October 28 2020
History’s Highlight
El Dia de los Difuntos
The Day of the Deceased
The "Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed" (Latin: Commemoratio omnium fidelium
defunctorum) is the official name of this Catholic observance, commonly called "All Souls' Day." It
commemorates All Souls, the souls of Christians who have died.
On this day, observing Christians remember and honor
their deceased loved ones. The annual celebration is held on
November 2 and is the final day and culmination of the
three days of Allhallowtide, which include All Saints' Day
(November 1) and its vigil, All Hallows Eve (or
"Halloween" - October 31).
In Spain, this holiday is a three-day celebration known as
El Dia de los Difuntos ("The Day of the Deceased) and is
not only a time to honor the dead, but to celebrate the
continuation of life.
A unique feature of El Dia de Ios Difuntos in Spain is La Marcha de la Santa Compafia ("The March of
the Holy Company"), a Spanish variation of Europe's age-old "Wild Hunt" legends. During this spectral
season, the local spirits of the faithful dead rise from their resting places and march abroad in procession.
The March of the Holy Company is led by a spellbound living person — male or female, depending on the
parish's patron saint — carrying a cross and sometimes ringing a bell. Following this entranced innocent are
the spirits of the dead, carrying lanterns, candles, or torches. Although these spirits may not always be seen,
it is said that the approach of the Holy Company is heralded by howling dogs and fleeing cats. The smell of
melted wax can be scented as the Holy Company passes by, accompanied by a sense of danger, to warn the
living that the dead are present.
To avoid becoming part of the Santa Compafia, a living person must lie flat on their face on the ground
until the procession has passed, avoiding eye contact with the dead. They may also draw "Solomon's Circle"
on the earth with salt and stand inside it. Another way for the living to evade the power of the Santa
Compafia is to cross one's arms and cry "A cross I already have?' as the procession's living leader passes.
This is especially true at crossroads, for the powers of the other-worldly are particularly potent in such
locations.
Police body cams ‘in house’
Deployment in December after training
Sixty Axon police body cameras “have been received and
training has begun,” Police Chief Barry Fox told
commissioners Monday.
The annual cost is $152,387 for the ten-year contract, below
the earlier estimate of $200,000. The contract includes
automatic upgrades and replacements.
Fox said the package includes new tasers and signal packs
tying together cameras, tasers, sidearms and police vehicles. In
addition, when a camera is activated, any other police unit
within 50 feet will also activate.
The system is linked to the 7th Judicial Circuit to help speed
up the judicial system.
The chief anticipates beginning use the first part of December.
Among the features, after shift while the camera is recharging it is updating, and police can post an
incident link that anyone with video or other information of an incident to upload to.
Fox said a redaction assist revolutionizes preparation of public information while withholding privileged
information, in one example showing a slide highlighting “outblocks” on a driver’s face and car tag and
police computer. The system “automatically redacts everything not a part of public record,” Fox said.
Order of the 60 cameras for 58 officers with two spares was fast-tracked after Chief Fox noted his
department has handled 25 demonstrations in recent months.
Of the use of police body cameras the chief said, “My position has always been that it’s not if but when
the community wants us to go to body cams.”
Fall back
Daylight saving time ends at 2 am
Sunday, November 1, despite
proposed legislation by Florida
Republican Sens. Marco Rubio and
Rick Scott to skip the upcoming
time change, citing impacts of the
coronavirus pandemic.
The legislators said it would
"provide one year of stability for
families who are already dealing
with enough change with virtual
learning, work from home, and
other disruptions the COVID-19
pandemic has placed into our daily
lives."
Campaign 2020
City Commission races
The four candidates in the 2020 campaign for City
Commission were asked to list their top three
priorities.
Leanna Freeman is completing her
third term on the City Commission.
She is a practicing attorney and is
challenged by Flagler College
Associate Professor of Natural
Sciences Barbara Blonder.
After serving as Commissioner
during a recession, two destructive hurricanes, and
now a pandemic I believe my experienced leadership
continues to benefit our unique town.
I see continuing to address flood issues, making
innovative progress in mobility and prioritizing
quality of life for our residents on a multitude of
issues like conservation and advocating against
institutional and commercial growth into our
neighborhoods, as a few of our current top priorities.
Quality of life - City residents deserve
representatives who are experienced and willing to
fight for their quality of life. Whether it be limiting
State Road cut throughs or challenging development
by the College into residential neighborhoods, our
town must remain a livable city. For over 12 years I
personally advocated against the development and for
the successful $6.5 million purchase by the State of
Fish Island. Parks and conservation of land not only
provide recreational space but act as natural flood
buffers.
Flooding - While we currently have over $28
million in flood mitigation projects, I will work to
assure that we are granted additional funding to
continue an aggressive approach to making our
community more resilient against rising sea levels
and natural disasters. My home was flooded by both
Matthew and Irma and this subject is very personal to
me.
Improving mobility remains a priority and current
projects include bike lanes on San Marco Avenue, a
bike trail to North City and additional shuttle service
during peak periods. Innovative projects include the
7-11 property purchase and our current pursuit of a
train rail stop.
Barbara Blonder is a Flagler
College Associate Professor of Natural
Sciences. She is challenging incumbent
Commissioner Leanna Freeman for a
commission seat.
Fast track becoming proactive
about seriously addressing our
flooding problems. The recent Nor’easter
underscores the fact that sea level rise and flooding
aren’t quarantined.
We spent ~$1 million of our taxpayer money on a
park which failed its very first test on flood
reduction. We continue to take incremental steps
rather than enact the bold initiatives that are
necessary to meet this challenge.
Our residents have already begun to move out of
the City toward higher ground. If we don’t
meaningfully address this issue immediately, we
cannot sustain our locally-based economy –
systematically addressing flooding is absolutely
critical to our future.
Scrutinize accelerating development, judge the
real impacts of re-zoning proposals and reinstate
concurrency requirements. Recent unanimous
Commission votes to increase zoning density cause
increased burdens to our City’s residents who are
facing a perfect storm of high taxes, traffic
congestion, increased rates of flooding of homes and
businesses and increasingly unaffordable housing.
Our roads, freshwater resources, wastewater
treatment and stormwater controls are overburdened,
and our quality of life is decreasing as a result of the
unbridled pace of development.
Develop a more functional, collaborative
relationship with the County. The City is the
economic engine of this County and neither can
thrive without working collaboratively. Our
infrastructure is not meeting the challenges of our
rates of growth.
We must work together, leveraging our resources, to
become a sustainable community. As a scientist and
educator, I recognize the importance of working
cooperatively and will prioritize solving our shared
economic and infrastructure challenges together.
Roxanne Horvath is completing
her second term on the City
Commission. She is an architect and is
challenged by Wade Ross.
From my many years of public
service to our community it is clear
there are ever growing pressures on our
city. In order to remain the “Longest Continually
Occupied City” we need to pay close attention to the
issue of Livability.
Resiliency: Sunny day flooding, and events such as
nor’easters and hurricanes drive it home how
vulnerable we are to sea level rise.
I have been involved with the major resiliency
project the city is working on, the Lake Maria
Sanchez. I have worked both to reduce the pump
housing and in neighborhood outreach to help
educate the importance of this work. This work will
significantly improve a large section of our
downtown area from flooding threats. We also need
to address other low areas with natural systems and
berms in the city.
Mobility: With 1,000 people moving to Florida
every day, our County growing, and being on the top
lists of tourist destinations, we stand to have many
more
people visiting our City post pandemic. We
need to mitigate visitor traffic by continuing shuttle
service when needed, planning for satellite parking
and future multi modal facilities to keep cars out of
our neighborhoods and the Historic core.
Workforce and Affordable Housing: My
background serving on both the St. Johns County
SHIP (State Housing Initiatives Partnership program)
and the North East Florida Regional Council’s
Affordable Housing Board, along with my
Architectural career, I am aware of the issues and
challenges involved. I believe working with partners
such as SJC (county) and private partners will be the
best approach to achieving this recognized need. Also
fighting for Legislative support.
Wade Ross is a public school
teacher. He is challenging incumbent
Commissioner Roxanne Horvath for a
commission seat.
To ensure a safe and clean city for
our residents and visitors to enjoy.
There are a variety of concerns to
address, including cleaning and sanitizing public
spaces, funding and training a professional police
force, and providing our officers with body cameras.
First and foremost, though, we have a domestic
terrorist who is threatening our community with
violent threats of action and allowing armed
members of Antifa into his ranks. This needs to be
dealt with expeditiously using lawful means to ensure
residents and visitors can enjoy our Historic St.
Augustine.
To address the flooding in Downtown, Davis
Shores, and other areas of the City. The Commission
should create immediate and realistic solutions to
mitigate flooding, starting with routine maintenance
and clearing of the drainage system and one-way
valves. After evaluating failing or faulty drainage
systems and correcting issues, we need to look at the
best practices of mitigation in New Orleans and the
Netherlands and apply the flood solution systems that
will fit our needs.
To commit to responsiveness, transparency, and
accountability in the City government. Meetings
should be scheduled at times when the public are able
to attend, all pertinent information should be
provided to or be easily accessible by the public, and
the City Commissioners should exercise a higher
level of oversight of the City Government.
Next for Fish Island: Temporary parking
With executed lease for Fish Island Preserve in hand, the City now will seek permission from the State to
construct a 4-5 vehicle temporary parking area at the end of South Plantation Island Drive.
Once that’s finalized the City will officially open the property to the public.
“Fish Island Preserve is a rich natural and cultural resource for the City of St. Augustine,” says J.B. Miller,
Land Management Coordinator. “We are very excited that we are now one step closer to being able to open
this valuable resource to the public.”
Fish Island Preserve, located at the east end of the 312 Bridge, has trails, views and a rich cultural history.
Public pressure saved the land from developers.
Visit www.CityStAug.com/FishIslandPreserve
Help wanted - vacancies on citizen boards
Plenty of opportunities to serve our community on various boards.
Lincolnville Community Redevelopment Steering Committee has two vacancies as Sue Agresta
declined to reapply due to her relocating and Nicolas Noloboff has served two full terms and is no longer
eligible for reappointment.
Police Officer’s Retirement System Board of Trustees needs a replacement for Dan Hilbert who is
running for judge and so is ineligible for reappointment.
Code Enforcement Adjustment and Appeals Board has four vacancies - William Masson has resigned
after appointment to the Planning and Zoning Board and from this board; Charlu “Cece” Reigle, Tom Day
and Larry Weeks all have term expirations and are able to reapply.
Find city board applications here.
