Mayor George R. Gardner, R.I.P.

We're mourning the death of former St. Augustine Mayor (2002-2006) and City Commissioner (2006-2008) George Gardner. Mayor George Gardner was a third-generation reform politician, the grandson of four-term Schenectady, New York Mayor Mayor George R. Lunn and son of eleven-term Schenectady County Clerk Carroll "Pink" GARDNER, both elected and re-elected as reformers. Scion of a New York political family, son and grandson of other reform elected officials, Mayor Gardner moved here from Vermont after a career in journalism and Bed & Breakfasts, opening a toy store on Charlotte Street. He was unimpressed with the state of local government, noting that it took him three (3) telephone calls to City Hall to get a recycling bin, 2002 wsa an exciting time for two new St. Augustine residents, who moved here November 5, 1999, and who proudly voted for reform Mayor George Gardner, elected by a ten vote margin in the race for Mayor (and larger maergin for Commissioner -- those were the days when St. Augustine's charter required you to "vote twice" to elect a Mayor. In 2006, the Establishment wanted "their" town back, and all former mayors endorsed bumptious descedent's estate and debt collection attorney Joseph Lester Boles, Jr., son of the former Lightner Museum Director, law school roommate of once and future Mayor Tracy Wilson Upchurch, and business partner of former Mayor Claude Leonard Weeks, Jr. in the 81 St. George Street lease of city property at below-maerket rent. Gardner stepped aside for the ancien regime, winning election for what was then a two-year Commission seat. As Mayor, George Gardner did his darndest, but was frustraed by the corrupt City Manager, WILLIAM BARRY HARRIS, hired April 7, 1998 without adveretising, search or EEO compliance, in a meeting that violated the Sunshine law. As Mayor, George and Sally Gardner never took any out-of-town vacations, fearing that HARRIS would do something corrupt if he were to leave town. Mayor Garnder told me his views in a long telephone converstion on December 31, 2005. By 2014, it was time for Boles to go, and Mayor Gardner was delighted to advise and support Nancy Shaver for Mayor. The last time I saw him and his wife, Sally, pre-COVID, we were in Barnes & Noble Cafe, and they signed my petition to run for Supervisor of Elections as a Democrat, offering words of encouragement. George Gardner and I did not always agree -- as on Federal Court victory on Bridge of Lions Rainbow flags and on the longtime City Manager's illegal dumping of contaminated solid waste in the Old City Reservoir. But we both grew and we always respected one another. Georve Gardner would have turned 84 later this year, and remained true to his campaign signs from 2002, stating inter alia, "If you love St. Augustine...." When you watch the four hour PBS documentaary on St. Augustine, you will see a scene where George and Sally Gardner, dressed in Spanish colonial attire, celebrate the end of the British siege of St. Augustine inside the Castillo de San Marcos. Sadly, the producers included no credits for them or the other historic re-enactors. But as Ronald Reagan would say, "THere's no limit to what you can accomplish in life if you're not worred about taking credit for it." ===========

Mayor Gardner with campaign manager Jason Mauro

Sally and George Gardner

George Gardner, St. Augustine's former mayor, leaves a legacy of good will St. Augustine Record Editorial April 9, 2021 In the lifespan of every city, there are leaders who win power by cultivating the already powerful; those who wield intimidation like a weapon; those who espouse feel-good “solutions” that sound appealing but fall far short of fixing long-term challenges. And then there are people like George Gardner: Leaders who are willing to listen as well as speak, who seek consensus and inclusion over division, who are inspired by their heart to govern with their heads. Who struggle to balance the needs of all city residents, including the powerless and destitute. Who don’t need the flattering attention of elective office to act as true public servants. Previously:George Gardner, former mayor and publisher of The St. Augustine Report, dies Gardner answered that call to service as a lifelong commitment. His time on the St. Augustine City Commission was relatively short, with four years as mayor and two as city commissioner, but he claimed several accomplishments. His proudest, he said, was the formation of several active neighborhood associations that promoted civic engagement and community-based problem solving. Many of the associations are still going strong. Jason Mauro, who managed Gardner’s first campaign for mayor, reflected on his friend’s service in a letter to the editor printed Thursday: “George was all about bringing people together. I am proud to have worked alongside him, grateful to have been his friend, buoyed up by the friendships and community formed at that time, and I will always see him alive in the city he helped form, and on which he leaves an indelible signature.” Former St. Augustine Mayor George Gardner relaxes in the Plaza de la Constitucion with his golden retriever. But it is Gardner’s own words that created his most lasting legacy. At his last commission meeting on Dec. 1, 2008, he told The Record: "You don't have to hold office to stay involved." He immediately set out to prove as much, serving on multiple boards and keeping a close watch on the development of the city’s plans to commemorate its 450th anniversary in 2015. He may be most known, however, for his widely distributed newsletter, “The St. Augustine Report,” which saw its last edition transmitted March 31. Its tone is a good illustration of Gardner’s views on service, evenhanded and often celebratory. Like many of you, we will miss its arrival in our inbox every Wednesday. But even without it, Gardner’s memory will endure. ------- George Gardner, St. Augustine's former mayor, leaves a legacy of good will By Sheldon Gardner St. Augustine Record April 8, 2021 Former St. Augustine Mayor George Gardner has died. Those close to him described him as a beloved member of the community. Doug Wiles, a former state representative, said Gardner was a neighbor to his parents and became a friend. "George really cared deeply about his friends and about St. Augustine, and that didn't end when he left office as mayor," Wiles said. "He was so committed to the city and making sure they were doing all the right things that he started." Gardner, 83, died on Tuesday. He served as mayor from 2002 to 2006 after which he continued to live in St. Augustine and stay active in the community. In this file photo from The Record, former St. Augustine mayors, serving from 1973 to 2006, gather together at Jaybirds Restaurant to catch up and chat. Top row: Len Weeks; Mark Alexander; Ramelle Petroglou; George Gardner; and Eddie Mussalem. Bottom row: Greg Baker; Noel Helmly; Fred Brinkoff; and Art Runk. He told The Record in 2014 that during his time as mayor, he was most proud of the establishment of a neighborhood associations program. “Giving our residents a greater voice in city affairs [is my legacy]," he said. "I’m also proud of successfully moving the plan for a parking facility from the historic district ― behind the Lightner building ― to the Visitor Information Center and creating a world class welcome center for our visitors. Among many planning and zoning issues, putting entry corridor guidelines into our City Code stands out." He served as a commissioner from 2006 to 2008 and served on the city's code enforcement board and Planning and Zoning Board. A closer look:Past St. Augustine mayors talk about their role in city’s history Gardner, a Navy veteran, was well known around town. He made appearances and gave speeches at historical events and other happenings ― such as serving as grand marshal of the Spain Bicentennial Parade and Celebration in 2012, which celebrated the bicentennial of Spain’s 1812 Constitution and the monument erected to honor it in the Plaza de la Constitucion. He was also known for writing The St. Augustine Report, a digital newsletter which focused on what was happening at City Hall and around town, as well as tidbits about local history. Writing was part of Gardner's background. He spent 16 years in newspaper reporting and editing. He was also a key part of early planning for St. Augustine's 450th anniversary, which was in 2015. He brought community members together to brainstorm for the event.