Saturday, October 11, 2014

"Ed Slavin challenges Echo House demolition" -- St. Augustine Report, October 11, 2014, by George Gardner, former Mayor


The Historic Architectural Review Board (HARB) decision to allow demolition of a portion of Lincolnville's historic Echo House is being appealed to the City Commission by activist Ed Slavin - and he is being challenged on his standing to make the appeal.
For the first time in years since commissioners required appeals to be approved for legal sufficiency, City Attorney Isabelle Lopez says the "application raised the issue of whether the applicant had sufficient standing to file the appeal."
Slavin argues among numerous points:
o Granting this demolition permit deprives Objector of right to honest services and fact-based, non-discriminatory HARB decisions made without fear or favor.
o Planning and Zoning Board Chair Susan Agresta, identified as PZB Chair, published a St. Augustine Record column, calling for demolition of Echo House.
o Pastor Ronald Rawls and his parishioners, purporting to speak for the Almighty, and threatening violence amid accusations of racism, pressured the Historic Architectural Review Board to violate the Objector's right to a fair hearing and sacred rights to enjoy historic architecture.

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