.
Since the members of the delegation asked for feedback and consideration by the board prior to being finally considered by them, we decided that it was only appropriate that this item be presented to the general public; for everyone concerned to have the opportunity to express their support or opposition to the idea of a proposed St. Augustine National Historic Park and National Seashore Act.
The Board has been asked to approve a resolution in support of this particular proposal. An idea has been around for several years and only recently, has this been brought to this Board and asked for us to take a position on it.
We are now allowing those who are promoting this idea to present it to this body with full disclosure to all of us, as well as to you.
This venue also provides and allows for public input and we can have a final and unified decision — once and for all.
With that, I’ll take a couple of minutes to explain how we’re going to proceed with this particular item today and the process we will follow as we move through this particular item this morning.
The presenter is Mr. Ed Slavin and he will be given a block time of fifteen minutes for his entire presentation, and you can use this time, Mr. Slavin, any way you like. You can start your presentation and use ten minutes, and use the final five minutes for your follow-up, or closing remarks — because you have contacted the Board to ask whether or not you will be able to have your rebuttal following the public comment.
So, you’re granted fifteen minutes — you can budget it, use it any way you like. Vice Chair Miner will be keeping track of time as we proceed through this.
Once Mr. Slavin makes his presentation, there will also, we’re going to open it up for public comment, because that’s what we’re here for. Each individual will be given three minutes for your presentation, or your comments — again, Commissioner Miner will keep track of the time.
Following public comment, we will bring it back to the Board for discussion; at which time this particular body will make a final decision as to how we will proceed with this.
With that, I’d ask if the County Administrator or County Attorney have any follow-up questions or remarks in regard to this item?
The County Administrator, Michael Wanchick, took his microphone and said:
Mr. Chairman, the only thing that I would say would be to re-emphasize your point that this was not an initiative brought forward by the Board of County Commissioners or administration — that it was simply a citizen’s right to be heard.
It’s been an item that has been kicked around for as long as I’ve been with the county and I think it’s only appropriate that you make a determination whether you want to proceed or not with this initiative so that we can lay it to bed one way or the other.
The County Attorney, Patrick F. McCormack, took his microphone and said:
Yes, I just want to remind the Board that for example the next item, number 2 is a quasi-judicial, this present item, number 1, is not a quasi-judicial; there’s no cross-examination, that type of thing. It’s basically a presentation, as the Chair has mentioned, opportunity for the presenter to have follow-up comments after the general public comments, thank you.
Only then was Slavin permitted to start his presentation. Slavin has been known for taking combative positions with local government. On more than one occasion, he has been threatened with removal from the podium by law enforcement, after the chair ruled him out of order.
Tuesday, however, his demeanor was professional, civil and respectful of the proceedings and he articulated his argument — point by point — for the first eleven minutes, reserving the final four minutes until after public comments.
The room was not “packed” — more attended when parents were threatened with lights being turned off at their baseball fields. Those who spoke, did so with purpose; concerns covered everything from the potential closing of additional beaches, losing the authority to regulate parks and beaches locally, forfeiting control of water from ground and rivers, to more philosophical objections comparing the nationalization of state and local parks to socialism, and even communism; with one speaker likening park rangers to a federal “goon squad” under a Nazi regime.
Judith Seraphin, Slavin’s employer, former State Representative candidate Faye Armitage, whose political run was supported by Slavin, and three or four additional private citizens, expressed concern that if the Board did not act in support of the proposal, the community was at risk of losing our place in history and that living components of our beach environment would be at risk of extinction from further urbanization and development.
After public comment concluded, each commissioner took a minute or two to reflect on why they were going to vote against the proposal — Commissioner Sanchez going so far as to say he was prepared to introduce a motion specifically to “not accept” the proposal. The process consumed the first 1 hour and 43 minutes of the meeting and was the last piece of business heard before the morning break.
The electronic vote recorded 5-0 against the proposal; however, Slavin has vowed to return to the commission. He is hopeful that the Board would allow the measure to appear as a public referendum item on the November 2012 ballot. He says that he wants to let the people decided whether or not it is an appropriate course of action.
St. Augustine Record: County rejects national park, seashore
Posted: November 2, 2011 - 12:47am
By PETER GUINTA
peter.guinta@staugustine.com
A proposal to turn over 133,000 acres of St. Johns County, water management and state lands to the federal government for creation of a national historic park and seashore was denied unanimously Tuesday by the County Commission.
Activist Ed Slavin of St. Augustine, who presented the idea Tuesday to the County Commission, said he only wanted the board to endorse the concept. But after the vote, he said he wasn’t deterred by the 5-0 vote against it.
“We shall persevere and will be back,” he said late Tuesday. “Let the people vote.”
He plans to lobby the County Commission, requesting them to allow a referendum on the 2012 ballot.
“Our small businesses are hurting,” he said.
However, his idea was attacked by current and former members of the St. Augustine Tea Party.
For example, Marty Miller compared Slavin’s campaign to those of Hitler and his fellow Nazis who sought domination. He told the commission, “It’s all right the way it is. Don’t lose local control.”
Another Tea Party leader said if the board voted for Slavin’s idea, they would be committing “treason.”
Slavin asked the commission to enforce its rules of civil discourse. But no one was censured.
Later, he said that accusation especially galled him because his paratrooper father fought Nazis in [North Africa], Sicily [and Normandy] during World War II.
Former state representative candidate Faye Armitage spoke for the idea, saying, “We have to do everything to protect our shoreline. There are 53 state parks slated for closure. The best way to protect our natural resources is to designate them as national parks.”
Robert Johnson recalled the Interior Department’s enforcement of a driving ban on the Fort Matanzas National Monument grounds.
“I have seen and felt first-hand what happens when you turn over your wallet to the federal government,” he said. “I don’t want a Washington, D.C., bureaucrat telling our elected representatives how to manage our resources.”
Dan Holiday, in business 53 years in St. Augustine, said, “Everything the federal government touches becomes a disaster. They use heavy-handed tactics, and no one wants to pay fees to use our beach. If you do this, it’s permanent. When it’s gone, it’s gone.”
Doug Russo, a local pastor, said that the idea “is a step toward world citizenry.”
Tea Party organizer Randy Covington said Slavin’s idea of “a carbon-neutral transportation system” is a dream and that local governments would be “rendered impotent and be subject to government bureaucrats. Reject this plan outright. Form a foundation, buy or acquire property, and then donate it to the federal government.”
Slavin said this idea was introduced in 1939 and was approved, though that approval was later withdrawn. “This is the first time in 71 years that people are talking about the St. Augustine Historical Park and National Seashore,” he said. “We’re not talking about bossing people around. We’re talking about preserving what we have forever. There are 400 national parks in America.”
Commissioner Mark Miner said the National Park Service has a $3 billion maintenance backlog and spends 90 percent of its budget on construction and 10 percent on resource management.
“The best government is the one closest to the people,” he said.
Commissioner Ron Sanchez said, “Our own kids are broke because of the federal government. Our county and state parks are run better than anywhere. This program will cost us a fortune. If the federal government closed one of our beaches, we’d lose half our tourists. And I’m not giving up control of our water supply to anybody.”
Commissioner Cyndi Stevenson made the shortest comment of all.
She said, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
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ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The St. Augustine Record or StAugustine.com. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Flag as offensive" link below the comment.
Capt_Buzz
What a bunch of morons...
By Capt_Buzz | 11/02/11 - 07:14 am
These county commissioners have their priorities in the wrong order. A national seashore would be a better idea than a Lowes at US1 and 312. Where is the common sense in our county government?
Capt. Buzz
In God We Trust
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cd from St. Aug.
Commission Comments
By cd from St. Aug. | 11/02/11 - 07:29 am
Intelligent comment (and true in my opinion) from Commissioner Miner. Local government is the closest government to the people therefore more easily accountable to the people.
Hard to believe it came from the same person who was quoted in The St. Augustine Record last month about a private entity (Casa Monica) making their own dress code rules/regs and then enforcing them. Hummm.
Cathy DuPont
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me
Hitler? Treason?
By me | 11/02/11 - 07:32 am
What happened to, "I don't like this idea because......."? Geez.
St. Louis Cardinals - 11 in 2011!
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4getit
where is it?
By 4getit | 11/02/11 - 07:55 am
Please, give us a few details about this property. Where is it? How about a map? What are the other options for its use?
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Moontan
"HITLER", "TREASON"?
By Moontan | 11/02/11 - 08:01 am
What a ridiculous and stupid comparison!
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riggsbyd
commissioners/tea party
By riggsbyd | 11/02/11 - 08:11 am
The commissioners had intelligent sound reasoning in their response. Those other comments were simply idiotic.
I agree with the commisioners and am surprised by the fantastic decision making skills that they employed.
-- The only difference between Democrats and Republicans is what they do with your money after they steal it.
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me
4getit - boundaries
By me | 11/02/11 - 08:20 am
It's called the St. Augustine National Historical Park & Seashore Act of 2011.
The site has put me in the endless "your comment is in the queue for moderation" loop when I try to post a link, so you get to look it up yourself. ;-)
St. Louis Cardinals - 11 in 2011!
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glwilson_us
I just can't believe....
By glwilson_us | 11/02/11 - 08:46 am
I just can't believe that the National Park service has done such a bad job with Fort Matanzas and the Castillo that this is the level of discussion that takes place. Treason! Hitler! Nazis! World citizenry! This park or may not be a good concept, but the level of discourse is simply an embarassment to the people of St. Johns county.
Gil Wilson
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cracker
BCC gets it right this time
By cracker | 11/02/11 - 09:37 am
MIner is correct on this one. This proposal is part of Agenda 21. Claims of preservation lead to confiscation of private property.
http://americanfreedomwatchradio.com/
cracker
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me
wow
By me | 11/02/11 - 09:58 am
Agenda 21:
A set of proposals, made at the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development for the furtherance of world-wide, sustainable development.
BE AFRAID - the U.N. is trying to take over the world!! It's a conspiracy!!!!!!!!!!
Or, some local guy wants to make this area part of the National Park System to preserve some historic, scenic and natural areas.
While it is true that some National Parks have indeed used eminent domain to include private lands when they were formed, it was common at the time and it rarely happens for new parks.
If you are so concerned about confiscation of private property, cracker, what do you think of urban redevelopment that uses eminent domain because a shopping center is better for the area than homes?
St. Louis Cardinals - 11 in 2011!
By PETER GUINTA
peter.guinta@staugustine.com
A proposal to turn over 133,000 acres of St. Johns County, water management and state lands to the federal government for creation of a national historic park and seashore was denied unanimously Tuesday by the County Commission.
Activist Ed Slavin of St. Augustine, who presented the idea Tuesday to the County Commission, said he only wanted the board to endorse the concept. But after the vote, he said he wasn’t deterred by the 5-0 vote against it.
“We shall persevere and will be back,” he said late Tuesday. “Let the people vote.”
He plans to lobby the County Commission, requesting them to allow a referendum on the 2012 ballot.
“Our small businesses are hurting,” he said.
However, his idea was attacked by current and former members of the St. Augustine Tea Party.
For example, Marty Miller compared Slavin’s campaign to those of Hitler and his fellow Nazis who sought domination. He told the commission, “It’s all right the way it is. Don’t lose local control.”
Another Tea Party leader said if the board voted for Slavin’s idea, they would be committing “treason.”
Slavin asked the commission to enforce its rules of civil discourse. But no one was censured.
Later, he said that accusation especially galled him because his paratrooper father fought Nazis in [North Africa], Sicily [and Normandy] during World War II.
Former state representative candidate Faye Armitage spoke for the idea, saying, “We have to do everything to protect our shoreline. There are 53 state parks slated for closure. The best way to protect our natural resources is to designate them as national parks.”
Robert Johnson recalled the Interior Department’s enforcement of a driving ban on the Fort Matanzas National Monument grounds.
“I have seen and felt first-hand what happens when you turn over your wallet to the federal government,” he said. “I don’t want a Washington, D.C., bureaucrat telling our elected representatives how to manage our resources.”
Dan Holiday, in business 53 years in St. Augustine, said, “Everything the federal government touches becomes a disaster. They use heavy-handed tactics, and no one wants to pay fees to use our beach. If you do this, it’s permanent. When it’s gone, it’s gone.”
Doug Russo, a local pastor, said that the idea “is a step toward world citizenry.”
Tea Party organizer Randy Covington said Slavin’s idea of “a carbon-neutral transportation system” is a dream and that local governments would be “rendered impotent and be subject to government bureaucrats. Reject this plan outright. Form a foundation, buy or acquire property, and then donate it to the federal government.”
Slavin said this idea was introduced in 1939 and was approved, though that approval was later withdrawn. “This is the first time in 71 years that people are talking about the St. Augustine Historical Park and National Seashore,” he said. “We’re not talking about bossing people around. We’re talking about preserving what we have forever. There are 400 national parks in America.”
Commissioner Mark Miner said the National Park Service has a $3 billion maintenance backlog and spends 90 percent of its budget on construction and 10 percent on resource management.
“The best government is the one closest to the people,” he said.
Commissioner Ron Sanchez said, “Our own kids are broke because of the federal government. Our county and state parks are run better than anywhere. This program will cost us a fortune. If the federal government closed one of our beaches, we’d lose half our tourists. And I’m not giving up control of our water supply to anybody.”
Commissioner Cyndi Stevenson made the shortest comment of all.
She said, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
Comment
?
Follow This Article
5
Rating: 5 (1 vote)
Comments (10)
ADVISORY: Users are solely responsible for opinions they post here and for following agreed-upon rules of civility. Comments do not reflect the views of The St. Augustine Record or StAugustine.com. Comments are automatically checked for inappropriate language, but readers might find some comments offensive or inaccurate. If you believe a comment violates our rules, click the "Flag as offensive" link below the comment.
Capt_Buzz
What a bunch of morons...
By Capt_Buzz | 11/02/11 - 07:14 am
These county commissioners have their priorities in the wrong order. A national seashore would be a better idea than a Lowes at US1 and 312. Where is the common sense in our county government?
Capt. Buzz
In God We Trust
Login or register to post comments
cd from St. Aug.
Commission Comments
By cd from St. Aug. | 11/02/11 - 07:29 am
Intelligent comment (and true in my opinion) from Commissioner Miner. Local government is the closest government to the people therefore more easily accountable to the people.
Hard to believe it came from the same person who was quoted in The St. Augustine Record last month about a private entity (Casa Monica) making their own dress code rules/regs and then enforcing them. Hummm.
Cathy DuPont
Login or register to post comments
me
Hitler? Treason?
By me | 11/02/11 - 07:32 am
What happened to, "I don't like this idea because......."? Geez.
St. Louis Cardinals - 11 in 2011!
Login or register to post comments
4getit
where is it?
By 4getit | 11/02/11 - 07:55 am
Please, give us a few details about this property. Where is it? How about a map? What are the other options for its use?
Login or register to post comments
Moontan
"HITLER", "TREASON"?
By Moontan | 11/02/11 - 08:01 am
What a ridiculous and stupid comparison!
Login or register to post comments
riggsbyd
commissioners/tea party
By riggsbyd | 11/02/11 - 08:11 am
The commissioners had intelligent sound reasoning in their response. Those other comments were simply idiotic.
I agree with the commisioners and am surprised by the fantastic decision making skills that they employed.
-- The only difference between Democrats and Republicans is what they do with your money after they steal it.
Login or register to post comments
me
4getit - boundaries
By me | 11/02/11 - 08:20 am
It's called the St. Augustine National Historical Park & Seashore Act of 2011.
The site has put me in the endless "your comment is in the queue for moderation" loop when I try to post a link, so you get to look it up yourself. ;-)
St. Louis Cardinals - 11 in 2011!
Login or register to post comments
glwilson_us
I just can't believe....
By glwilson_us | 11/02/11 - 08:46 am
I just can't believe that the National Park service has done such a bad job with Fort Matanzas and the Castillo that this is the level of discussion that takes place. Treason! Hitler! Nazis! World citizenry! This park or may not be a good concept, but the level of discourse is simply an embarassment to the people of St. Johns county.
Gil Wilson
Login or register to post comments
cracker
BCC gets it right this time
By cracker | 11/02/11 - 09:37 am
MIner is correct on this one. This proposal is part of Agenda 21. Claims of preservation lead to confiscation of private property.
http://americanfreedomwatchradio.com/
cracker
Login or register to post comments
me
wow
By me | 11/02/11 - 09:58 am
Agenda 21:
A set of proposals, made at the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development for the furtherance of world-wide, sustainable development.
BE AFRAID - the U.N. is trying to take over the world!! It's a conspiracy!!!!!!!!!!
Or, some local guy wants to make this area part of the National Park System to preserve some historic, scenic and natural areas.
While it is true that some National Parks have indeed used eminent domain to include private lands when they were formed, it was common at the time and it rarely happens for new parks.
If you are so concerned about confiscation of private property, cracker, what do you think of urban redevelopment that uses eminent domain because a shopping center is better for the area than homes?
St. Louis Cardinals - 11 in 2011!
Tuesday, November 01, 2011
County Commission Vice Chairman Mark P. Miner Apologizes for Conduct of Today's BCC Meeting
Dear Commissioner Miner:
Thank you. We will be back.
Sincerely,
Ed Slavin
From: Commissioner Mark P. Miner [mailto:bccd3@sjcfl.us]
Sent: Tuesday, November 01, 2011 2:44 PM
To: Ed Slavin
Subject: RE: St. Augustine National Historical Park and National Seashore (Agenda Item No. 1, November 1, 2011 SJC BCC meeting)
Mr. Slavin –
Thank you for your e-mail and for your presentation this morning. As I told Dr. Brendel, I apologize if it appeared I enforced the public comment time limit unequally. The only specific instance I recall where someone went over more than a few seconds was with Commissioner Bailey, who spoke in support of your efforts. As Vice Chair, I take public comment very seriously. Over the last year we have had several very contentious public hearings in which I have presided over the public comment portion of the meeting. To my knowledge, this is the first time such a complaint has been raised.
My apologies.
Very Respectfully,
Mark Miner
Thank you. We will be back.
Sincerely,
Ed Slavin
From: Commissioner Mark P. Miner [mailto:bccd3@sjcfl.us]
Sent: Tuesday, November 01, 2011 2:44 PM
To: Ed Slavin
Subject: RE: St. Augustine National Historical Park and National Seashore (Agenda Item No. 1, November 1, 2011 SJC BCC meeting)
Mr. Slavin –
Thank you for your e-mail and for your presentation this morning. As I told Dr. Brendel, I apologize if it appeared I enforced the public comment time limit unequally. The only specific instance I recall where someone went over more than a few seconds was with Commissioner Bailey, who spoke in support of your efforts. As Vice Chair, I take public comment very seriously. Over the last year we have had several very contentious public hearings in which I have presided over the public comment portion of the meeting. To my knowledge, this is the first time such a complaint has been raised.
My apologies.
Very Respectfully,
Mark Miner
IN HAEC VERBA: Letter to St. Johns County Commissioners re: Tea Party Lack of Civility at Today's BCC Meeting
Dear St. Johns County Commissioners:
Thank you for your courtesies at this morning’s SJC BCC meeting. Today marks the first time that the BCC members discussed a proposed St. Augustine National Historical Park and National Seashore since 1940. It was about time. The last time BCC discussed the issue was 71 years ago. We have nowhere to go but “up.” We will be back.
I hope that you will want to discuss the issue again in the very near future, in more detail, with a full briefing from County staff and full discussion of the fiscal and environmental impacts.
The late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan said, “Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, but not their own facts.” Falsehoods were spread today without any questions by the BCC members.
We look forward to the opportunity to answer your questions about the National Historical Park and Seashore in an atmosphere where our rights are respected and not neglected. Unfortunately, at this morning’s meeting, a rude few were allowed to make personal attacks without the Commission’s civility rules being enforced. There was no civility apparent on the part of the opponents, whose specious arguments included comparing Park proponents to Hitler and Communists. We have some 400 National Park installations throughout our Nation – our National Parks are “America’s best idea.”
Adlai Stevenson said, “As scarce as truth is, the supply seems greater than the demand.”
Sadly, the BCC did not raise the quality of debate, and tolerated rude behavior from hatemongers and purveyors of fear and smear. The BCC does not function well in an emotion-laden environment, in which people make imitations of gunfire noises, after writing about killing, and shooting the Park (and Park supporters) “between the eyes.”
No one cautioned the crowd after they booed the Park supporters.
It appears that three minute time limits were enforced unequally – several Park opponents were allowed extra time, while park proponents, including Dr. John Brendel, Ph.D., a retired professor, were not allowed more time – Dr. Brendel was not allowed one (1) extra sentence to conclude his remarks. This was unfair.
Again, SJC BCC members asked not a single question. I was not prepared for that – after five (5) years of working on this proposal, I would have welcomed your questions. We expect you to ask them.
In the future, I would appreciate if you would kindly look us in the eye and ask us questions. That is what our Founding Fathers had in mind. Both the democratic method and the scientific method will thrive only when questions are asked and answered, as Carl Sagan said. A “cold bench” – County Commissioners who do not ask questions – does not inspire confidence in the process.
We do like the idea that one of the Park opponents suggested this morning – a referendum on a St. Augustine National Historical Park and Seashore.
What do you reckon?
Thank you again.
With kindest regards, I am,
Sincerely yours,
Ed
Ed Slavin
www.staugustgreen.com
Box 3084
St. Augustine, Florida 32085-3084
904-829-3877 (o-direct)
215-554-1187 (cellular)
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