How to save $300K without really trying

Historic City News has confirmed that, on May 21st, City Manager John Regan notified the remaining 450th Commemoration employees that their positions will end on September 30, 2015. The termination notices were hand delivered.

One of several substantiated criticisms of the city government’s mismanagement of the 450th Commemoration has been the amount of money paid to employees, consultants, and a host of “insider” vendors, who benefited financially, directly and indirectly, under its shameful operation.

“This letter is to officially inform you the 450th Commemoration Department will not be funded in the upcoming fiscal year budget,” Regan told each of the four recipients. “Effective the close of business on September 30, 2015, the work of the 450th Commemoration will be completed and your employment with the City of St. Augustine will end.”

One of the “insiders” under the Boles era, Charles R. Seraphin, who has sued the City for wrongful termination and violation of his civil rights, had his $78,000 no-bid consulting contract terminated a month after it was renewed last October. Historic City News readers are still asking what he did that was worth nearly $250,000 he was paid over the past three years.

Those notified in May included a relatively new hire, Michelle Williams, who was employed as an event coordinator. Another “short-timer”, is 26-year-old Nikole Sabrina Alvarez, hired in May 2013 at a salary of $37,174 to be a “curator”. She had only been in St Augustine seven months, according to public records.

After the departure of another Alvarez (Jamie), the City hired Jennifer Zuberer to be the manager of communications. She came on board on September 27, 2011, at a salary of $55,577. Zuberer is also being terminated.

There was some debate as to whether he would linger on after September 30th, however, Dana Ste. Claire was given his termination notice on May 21st along with the others in his department. Ste. Claire was hired by former city manager Bill Harriss in March 2009; and in April, six-years ago, he took over the planning of the city’s 450th Anniversary Commemoration.