Why Sikes-Kline is not going to Spain

Historic City News is looking into the circumstances of the unprecedented delegation leaving for Aviles Spain from the City of St. Augustine — including the Mayor and all of the commissioners, except Nancy Sikes-Kline.

In the August 8, 2010 edition of The St. Augustine Record, Jennifer Edwards wrote, “Commissioner Nancy Sikes-Kline could not attend for family reasons, Boles said.”

Officially, on her website, Commissioner Sikes-Kline wrote, “On the delegation to Spain: I feel very strongly about this and can speak on my own behalf to say I did not accept the Spain invitation because my work is here with my family and people of the city.”

Sikes-Kline told Historic City News that she appreciated our call and to be given the opportunity to speak for herself. “First of all, I was asked to travel with the others. I declined.”

We asked why Mayor Boles would be answering news reporter’s questions for her, and she said, “I’m not sure why Joe was quoted for me, but, I can speak for myself. The Record reporter never asked me.”

Sikes-Kline told Historic City News editor Michael Gold today that she reached the decision to stay on her own. “At some point I would enjoy going to Spain, but on this trip, I think the City will be well represented without me.”

Sikes-Kline also told Gold, “At least one Commissioner should remain in the City at all times in case of an emergency.” She said that her passport is expired, and, since the trip leaves the last week of this month, it might be too short of a notice to get a new passport.

Historic City News was told by Sikes-Kline that the trip conflicts with the first week of school for her children and that was more important to her than flying to Spain at this time.

Photo credits: © 2010 Historic City News staff photographer