FDEP's and Other Timewasting Government and Contractor Employees Caught Redhanded By Grad Student
While the languid, lugubrious, moribund, Florida Department of Environmental Protection was busy not investigating the City of St. Augustine's dumping the entire contents of the old city dump into the Old City Reservoir, guess what its languid employees were doing with your tax money?
Florida Department of Environmental Protection's underworked and overpaid state employees spent countless hours editing 216 Wikipedia online encyclopedia entries, only some of which pertained in any way to the environment or the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection didn't answer requests for comment.
The time Florida Department of Environmental Protection employees waste is not their own. It's our money. It's our time.
Thanks to a graduate student in computer science, we now know what goes on behind the scenes at places like the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP, or "Don't Expect Protection" as David Thundershield Queen calls it). The website is
and is receiving heavy traffic since New York Times and other news stories. It might be slow. Visit and you can learn more about the large organizations that either: (a) seek to censor Wikipedia entries about them, their crimes and their products; or (b) employ underutilized talents who use computers at work to write and edit Wikipedia entries.
Thousands of Wikipedia entries have been authored and edited by government and contractor employees working for otherwise tyrannical, authoritarian employers like the Department of Energy, NASA, the U.S. Tennessee Valley Authority, Lockheed Martin, Boeing and Northrop Grumman.
Amazingly, little ole DEP's employees wrote more Wikipedia entries than tatterdemalion Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), whose 74 year history of waste, fraud and abuse is mindboggling. Amazing.
It's our money -- these are government agencies and government contractors. This is waste, fraud and abuse. Worse, when they edit entries on themselves, their pollutants, their frauds, their crimes and their scandal, they bill the public for hidden propaganda.
216 entries were written by DEP employees, busily shirking their duties when they should be out prosecuting St. Augustine City Manager WILLIAM B. HARRISS & Co.
459 Wikipedia entries and edits were written by employees of the City of Jacksonville, using city servers, computers, equipment and time.
297 Wikipedia entries and edits were authored on servers owned by the Central Intelligence Agency, which is still unable to find OBL, nearly six years after 9/11 Remember when President George W. Bush said he wanted OBL "Dead or Alive"?
Instead of working on the people's business, government and government contractor employees are sitting behind their desks using computers for their own frolics. They let calls go to voicemail. They miss deadlines. They make excuses for not enforcing the law.
Meanwhile, some government and contractor employees are busy looking at pornography sites, as allegedly took place at the Anastasia Mosquito Control District of St. Johns County (AMCD) several years ago, wasting taxpayers' bandwidth and risking computer viruses, while increasing the likelihood of sexual harassment charges (as at the Times-Union, where erstwhile editorial page editor Lloyd Brown allegedly looked at pornography that could be seen by ladies working for him in an open bullpen).
Some employers -- like the St. Augustine Record and its parent company, Morris Communications (which also owns the Times-Union) -- now have strict computer use policies. Such just stewards monitor computer use, to assure that their employees are working on the employer's business, instead of skylarking and lollygagging.
Department of Energy servers contributed 435 Wikipedia entries and edits.
Corporate welfare recipients like Lockheed Martin don't make any products that you and I can buy and they inflict human misery around the world, as these arms merchants sell unneeded products to countries that use them to maim and kill, while back at HQ, their tatterdemalion office workers steal time and money from taxpayers.
Meanwhile, when is FDEP going to interview our former City Attorney, JAMES PATRICK WILSON, and our City Manager WILLIAM B. HARRIS, and our ex- Mayor GEORGE R. GARDNER, our ex- Vice Mayor SUSAN BURK, our current Mayor, JOSEPH LEROY BOLES, JR., our current Vice Mayor, DONALD CRICHLOW, and Commissioner ERROL JONES, all of whom knew of the illegal dumping and have refused to answer questions about it.
FDEP fiddles and still has not finalized a consent decree in a case involving pollution of our aquifer. It's only had since February 24, 2007.
Busy wasting time, FDEP aids and abets polluters.
It's our money.
FDEP is up for review under Florida's Sunset law. Is DEP a public nuisance? Does it deserve public funds? Will it prosecute St. Augustine officials? Or has DEP outlived its usefulness?
What do you reckon?
With kindest regards, I am,
Sincerely yours,
Ed Slavin
P.O. Box 3084
St. Augustine, FL 32085
904-471-7023
904-471-9918 (fax)
Don't forget to check out:
Friday, August 24, 2007
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Should St. Augustine, Florida Be Known for Its Red LIght District, Strippers and Honky Tonks? You Decide.
Come tell the St. Augustine City Commission to put any "adult entertainment district" required by First Amendment law behind the St. Augustine Police Department, in the Sebastian Inner Harbor development, where conventioneers can see it, but the rest of us don't have to. August 27, 2007, 5 PM, St. Augustine City Hall and Lightner Museum, 75 King Street, Alcazar Room, 1st Floor. Be sure to fill out a speaker card and invite your friends, relatives nad neighbors.
You Decide! Bring on the Fireworks, Starting at August 27 Adult Entertainment Zone Meeting and Sept. 6 & 20 Budget Hearings Celebrate Independence!
Because in St. Augustine, Florida, we get to overthrow the government every two years.
Next year, we elect our Mayor and two City Commissioners -- a majority of the City Commission.
We also get to choose three of five County Commissioners and other important offices.
You decide. Learn the facts. Please see below.
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
What Would Pedro Menendez de Aiviles Say About St. Augustine Adult Entertainment Zone
On September 8, 1565, the first Roman Catholic Mass in North America was said in St. Augustine, Florida, named because it was the Saint's Feast Day.
Our orotund City Commissioners disrespect public opinion on their dumb ole adult entertainment ordinance, number 2007-11. Their false dichotomy and disrespect for public opinions speak volumes about what ex-Mayor GEORGE R. GARDNER admitted last October at Salt Run Community Center was "rampant corruption in City Hall."
What would Pedro Menendez de Aviles say about this gang that won't shoot straight?
What do you reckon?
Our orotund City Commissioners disrespect public opinion on their dumb ole adult entertainment ordinance, number 2007-11. Their false dichotomy and disrespect for public opinions speak volumes about what ex-Mayor GEORGE R. GARDNER admitted last October at Salt Run Community Center was "rampant corruption in City Hall."
What would Pedro Menendez de Aviles say about this gang that won't shoot straight?
What do you reckon?
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Beware False Dichotomies -- Put the Adult Entertainment Zone Behind SAPD HQ, At Sebastian Inland Harbor: Regulated, Away From Homes, Entry Corridors!
Large organizations have an easy way of herding and controlling people -- the false dichotomy. St. Augustinians are being told there is a forced choice between adult entertainment zones and proliferating porno everywhere. Who says?
St. Augustinians are being told there is a forced choice between adult entertainment everywhere, or in one zone at the north end of our city, where Mr. Johnny Tai would like to sell one of his failing Fusion restaurants for $1.8 million.
Public debate is manipulated and controlled.
There are other options< including the one that citizens applauded, but which the St. Augustine Commission would not discuss (and the Record has not yet covered).
The solution is to put the adult entertainment zone in Sebastian Inland Harbor, behind the St. Augustine Police HQ. It would be out of sight, not on an entry corridor, and easily patrolled, while convenient for the swells, toffs, "upscale" and "high value visitors" that controversial real estate speculator-developer-pawn Commissioner ERROL JONES, landraping treekilling lawyer GEORGE McCLURE and others say they want to attract to our community with a new hotel.
Put the adult entertainment zone behind the SAPD HQ. What could be fairer? Adult entertainment businesses would be assured of regulatory compliance and neighbhorhood property values would be preserved.
The only problem is that controversial St. Augustine Mayor JOSEPH LEROY BOLES, JR. rejected the idea out of hand because concerned citizens (including me) suggested it, and he actually suggested that the owner of the Sebastian Winery might not like it, and that he wished all ideas were so simple. Speaking of simple, not one of the proposed adult entertainment zones is along Anastasia Blvd, missing the homes of our two lawyer-commissioners, JOSEPH LEROY BOLES, JR. and ex-Vice Mayor SUSAN BURK. Coincidence?
To the devil with conniving, Commissioners' prejudices, conflicts of interest and other emotional problems. They don't do their homework. They don't listen to the citizenry. They only listen to real estate speculators, many from foreign countries.
Gordon Gekko said in the movie "Wall Street" that "money never sleeps.
Neither should we until we take back our Nation's Oldest (European-founded) City from the troglydytes who so badly misgovern it they put the entire contents of the old city dump in the Old City Reservoir, and seek to inflict adult entertainment zones in twelve (12) St. Augustine locations, from SR312 to West Augustine to North City. Enough of their dupery and flummery.
So, Commissioners, kindly put the adult entertainment zone by the SAPD HQ, thank you.
That way, we can regulate it and our millions of visitors won't have to see it.
Thank you.
What do y'all reckon?
With kindest regards, I am,
Sincerely yours,
Ed
Ed Slavin
Box 3084
St. Augustine, Florida 32085
904-471-7023
904-471-9918 (fax)
St. Augustinians are being told there is a forced choice between adult entertainment everywhere, or in one zone at the north end of our city, where Mr. Johnny Tai would like to sell one of his failing Fusion restaurants for $1.8 million.
Public debate is manipulated and controlled.
There are other options< including the one that citizens applauded, but which the St. Augustine Commission would not discuss (and the Record has not yet covered).
The solution is to put the adult entertainment zone in Sebastian Inland Harbor, behind the St. Augustine Police HQ. It would be out of sight, not on an entry corridor, and easily patrolled, while convenient for the swells, toffs, "upscale" and "high value visitors" that controversial real estate speculator-developer-pawn Commissioner ERROL JONES, landraping treekilling lawyer GEORGE McCLURE and others say they want to attract to our community with a new hotel.
Put the adult entertainment zone behind the SAPD HQ. What could be fairer? Adult entertainment businesses would be assured of regulatory compliance and neighbhorhood property values would be preserved.
The only problem is that controversial St. Augustine Mayor JOSEPH LEROY BOLES, JR. rejected the idea out of hand because concerned citizens (including me) suggested it, and he actually suggested that the owner of the Sebastian Winery might not like it, and that he wished all ideas were so simple. Speaking of simple, not one of the proposed adult entertainment zones is along Anastasia Blvd, missing the homes of our two lawyer-commissioners, JOSEPH LEROY BOLES, JR. and ex-Vice Mayor SUSAN BURK. Coincidence?
To the devil with conniving, Commissioners' prejudices, conflicts of interest and other emotional problems. They don't do their homework. They don't listen to the citizenry. They only listen to real estate speculators, many from foreign countries.
Gordon Gekko said in the movie "Wall Street" that "money never sleeps.
Neither should we until we take back our Nation's Oldest (European-founded) City from the troglydytes who so badly misgovern it they put the entire contents of the old city dump in the Old City Reservoir, and seek to inflict adult entertainment zones in twelve (12) St. Augustine locations, from SR312 to West Augustine to North City. Enough of their dupery and flummery.
So, Commissioners, kindly put the adult entertainment zone by the SAPD HQ, thank you.
That way, we can regulate it and our millions of visitors won't have to see it.
Thank you.
What do y'all reckon?
With kindest regards, I am,
Sincerely yours,
Ed
Ed Slavin
Box 3084
St. Augustine, Florida 32085
904-471-7023
904-471-9918 (fax)
Handling of adult entertainment angers readers
Handling of adult entertainment angers readers
By KATI BEXLEY
kati.bexley@staugustine.com
Publication Date: 08/21/07
Nearly 100 irate residents contacted The Record Monday to say the don't like the St. Augustine City Commission's proposed ordinance that would allow adult entertainment to locate throughout the city.
The Record published a map Monday showing where adult entertainment businesses would be permitted under an ordinance the City Commission is considering. The newspaper sought public comments on the change that would permit adult entertainment businesses in many commercial zones on Ponce de Leon Boulevard, West King Street and State Road 312.
Previously, the city did not have restrictions on adult entertainment businesses so they could have opened in any commercial zone in St. Augustine. The commission is trying to be proactive by creating an ordinance to limit where adult entertainment businesses can be.
Residents, who began calling The Record at 4:57 a.m. Monday and continued into the evening, were especially against the commissioners changing their original proposal that restricted adult entertainment to four parcels of land off Ponce de Leon Boulevard to including areas throughout the city.
The feedback included several cases of NIMBY -- Not In My Backyard -- but people were also incensed that the commission was not considering what they said was the entire city's best interest. They felt the commissioners had folded to Ponce de Leon Boulevard residents who fought having adult entertainment contained to their area, and that the board did not realize opening it to several areas in the city would quadruple the amount of affected residents.
"They make something as bizarre as you could possibly think of. No city commissioner in their right mind would vote for this," said Anastasia Island resident Sandy Hendricks, who lives near an affected area. "If you don't show up at (a City Commission) meeting it's like, 'Ha, ha, ha, we can do what we want.' They shouldn't make decisions that are hurting everyone in the city."
Despite the numerous comments, Commissioner Errol Jones said he remains in favor of sprinkling the adult entertainment zones throughout the city. The majority of people speaking against the current proposed ordinance are affected residents, and Jones said that highlights why he is backing the measure.
"These people are hoping that if we contain it that means it won't be next to them," Jones said.
"(This ordinance is) taking a chance. It's the lottery. But every resident has a fair chance of losing or winning. And each resident deserves equal treatment. That's what is fair. And I will stick by that."
Mayor Joe Boles said law enforcement prefers to have adult entertainment clustered because it's easier to control. But, he said, it's also understandable that concentrating it can feed crime and other problems.
"It's anyone's guess as to what is better," Boles said. "But if we don't pass an ordinance then the city is wide open for it to come in anywhere it wants."
Commissioner Don Crichlow, who was the lone dissenting vote for the proposed measure, disagrees. The city strategically chose the original four parcels of land because it impacted the city the least, and other areas impacted residents to a greater degree, Crichlow said. He said stretching out the zones could invite adult entertainment to the city.
"When we had it in one spot there were four parcels and say only two or maybe three owners would be willing to sell to adult entertainment," he said. "Now we have literally hundreds of properties and (adult entertainment) can shop for the right place and the right price to put it. It offers more opportunities to them," Crichlow said.
The proposed measure also has zones abutting residences in downtown, and it would be near Sally Walton's dance studio off Ponce de Leon Boulevard, which has classes for ages from 3 to 84 years old.
"We have classes from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m," she said. "And I'm right next to all these historic homes. I'm very against (adult entertainment) coming to this area."
Several concerned people who called The Record live in developments off State Road 312 on Anastasia Island. Dr. Barry Dobie has his physician's office in an office park in that area and he doesn't understand the rationale in expanding the zones. He said there are attorney offices, luxury condominiums, student housing and a bank adjacent to him.
"I truly sympathize with the individuals who originally would have had the businesses next to them," he said. "But proposing it to other areas puts it in more backyards. I don't understand that."
The commissioners all agreed that they want to hear from the concerned residents at their next meeting on Monday, where the ordinance is up for final approval.
"We've gotta keep moving on this. We'll find something that works," Boles said. "We've got to protect our city."
Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/082107/news_4787383.shtml
© The St. Augustine Record
Readers' comments on adult zoning
Publication Date: 08/21/07
The following were compiled from calls and e-mails The Record received Monday. Of nearly 100 comments, only one person said that adult entertainment zones spread throughout the city is a good idea.
Other residents included:
Donna Ribar of County Road 214, who said, "They have cleaned up West King Street tremendously and I think it's totally unfair to have adult entertainment be allowed to come to that area. Those businesses will want to come to lower-income areas."
"Also, why (doesn't the city) look at how many sex predators and sex offenders live in those areas where adult entertainment could go?"
Ralph Felten of Royal St. Augustine, who said, "I live near where (the city commission) was originally going to put (adult businesses) and I think it would have been better to have it in one place than to spread it around."
Melissa Martz, resident in the original proposed adult entertainment zone, who said, "(The Record reporter) must live near one of the new adult "zones" she reported about, citing only (City Commissioner Don) Crichlow's negative comments and not reporting on the benefits of spreading the zones through the city. Her spin on the subject is obvious. It's a shame that the Record can't publish an article that doesn't lean."
Edgar Lesmes, retired Miami Dade County deputy, whose sister lives in an affected St. Augustine area, said, "I worked as a deputy for 25‡ years and I'm a member of Florida Family Association, which are activists against crime and porn. In my experience, it is best to contain (adult businesses) to one area that is not near residences, schools or parks."
Eileen Wine of the Commodores Club, a subdivision near a proposed adult zone, said, "I think it's atrocious to put it on Anastasia Island. I will protest at the next (City Commission meeting). Any commissioner who votes for this won't get my vote in the next election."
Elizabeth Gessner, city resident outside of affected area, said " limiting their locations also limits the number of landlords likely to rent to them, and makes it easier for the community to put pressure on a landlord who rents to a business that becomes a particular problem."
Martha and John Russo, residents who live adjacent to an affected area, said, "I was told by a DOT (Department of Transportation) official that the U.S.1 and (State Road) 312 bridge is the busiest intersection in the county. they will be driving right past that designated area. What are they thinking?
Melinda Sinyard of The St. Augustine Shores, said, "We should contain (adult entertainment) to one area so at least it can be policed and we can keep our children away from that area."
Robert Andrew, Anastasia Island resident, said, "What can the city Commissioners possibly be thinking? Allowing adult business zones to be located in dozens of places throughout the city makes absolutely no sense. To think that only one commissioner realizes this is frightening."
Marjorie Rider, St. Johns County resident, said, "To put adult businesses in a neighborhood that has an assisted living facility is not only wrong but it is an insult to all older taxpayers who came to St Augustine because of its beauty. Not only would it affect the Allegro, but all other houses in Commodore Club and Marsh Creek who use Mizzell (Road) as their back entrances."
-- Kati Bexley
Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/082107/news_4787527.shtml
© The St. Augustine Record
By KATI BEXLEY
kati.bexley@staugustine.com
Publication Date: 08/21/07
Nearly 100 irate residents contacted The Record Monday to say the don't like the St. Augustine City Commission's proposed ordinance that would allow adult entertainment to locate throughout the city.
The Record published a map Monday showing where adult entertainment businesses would be permitted under an ordinance the City Commission is considering. The newspaper sought public comments on the change that would permit adult entertainment businesses in many commercial zones on Ponce de Leon Boulevard, West King Street and State Road 312.
Previously, the city did not have restrictions on adult entertainment businesses so they could have opened in any commercial zone in St. Augustine. The commission is trying to be proactive by creating an ordinance to limit where adult entertainment businesses can be.
Residents, who began calling The Record at 4:57 a.m. Monday and continued into the evening, were especially against the commissioners changing their original proposal that restricted adult entertainment to four parcels of land off Ponce de Leon Boulevard to including areas throughout the city.
The feedback included several cases of NIMBY -- Not In My Backyard -- but people were also incensed that the commission was not considering what they said was the entire city's best interest. They felt the commissioners had folded to Ponce de Leon Boulevard residents who fought having adult entertainment contained to their area, and that the board did not realize opening it to several areas in the city would quadruple the amount of affected residents.
"They make something as bizarre as you could possibly think of. No city commissioner in their right mind would vote for this," said Anastasia Island resident Sandy Hendricks, who lives near an affected area. "If you don't show up at (a City Commission) meeting it's like, 'Ha, ha, ha, we can do what we want.' They shouldn't make decisions that are hurting everyone in the city."
Despite the numerous comments, Commissioner Errol Jones said he remains in favor of sprinkling the adult entertainment zones throughout the city. The majority of people speaking against the current proposed ordinance are affected residents, and Jones said that highlights why he is backing the measure.
"These people are hoping that if we contain it that means it won't be next to them," Jones said.
"(This ordinance is) taking a chance. It's the lottery. But every resident has a fair chance of losing or winning. And each resident deserves equal treatment. That's what is fair. And I will stick by that."
Mayor Joe Boles said law enforcement prefers to have adult entertainment clustered because it's easier to control. But, he said, it's also understandable that concentrating it can feed crime and other problems.
"It's anyone's guess as to what is better," Boles said. "But if we don't pass an ordinance then the city is wide open for it to come in anywhere it wants."
Commissioner Don Crichlow, who was the lone dissenting vote for the proposed measure, disagrees. The city strategically chose the original four parcels of land because it impacted the city the least, and other areas impacted residents to a greater degree, Crichlow said. He said stretching out the zones could invite adult entertainment to the city.
"When we had it in one spot there were four parcels and say only two or maybe three owners would be willing to sell to adult entertainment," he said. "Now we have literally hundreds of properties and (adult entertainment) can shop for the right place and the right price to put it. It offers more opportunities to them," Crichlow said.
The proposed measure also has zones abutting residences in downtown, and it would be near Sally Walton's dance studio off Ponce de Leon Boulevard, which has classes for ages from 3 to 84 years old.
"We have classes from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m," she said. "And I'm right next to all these historic homes. I'm very against (adult entertainment) coming to this area."
Several concerned people who called The Record live in developments off State Road 312 on Anastasia Island. Dr. Barry Dobie has his physician's office in an office park in that area and he doesn't understand the rationale in expanding the zones. He said there are attorney offices, luxury condominiums, student housing and a bank adjacent to him.
"I truly sympathize with the individuals who originally would have had the businesses next to them," he said. "But proposing it to other areas puts it in more backyards. I don't understand that."
The commissioners all agreed that they want to hear from the concerned residents at their next meeting on Monday, where the ordinance is up for final approval.
"We've gotta keep moving on this. We'll find something that works," Boles said. "We've got to protect our city."
Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/082107/news_4787383.shtml
© The St. Augustine Record
Readers' comments on adult zoning
Publication Date: 08/21/07
The following were compiled from calls and e-mails The Record received Monday. Of nearly 100 comments, only one person said that adult entertainment zones spread throughout the city is a good idea.
Other residents included:
Donna Ribar of County Road 214, who said, "They have cleaned up West King Street tremendously and I think it's totally unfair to have adult entertainment be allowed to come to that area. Those businesses will want to come to lower-income areas."
"Also, why (doesn't the city) look at how many sex predators and sex offenders live in those areas where adult entertainment could go?"
Ralph Felten of Royal St. Augustine, who said, "I live near where (the city commission) was originally going to put (adult businesses) and I think it would have been better to have it in one place than to spread it around."
Melissa Martz, resident in the original proposed adult entertainment zone, who said, "(The Record reporter) must live near one of the new adult "zones" she reported about, citing only (City Commissioner Don) Crichlow's negative comments and not reporting on the benefits of spreading the zones through the city. Her spin on the subject is obvious. It's a shame that the Record can't publish an article that doesn't lean."
Edgar Lesmes, retired Miami Dade County deputy, whose sister lives in an affected St. Augustine area, said, "I worked as a deputy for 25‡ years and I'm a member of Florida Family Association, which are activists against crime and porn. In my experience, it is best to contain (adult businesses) to one area that is not near residences, schools or parks."
Eileen Wine of the Commodores Club, a subdivision near a proposed adult zone, said, "I think it's atrocious to put it on Anastasia Island. I will protest at the next (City Commission meeting). Any commissioner who votes for this won't get my vote in the next election."
Elizabeth Gessner, city resident outside of affected area, said " limiting their locations also limits the number of landlords likely to rent to them, and makes it easier for the community to put pressure on a landlord who rents to a business that becomes a particular problem."
Martha and John Russo, residents who live adjacent to an affected area, said, "I was told by a DOT (Department of Transportation) official that the U.S.1 and (State Road) 312 bridge is the busiest intersection in the county. they will be driving right past that designated area. What are they thinking?
Melinda Sinyard of The St. Augustine Shores, said, "We should contain (adult entertainment) to one area so at least it can be policed and we can keep our children away from that area."
Robert Andrew, Anastasia Island resident, said, "What can the city Commissioners possibly be thinking? Allowing adult business zones to be located in dozens of places throughout the city makes absolutely no sense. To think that only one commissioner realizes this is frightening."
Marjorie Rider, St. Johns County resident, said, "To put adult businesses in a neighborhood that has an assisted living facility is not only wrong but it is an insult to all older taxpayers who came to St Augustine because of its beauty. Not only would it affect the Allegro, but all other houses in Commodore Club and Marsh Creek who use Mizzell (Road) as their back entrances."
-- Kati Bexley
Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/082107/news_4787527.shtml
© The St. Augustine Record
Monday, August 20, 2007
Cause for Celebration! Cheer Up, St. Augustine -- KARL ROVE Is Not Moving to St. Augustine, Florida
NAUGHTY POLITICiANS ON PARADE: TIME FOR ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA VOTERS TO SIGN PETITIONS FOR ELECTION TO RECALL ALL FIVE COMMISSIONERS?
When City Commissioners talk down to citizens, refuse to consider our ideas, insult us and show obvious signs of being in the hip pockets of real estate speculators, it's time for them to go.
We see right through them. Asked about illegal dumping, coverup and firing HARRISS at the August 13, 2007 City Commission meeting, the best Commissioners could manage during Commissioner comments was "hi, mom" and other greetings to kinfolk. We're not impressed.
Our City Commissioners have no backbone. Our City Commissioners have backward-bending labor supply curves. Their lazy, don't do their homework, and constantly vote favors for reckless, feckless thugs. Other than that, they're great folks.
The Commissioners' costume tomfoolery is like a piece of dental floss that might be worn by one of the strippers in one of the clubs that might open up under their ordinance 2007-11. It's not enough to cover the subject.
Our City leaders refuse to discuss the suggestion we put any "adult entertainment zone" next to the St. Augustine Police HQ, in the Sebastian Inland Harbor. Wonder why? Perhaps they don't have permission from the owners, herders and controllers. Conventioneers like strippers. But putting the adult entertainment zone where people won't see it makes too much sense. That might offend real estate speculators who have breached their contract and not started building a single building after years of promises. Speculator lawyer GEORGE McCLURE had a "public hearing" on August 13 in which not a single witness was sworn by incurious Mayor JOSEPH LEROY BOLES, JR.
Regarding the St. Augustine adult entertainment zones, caustic Commissioner ERROL JONES actually said we should "spread the misery," by having multiple adult entertainment districts in St. Augustine.
Mayor and Commissioner JOSEPH LEROY BOLES actually said he did not want to be "paralyzed by compassion," calling for a "Final Solution" to the hopelessness problem. Boles ran for Mayor with all the thought of a UF fratboy reaching for a beer, saying the job of Mayor was "ceremonial." He's violating free speech rights every way he can. BOLES brags in newspaper ads aimed at senior citizens, flogging his senior citizen law [ractice, that he's Mayor of St. Augustine (and Chair of the Council on Aging).
Commissioner SUSAN BURK misses many meetings and was kissed at the June 11, 2007 meeting by accused fraudfeasor ROBERT MICHAEL GRAUBARD, her ex-boyfriend.
Commissioner DONALD CRICHLOW is an architect who practices before City boards, something our state ethics commission did nothing about.
Commissioner and ex-Mayor GEORGE R. GARDNER sometimes votes honorably, but failed to recuse himself in May 2005 when his wife SALLY's employer was alleged to have been offered a bottle of liquor to testify at a public hearing in favor of a rezoning.
Color them colorless. Label them limited. Is this the best we can do in St. Augustine as we look forward to our 450th birthday (and 500th anniversary of European conquest)?
At times, all five of these Commissioners don't have the sense to come in out of the rain unless a tree-killing speculator tells them to do so. They have no more idea than a hog about how to save money and supervise City Manager WILLIAM B. HARRISS, who has never received a performance appraisal in 9.5 years.
Asked about putting the entire contents of the old city dump in the Old City Reservoir 18 months ago, there's not been a credible answer from any of them. There was a coverup by criminal investigators with Florida's Department of Environmental Protection (which should really be called "Don't Expect Protection," according to local activist David Thurdershield Queen). The coverup is unravelling. Cost of our City's illegal dumping: estimated over $1.2 million. FDEP's Inspector General is investigating FDEP's coverup of the pollution investigation.
Meanwhile, there's a City of St. Augustine budget workshop on Thursday, August 23 at either 8 or 9 AM at the City's overpriced Financial Services Building, a former fire station whose retrofitting cost from $600,000 to $1.2 million. That's a lot of money for a mailslot, when City Hall already had one.
It's time for them all to go. They could move elsewhere in Florida and "spread the misery," in the memorable but ill-advised words of Commissioner ERROL JONES. What do you reckon?
St. Augustine City Commissioners DONALD CRICHLOW, ERROL JONES, GEORGE GARDNER (then-Mayor), SUSAN BURK and JOSEPH LEROY BOLES, JR. (now Mayor), who will meet at 5 PM on Monday August 27, 2007 at the Lightner Museum and City Hall, 75 King Street, to discuss the proposed adult entertainment zones for the City of St. Augustine, site of the first Catholic Mass in North America on September 8, 1565. See below.
We see right through them. Asked about illegal dumping, coverup and firing HARRISS at the August 13, 2007 City Commission meeting, the best Commissioners could manage during Commissioner comments was "hi, mom" and other greetings to kinfolk. We're not impressed.
Our City Commissioners have no backbone. Our City Commissioners have backward-bending labor supply curves. Their lazy, don't do their homework, and constantly vote favors for reckless, feckless thugs. Other than that, they're great folks.
The Commissioners' costume tomfoolery is like a piece of dental floss that might be worn by one of the strippers in one of the clubs that might open up under their ordinance 2007-11. It's not enough to cover the subject.
Our City leaders refuse to discuss the suggestion we put any "adult entertainment zone" next to the St. Augustine Police HQ, in the Sebastian Inland Harbor. Wonder why? Perhaps they don't have permission from the owners, herders and controllers. Conventioneers like strippers. But putting the adult entertainment zone where people won't see it makes too much sense. That might offend real estate speculators who have breached their contract and not started building a single building after years of promises. Speculator lawyer GEORGE McCLURE had a "public hearing" on August 13 in which not a single witness was sworn by incurious Mayor JOSEPH LEROY BOLES, JR.
Regarding the St. Augustine adult entertainment zones, caustic Commissioner ERROL JONES actually said we should "spread the misery," by having multiple adult entertainment districts in St. Augustine.
Mayor and Commissioner JOSEPH LEROY BOLES actually said he did not want to be "paralyzed by compassion," calling for a "Final Solution" to the hopelessness problem. Boles ran for Mayor with all the thought of a UF fratboy reaching for a beer, saying the job of Mayor was "ceremonial." He's violating free speech rights every way he can. BOLES brags in newspaper ads aimed at senior citizens, flogging his senior citizen law [ractice, that he's Mayor of St. Augustine (and Chair of the Council on Aging).
Commissioner SUSAN BURK misses many meetings and was kissed at the June 11, 2007 meeting by accused fraudfeasor ROBERT MICHAEL GRAUBARD, her ex-boyfriend.
Commissioner DONALD CRICHLOW is an architect who practices before City boards, something our state ethics commission did nothing about.
Commissioner and ex-Mayor GEORGE R. GARDNER sometimes votes honorably, but failed to recuse himself in May 2005 when his wife SALLY's employer was alleged to have been offered a bottle of liquor to testify at a public hearing in favor of a rezoning.
Color them colorless. Label them limited. Is this the best we can do in St. Augustine as we look forward to our 450th birthday (and 500th anniversary of European conquest)?
At times, all five of these Commissioners don't have the sense to come in out of the rain unless a tree-killing speculator tells them to do so. They have no more idea than a hog about how to save money and supervise City Manager WILLIAM B. HARRISS, who has never received a performance appraisal in 9.5 years.
Asked about putting the entire contents of the old city dump in the Old City Reservoir 18 months ago, there's not been a credible answer from any of them. There was a coverup by criminal investigators with Florida's Department of Environmental Protection (which should really be called "Don't Expect Protection," according to local activist David Thurdershield Queen). The coverup is unravelling. Cost of our City's illegal dumping: estimated over $1.2 million. FDEP's Inspector General is investigating FDEP's coverup of the pollution investigation.
Meanwhile, there's a City of St. Augustine budget workshop on Thursday, August 23 at either 8 or 9 AM at the City's overpriced Financial Services Building, a former fire station whose retrofitting cost from $600,000 to $1.2 million. That's a lot of money for a mailslot, when City Hall already had one.
It's time for them all to go. They could move elsewhere in Florida and "spread the misery," in the memorable but ill-advised words of Commissioner ERROL JONES. What do you reckon?
St. Augustine City Commissioners DONALD CRICHLOW, ERROL JONES, GEORGE GARDNER (then-Mayor), SUSAN BURK and JOSEPH LEROY BOLES, JR. (now Mayor), who will meet at 5 PM on Monday August 27, 2007 at the Lightner Museum and City Hall, 75 King Street, to discuss the proposed adult entertainment zones for the City of St. Augustine, site of the first Catholic Mass in North America on September 8, 1565. See below.
HARRISSVILLE: Our St. Augustine, Florida City Commissioners Refuse to Discuss Locating "Adult" Entertainment Zone Next to Police HQ:"Spreading Misery"
St. Augustine City Commissioners, led by the nose by tatterdemalion City Manager for Life WILLIAM B. HARRISS, refuse to discuss the obvious solution: if there has to be an adult entertainment zone designated, put it next to the St. Augustine Police Station, in the Sebastian Inner Harbor project, where there's some 10,000 square feet of retail spaces planned. Why won't they discuss alternatives? Why do they insist on doing the wrong thing all the time? Let's have a list of the beneficial owners of: (a) the Sebastian Inner Harbor project; and (b) the many spots HARRISS would designate for St. Augustine's Red Light District. Enough flummery, secrecy and tomfoolery. See below.
Letter: Sebastian development flawed
Letter: Sebastian development flawed
Peter Romano
St. Augustine
Publication Date: 08/19/07
Editor: Was it only St. Augustine City Commissioner Susan Burk who saw the "elephant in the room"?
Staff Writer Kati Bexley's report on Monday's City Commission meeting, "San Sebastian tower gets OK" in Tuesday's Record failed to spot the "elephant in the room." San Sebastian Harbor Development's amendment request for ordinance No. 2007-14 was the subject of the story.
After George McClure's song and dance (since he was not sworn in) at the public hearing of the revised project, The Devlin Group proposed an amendment to: double the number of hotel rooms, halve the residences (What happens to those property taxes that were expected to be collected?), restrict public access, and increase retail square footage. There was no mention in the story of the request for the "twin towers", (there are two that they would like), which is trite, compared to the obvious "elephant" that is, "we don't have a Westin-like hotel." (This is contrary to the misinformation about the Westin in Commissioner George Gardner's newsletter).
The amended Planned Unit Development was a result of the sale of the project -- initially granted by the city to San Sebastian Partners of Ponte Vedra, et al., who couldn't carry it off -- to the Devlin Group two years ago. No one seemed to notice or report on it at the time.
So far the Devlin Group has: had a sea wall give way, their building contractor go bankrupt, not presented documentation of any "intent by Westin", and made no mention of who the builder will be. Westin is only a licensor not a builder.
Devlin "show me the money." Commissioners, do your "due diligence."
Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/081907/opinions_477858a.shtml
© The St. Augustine Record
Peter Romano
St. Augustine
Publication Date: 08/19/07
Editor: Was it only St. Augustine City Commissioner Susan Burk who saw the "elephant in the room"?
Staff Writer Kati Bexley's report on Monday's City Commission meeting, "San Sebastian tower gets OK" in Tuesday's Record failed to spot the "elephant in the room." San Sebastian Harbor Development's amendment request for ordinance No. 2007-14 was the subject of the story.
After George McClure's song and dance (since he was not sworn in) at the public hearing of the revised project, The Devlin Group proposed an amendment to: double the number of hotel rooms, halve the residences (What happens to those property taxes that were expected to be collected?), restrict public access, and increase retail square footage. There was no mention in the story of the request for the "twin towers", (there are two that they would like), which is trite, compared to the obvious "elephant" that is, "we don't have a Westin-like hotel." (This is contrary to the misinformation about the Westin in Commissioner George Gardner's newsletter).
The amended Planned Unit Development was a result of the sale of the project -- initially granted by the city to San Sebastian Partners of Ponte Vedra, et al., who couldn't carry it off -- to the Devlin Group two years ago. No one seemed to notice or report on it at the time.
So far the Devlin Group has: had a sea wall give way, their building contractor go bankrupt, not presented documentation of any "intent by Westin", and made no mention of who the builder will be. Westin is only a licensor not a builder.
Devlin "show me the money." Commissioners, do your "due diligence."
Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/081907/opinions_477858a.shtml
© The St. Augustine Record
Adult business zones revealed
Adult business zones revealed
Commissioner Crichlow: "I think people will see this and say, 'Wait a minute. This isn't right.'"
KATI BEXLEY
kati.bexley@staugustine.com
Publication Date: 08/20/07
One St. Augustine City Commissioner believes a map showing where a proposed ordinance would allow adult entertainment businesses to locate in dozens of places in the city could ignite the public.
"I think people will see this and say, 'Wait a minute. This isn't right,'" said City Commissioner Don Crichlow.
The commission recently passed an ordinance on first reading that would allow adult entertainment businesses to open on numerous sites off State Road 312, Ponce de Leon Boulevard and West King Street.
Without restrictions, an adult entertainment business can locate anywhere in the city that is commercially zoned. The City Commission started to discuss this issue several months ago as a pre-emptive strike to limit where adult entertainment businesses can go.
The commission originally proposed a measure that restricted adult entertainment to four parcels of land off Ponce de Leon Boulevard north of State Road 16.
But roughly 70 people, many of whom live near there, attended three meetings to speak against the ordinance.
Their arguments worked.
The commission changed the ordinance to permit adult entertainment zones throughout the city, with restrictions barring them from being near schools, churches, bars and parks. Crichlow was the only dissenting vote.
Ironically, the expanded zones would make more space available on Ponce de Leon Boulevard north of S.R. 16 for adult entertainment venues.
Crichlow said the commission was wrong to expand the zones to throughout the city.
"I think it was a political response to an outcry from a group of people," he said. "I can't deny that it could affect property value, businesses and residents. Those concerns are real for those people."
"So what do you do to solve that problem? Create 10 more zones just like it. To me that makes no sense."
Commissioner Errol Jones, who did not return a call for this article, has said the city should "spread the misery" and add more adult entertainment sites out of fairness because no one wants it "in their backyard."
Other residents have told the commission they moved here from Philadelphia and Detroit because of adult entertainment zones. They said clustering the businesses creates gangs, violence, prostitution and drug sales.
Many St. Augustine residents and businesses were unaware of the new proposed ordinance and did not want to comment on Sunday. This included the Allegro, an 110-unit assisted living facility with the average age of 83, off S.R. 312 on Anastasia Island.
The measure marks a large vacant strip of land in front of the Allegro as a place adult entertainment could locate.
It's because of properties such as this that Crichlow said the commission should "bite the bullet" and think of the city as a whole. He wants to contain the businesses to the original proposed area.
"Sometimes you have to say, 'Folks, I'm sorry. You chose the short straw,'" he said.
The city has not had any applications from adult businesses, and Mark Knight, city planning and building director, doesn't expect there will be any soon.
"It's a half hour ride to Jacksonville or an hour to Daytona where (adult entertainment) is totally unregulated," Knight said. "Why would you come to St. Augustine when we now have all sorts of restrictions on it?"
Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/082007/news_4785291.shtml
© The St. Augustine Record
Commissioner Crichlow: "I think people will see this and say, 'Wait a minute. This isn't right.'"
KATI BEXLEY
kati.bexley@staugustine.com
Publication Date: 08/20/07
One St. Augustine City Commissioner believes a map showing where a proposed ordinance would allow adult entertainment businesses to locate in dozens of places in the city could ignite the public.
"I think people will see this and say, 'Wait a minute. This isn't right,'" said City Commissioner Don Crichlow.
The commission recently passed an ordinance on first reading that would allow adult entertainment businesses to open on numerous sites off State Road 312, Ponce de Leon Boulevard and West King Street.
Without restrictions, an adult entertainment business can locate anywhere in the city that is commercially zoned. The City Commission started to discuss this issue several months ago as a pre-emptive strike to limit where adult entertainment businesses can go.
The commission originally proposed a measure that restricted adult entertainment to four parcels of land off Ponce de Leon Boulevard north of State Road 16.
But roughly 70 people, many of whom live near there, attended three meetings to speak against the ordinance.
Their arguments worked.
The commission changed the ordinance to permit adult entertainment zones throughout the city, with restrictions barring them from being near schools, churches, bars and parks. Crichlow was the only dissenting vote.
Ironically, the expanded zones would make more space available on Ponce de Leon Boulevard north of S.R. 16 for adult entertainment venues.
Crichlow said the commission was wrong to expand the zones to throughout the city.
"I think it was a political response to an outcry from a group of people," he said. "I can't deny that it could affect property value, businesses and residents. Those concerns are real for those people."
"So what do you do to solve that problem? Create 10 more zones just like it. To me that makes no sense."
Commissioner Errol Jones, who did not return a call for this article, has said the city should "spread the misery" and add more adult entertainment sites out of fairness because no one wants it "in their backyard."
Other residents have told the commission they moved here from Philadelphia and Detroit because of adult entertainment zones. They said clustering the businesses creates gangs, violence, prostitution and drug sales.
Many St. Augustine residents and businesses were unaware of the new proposed ordinance and did not want to comment on Sunday. This included the Allegro, an 110-unit assisted living facility with the average age of 83, off S.R. 312 on Anastasia Island.
The measure marks a large vacant strip of land in front of the Allegro as a place adult entertainment could locate.
It's because of properties such as this that Crichlow said the commission should "bite the bullet" and think of the city as a whole. He wants to contain the businesses to the original proposed area.
"Sometimes you have to say, 'Folks, I'm sorry. You chose the short straw,'" he said.
The city has not had any applications from adult businesses, and Mark Knight, city planning and building director, doesn't expect there will be any soon.
"It's a half hour ride to Jacksonville or an hour to Daytona where (adult entertainment) is totally unregulated," Knight said. "Why would you come to St. Augustine when we now have all sorts of restrictions on it?"
Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/082007/news_4785291.shtml
© The St. Augustine Record
Thursday, August 16, 2007
HARRISVILLE: SNOOKERED ON ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA SITE FOR STRIPPERS AND SEX BUSINESSES? -- THE SHAME OF OUR CITY
SNOOKERED ON ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA SITE FOR STRIPPERS AND SEX BUSINESSES? -- THE SHAME OF OUR CITY
That's what St. Augustine Commissioners did to local residents concerned about adult entertainment Monday night. The St. Augustine Record reporter and editorial writer were snookered too.
Yes, Mayor JOSEPH LEROY, BOLES, JR., the solution ready is "simple" and you refused to discuss it for a second. the City's ordinance 2007-14 needs to be amended to: allow First Amendment protected putative "adult" entertainment in at least four retail parcels adjacent to the St. Augustine Police Headquarters, e.g., in the SEBASTIAN INLAND HARBOR PROJECT, a failing $70 million public-private partnership built on a former Superfund site. Conventioneers like strippers.
Local residents agreed they don they don't want strip joints and other adult entertainment adjacent to their homes, or on entrance corridors, and that they want any such places where they can't be seen. Solution: locate the strip joint zone in one of the several retail places in SEBASTIAN INLAND HARBOR. That will prevent St. Augustine from become HARRISSVILLE (or POTTERSVILLE), see below.
City Commission Vice Chair DONALD CRICHLOW rightly voted against the sexpot proliferation ordinance. The City's contract attorney is researching the idea of creating the adult entertainment zone behind the SAPD HQ. Any other ordinance will cheapen our town.
Locating the stripper zone south of SAPD HQ will have a deterrent effect on crime. Yet City Commissioners and the St. Augustine Record ignore this idea, which residents applauded when it was suggested it Monday night.. Why are alternatives to City Manager WILLIAM B. HARRISS & Co. never discussed and always censored from public debate?
Could it be that speculator lawyer GEORGE MCCLURE is against it? He always gets his way and Monday night he said he had not done any "scientific research" but was unaware of any WESTIN HOTEL with adult entertainment. The entire SEBASTIAN INLAND HARBOR project is in disarray, with the bulkhead collapsing last year and the contractor being fired and the original developer unable to keep its promises. Instead of asking tough questions, Commissioners were rubberstamps, once again. They can rectify the situation on August 27
No contract with WESTIN exists. There is only a "Letter of Intent," not shared with residents.
Who are the investors in the SEBASTIAN INLAND HARBOR PROJECT? Let's have a list of every single one of them, so that we can evaluate conflicts of interest. GEORGE MCCLURE said the "upscale" WESTIN will attract "high quality visitors," an elitist bit of snootery attacking the millions of tourists who visit St. Augustine annually. Not one Commissioner ever stands up to MCCLURE, who presented no sworn testimony but got his way anyway on Monday. Such slickery should not be tolerated by the City of St. Augustine.
As a way of solving the putative problem on which over $13,000 in legal fees has been spetn, SEBASTIAN INLAND HARBOR can be the location of the adult entertainment zone in ordinance 2007-14, satisfying St. Augustine residents's concenrs.
Yet Commissioners won't even discuss the idea on Monday. Wonder why?
As I heard Texas Agriculture Commissioner Jim Hightower say at a Nashville food conference in 1978, "they're stealing the alternatives, folks." We're not supposed to discuss what the owners, controllers and herders don't want us to discuss -- we're deprived of the information we deserve in a democracy. As Lincoln Steffens would say, is this the shame of our City?
Why? What do you reckon? Are real estate speculators so influential in our Natoin's Oldes City that their precious inchoate plans for Sebastian Inland Harbor trump public regulation of public health and morals? We need objective policy evaluation to draft legislation -- not lockstep logrolling by incurious Commissioners who sell their souls to anti-democratic energumen, like St. Augustine CITY MANAGER WILLIAM B. HARRISS..
In the words of Hale & Doar lawyer Joseph Welch to Senator Joseph R. McCarthy at the Army- McCarthy hearings in 1954, "at long last, have [they] no sense of decency?"
As County Commission Chair Ben Rich said, even carpetbaggers would be ashamed about what real estate speculators have done to our community. "They've done everything" to our St. Augustine City government "except refine it," as was said about the Pennsylvania legislature under the Standard Oil Trust (whose felonious cartel co-founder Henry Flagler built hotels here and is the namesake of Flagler College here, with a statute looking across the street to City Hall).
For his incompetence, including the illegal dumping and adult entertainment zone fiasco, City Manager WILLIAM B. HARRISS must resign or be fired. It's time for him to go. This is St. Augustine, Florida, our Nation's Oldest (European-founded) City, site of the first Catholic Mass in North America on September 8, 1565.
St. Augustine must not be turned into Frank Capra's "Pottersville" at the behest of the likes of St. Augustine City Manager WILLIAM. B.HARRISS.
Editorial: City Commission makes the best of a bad situation
Editorial: City Commission makes the best of a bad situation
Publication Date: 08/15/07
When the city of St. Augustine decided this summer to regulate future adult entertainment businesses in the city, the City Commission thought a "concentrated zone" was best.
The city wanted to set up the zone to keep the businesses out of other areas within the city limits. The city selected a three-block area already commercial on the west side of Ponce de Leon Boulevard (U.S. 1), north of State Road 16.
The Record supported the proposal. We agreed with the city that it needed to regulate those businesses in one area away from the city's downtown business district.
The public did not support the plan because they did not want these businesses near schools, churches, parks, or residences and they did not want breeding; one business spawning another next to it.
Their persistence paid off. The City Commission amended the proposed ordinance by eliminating the zone and putting the businesses in the city's "most dense" commercial zoning. It spreads them throughout the city limits with certain restrictions.
The proposed ordinance now says a business must be 500 feet from places that sell alcohol to be consumed on premises, 300 feet from businesses that sell alcohol only, such as liquor stores, and 300 feet from churches, schools and parks. Commissioner Susan Burk picked up on the "breeding" concept and said the revised ordinance should prohibit adult entertainment businesses from locating within 750 feet of each other. The commission agreed.
A concern that was raised -- keeping adult businesses away from residential areas -- is not in the proposed ordinance. Adult businesses could locate near a residential area if all other conditions were met. Likely these commercial businesses -- like any others -- want to be seen along major thoroughfares where a commercial district already is assembled.
The City Commission's final decision will be made on Aug. 27 following a final public hearing.
As we said in June, the city gets high marks for being proactive. It is not creating a rule because an "adult" business is headed our way. It's important to have an adult entertainment ordinance on the books because it says to these businesses, "We'll decide where you go."
The City Commission is making the best of a bad situation. There's just no best place for this kind of business to go.
Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/081507/opinions_4775422.shtml
© The St. Augustine Record
Publication Date: 08/15/07
When the city of St. Augustine decided this summer to regulate future adult entertainment businesses in the city, the City Commission thought a "concentrated zone" was best.
The city wanted to set up the zone to keep the businesses out of other areas within the city limits. The city selected a three-block area already commercial on the west side of Ponce de Leon Boulevard (U.S. 1), north of State Road 16.
The Record supported the proposal. We agreed with the city that it needed to regulate those businesses in one area away from the city's downtown business district.
The public did not support the plan because they did not want these businesses near schools, churches, parks, or residences and they did not want breeding; one business spawning another next to it.
Their persistence paid off. The City Commission amended the proposed ordinance by eliminating the zone and putting the businesses in the city's "most dense" commercial zoning. It spreads them throughout the city limits with certain restrictions.
The proposed ordinance now says a business must be 500 feet from places that sell alcohol to be consumed on premises, 300 feet from businesses that sell alcohol only, such as liquor stores, and 300 feet from churches, schools and parks. Commissioner Susan Burk picked up on the "breeding" concept and said the revised ordinance should prohibit adult entertainment businesses from locating within 750 feet of each other. The commission agreed.
A concern that was raised -- keeping adult businesses away from residential areas -- is not in the proposed ordinance. Adult businesses could locate near a residential area if all other conditions were met. Likely these commercial businesses -- like any others -- want to be seen along major thoroughfares where a commercial district already is assembled.
The City Commission's final decision will be made on Aug. 27 following a final public hearing.
As we said in June, the city gets high marks for being proactive. It is not creating a rule because an "adult" business is headed our way. It's important to have an adult entertainment ordinance on the books because it says to these businesses, "We'll decide where you go."
The City Commission is making the best of a bad situation. There's just no best place for this kind of business to go.
Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/081507/opinions_4775422.shtml
© The St. Augustine Record
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
DWAK QUACKS QUIT -- AUDRIE M. HARRIS, CAROLYN ANSAY AND DORAN, WOLFE, ANSAY & KUNDID (DWAK) QUIT AS ANASTASIA MOSQUITO CONTROL DISTRICT LAWYERS
Attorney AUDRIE M. HARRIS (above in July 10, 2007 Sunshine violation), CAROLYN ANSAY and the law firm of DORAN, WOLFE, ANSAY & KUNDID (DWAK) quit today as lawyers for the Anastasia Mosquito Control District of St. Johns County (AMCD).
AMCD videotaped and broadcast on cable tv (its first-ever cable TV broadcast) attorney HARRIS in an apparent in a Sunshine violation with Commissioner LINDA WAMPLER and CHAIR BARBARA BOSANKO on July 10, 2007. A special meeting of AMCD will be held at AMCD, 500 Old Beach Blvd., St. Augustine Beach on August 30, 2007 at 4 PM. ANSAY's resignation is effective ten days later.
Like predecessor GEOFFREY DOBSON, ANSAY refused to answer questions from the public and from Commissioners John Sundeman and Jeanne Moeller aboutthe purchase of the $1.8 million helicopter and $1.25 million piece of land without compettive bidding.
I reckon the St. Augustine Record deserves another journalism prize for its coverage and layout on the AMCD Sunshine violations. Congratulations to St. Augustine Record reporter Peter Guinta and editor Peter Ellis!
The Record and reporter Kati Ellis won a journalism prize for their 2005 article on all five St. Augustine City Commissioners' trip to NYC ($8100 for five days, including spouses) -- a trip city officials claimed was not a junket because they were conducting "business" (meeting with Stnandard and Poors' and three bonding companies, which "business" could have been done by fax. No St. Augustine City officials have yet been prosecuted for Sunshine violations for three days conducting business in NYC without advance notice to the press and the public. We anticipate that State's Attorney John Tanner will review the file, even as he reviews the AMCD's Sunshine violations and considers a Grand Jury subpoena.
Regarding AMCD's violation, still under investigation, see photo below and the blog entry (below) "Hick Tricks in Six Pics on Page One in St. Augustine Record."
How much will St. Augustine's cleanup of the illegal dumping of the 30,000,000 pound contents of our Old City Reservoir REALLY cost? When will an hon
How much will St. Augustine's cleanup of the illegal dumping of the 30,000,000 pound contents of our Old City Reservoir REALLY cost? When will an honest criminal investigation find fault?
Over $1.2 million? Our City and FDEP have still not reached a consent decree. FDEP's Inspector General is investigating the incompetent, ineffectual, incurious FDEP criminal "investigation" coverup, in which Mayor GEORGE GARDNER, Commissioners, City Manager WILLIAM B. HARRISS and the City Attorney were never interviewed.
St. Augustine City Manager WILLIAM B. HARRIS & Commissioners need to be hailed before a Grand Jury and asked what possesed them to dump the contents of the old city dump into the Old City Reservoir. A Grand Jury needs to consider indicting them -- every single one of them. See below.
Over $1.2 million? Our City and FDEP have still not reached a consent decree. FDEP's Inspector General is investigating the incompetent, ineffectual, incurious FDEP criminal "investigation" coverup, in which Mayor GEORGE GARDNER, Commissioners, City Manager WILLIAM B. HARRISS and the City Attorney were never interviewed.
St. Augustine City Manager WILLIAM B. HARRIS & Commissioners need to be hailed before a Grand Jury and asked what possesed them to dump the contents of the old city dump into the Old City Reservoir. A Grand Jury needs to consider indicting them -- every single one of them. See below.
How much did St. Augustine's Controversial White Elephant Parking Garage andl Financial Services Building REALLY Cost?
How much did St. Augustine's controversial Financial Services Building REALLY Cost?
Will citizens and bondholders, ever know?
The cost is at least $600,000, but likely exceeds $1 million. See Peter Romano letter below regarding the opportunity cost of the missed opportunity of using the space for other purposes.
How much did St. Augustine's controversial White Elephant Parking Garage cost?
Over $22 million.
It's largely unused, a massive ill-conceived edifice, unadorned by security cameras.
It's our money.
It's wasted.
St. Augustine City Manager WILLIAM B. HARRISS should resign or be fired.
Will citizens and bondholders, ever know?
The cost is at least $600,000, but likely exceeds $1 million. See Peter Romano letter below regarding the opportunity cost of the missed opportunity of using the space for other purposes.
How much did St. Augustine's controversial White Elephant Parking Garage cost?
Over $22 million.
It's largely unused, a massive ill-conceived edifice, unadorned by security cameras.
It's our money.
It's wasted.
St. Augustine City Manager WILLIAM B. HARRISS should resign or be fired.
Plans to convert old downtown fire station move ahead
By PETER GUINTA
Senior Writer
Publication Date: 03/23/04
The St. Augustine City Commission voted 3-2 Monday to go ahead with plans to the old fire station to a drive-through customer service center.
Commissioner Errol Jones moved to delay the $228,000 project's first phase, but only got support from Commissioner Bill Lennon.
John Regan, city chief of operations, told the commission that the Parking and Traffic Committee had voted 6-4 to recommend razing the building and creating 30 more spaces for the lot behind the Lightner Museum and City Hall.
Placing a customer service center there with a drive-through option could increase the rate of turnover of customers paying water bills or traffic tickets, Regan said.
Those customers would not have to park and find the right offices in City Hall, he said.
"This lessens demand for parking and even adds six spaces," Regan said.
But residents both north and south of the Plaza de la Constitucion spoke against the project, saying it makes no sense not to use parking south of the Plaza.
Richard Pinto, president of the Historic Area Council,u2002said the city has seen increased growth and less parking.
"I certainly don't see how 30 extra spaces are a bad bet," Pinto said.
Sandy Krebs said this issue was apparently not personal enough to the commissioners, because they didn't have to find parking there.
"What would possess you all to make a decision like this?" Krebs said. "It's a ridiculous and costly mistake."
Elizabeth Holiday, 11 Aviles St., said the final project cost is $371,000.
While other cities downsize, St. Augustine is in the midst of a "spending frenzy," she said.
"The best use of that property is parking, plain and simple. The last thing we need is more cars on our streets. We have 10,000 square feet of unused space in City Hall. What we don't have is parking," Holiday said.
No members of the public spoke in support of the project.
Burk said that once tourists parked in the completed Visitor Information Center garage, spaces in the Lightner lot would become available.
"Just because we don't agree with you doesn't mean we don't listen," Burk said. "I've heard nothing this evening that changes my mind."
Gardner said he wasn't happy with the cost.
"More important than the decision being made is the process in which it is made," he said. "The traffic this building will bring is already there. It will just be there for a shorter time."
Crichlow said the customer service center would "benefit the vast majority of St. Augustine residents, not just those south of King Street. It is a very good use for that building."
Jones said he initially supported tearing down the building, but then saw the service center as a reasonable option.
"Now, I'm hearing concern," he said. "I think the best decision is no decision, which would give us the opportunity to listen and address other alternatives."
City Manager Bill Harriss said the cost to renovate City Hall is $300,000 to $400,000 for 4,000 square feet.
"This is a historic building," he said. "But, if you choose not to do this, it'll work out fine."
After the vote, John Marples, a member of the Parking Committee, said a lot of people want the building saved.
"There is a small but vocal group who want to tear it down. It's a miniature Lightner garage issue all over again," he said.
Dennis Mooney, president of the Old City South Neighborhood Association, said that when the Lightner garage issue died two years ago, people were relieved.
"I told them I didn't think it was dead," Mooney said. "This is the effort of a small special interest group to breathe life into the Lightner garage. They have to deal with this with a wooden stake and a crucifix. Or it will be back."
n In other action, the commission passed a resolution, adopted a community plan, held a public hearing, then held a quick workshop -- all to meet the requirements for a grant application going to the Florida Department of Community Affairs.
The $750,000 grant would help pay for part of the South Avenida Menendez Seawall Project.
About 1,100 feet of the historic granite seawall, built in the 1840s, runs from the City Marina to the Florida National Guard property and needs replacement.
About $400,000 would relocate utilities underground, $290,000 would pay for sidewalks and pedestrian malls, and $60,000 for administration.
Harriss said, "There's no money for the seawall. Yet we had to have a design to get the money. This is one of those stops. The block grant segment allows use of the money for landscaping and general aesthetic improvements."
© The St. Augustine Record
Senior Writer
Publication Date: 03/23/04
The St. Augustine City Commission voted 3-2 Monday to go ahead with plans to the old fire station to a drive-through customer service center.
Commissioner Errol Jones moved to delay the $228,000 project's first phase, but only got support from Commissioner Bill Lennon.
John Regan, city chief of operations, told the commission that the Parking and Traffic Committee had voted 6-4 to recommend razing the building and creating 30 more spaces for the lot behind the Lightner Museum and City Hall.
Placing a customer service center there with a drive-through option could increase the rate of turnover of customers paying water bills or traffic tickets, Regan said.
Those customers would not have to park and find the right offices in City Hall, he said.
"This lessens demand for parking and even adds six spaces," Regan said.
But residents both north and south of the Plaza de la Constitucion spoke against the project, saying it makes no sense not to use parking south of the Plaza.
Richard Pinto, president of the Historic Area Council,u2002said the city has seen increased growth and less parking.
"I certainly don't see how 30 extra spaces are a bad bet," Pinto said.
Sandy Krebs said this issue was apparently not personal enough to the commissioners, because they didn't have to find parking there.
"What would possess you all to make a decision like this?" Krebs said. "It's a ridiculous and costly mistake."
Elizabeth Holiday, 11 Aviles St., said the final project cost is $371,000.
While other cities downsize, St. Augustine is in the midst of a "spending frenzy," she said.
"The best use of that property is parking, plain and simple. The last thing we need is more cars on our streets. We have 10,000 square feet of unused space in City Hall. What we don't have is parking," Holiday said.
No members of the public spoke in support of the project.
Burk said that once tourists parked in the completed Visitor Information Center garage, spaces in the Lightner lot would become available.
"Just because we don't agree with you doesn't mean we don't listen," Burk said. "I've heard nothing this evening that changes my mind."
Gardner said he wasn't happy with the cost.
"More important than the decision being made is the process in which it is made," he said. "The traffic this building will bring is already there. It will just be there for a shorter time."
Crichlow said the customer service center would "benefit the vast majority of St. Augustine residents, not just those south of King Street. It is a very good use for that building."
Jones said he initially supported tearing down the building, but then saw the service center as a reasonable option.
"Now, I'm hearing concern," he said. "I think the best decision is no decision, which would give us the opportunity to listen and address other alternatives."
City Manager Bill Harriss said the cost to renovate City Hall is $300,000 to $400,000 for 4,000 square feet.
"This is a historic building," he said. "But, if you choose not to do this, it'll work out fine."
After the vote, John Marples, a member of the Parking Committee, said a lot of people want the building saved.
"There is a small but vocal group who want to tear it down. It's a miniature Lightner garage issue all over again," he said.
Dennis Mooney, president of the Old City South Neighborhood Association, said that when the Lightner garage issue died two years ago, people were relieved.
"I told them I didn't think it was dead," Mooney said. "This is the effort of a small special interest group to breathe life into the Lightner garage. They have to deal with this with a wooden stake and a crucifix. Or it will be back."
n In other action, the commission passed a resolution, adopted a community plan, held a public hearing, then held a quick workshop -- all to meet the requirements for a grant application going to the Florida Department of Community Affairs.
The $750,000 grant would help pay for part of the South Avenida Menendez Seawall Project.
About 1,100 feet of the historic granite seawall, built in the 1840s, runs from the City Marina to the Florida National Guard property and needs replacement.
About $400,000 would relocate utilities underground, $290,000 would pay for sidewalks and pedestrian malls, and $60,000 for administration.
Harriss said, "There's no money for the seawall. Yet we had to have a design to get the money. This is one of those stops. The block grant segment allows use of the money for landscaping and general aesthetic improvements."
© The St. Augustine Record
Letter: Writer questions math on City Hall drive-through
Letter: Writer questions math on City Hall drive-through
Peter Romano
St. Augustine
Publication Date: 04/08/04
Editor: The City Commission's decision to convert the old fire station into a drive-through permitting desk contains, in its initial foundation, some fuzzy math.
The most obvious and blatantly stated "fuzz" was by the city controller at the March 8 commission meeting. He said his staff estimated that 2,000 citizens a month come to City Hall's customer service counter to pay bills and tickets or get permits. Nowhere were the "staff estimates" validated or quantified for accuracy. Commissioners overlooked this lack of reliable data and rushed to spend another "fuzzy" $300,000.
It would have been simple to devise a daily count that quantified the type of service, and whether the person drove, walked or pedaled to City Hall. A count over a normal working month (20 work days) would produce a good number. Instead, we have an "estimated" 2,000 citizens each month necessitating a drive-through facility?
Now let's look at the "fuzzy" cost.
Let's say you leveled the fire station. What is that downtown one-third block worth in today's commercial real estate market? $500,000? And let's say a developer turns that one-third block into an upscale retail, grocery and office building with public parking on the roof. (In harmony with the surrounding structures, of course.)
Let's say that it would have a built-out value of $5 million. Over 10 years, the property tax generated would be $330,000.
So let's do the math based on 10 years: $30,000 for renovation, plus $500,000 for giving up the commercial value, plus $330,000 in property tax, not collected. That totals $1.13 million, not including utilities and maintenance.
The city would have to charge each drive-through customer an additional $4.70 a visit to recoup what it's forgoing. That's about the price of a lunch at a burger joint. Would you like fries with that?
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© The St. Augustine Record
Peter Romano
St. Augustine
Publication Date: 04/08/04
Editor: The City Commission's decision to convert the old fire station into a drive-through permitting desk contains, in its initial foundation, some fuzzy math.
The most obvious and blatantly stated "fuzz" was by the city controller at the March 8 commission meeting. He said his staff estimated that 2,000 citizens a month come to City Hall's customer service counter to pay bills and tickets or get permits. Nowhere were the "staff estimates" validated or quantified for accuracy. Commissioners overlooked this lack of reliable data and rushed to spend another "fuzzy" $300,000.
It would have been simple to devise a daily count that quantified the type of service, and whether the person drove, walked or pedaled to City Hall. A count over a normal working month (20 work days) would produce a good number. Instead, we have an "estimated" 2,000 citizens each month necessitating a drive-through facility?
Now let's look at the "fuzzy" cost.
Let's say you leveled the fire station. What is that downtown one-third block worth in today's commercial real estate market? $500,000? And let's say a developer turns that one-third block into an upscale retail, grocery and office building with public parking on the roof. (In harmony with the surrounding structures, of course.)
Let's say that it would have a built-out value of $5 million. Over 10 years, the property tax generated would be $330,000.
So let's do the math based on 10 years: $30,000 for renovation, plus $500,000 for giving up the commercial value, plus $330,000 in property tax, not collected. That totals $1.13 million, not including utilities and maintenance.
The city would have to charge each drive-through customer an additional $4.70 a visit to recoup what it's forgoing. That's about the price of a lunch at a burger joint. Would you like fries with that?
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© The St. Augustine Record
City to renovate old fire station
City to renovate old fire station
By PETER GUINTA
Assignment Editor
Publication Date: 03/09/04
St. Augustine's former main fire station at 50 Bridge St. will soon become a drive-through utility customer service annex and offices, the City Commission decided Monday night.
The 4-1 vote saw Commissioner Bill Lennon dissenting.
City Comptroller Mark Litzinger presented the final floor plan to the commission, saying that the station's 6,000-square-foot first floor would cost about $228,000 to renovate.
"It would give us dramatic improvement in customer service and improve the parking situation, because at least 100 customers a day must park and walk up to the fourth floor to pay their bills," he said. "It will also have a training and meeting room."
Installing an elevator to the second floor and renovating that section kicks the total cost up to $371,000. The commission wanted to wait until the new budget year before looking at that part of the project.
In that new annex, residents would be able to pay utility bills and parking tickets and secure vendor permits and occupational licenses.
Moving those functions from City Hall would allow the purchasing and code enforcement departments to expand.
City Manager Bill Harriss said, "It's not a tremendous increase in space, but it will be helpful."
However, historic district and Lincolnville residents strongly opposed the project, saying it was too expensive and that 30 parking spaces could be gained in the Lightner lot if the building were razed.
Lennon said this commission had already eliminated the Lightner Garage and thrown away that $500,000.
"So now, in the same area, we'll spend another $300,000 and not get one additional parking space," Lennon said. "This board ran on a platform of listening to the people."
Peter Romano, president of the Lincolnville Neighborhood Association, said a drop-off box for utility bills already exists.
He called the project an "insult" to the residents.
"That fire station once protected the community. Now it's an architectural albatross," Romano said.
Dan Holiday, an Aviles Street businessman, said the commission reminded him of the federal government, always growing itself.
Commissioner Don Crichlow said that the building was sought by many nonprofit agencies in town and many of those ideas were viable.
"But now it appears that this excess space can better serve the community this way," he said. "It will make the parking situation better."
Burk said the city needed the space and the city already owned the building.
"It's a brilliant idea," she said of the proposed annex.
Mayor George Gardner said the plan "makes excellent sense at this time."
Commissioner Errol Jones said he realizes the need for additional parking, but the fourth floor customer service center is not "customer-friendly. You almost need a map to find that department," he said. "And many times people have questions about their bill. They can't ask a drop box questions. There's a need."
After the vote, Elizabeth Holiday, vice president of the Historic District Neighborhood Association, said this vote spells the end of the idea of a parking garage on the Lightner lot, one of the aims of the Aviles and King street merchants.
"The neighborhood association said, 'No, we need parking.' They took public input and they threw it out the window," she said.
In other action:
City commissioners voted unanimously to allow the sale of St. Augustine Sightseeing Trains to Ripley Entertainment of Orlando. The commission was required to make its decision to allow the sale of the franchise based on only two factors -- first, if the sale was "in the public interest," and second, if the buyer had enough resources to fulfill their financial obligations.
Vice Mayor Susan Burk said both factors were evident and moved to approve.
"It'll breathe a little bit of new life into the business," Burk said.
Scott Line, vice president of legal and business development for Ripley's, said all the current employees would be retained.
"Ripley's Entertainment's connection to St. Augustine dates back to the 1940s, when Robert Ripley visited the city. We opened here in 1950," he said. "We are very excited to continue that tradition."
The details of the sale were not public record, and Line declined to release information about the selling price.
His company bought St. Augustine Trains business and rolling stock, but not its real estate, which it will lease.
Commissioners agreed to explore the legalities of an ordinance allowing cafe tables on St. George Street.
Similar ordinances were brought to the commission in 1999 and 2000, but never passed.
Burk brought it up again during commissioner comments Monday night, but City Attorney Jim Wilson warned that allowing tables might threaten the legal viability of the city's ordinance prohibiting street performers there.
Crichlow said tables would be a nice asset to St. George Street, "But we'd be absolutely crazy to go near the street performer issue again."
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© The St. Augustine Record
By PETER GUINTA
Assignment Editor
Publication Date: 03/09/04
St. Augustine's former main fire station at 50 Bridge St. will soon become a drive-through utility customer service annex and offices, the City Commission decided Monday night.
The 4-1 vote saw Commissioner Bill Lennon dissenting.
City Comptroller Mark Litzinger presented the final floor plan to the commission, saying that the station's 6,000-square-foot first floor would cost about $228,000 to renovate.
"It would give us dramatic improvement in customer service and improve the parking situation, because at least 100 customers a day must park and walk up to the fourth floor to pay their bills," he said. "It will also have a training and meeting room."
Installing an elevator to the second floor and renovating that section kicks the total cost up to $371,000. The commission wanted to wait until the new budget year before looking at that part of the project.
In that new annex, residents would be able to pay utility bills and parking tickets and secure vendor permits and occupational licenses.
Moving those functions from City Hall would allow the purchasing and code enforcement departments to expand.
City Manager Bill Harriss said, "It's not a tremendous increase in space, but it will be helpful."
However, historic district and Lincolnville residents strongly opposed the project, saying it was too expensive and that 30 parking spaces could be gained in the Lightner lot if the building were razed.
Lennon said this commission had already eliminated the Lightner Garage and thrown away that $500,000.
"So now, in the same area, we'll spend another $300,000 and not get one additional parking space," Lennon said. "This board ran on a platform of listening to the people."
Peter Romano, president of the Lincolnville Neighborhood Association, said a drop-off box for utility bills already exists.
He called the project an "insult" to the residents.
"That fire station once protected the community. Now it's an architectural albatross," Romano said.
Dan Holiday, an Aviles Street businessman, said the commission reminded him of the federal government, always growing itself.
Commissioner Don Crichlow said that the building was sought by many nonprofit agencies in town and many of those ideas were viable.
"But now it appears that this excess space can better serve the community this way," he said. "It will make the parking situation better."
Burk said the city needed the space and the city already owned the building.
"It's a brilliant idea," she said of the proposed annex.
Mayor George Gardner said the plan "makes excellent sense at this time."
Commissioner Errol Jones said he realizes the need for additional parking, but the fourth floor customer service center is not "customer-friendly. You almost need a map to find that department," he said. "And many times people have questions about their bill. They can't ask a drop box questions. There's a need."
After the vote, Elizabeth Holiday, vice president of the Historic District Neighborhood Association, said this vote spells the end of the idea of a parking garage on the Lightner lot, one of the aims of the Aviles and King street merchants.
"The neighborhood association said, 'No, we need parking.' They took public input and they threw it out the window," she said.
In other action:
City commissioners voted unanimously to allow the sale of St. Augustine Sightseeing Trains to Ripley Entertainment of Orlando. The commission was required to make its decision to allow the sale of the franchise based on only two factors -- first, if the sale was "in the public interest," and second, if the buyer had enough resources to fulfill their financial obligations.
Vice Mayor Susan Burk said both factors were evident and moved to approve.
"It'll breathe a little bit of new life into the business," Burk said.
Scott Line, vice president of legal and business development for Ripley's, said all the current employees would be retained.
"Ripley's Entertainment's connection to St. Augustine dates back to the 1940s, when Robert Ripley visited the city. We opened here in 1950," he said. "We are very excited to continue that tradition."
The details of the sale were not public record, and Line declined to release information about the selling price.
His company bought St. Augustine Trains business and rolling stock, but not its real estate, which it will lease.
Commissioners agreed to explore the legalities of an ordinance allowing cafe tables on St. George Street.
Similar ordinances were brought to the commission in 1999 and 2000, but never passed.
Burk brought it up again during commissioner comments Monday night, but City Attorney Jim Wilson warned that allowing tables might threaten the legal viability of the city's ordinance prohibiting street performers there.
Crichlow said tables would be a nice asset to St. George Street, "But we'd be absolutely crazy to go near the street performer issue again."
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© The St. Augustine Record
POTTERSVILLE?
In the movie, "It's A Wonderful LIfe," a dystopia is shown -- a place where George Bailey is shown what life would have been like without him -- a dark place where nude dancing and prostitution flourish because mean 'ole man Potter, the banker, gets his way on anything. See below..
Adult venues not held to zone -- Restrictions placed on locations near churches, schools, parks and shops selling liquor
Adult venues not held to zone -- Restrictions placed on locations near churches, schools, parks and shops selling liquor
KATI BEXLEY
kati.bexley@staugustine.com
Publication Date: 08/14/07
Adult entertainment businesses will be able to set up shop in dozens of parcels in St. Augustine because of action the City Commission took Monday.The commission amended an ordinance Monday that took a proposal to contain adult entertainment to four parcels of land and changed it to sprinkle it throughout the city."We went from only four parcels of land to literally dozens of places adult entertainment could go," said City Commissioner Don Crichlow. "I cannot in good conscience vote for that. It makes no sense."Crichlow was the only commissioner to vote against amending the ordinance.The amended measure allows adult entertainment in the city's most dense commercial zoning areas with restrictions: it must be 500 feet away from places that sell alcohol and 300 feet from businesses that sell only alcohol, such as ABC Liquor, and it cannot be within 300 feet of churches, schools and parks.Commissioner Susan Burk also requested the ordinance include adult entertainment businesses cannot be within 750 feet of each other.But the measure doesn't restrict the businesses from moving next to residential areas, and they could locate to several properties on State Road 312, U.S. 1 and West King Street.The original proposed ordinance would have only allowed adult entertainment in a three-block area off Ponce de Leon Boulevard north of State Road 16, but large pockets of the public were against it.However, Mark Knight, city planning and building department director, said a bar in the original proposed site is for sale, and if it closes the regulations in the amended ordinance would allow an adult entertainment business to replace it.Despite that, City Hall was filled Monday with residents who applauded the commission, literally, for amending the ordinance.Lew Norris said he moved to St. Augustine from Atlanta, Ga., where he watched a contained area of adult entertainment businesses deteriorate his neighborhood and others that surrounded it."We had prostitutes and gangs come in," he said. "(If you put the businesses in one area) you're allowing drug pushers and people like that to concentrate their efforts, too."When Crichlow gave his comments against the amended ordinance, a resident yelled out, "Put it next to your house!"And although Crichlow was the lone vote to turn down the measure, Mayor Joe Boles also said, "I'm trying to figure out what I like about this.""I wanted to put it in one area, but the public said no. So, now we have to spread the misery."The amended measure will go before the commission on Aug. 27 for final approval.The commission has already passed two ordinances that dictate how adult entertainment can operate in the city.Previously, the city did not have regulations for these businesses, which meant that they could move into any commercial area, including those near schools.
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© The St. Augustine Record
KATI BEXLEY
kati.bexley@staugustine.com
Publication Date: 08/14/07
Adult entertainment businesses will be able to set up shop in dozens of parcels in St. Augustine because of action the City Commission took Monday.The commission amended an ordinance Monday that took a proposal to contain adult entertainment to four parcels of land and changed it to sprinkle it throughout the city."We went from only four parcels of land to literally dozens of places adult entertainment could go," said City Commissioner Don Crichlow. "I cannot in good conscience vote for that. It makes no sense."Crichlow was the only commissioner to vote against amending the ordinance.The amended measure allows adult entertainment in the city's most dense commercial zoning areas with restrictions: it must be 500 feet away from places that sell alcohol and 300 feet from businesses that sell only alcohol, such as ABC Liquor, and it cannot be within 300 feet of churches, schools and parks.Commissioner Susan Burk also requested the ordinance include adult entertainment businesses cannot be within 750 feet of each other.But the measure doesn't restrict the businesses from moving next to residential areas, and they could locate to several properties on State Road 312, U.S. 1 and West King Street.The original proposed ordinance would have only allowed adult entertainment in a three-block area off Ponce de Leon Boulevard north of State Road 16, but large pockets of the public were against it.However, Mark Knight, city planning and building department director, said a bar in the original proposed site is for sale, and if it closes the regulations in the amended ordinance would allow an adult entertainment business to replace it.Despite that, City Hall was filled Monday with residents who applauded the commission, literally, for amending the ordinance.Lew Norris said he moved to St. Augustine from Atlanta, Ga., where he watched a contained area of adult entertainment businesses deteriorate his neighborhood and others that surrounded it."We had prostitutes and gangs come in," he said. "(If you put the businesses in one area) you're allowing drug pushers and people like that to concentrate their efforts, too."When Crichlow gave his comments against the amended ordinance, a resident yelled out, "Put it next to your house!"And although Crichlow was the lone vote to turn down the measure, Mayor Joe Boles also said, "I'm trying to figure out what I like about this.""I wanted to put it in one area, but the public said no. So, now we have to spread the misery."The amended measure will go before the commission on Aug. 27 for final approval.The commission has already passed two ordinances that dictate how adult entertainment can operate in the city.Previously, the city did not have regulations for these businesses, which meant that they could move into any commercial area, including those near schools.
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© The St. Augustine Record
San Sebastian tower gets city's OK
San Sebastian tower gets city's OK
KATI BEXLEY
kati.bexley@staugustinerecord.com
Publication Date: 08/14/07
The St. Augustine City Commission approved the redesign of the San Sebastian Harbor project on Monday, which allows a possible 90-foot tower.
The maximum building height in the city is 35 feet, except for two areas that allow 50-foot buildings, including where the Sebastian project is located. But the Sebastian developer wanted the leeway to work with a 90-foot tower in the architecture.
Attorney George McClure, representing Sebastian developer The Devlin Group, said pedestrians often don't walk farther than the downtown post office to the area where the Sebastian project will be. They hope the tower will change that.
"Our desire to have something that large is to attract pedestrians farther -- it will draw them in," McClure said. "You can say, 'When you get to the post office look for the tower and keep going.'"
The redesign also chopped in half the number of condominiums and more than doubled the amount of hotel rooms from 120 to 225.
Though the project expects to get a Westin Hotel, McClure said the plans are not yet final. Westin has sent a letter of intent to the developer, and members of The Devlin Group have already begun some training with Westin, McClure said.
The commission passed the redesign under the grounds that if Westin does not come through, the hotel that replaces it must be of the same stature.
Commissioner Susan Burk was the only dissenting vote for the redesign. She was not in favor of such a large scale hotel, but did not have a problem with the tower.
Commissioner Don Crichlow is a member the architecture review board for the project and assured the commission he would scrutinize any decisions on a large tower.
Commissioner Errol Jones said he believes the tower will be "eloquent" and will revitalize an often forgotten area of the city.
"I think it will stimulate further growth in that area," Jones said.
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© The St. Augustine Record
KATI BEXLEY
kati.bexley@staugustinerecord.com
Publication Date: 08/14/07
The St. Augustine City Commission approved the redesign of the San Sebastian Harbor project on Monday, which allows a possible 90-foot tower.
The maximum building height in the city is 35 feet, except for two areas that allow 50-foot buildings, including where the Sebastian project is located. But the Sebastian developer wanted the leeway to work with a 90-foot tower in the architecture.
Attorney George McClure, representing Sebastian developer The Devlin Group, said pedestrians often don't walk farther than the downtown post office to the area where the Sebastian project will be. They hope the tower will change that.
"Our desire to have something that large is to attract pedestrians farther -- it will draw them in," McClure said. "You can say, 'When you get to the post office look for the tower and keep going.'"
The redesign also chopped in half the number of condominiums and more than doubled the amount of hotel rooms from 120 to 225.
Though the project expects to get a Westin Hotel, McClure said the plans are not yet final. Westin has sent a letter of intent to the developer, and members of The Devlin Group have already begun some training with Westin, McClure said.
The commission passed the redesign under the grounds that if Westin does not come through, the hotel that replaces it must be of the same stature.
Commissioner Susan Burk was the only dissenting vote for the redesign. She was not in favor of such a large scale hotel, but did not have a problem with the tower.
Commissioner Don Crichlow is a member the architecture review board for the project and assured the commission he would scrutinize any decisions on a large tower.
Commissioner Errol Jones said he believes the tower will be "eloquent" and will revitalize an often forgotten area of the city.
"I think it will stimulate further growth in that area," Jones said.
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© The St. Augustine Record
Monday, August 13, 2007
KARL ROVE IS QUITTING, IT'S TIME FOR ST. AUGUSTINE CITY MANAGER WILLIAM B. HARRISS TO LEAVE, TOO
"Bush's Brain," wicked evil Karl Rove, is leaving the White House at the end of this month. Is it time for St. Augustine City Manager WILLIAM B. HARRISS to quit?
Does HARRISS resemble NYC's Boss Tweed?
Is it time for the City's Tweed Ring eqiuvalent to resign en masse and let the voters pick leaders who will lead, instead of be led by speculator-developers?
What do you think?
TWO WAYS OF LIFE
TWO WAYS OF LIFE:
ST. AUGUSTINE MUST REJECT TALL BUILDINGS AND PROLIFERATING "ADULT ENTERTAINMENT" ZONES
When many of us were in junior high school, we had a textbook called "Two Ways of Life," comparing and contrasting democracy and communism. Democracy won.
Today, there are two ways of life in Florida - - urban sprawl or small towns. We choose small towns. That's why we live here.
Unfortunately, foreign- funded landscalpers and speculators want to turn St. Augustine and St. Johns County into an unreasonable facsimile of South Florida, with its heat and concrete, grime and crime, lack of tree cover and government corruption.
In 1972, during a national political convention, NBC News' brilliant commentator/co-anchor David Brinkley reported that Miami Beach was a place with "hibiscus, high fences and high prices.
People treasure St. Augustine for its hibiscus. But let foreign-funded real estate speculators take their tall buildings, tall tales and Apartheid- style notion of city planning elsewhere.
The notion of allowing peculator-speculator- developers everything they want is passe.
It's time to "just say no."
Just say no to greed.
Just say no to bad government.
Just say no to Sunshine violations.
Just say no to City Manager WILLIAM B. HARRISS.
Just say no to ROBERT MICHAEL GRAUBARD and his pals.
The tower for the Sebastian Inland Harbor is a bad precedent and should be rejected. I've stayed and attended American Bar Association meetings at Westins and enjoy their towering John Portman style architecture. We don't need more tall buildings in St. Augustine.
If we need an "adult entertainment zone," let there be but one -- the Sebastian Inland Harbor project, next door to the St. Augustine Police Station. The zone would be open to easy access to business travelers and conventioneers, who attend such places in cities like NYC (where $8100 was spent by City Manager WILLIAM B. HARRISS, five Commissioners -- a total party of twelve -- in 2005 to meet with Standard and Poors and three bonding companies.
Putting the adult entertainment zone next to the SAPD HQ makes perfect sense. It will save gas and deter crimes. Thattaway, if the police need to make arrests for prostitution or public lewdness, our City's police are right next door.
We don't need an "adult entertainment zone" on U.S. 312 or on West King Street, both of which are entrance corridors to our Nation's Oldest City.
Last month, our City held a "workshop" on the proposed adult entertainment zone.
City Mayor JOSEPH LEROY BOLES, JR. forbade the public to comment, even though some twelve people wanted to talk, falsely claiming that people aren't allowed to talk in workshops, only politicians. In fact, I attended a lovely workshop in 2006 on city history issues, and the people were allowed to speak, making contributions that even City Manager WILLIAM B. HARRISS appreciated.
Increasingly, authoritarian, hierarchical, censorious tendencies are shown by our City government to public comment, by controversial St. Augustine Mayor JOSEPH LEROY BOLES, JR. Color him overbearing. Last year, on the campaign trail, Mayor BOLES claimed that our Mayor only has a "ceremonial" role. Perhaps BOLES does not appreciate democracy.
Tell Mayor JOSEPH LEROY BOLES, JR. and our City Commissioners what you think of tall buildings, tall tales and adult entertainment zones in entrance corridors.
Our next St. Augustine City Commission meeting is tonight at 5 PM at 75 King Street, Alcazar Room, 1st Floor.
You too can "fight City Hall and win. The Rainbow flags on our Bridge of Lions in 2005 proved it. It only took two weeks for a federal court to find our City violated the First Amendment.
This is our Town. Make your thoughts known. St. Augustine, Florida is worth saving from lowlifes.
ST. AUGUSTINE MUST REJECT TALL BUILDINGS AND PROLIFERATING "ADULT ENTERTAINMENT" ZONES
When many of us were in junior high school, we had a textbook called "Two Ways of Life," comparing and contrasting democracy and communism. Democracy won.
Today, there are two ways of life in Florida - - urban sprawl or small towns. We choose small towns. That's why we live here.
Unfortunately, foreign- funded landscalpers and speculators want to turn St. Augustine and St. Johns County into an unreasonable facsimile of South Florida, with its heat and concrete, grime and crime, lack of tree cover and government corruption.
In 1972, during a national political convention, NBC News' brilliant commentator/co-anchor David Brinkley reported that Miami Beach was a place with "hibiscus, high fences and high prices.
People treasure St. Augustine for its hibiscus. But let foreign-funded real estate speculators take their tall buildings, tall tales and Apartheid- style notion of city planning elsewhere.
The notion of allowing peculator-speculator- developers everything they want is passe.
It's time to "just say no."
Just say no to greed.
Just say no to bad government.
Just say no to Sunshine violations.
Just say no to City Manager WILLIAM B. HARRISS.
Just say no to ROBERT MICHAEL GRAUBARD and his pals.
The tower for the Sebastian Inland Harbor is a bad precedent and should be rejected. I've stayed and attended American Bar Association meetings at Westins and enjoy their towering John Portman style architecture. We don't need more tall buildings in St. Augustine.
If we need an "adult entertainment zone," let there be but one -- the Sebastian Inland Harbor project, next door to the St. Augustine Police Station. The zone would be open to easy access to business travelers and conventioneers, who attend such places in cities like NYC (where $8100 was spent by City Manager WILLIAM B. HARRISS, five Commissioners -- a total party of twelve -- in 2005 to meet with Standard and Poors and three bonding companies.
Putting the adult entertainment zone next to the SAPD HQ makes perfect sense. It will save gas and deter crimes. Thattaway, if the police need to make arrests for prostitution or public lewdness, our City's police are right next door.
We don't need an "adult entertainment zone" on U.S. 312 or on West King Street, both of which are entrance corridors to our Nation's Oldest City.
Last month, our City held a "workshop" on the proposed adult entertainment zone.
City Mayor JOSEPH LEROY BOLES, JR. forbade the public to comment, even though some twelve people wanted to talk, falsely claiming that people aren't allowed to talk in workshops, only politicians. In fact, I attended a lovely workshop in 2006 on city history issues, and the people were allowed to speak, making contributions that even City Manager WILLIAM B. HARRISS appreciated.
Increasingly, authoritarian, hierarchical, censorious tendencies are shown by our City government to public comment, by controversial St. Augustine Mayor JOSEPH LEROY BOLES, JR. Color him overbearing. Last year, on the campaign trail, Mayor BOLES claimed that our Mayor only has a "ceremonial" role. Perhaps BOLES does not appreciate democracy.
Tell Mayor JOSEPH LEROY BOLES, JR. and our City Commissioners what you think of tall buildings, tall tales and adult entertainment zones in entrance corridors.
Our next St. Augustine City Commission meeting is tonight at 5 PM at 75 King Street, Alcazar Room, 1st Floor.
You too can "fight City Hall and win. The Rainbow flags on our Bridge of Lions in 2005 proved it. It only took two weeks for a federal court to find our City violated the First Amendment.
This is our Town. Make your thoughts known. St. Augustine, Florida is worth saving from lowlifes.
St. Augustine City Commission might modify adult businesses zoning plan
St. Augustine City Commission might modify adult businesses zoning plan
KATI BEXLEY
kati.bexley@staugustine.com
Publication Date: 08/13/07
The St. Augustine City Commission could amend a proposed ordinance today, resulting in a statute that would no longer contain adult entertainment to one area in the city but would open several areas to the businesses.
City commissioners will consider amending an ordinance to allow adult entertainment in the city's densest commercial zoning areas with the restrictions that it is 500 feet from places that sell alcohol and 300 feet away from churches, schools and parks.
That leaves a number of open areas that have not been developed in the city, said Mark Knight, city planning and building department director. This includes land on State Road 312 near a Gate gas station and property on U.S. 1 and West King Street, Knight said.
In June, the commission passed three ordinances on first reading that said where and how adult entertainment could operate in the city. Previously, the city didn't have regulations for these businesses.
One of the measures defined a three-block area off Ponce de Leon Boulevard just north of State Road 16 as the only place the businesses could locate. But the public flooded City Hall to speak against the proposal .
The measure was tabled, and the commission held a workshop on the issue, creating the proposed amendment.
"Unfortunately, (the amendment) provides for more places to locate," said Mayor Joe Boles. "But it lessens the possibility (adult entertainment) would be concentrated in one area, and that's what the people told us they didn't want."
The commission is expected to approve the amendment, but Boles said the decision hinges on the public's reaction tonight. The commission has already given final approval to the two ordinances that dictate the adult entertainment businesses' hours of operation and prohibits alcohol sales.
Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/081307/news_4771490.shtml
© The St. Augustine Record
KATI BEXLEY
kati.bexley@staugustine.com
Publication Date: 08/13/07
The St. Augustine City Commission could amend a proposed ordinance today, resulting in a statute that would no longer contain adult entertainment to one area in the city but would open several areas to the businesses.
City commissioners will consider amending an ordinance to allow adult entertainment in the city's densest commercial zoning areas with the restrictions that it is 500 feet from places that sell alcohol and 300 feet away from churches, schools and parks.
That leaves a number of open areas that have not been developed in the city, said Mark Knight, city planning and building department director. This includes land on State Road 312 near a Gate gas station and property on U.S. 1 and West King Street, Knight said.
In June, the commission passed three ordinances on first reading that said where and how adult entertainment could operate in the city. Previously, the city didn't have regulations for these businesses.
One of the measures defined a three-block area off Ponce de Leon Boulevard just north of State Road 16 as the only place the businesses could locate. But the public flooded City Hall to speak against the proposal .
The measure was tabled, and the commission held a workshop on the issue, creating the proposed amendment.
"Unfortunately, (the amendment) provides for more places to locate," said Mayor Joe Boles. "But it lessens the possibility (adult entertainment) would be concentrated in one area, and that's what the people told us they didn't want."
The commission is expected to approve the amendment, but Boles said the decision hinges on the public's reaction tonight. The commission has already given final approval to the two ordinances that dictate the adult entertainment businesses' hours of operation and prohibits alcohol sales.
Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/081307/news_4771490.shtml
© The St. Augustine Record
St. Augustine City Commission to consider exception to height restrictions
St. Augustine City Commission to consider exception to height restrictions
KATI BEXLEY
kati.bexley@staugustine.com
Publication Date: 08/13/07
The St. Augustine City Commission will decide today whether the redesign of the San Sebastian Harbor project should include a 90-foot tower when the city caps buildings at 50 feet.
Commissioners said they approved the redesign -- which includes a Westin Hotel -- and the tower on first reading so they could have a public hearing on the issue before final approval.
Because the project is on the outskirts of central downtown, the developer wants a large tower or vertical structure to lure people to the site.
The Devlin Group, San Sebastian developer, gave the city a document showing five downtown buildings, such as the Cathedral-Basilica and Flagler College, whose height ranges from 80 to 110 feet.
But those buildings were constructed before the city's 1975 zoning rules were created.
The rules state the maximum building height is 35 feet, except for two areas in the city that allow buildings to be 50 feet, including where the San Sebastian project is located.
Other modifications in the redesign include a luxury Westin Hotel, which calls for less condominiums at the site and more hotel rooms.
The commission meets at 5 p.m. today in the Alcazar Room at City Hall, 75 King St.
Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/081307/news_4771531.shtml
© The St. Augustine Record
KATI BEXLEY
kati.bexley@staugustine.com
Publication Date: 08/13/07
The St. Augustine City Commission will decide today whether the redesign of the San Sebastian Harbor project should include a 90-foot tower when the city caps buildings at 50 feet.
Commissioners said they approved the redesign -- which includes a Westin Hotel -- and the tower on first reading so they could have a public hearing on the issue before final approval.
Because the project is on the outskirts of central downtown, the developer wants a large tower or vertical structure to lure people to the site.
The Devlin Group, San Sebastian developer, gave the city a document showing five downtown buildings, such as the Cathedral-Basilica and Flagler College, whose height ranges from 80 to 110 feet.
But those buildings were constructed before the city's 1975 zoning rules were created.
The rules state the maximum building height is 35 feet, except for two areas in the city that allow buildings to be 50 feet, including where the San Sebastian project is located.
Other modifications in the redesign include a luxury Westin Hotel, which calls for less condominiums at the site and more hotel rooms.
The commission meets at 5 p.m. today in the Alcazar Room at City Hall, 75 King St.
Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/081307/news_4771531.shtml
© The St. Augustine Record
Jim Crow Government in St. Augustine, Florida Persists
American history was made in St. Augustine, Florida, where the first settlement of freed slaves was founded by Spaniards in the 1700s. This was the last place where Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was arrested before Congress and President Lydon Johnson enacted the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
Yet our City of St. Augustine, Florida continues to treat African-Americans as second class citizens.
Top managers are all-white and all-male, resembling a 1920s corporate boardroom.
Recruitment, as of the City Attorney, does not conform to legal standards for EEO searches.
Our City does not have a Human Rights Ordinance, like other Florida jurisdictions.
Our controersial St. Augustine, Florida City Manager WILLIAM B. HARRISS running City Hall as his own "'Ole Plantation." Like George Wallace standing in the schoolhouse door, HARRISS blockaded African-Americans and other civil rights advocates from erecting a monument to civil rights foot soldiers, falsely claiming the Plaza de la Constitucion (a/k/a Slave Market Square) was limited to colonial history, when it has monuments to Confederate and other war dead. When in 2005 City Commissioners directed that there be such a monument to civil rights foot soldiers, HARRISS haughtily insisted it must be raised by private fundraising. After arresting and beating people (including Andrew Young, later UN Ambassador and Atlanta Mayor), our City of St. Augustine refuses to spend public funds on a civil rights monument.
HARRISS dumped the entire contents of the old city dump into the Old City Reservoir off Holmes Blvd., a still-unprosecuted environmental crime that was a stunning example of environmental racism. When it was referred the matter by the National response Center in 2006, criminal investigators with EPA and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) did not bother interviewing HARRISS or any of the City Commissioners. That coverup is unravelling, under investigation by the FDEP Inspector General. (see below).
HARRISS became City Manager without national search or proper Sunshine notice in 1998. He's never had a performance appraisal, other than an attaboy plaque last year in the midst of a pending criminal investigation. HARRISS pledged his support for preserving history.
Yet haughty, heavy-handed HARRISS left African-Americans out of the City's official history, which is mandatory for persons to buy when they sit for the license to be an historic tour guide.
The St. Augustine Record's editorial page editor, Margo Pope, rightly editorialized on this subject in Febeuary.
See the editorial, below.
HARRISS also blockaded efforts to fly Rainbow Flags on our Bridge of Lions, which resulted in a federal court finding our City violated the First Amendment in 2005.
Is it time for tatterdemalion WILLIAM B. HARRISS and his errant enablers to go? What do you reckon?
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Editorial: City tour guide test lacks pivotal partof city's history
Editorial: City tour guide test lacks pivotal partof city's history
Publication Date: 02/23/07
St. Augustine's official tour guide manual ignores a key part of St. Augustine's history: black history.
The manual, which is sold to prospective tour guides, encompasses a dress code, ethics, tour routes, basic historical information, historic sites, modern facts and figures and suggested readings about the city's history. Prospective guides are expected to study it and then be tested on its contents in order to become a licensed tour guide for hire.
The licensing was developed years ago after city officials heard numerous complaints about the lack of uniform tour information. Guides were not licensed and almost every tour was different depending on who told the story.
The city's past often was told through family histories, folk lore, and many times, half truths about St. Augustine's five centuries. For example, in years past, some guides would comment that Napoleon Bonaparte had visited St. Augustine's Prince Murat house on St. George Street. In truth, Murat was a nephew of Bonaparte.
It is not clear how the guide missed on the city's black history. It was last revised in 2002.
Examples of black history missing from the tour guide are:
Fort Mose de Gracia de Santa Teresa, the first free black settlement in what is now the United States. Mose was a fort and a town run by runaway slaves from the British colonies. Fort Mose protected the northern defense of Spanish St. Augustine from 1738 until 1763 when Spanish rule gave way to British rule. The fort itself is non-existent but the site is a state park, north of the city off U.S. 1.
Lincolnville, the city's oldest black business and residential section. It was established by freed slaves after the Civil War. It is one of the city's historic districts. Famed singer Ray Charles is said to have performed at clubs in Lincolnville while he was a student at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind.
St. Augustine's role in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, including the arrest of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1964 for trying to integrate the Monson Motor Lodge Restaurant. St. Augustine was the only city in Florida where King was arrested. Numerous sites have recently been marked by the Civil Rights Memorial Projects Committee.
The St. Augustine City Commission must take charge of the problem and fix it because the study guide and test are part of the city's licensing requirement. It's time for St. Augustine City Commissioner Errol Jones to take the lead on getting the tour guide and test revised. He will find no shortage of black heritage groups in the city ready to help. We encourage him to move on this project soon.
St. Augustine's prospective tour guides deserve the most accurate information possible about the city's history. It's disgraceful that the city's official tour guide and test ignores black history.
Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/022307/opinions_4423046.shtml
Publication Date: 02/23/07
St. Augustine's official tour guide manual ignores a key part of St. Augustine's history: black history.
The manual, which is sold to prospective tour guides, encompasses a dress code, ethics, tour routes, basic historical information, historic sites, modern facts and figures and suggested readings about the city's history. Prospective guides are expected to study it and then be tested on its contents in order to become a licensed tour guide for hire.
The licensing was developed years ago after city officials heard numerous complaints about the lack of uniform tour information. Guides were not licensed and almost every tour was different depending on who told the story.
The city's past often was told through family histories, folk lore, and many times, half truths about St. Augustine's five centuries. For example, in years past, some guides would comment that Napoleon Bonaparte had visited St. Augustine's Prince Murat house on St. George Street. In truth, Murat was a nephew of Bonaparte.
It is not clear how the guide missed on the city's black history. It was last revised in 2002.
Examples of black history missing from the tour guide are:
Fort Mose de Gracia de Santa Teresa, the first free black settlement in what is now the United States. Mose was a fort and a town run by runaway slaves from the British colonies. Fort Mose protected the northern defense of Spanish St. Augustine from 1738 until 1763 when Spanish rule gave way to British rule. The fort itself is non-existent but the site is a state park, north of the city off U.S. 1.
Lincolnville, the city's oldest black business and residential section. It was established by freed slaves after the Civil War. It is one of the city's historic districts. Famed singer Ray Charles is said to have performed at clubs in Lincolnville while he was a student at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind.
St. Augustine's role in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, including the arrest of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1964 for trying to integrate the Monson Motor Lodge Restaurant. St. Augustine was the only city in Florida where King was arrested. Numerous sites have recently been marked by the Civil Rights Memorial Projects Committee.
The St. Augustine City Commission must take charge of the problem and fix it because the study guide and test are part of the city's licensing requirement. It's time for St. Augustine City Commissioner Errol Jones to take the lead on getting the tour guide and test revised. He will find no shortage of black heritage groups in the city ready to help. We encourage him to move on this project soon.
St. Augustine's prospective tour guides deserve the most accurate information possible about the city's history. It's disgraceful that the city's official tour guide and test ignores black history.
Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/022307/opinions_4423046.shtml
Letter: Everyone should pay
Letter: Everyone should pay
Ginny Curry
St. Augustine Beach
Publication Date: 11/02/02
Editor: In October 2001, three out of the five Mosquito Control Board members voted to increase the budget 40 percent to $5 million in a meeting attended primarily by Mosquito Control staff and a few residents of the southwest area requesting coverage. Spraying was begun for residents not paying for the service but paid for by the state. At that time, Commissioner Mary Willis felt the proposed millage increase was unnecessary because the district's programs are well-funded. The voters must have agreed with Ms. Willis as she was re-elected this fall in the primary.
During this past summer, despite this enormous budget increase, the mosquito problem has been intolerable. In the 16th Street, Mickler Boulevard, Ocean Walk, Ocean Woods area, we were sprayed one time each in June, July and August and not at all in September! If there aren't enough resources to effectively do the job in the areas where taxpayers are already paying, I don't believe expansion is an option.
The recent article in The Record quoted the tax collector as saying the tax increase for the southwest residents would appear on their 2003 tax bills. Mosquito Control Director Betts has said his $5 million budget will donate $55,000 and the state (that's us!) will kick in $150,000 till those residents begin paying. In October 2001, when the residents of the southwest were asking for coverage, was a Special Taxing Unit an option?
Is there oversight of the Mosquito Control Board? By whom? It has always carried an enormous surplus. Why is there no dissemination of information of how often each area is sprayed? We don't mind paying, but all should pay for services received.
Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/110202/opi_kr002417.shtml
© The St. Augustine Record
Ginny Curry
St. Augustine Beach
Publication Date: 11/02/02
Editor: In October 2001, three out of the five Mosquito Control Board members voted to increase the budget 40 percent to $5 million in a meeting attended primarily by Mosquito Control staff and a few residents of the southwest area requesting coverage. Spraying was begun for residents not paying for the service but paid for by the state. At that time, Commissioner Mary Willis felt the proposed millage increase was unnecessary because the district's programs are well-funded. The voters must have agreed with Ms. Willis as she was re-elected this fall in the primary.
During this past summer, despite this enormous budget increase, the mosquito problem has been intolerable. In the 16th Street, Mickler Boulevard, Ocean Walk, Ocean Woods area, we were sprayed one time each in June, July and August and not at all in September! If there aren't enough resources to effectively do the job in the areas where taxpayers are already paying, I don't believe expansion is an option.
The recent article in The Record quoted the tax collector as saying the tax increase for the southwest residents would appear on their 2003 tax bills. Mosquito Control Director Betts has said his $5 million budget will donate $55,000 and the state (that's us!) will kick in $150,000 till those residents begin paying. In October 2001, when the residents of the southwest were asking for coverage, was a Special Taxing Unit an option?
Is there oversight of the Mosquito Control Board? By whom? It has always carried an enormous surplus. Why is there no dissemination of information of how often each area is sprayed? We don't mind paying, but all should pay for services received.
Click here to return to story:
http://staugustine.com/stories/110202/opi_kr002417.shtml
© The St. Augustine Record
Mission Statement of the Anastasia Mosquito Control District of St. Johns County
MISSION STATEMENT & GOALS:
To preserve and protect people from mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases.
To reduce/control mosquitoes through integrated pest management based on environmentally-friendly and cost effective methods.
To minimize negative impacts on people and other living things, based on valid scientific data, peer review and public hearings.
To spend public funds prudently; and
To become recognized as one of the leading mosquito control districts (Revised & approved on July 10, 2007
To preserve and protect people from mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases.
To reduce/control mosquitoes through integrated pest management based on environmentally-friendly and cost effective methods.
To minimize negative impacts on people and other living things, based on valid scientific data, peer review and public hearings.
To spend public funds prudently; and
To become recognized as one of the leading mosquito control districts (Revised & approved on July 10, 2007
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