Editorial: Celebrate 450! by telling the truth

Michael Gold, Editor
HISTORIC CITY NEWS

As a nation, we’re only days away from celebrating our independence from Great Britain. A short 239-years-ago, on July 4, 1776, our forefathers, who were ordinary citizens with extraordinary vision, adopted the Declaration of Independence.

In St. Augustine, we will commemorate that historic occasion with a celebration, with fireworks, with music, and commerce will enjoy the single busiest day of the year for tourism. These days, the City spends less than $100,000 to produce the entertainment. The return to the community is immediate, and the success is easily measurable.

We’ve been commemorating the 4th of July locally for well over fifty years that I can testify to. The City does not hire consultants, employ high-priced, specially appointed executives, nor do they squander millions of tax dollars to feather the nests of inside contractors or political cronies. The City does not make undeliverable promises to the public about what to expect for the money that is being spent.

Independence Day in St Augustine stands on its own merits and no embellishment is necessary. It is a feather in the cap of our citizens, business community, and well managed by the various departments of city government.

Sadly, it stands in stark contrast to our commemoration of the 450th anniversary of the founding of our city in September. Two more months and it’s all over. Promises made, claims undelivered, and the time has come to account for the past five-year spending spree.

Those who are going to bring this runaway train into the station do not need to repeat the mistakes of the past — starting with dangling red herrings in front of the public in an attempt to drum up support for something that has been built on lies.

For example, the Pope is not coming to St Augustine for the 450th cake cutting — despite what ex-mayor Boles and Father Tom Willis tried to sell their faithful followers. If Friday’s report in The Washington Post is correct, Pope Francis will not leave Cuba and land in the United States until September 22nd.

The Post reports that during Pope Francis’s U.S. trip this fall, his holiness will be participating in significant, pope-like events that include a meeting with inmates in a Philadelphia prison gym, another with poor migrants at a D.C. church where he may serve them lunch, and also visit with disadvantaged youth at Our Lady Queen of Angels School. Pope Francis plans to speak repeatedly about the plight of immigrants; both at the East Harlem elementary school as well as before tens of thousands of people on Independence Mall Park in Philadelphia.

Apparently the pontiff thinks he’s best qualified to represent the holy Catholic Church with American politicians, even though Father Willis’ name started showing up on many of ex-mayor Boles corporations before his defeat in the November election. Pope Francis will also visit the White House, the United Nations and Congress. Congressional historians say it’s the first time a religious leader has ever been invited to address a joint meeting. Guess Tom will still be able to have coffee with Joe, but the city’s taxpayers won’t be picking the tab.

The other whopper, a promised, then un-promised, then inferred visit by the Spanish royal family, is not very likely — given what we know. Dana Ste. Claire is still managing to slip it into his remaining speaking engagements. We’ll know soon enough. The clock is ticking.