Governor offers generous support to St Augustine’s new mayor

For nearly half an hour before their luncheon at St Augustine’s Columbia Restaurant today, Florida Governor Rick Scott had some one-on-one time with Mayor Nancy Shaver after the September cabinet meeting came to a close at The Treasury.

Shaver tells Historic City News reporters that she looks forward to taking advantage of the generosity and support shown by Scott for the city’s legislative agenda.

“The governor explained to me that because our county’s legislative delegation only took office after the April 7th special election, they are still building strength on the house and senate floor,” Shaver told Historic City News editor Michael Gold this afternoon.

Shaver said the governor gave her some suggestions on how to get the most from our legislative delegation; which includes Senator Travis Hutson, Representative Cyndi Stevenson, and Representative Paul Renner.

Shaver says she found in the governor an ally for several issues closest to the city’s agenda and some on her own priority list. According to the mayor, the governor offered the names and e-mail addresses for key facilitators in Tallahassee who can keep her on the “fast track” to solutions and much needed state support.

“I already knew who the department heads were in the state agencies, but now I have been given direct contacts who actually make things happen in those bureaus,” Shaver said. “Of all the names, e-mail addresses and numbers I was given today, I have to say that the Governor offering me his personal cell phone was the most unexpected–and I am very grateful for his openness to hearing from our City”

The governor told Mayor Shaver that he admires her determination to keep all the community’s residents engaged in the processes of local government, and says he shares her passion for America’s oldest city. Shaver says that the governor made her feel comfortable, she found him to be very approachable, and empathetic about the problems faced by all Florida cities our size.

Governor Scott emphasized his committment to creating solutions to the many issues that stormwater creates for our low-lying coastal communities, regardless of the forces that create the problems of flooding and erosion we deal with.

The governor has been very visible in St Johns County, and not just at election time. He is very involved in economic development and transportation in Florida; two of the mayor and the city’s focal points that are dependent on state assistance.

The mayor is hopeful by connecting with her new contacts within the Florida Department of Transportation and several state agencies linked to economic development, that St Augustine will make great progress as we move away from “parties and galas” and return city hall to the business of providing excellent public services that enhance the health, safety and general welfare of all our citizens.

Photo credits: © 2015 Historic City News staff photographer