Appointments being shaped for 450th

Historic City News has learned that the consul generals of Spain, Britain, and France, a former U. S. Secretary of State, and former Florida Governor are among recommendations by the City Commission for appointments to local and federal 450th commemoration bodies.

The diverse list is designed “to celebrate the rich multicultural development of St. Augustine,” city 450 Director Dana Ste. Claire said in presenting the recommendations to the commission recently.

Federal St. Augustine 450th Commemoration Commission appointments recommended by the City Commission include a representative of the Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine, former senator and governor Bob Graham, and former U. S. Secretary of State Colin L. Powell. These are recommendations to the US Secretary of the Interior for appointment to the Federal Commission.

St. Augustine 450th Steering Committee additions include the US consul generals of Spain (currently Santiago Cabanas), Britain (currently Keith Allan) and France (currently Philippe Vinogradoff), and the President of the Espańa-Florida Foundation (currently Emilio C. Sanchez). These are appointments to our city board.

Commissioners encouraged Governor Charlie Crist to name as his three nominees the Chairman of the Seminole Tribe of Florida (currently Mitchell Cypress), the Spanish Ambassador to the United States (currently D. Jorge Dezcallar de Mazarredo), and the British Ambassador to the United States (currently Sir Nigel Sheinwald).

Commissioners also endorsed Ste. Claire’s proposal that the National Park Service recommend as its single nominee Gordie Wilson, Superintendent of Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, and the Chancellor of the State University System of Florida nominate Dr. Michael Gannon, Distinguished Professor Emeritus in History at the University of Florida.

“We are not only trying to build professional diversity for the Federal Commission but, and most important, cultural diversity,” Ste. Claire said. “The 450th is designed to celebrate the rich multicultural development of St. Augustine and the important and lengthy role the Oldest City has played in the historical and cultural development of America – not just the historical milestone of 450 years of continuous occupation.”