Mumford & Sons Investment Worked

This morning's St. Augustine Record reports that the City's investment in the Mumford & Sons concert worked.

Half a million dollars invested in transportation infrastructure, and the City essentially broke even, while generating $3.5 million in economic activity, and showing off St. Augustine on the world stage.

Our "branding" is now what it should be -- as a cool, hip, diverse place that respects human rights, history and our environment. Enactment of our City's anti-discrimination ordinance December 10, 2012 helped bring Mumford & Sons to St. Augustine.

Rejecting the Ku Klux Klan influence on City Hall has made this a great place, capable of achieving great things. The "bad old days" under oppressive prior City Managers are only memories now. Savor the victory -- as the late former City Manager William Pomar was recently quoted, "The Bohemians have taken over." Translation: our City of St. Augustine is now all about being "cool, not cruel."

It's about time.

It's our time, our place and our future. No longer will St. Augustine be known as "the most lawless" city in America, as Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. said in his 1964 letter to Rabbi Samuel Dresner. St. Augustine is changing for the better. We have a vision, and we are all a part of it.

Forgive the "cognitive misers" who predicted doom and gloom. All of the energy, intellect and inventiveness of the people of our Nation's Oldest City have proven themselves invincible.

Remember, once again: "Decisions are made by those who show up." Keep on "showing up." Keep asking questions.

Other local governments deserve scrutiny, too.

Under new managemen since 2010, St. Augustine is worthy of our admiration and support. Thanks to City Manager John Patrick Regan, P.E., Comptroller Mark Litziner, C.P.A., Mayor Joseph L. Boles, Jr., and Commissioners et al. for working together and helping heal our Ancient City's ancient wounds.

Viva St. Augustine!

Postscript: There is a comment posted today by a frequent hate poster on Historic City News, a man who loudly opposed the December 10, 2012 GLBT non-discrimination amendment to our City's Fair Housing ordinance. The frequent hate poster yelled threats after the ordinance was passed. He was thereupon graciously ordered ejected by Mayor Boles, who said "Would someone kindly escort that idiot out of the room?" That hate poster today predictably blasts the "gay loving city council (sic)." The hater has described himself as a "preacher." He preaches hatred. His views are no longer the views of our community.
We've come a long way since 1964.

A couple of the more rational posters on the St. Augustine Record website have excellent comments, noting that this is "the right demographic," with "young professionals" who attended likely to come back for tne next "40 years." My favorite comment today:
"To all the whiners...it was a great party made better because you weren't there. Thanks for not coming." (astralweeks).