Record "contributed" photo of all-white City of St. Augustine delegation to Aviles, Spain includes HARB Vice Chair PAUL WEAVER III and ex-Vice Mayor DONALD CRICHLOW (both working for DAVID BARTON CORNEAL on efforts to privatize the former Dow Museum of Historic homes into a hotel in HP-1); ex-Mayor JOSEPH LESTER BOLES, JR. (with crony CLAUDE LEONARD WEEKS, Jr., beneficiaries of no-bid, low-rent, below-market lease of city property at 81 St. George Street); Commissioners LEANNA FREEMAN and Vice Mayor ROXANNE HORVATH). Who paid for this trip? And what Sunshine violations occurred during their travel and partying? Did they talk with the Aviles, Spain Mayor about her reportedly being under criminal investigation? Did they talk about how to cover up the City's no-bid contracting for our 450th?
St. Augustine delegates present Aviles with Spanish Constitution Monument replica
Posted: April 29, 2015 - 8:08pm
By KIMEKO MCCOY
kimeko.mccoy@staugustine.com
St. Augustine’s Sister City — Aviles, Spain — was presented last weekend with a replica of the Spanish Constitution Monument.
A St. Augustine delegation of 15 people went to Aviles to present the replica as a part of the gift exchange between the two cities.
In February, St. Augustine was presented with a scale model of the San Pelayo, which is the ship Pedro Menendez sailed on when he first landed in Florida.
Former St. Augustine Mayor Len Weeks is president of St. Augustine’s Sister City Association, a nonprofit organization, and was a member of the delegation that went to Spain. He said the obelisk unveiling ceremony was beautiful and well attended.
“People had been watching it and taking pictures of it all week, but they also came out for the dedication,” he said.
Former St. Augustine Mayor Joe Boles was also part of the delegation and said he appreciates the historical connection between the two cities. City founder Menendez was from Aviles.
“I see just a reaffirmation of the relationship,” Boles said.
It was exciting to see the Aviles people excited about the replica, he said.
“For them, it’s almost like their Liberty Bell,” he said.
The unveiling program was from April 23-26 and included events such as a luncheon and visits to Aviles attractions.
The idea to present Aviles with the monument replica started in 2009 and came with a $50,000 price tag paid for by public and private funding.
To keep construction costs down, the replica was built in Aviles.
Weeks said the sister cities have exchanged a number of gifts, including the Caños de San Francisco replica, the mural on Aviles Street, the San Pelayo scale model and more.
450th Commemoration Director Dana Ste. Claire did not go on this particular trip but has been part of the conversation about the project and believes it adds another layer to the foundation of the relationship.
“We have developed a partnership with Spain, not only to express that important shared history but also to express the shared cultural programs and bring some of those to St. Augustine,” he said.
Ste. Claire said St. Augustine has benefitted from the relationship, with opportunities such as the Picasso art exhibit, Spanish Wine Festival and visits from tall ships.
“We share history and we share archaeology and we share culture,” he said.
As the relationship between the two grows, Weeks said more events are planned.
He said he is in the process of reviewing applications for the student exchange program between the two cities.
There are also plans in the works to bring Aviles musicians to St. Augustine for the September 450th celebration and create a historical picture book about the Sister City relationship.
“Lots of positive things happening to confirm our relationship,” Weeks said.
1 comment:
Leanna Freeman isn't in that picture. Bully.
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