Thursday, November 13, 2008

TIME TO ACT ON ST. AUGUSTINE NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK, NATIONAL SEASHORE AND NATIONAL SCENIC COASTAL HIGHWAY ACT

Two years ago tonight, at City Commission, I first proposed the St. Augustine National Historical Park, National Seashore and National Scenic Coastal Highway.

While other parts of Florida have National Parks and National Seashores that attract environmental and historic tourists, St. Augustine has only two national monuments (Castillo de San Marco and Fort Matanzas).

Still waiting for Congress and City Hall to catch up with the people of the City of St. Augustine and St. Johns County and provide tourist destinations equal to other parts of American history. Our economy and our environment will both benefit, with good jobs at good wages.

Will our elected officials kindly work smarter on preserving, protecting and celebrating our precious historical and environmental heritage, celebrating diversity and 11,000 years of indigenous Native American history and 500 years of Florida and 450 years of St. Augustine history, including Spanish, African-American, French, Menorcan, Greek, British, Civil War, Flagler era and Civil Rights history?

The legislation is drafted and supported by diverse citizens. All it lacks is a strong champion among our current group of elected officials. Who will it be?

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