Leary to report on Washington trip

Historic City News received word from St. Augustine City Commissioner Bill Leary that he has an entirely new perspective on the commemoration of the City’s 450th anniversary after returning to town from a three-day working-trip in Washington, D.C.

Accompanying Leary on the trip was Dana Ste. Claire; Director of the Department of Heritage Tourism for the City of St. Augustine. Amid recent personnel changes and over the course of the City’s changing approach to development and management of signature programs, Ste. Claire has been the department head who has been most intimately involved in local planning for the 450th commemoration.

“This visit had a significant impact on my view of how we interpret our history,” Leary told Historic City News. “When we convene the 450th workshop Monday afternoon, I will have a full report on our activities and my impressions from those meetings.”

Leary and Ste. Claire left for D.C. on Wednesday, September 14th; and the commissioner said they were fortunate to have the opportunity to interact one-on-one with officials Leary referred to as being “at the highest level”.

Not wanting to steal his thunder before the workshop, Historic City News did not press for those details; however, it is clear from Leary’s excitement that he is eager for everyone to share in what he has learned.

Editor Michael Gold said, “Commissioner Leary appears to have made good on early promises to engage the community and consider various points of view in making his decisions — he has also shown that he is not afraid to change his mind when he makes new discoveries along the way.”

If you are planning to attend — the St. Augustine City Commission workshop meeting will begin at 3:30 p.m. Monday and will be held in the Alcazar Room; on the first floor of City Hall, located at 75 King Street in St. Augustine.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News staff photographer