Charter review to be considered
City Clerk Darlene Galambos will report to the City
Commission research she did on charter review at its
next meeting – consideration of a charter review here
prompted by ordinances at Monday’s commission
meeting amending a section of the city charter regarding
gift prohibitions and meeting scheduling.
City Attorney Isabelle Lopez noted that the charter was
written in the 1920s, before the creation of a state ethics
panel which oversees local codes.
Franciscan Legacy in Spanish Florida
Exploring the Franciscan Legacy in Spanish Florida: Historical and Archaeological Evidence
will be discussed Friday, October 26 by University of West Florida Professor of Archaeology John E.
Worth in Flagler College’s Solarium.
The 7 pm lecture is sponsored by the Academy of American Franciscan History.
A Colloquium on Culture and Religion in La Florida will be offered Saturday and Sunday October
27 and 28 in the Gamache-Koger Theatre, Ringhaver Student Center.
Visit https://www.flagler.edu/franciscancolloquium/.
October 24 2018
3-2 vote commission vote
advances plaza ordinance
The city commission public comment period Monday reflected the challenge as nearly a
dozen speakers had a verbal battle between protesters and counter-protesters.
Comments on an ordinance to regulate demonstrations in the Plaza de la Constitución were
made during the public comment period because meeting procedure prohibited public comment
during commission discussion on the ordinance.
Commissioners voted 3-2 after their own extended discussion. Vice Mayor Todd Neville and
Commissioner Nancy Sikes-Kline opposed the measure. Sikes-Kline said she was, “Conflicted
between limiting free speech and public safety.”
The ordinance provides for separation between protesters and counter-protesters in and
around the Plaza. It will come back for public comment and final action November 13 – five
days before the annual Light Up! Night for Nights of Lights, which was disrupted by protesters
last year.
City Attorney Isabelle Lopez said the ordinance is largely based on a Dearborn Michigan court case which created
a hecklers veto. “Bible believers (protesting an Arab-American festival) were told to leave or face arrest,” said
Lopez. “The court ruled that if government does nothing and allows a radical group you have failed to protect first
amendment rights, that government is constitutionally required to protect hecklers.”
Pedro’s Birthday focus
for a signature event
St. Johns Cultural Council Director Andy Witt
described to city commissioners Monday two events
combining for “the beginning of a signature event that
will work.”
Witt said next February the Historic Florida Militia
will present festivities for the 500th birthday of St.
Augustine founder Pedro Menendez, combined with a
shift of the annual Spanish Wine Festival from later in
the year to the February Menendez events.
The only problem, Witt added, is the February 16-17
weekend next year is also Daytona 500 weekend, so
hotels will already be filled, “but we’ll work on that for
the future,” he said.
Jail Break 5K
Runners, walkers and strollers will
enjoy the annual Jail Break 5K
Saturday, October 27, from the Old Jail
to the Vilano Beach Pavilion. The event
begins at the Old Jail at 8 am.
Costumes encouraged, full trolley
system from Old Town Trolley for
spectators and participants, huge
costume party with prizes, live music
and VeloFest bike rodeo at the Vilano
Beach Pavilion after the race.
All registrants receive a Velo Fest T
Shirt, post-race beverage and snacks,
and finisher medal.
Registration and information here.
Smoke testing in city’s sewer system
Where there’s smoke there’s sanitary sewer line – and hopefully only in those lines – as the city's Public Works
Department smoke tests its sanitary sewer collection system throughout
the month of October.
The tests identify sources of storm water runoff or ground water
intrusion entering the system both in right of ways and from residences
and businesses.
Door hanger notifications have been distributed describing the testing
and how to minimize smoke from entering buildings.
Visit the city's website here for further information.
Wastewater, recycling tours in Government Week
As part of City Government Week October 22-26, the city is offering an inside look at the Wastewater
Treatment Plant and Recycling Center.
See the processes after you flush the toilet, and how your recycling efforts count during these informative tours.
Register for a tour of the Wastewater Treatment Plant Wednesday, October 24, at 9 am or 2 pm, or a combined
tour of the Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Recycle Center scheduled Thursday, October 25, at 2 pm.
Click to register for the Wastewater Treatment Plant tour and/or Wastewater Treatment Plant and Recycle
Center tour.
History’s highlight
Reale American history
American history may be all English in the text books, but its first currency was the Spanish 8 reale, adopted on
recommendation by Thomas Jefferson, the principle author of the Declaration of Independence and our third
President.
Familiarly called "Pieces of Eight," the phrase “two bits, four bits, 8 bits
a buck” is a derived from this coin. The one-half, one, two, and four reales,
fractional parts of the dollar, were the principle coins of the American
colonists. It was common practice for our original 13 colonies when
issuing paper money to back it with the Spanish Dollars.
The first issue of Continental paper money May 10th, 1775, referenced
that notes should be payable in “Spanish Milled Dollars or a value thereof
in gold or silver.”
Congress didn’t authorize the establishment of a “Mint” to strike our own coins until 1792. Even so, the 8 reale
was official legal tender in the United States until the passage of the Coin Act of 1857. The act introduced the
new “small cent” into circulation and retired the Spanish silver coins from circulation. It took almost 60 years of
production by the Mint in Philadelphia to create enough of our own coinage for us to stand alone.
Considered America’s first silver dollar, the reale was the largest and heaviest silver coin minted for over 200
years, actually bigger and heavier than the Morgan Silver Dollar. It was accepted as medium of trade
internationally. Many surviving coins feature "Chopmarks," used by international traders to authenticate the silver
content of the coins.
Shown is a 1783 coin with Spanish King Carlos III on the obverse and the Spanish coat of arms and Pillars of
Hercules on the reverse. Those scrolled pillars were the origin of the American dollar sign.
Another Spanish contribution to American history forgotten by modern history writers.
Aviles plans activities
for Menendez birthday
Mayor Nancy Shaver
announced to commissioners
that in a letter from Aviles
Mayor Marivi Monteserin
wrote, “The City of Avilés
will be paying tribute to the
Adelantado and is working on
an extensive program of
activities to pay tribute not
only to Pedro Menéndez, but
also our long-standing
relationship with St.
Augustine.”
Preliminary scheduled events:
•
Student Exchange: Music Students from the High
Schools of St. Augustine and Music Conservatory
of Aviles
•
Creation of a new Exhibition focusing on the
History, the Voyage and the Life of Menendez to
be unveiled and shown in Aviles and then made
available to St. Augustine.
•
Naval Ships will be temporarily relocated to Aviles
for residents and visitors to explore and learn about
the history of the Spanish Navy and the
contributions made by Pedro Menendez.
•
An Art Exhibit coordinated by the School of Arts
and Crafts, Aviles and the Cultural Factory in
Aviles reflecting Menendez — his history, voyages
and life.
•
The Casino de Aviles, a cultural and social
organization, is creating a unique art exhibit
focusing on the participants of Pedro's Voyage and
the Founding of St. Augustine.
•
The Royal Mint of Spain will be creating a new
Stamp for Menendez's 500th Birthday.
•
A Convention of Mayors from the cities in Spain
with direct ties to Menendez: Aviles, Santander,
Sevilla, and Zamora, and the Mayor of St.
Augustine. Shaver said she’ll attend, paying her
own expenses.
Quotable
It is the single biggest issue I hear from people.
(This information) will help us enforce our
ordinances.
Mayor Nancy Shaver, reporting to City
Commission Monday on findings by Tax
Collector Dennis Hollingsworth, who has
identified 54 short term rental organizations
so far in the county and 1,008 Airbnbs.
