Special treatment from Boles era must stop

There is a new feeling of openness, transparency, and accountability at City Hall since the election of Mayor Nancy Shaver in November; however, there are still lingering examples of insider deals and special treatment for friends and family of the defeated mayor, Joe Boles.

If you have ever attended a public meeting at St Augustine’s City Hall, you have an appreciation for the importance of the Alcazar Hotel to our community; one of two major hotels constructed by Henry Flagler in the late 1880’s. It is a cultural asset that is irreplaceable. The city commission chambers on the ground floor is named after the famous hotel.

The historic building houses St. Augustine’s City Hall, the Lightner Museum, several State of Florida agency offices and a variety of retail shops. Historic City News obtained the following tables which provide some details:

In either the east or west wing of the Alcazar Hotel building, the average rent paid by the tenants is $16.30 per-square-foot. For ground-floor space, facing the courtyard, that rate is considered competitive. Tenants pay an extra fee for parking, when it is available — generally between $20-$25 monthly. The City furnishes electricity, water, sewer, and public restrooms.

Before the election in November, former mayor Joe Boles faced public criticism for how he, his friends, and family benefited by favorable terms on various arrangements with the City. At the forefront, a recently renewed sweetheart land lease for the Florida Cracker Café on St George Street where the City rents the property to Boles and his business partner, longtime friend, and another former mayor, Len Weeks. Boles made an agreement years ago to operate the business and public restrooms at Toques Place; but, he and Weeks sold the business without obtaining written approval from the City. They continued to pay the pennies-on-the-dollar land lease, and began collecting premium retail rent from the restaurant and an adjacent candy store.

Historic City News also became aware of another City lease, with Mayor Boles’ mother. Maurine Boles is listed as President, Director, or other officer of The Textile Guild of St. Augustine, Inc., going back to the annual report of 2003, and including years through 2010. Joe, who is an attorney, is the registered agent for the corporation.

On investigation, Historic City News discovered that The Textile Guild of St. Augustine, Inc., leases the approximately 500 square-foot offices near the Alcazar Room that once housed the St Augustine USO office.

Based on the rent paid by the other tenants, $16.30 per-square-foot, the space should earn the City $8,150 annually. What we discovered was that The Textile Guild of St. Augustine, Inc., obviously a favored non-profit organization by the former mayor, was not paying anything for utilities or the $679.17 monthly rent — that loss came to bear on St Augustine’s taxpayers.

Historic City News brought our findings to the attention of City Attorney Isabelle Lopez and City Manager John Regan. Since the lease expires at the end of this month, we have been expecting that during the past three months, there would be some discussion at the commission level concerning the giveaway. Instead, on further investigation we obtained a copy of a new extension of the old, free lease; signed by Regan and Lopez.

The record is replete with examples where one non-profit organization would benefit over another non-profit organization, and woe be unto you if you weren’t the favored insider under the Boles administration. Whether in his position on the Tourist Development Council, where his cronies received favorable treatment, or back at City Hall, the Boles era is pockmarked with public business being done on a wink and a nod.