Will our Congressman John Mica and our local public officials propose and get enacted a "St. Augustine National Historical Park and National Seashore," embracing areas that deserve protection?
Or will land-raping developers be allowed to pave over every part of our city and county, making it look, feel and smell like New York City?
So many other places -- from Guam to Cape Cod to Cape Canaveral to the Everglades -- have national parks and national seashores. Why not St. Augustine and St. Johns County? (See below).
A St. Augustine national park was first proposed before World War II. It's about time we create it.
Let's empower America's favorite federal agency, the National Park Service (NPS), to do what NPS does best.
After the January 22, 2007 St. Augustine City Commission meeting, Mrs. Maureen Boles (St. Augustine Mayor Joseph Boles' mother), came up, introduced herself, took my hand in both her hands and graciously thanked me for "speaking out" on the need for a national park, and on historic and natural preservation issues, on which she's been outspoken for "30 years."
To honor Mrs. Boles (and those who first proposed the national park before WWII), let's take decisive action now.
Let every citizen be heard on the park. What should be included?
How should it be managed?
To those city residents who want to save money, let's move the history-preservation function from the city government to NPS.
To those county commissioners who want to save money, let's deed some county parklands to NPS.
To those Florida state officials who want to save money, let's deed some Florida state parks and historic properties to NPS.
To the St. Johns River Water Management District board, let's deed SJRWMD parks to NPS.
Let's adopt a management plan for "St. Augustine National Historical Park and National Seashore" that preserves, protects and defends our history, nature and wildlife for future generations.
We can do it.
No comments:
Post a Comment