We own the history of First America

Historic City News Editor Michael Gold recently read that the Brevard County Commission voted 4-1 to support re-naming the 45-mile barrier island from Port Canaveral to Sebastian Inlet for Ponce de Leon; supporting those who say the famed conquistador may have landed in Melbourne Beach in 1513 — not St. Augustine.

In the works is a 500th anniversary celebration of Ponce de Leon’s legendary landing, near Melbourne Beach, on April 2, 1513; making him the first European to reach the continental United States and to claim this land for Spain.

That really “pisses me off” if you will excuse my French.

This city and county have really dropped the ball on planning for a once-in-a-lifetime landmark event. From where I am standing, the privateers wasted no time or political expedience in robbing this generation of their birthright and looting their treasure.

I was here for the 400th anniversary of the founding of the City of St. Augustine and it looks like I will be here for the 450th — but I will not be here for the 500th. I am, however, here for the 500th anniversary of the 16th century discovery of our nation by Europeans; lead by Ponce de Leon during his fabled search for the “fountain of youth”.

The City of St. Augustine, in the zeal of its commissioners and city staff, have spread themselves and us as its citizens, too thin in trying to put on four years of celebrations in the worst economic times since the late 1920’s.

For the most part, this community and its families make their livings in some tourism-related, or tourism-affected, form of employment. The historic story of Ponce de Leon and Pedro Menendez are told and retold, re-enacted, presented and taught to students of all ages in St. Augustine — and have been for generations.

Now we are trying to use our public resources to diversify the St. Augustine story to include various other legitimate, historic events — instead of allowing private resources to come forward to tell those stories.

The Andrew Young Foundation should have told the Andrew Young story, not the City. The Haitian American Historical Society or Tolomato Cemetery should tell the history of General Jorge (Georges) Biassou. The cities of Cadiz and Aviles, Spain, should be telling the story of their celebrated constitution.

We have allowed competing events to get in the way of our core, marketable, heritage tourism foundation — the historical significance of Ponce de Leon’s discovery and Pedro Menendez’ settlement cannot be overstated.

We blinked. We now are on the precipice of failure at what should be our shining moment in the sun. Other communities are stealing our historic assets because we are distracted with too many irons in the proverbial fire.

Our local government needs to focus on their charge of providing for the health, safety and welfare of our citizens. Let the privateers use their own money to promote whatever events they want — whether historically accurate or socially desirable. If they are as smart and capable as they claim to be, they shall enjoy the profits of their labors — but let them do it without the guarantee of profit courtesy of local taxpayers.

Instead of doing a great job of promoting two historic events, we are doing a less than stellar job of attempting to promote several.

What have we learned so far?

That the City Heritage Tourism Department was incapable of managing a series of celebrations “in house” after hiring “the best in the business” to assume that responsibility.

That a couple of relative newcomers were able to con the City out of $300,000 in advance in the name of throwing a four-year party of the century.

That a Jacksonville public relations firm, whose principal was a paid spin-doctor for the railroad, handling, among other things, “crisis communications” or damage control in layman’s terms, and is a high profile political finance “consultant” for both President George Bush and Governor Jeb Bush, won another contract with the City to promote the commemorations.

That two more Jacksonville public relations, advertising and “government affairs” firms are being considered for similar contracts after City staff discovered that they were unable to do it all in-house, as they should have a year before after the first “public-private” fiasco.

Here’s a brilliant idea, free gratis. Put the Fountain of Youth Archeological Park in charge of coordinating the 500th anniversary events. They have a lot to lose if their participants do a crappy job. Put WFOY radio in charge of coordinating marketing and promotion of the scheduled events. After all, they are “Fountain of Youth” radio.

Don’t give either private concern any money. None. They will figure out how to cover their costs and make a profit doing it. Watch free enterprise at work and let the City re-focus on streets, sewers, public safety and all those other things we need them to do.

Photo credits: © 2011 Historic City News archive FLORIDA TODAY file photograph