Harold K Edgerton, NAACP Past President
Asheville, North Carolina
Dear Historic City News readers:
I am now in my 70’s and old enough to have been called “negro”, then “colored”, then “Afro”, then “black”, and now “African American”. But, when it comes to color, I am simply red, white, and blue. I am a proud American. I served as a soldier in the US Army and today I fight for civil rights for all Americans.
Jacksonville Beach officials have moved to appoint the third city attorney in less than three years, according to reports received by Historic City News this week. This announcement coincided with drama in St Johns County that culminated in the resignation of County Attorney David M. Migut.
Local Historic City News reporters learned that officers with the St Augustine Beach Police Department encountered ex-sheriff David B Shoar driving alone near Pope Road at A1A Beach Boulevard at about 9:00 p.m. on Friday after he failed to stop at a red traffic light.
Historic City News was notified by Bill Dudley, Chairman of the Veterans Council of St Johns County, that on Thursday evening, November 23, 2023, St Augustine lost one of the Council’s founding members, Sgt Major Ray Quinn, US Army (Retired). Quinn, who previously served as Chairman, was totally immersed in the organization’s non-profit operations, currently serving as the Vice Chair.
Michael Gold, Founder
HISTORIC CITY NEWS
St Augustine, FL
This weekend, my high school graduating class celebrated our 50th-year reunion with a Yellow Jackets football game. We stormed past Palatka, to complete a perfect regular season. We also enjoyed a dinner at the St Augustine Shrine Club and a potluck lunch Sunday at Faver Dykes State Park.
Communications Director Melissa Wissel reported to Historic City News that Wade Giddens has been appointed Deputy Director of the St Augustine Utilities Department by City Manager, David Birchim. Giddens, formerly the Utility Field Operations Manager, will report to the department director, Stephen Slaughter, P.E.
As many Historic City News readers predicted following the ouster of former St Johns County Administrator Hunter Conrad, Joy Andrews, the Deputy Assistant County Administrator for the last seven years, has been selected to continue in her position permanently. She has been serving as Interim County Administrator since July 2023.
The Office of State Attorney R. J. Larizza released to Historic City News another session of his community outreach video newsletter for Florida’s Seventh Judicial Circuit. Haley Harrison reported that Larizza’s on-camera message focuses on the ways the office has amplified its presence and resources dedicated to domestic violence cases.
