Letter: Does City use out-of-town catering

Dear Editor,

I just learned some very disturbing news.

It seems the Noche de Gala Ball, an event sponsored by the Heritage Tourism Department of St. Augustine, is being catered by a company out of Keystone Heights.

St. Augustine has a plethora of restaurants and catering companies that produce some of the best food anywhere. With the economy the way it is now, and with so many of our city residents suffering great financial devastation, I cannot believe the job was not awarded to one of our own.

It is bad enough that the Gala is cost prohibitive to most city residents. After all, it is the celebration of the birth of our city’s founder, right? Shouldn’t every resident be encouraged to join in on the celebration? My husband and I would love to attend, however, at $185.00 per person, it is not possible.

I think the residents of St. Augustine and St. Augustine Beach should stick together and support each other. Whenever possible, keep it local!

I think this is a bad example of the leadership in our community. Maybe they need to be better monitored.

Thank you.

Cathy Hart
St. Augustine