Posted inEditorials

Candidates and the Arts: Albert J. Abbatiello

1. Public Funding and the Arts

Public funding is available in the form of grants (federal and state), private/corporate, other philanthropic organizations. There are likely many more sources of funding that I’m unaware of. It’s imperative the TOC and Cultural Council share ideas and strategies and work together to maximize the opportunities. If not already existing a full time grant writer/strategist could be appropriate.

Mutual understanding of the overall mission to attract tourists is critical especially with the 450th Birthday celebration in 2015. This singular event WILL create worldwide interest in St. Johns County and, I believe, put St. Augustine and the county on the tourist map for years to come.

Live radio broadcast of political rally

WFOY
Kris Phillips, station manager of local radio station WFOY Newstalk 1240 has informed Historic City News that their station will bring back a St. Johns County tradition Monday, August 18th with an old fashioned political rally including a live radio broadcast.

Posted inEditorials

Reject the proposed charter on Election Day

As you might imagine, there has been a considerable amount written about the proposed “charter” form of government for St. Johns County – both in support and against. It has been the subject of local radio talk shows, guest columns and letters to the editor in the weekly and daily papers as well as several neighborhood “meetings” in some parts of the county.

Posted inGovernment

St. Johns County Chamber Opposes Charter

Tom Costeira
Historic City News was informed that on Wednesday, July 30th, the Board of Directors of the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce voted unanimously to oppose the county charter as proposed on the August 26 primary ballot.

This decision was based on three arguments: that the charter does not address the county commission’s ability to levy a utility tax; that the charter can potentially impose an uncertain financial burden on tax payers through its implementation; and that the charter and its amendments uses misleading language and structure on the ballot.