Editorials

It is another election year.

There will be a test on August 26, 2008 that will settle a number of local issues. There will be another test on November 4, 2008 that, for some, will be the “final exam” of their past performance in political office — for others it will deliver a message concerning their political future.

I always look forward to voting but what I don’t look forward to is the sea of haphazardly posted road signs touting me to vote for one political candidate or another. It is unsightly, trashes up our roadways and more importantly, it is illegal.

St. Augustine’s annual “Fireworks Over The Matanzas” draws more people–and cars–into the downtown area than any other single event all year long. A growing trend in recent years has been the use of bicycles by those who live close to downtown or carpooling with friends to minimize the number of cars in need of a place to park.

Thanks to some quick thinking on the part of Len Weeks, the cooperation of other Hypolita Street property owners and the support of the St. Augustine City Commission, one of the city’s four-block-long streets will be a little safer for pedestrians — tourists and residents alike.

Looking very official, the following e-mail – which was sent from a computer in the United Kingdom – was received by an editor at Historic City Media this morning; purporting to be a confirmation of the 2007 economic stimulus payment from the Internal Revenue Service.

Those who are duped and respond to the linked inquiry form will have their most important personal identification information compromised by this almost believable Internet phishing scheme.

In a five page Letter of Understanding sent less than 30 days ago from Teresa Bishop, AICP, Director of Growth Management Services for St. Johns County, which was sent to Mr. Mike McDaniel, Chief of the Florida Office of Comprehensive Planning, Division of Community Planning, Department of Community Affairs; Bishop outlined the 12 major issues identified for the 2007 Evaluation and Appraisal Report.

The editorial page at Historic City News is where we will express opinions on topics that have been reviewed by a three person panel of guest editors.

The opinions published may not have been unanimously held; but they will reflect the major leaning of our editorial panelists.

I remember when the “laptop” computer was an expensive luxury in our business; it made it out of the storeroom every now and then when one of us had an assignment on the road or had to take notes at the courthouse. Not the case any longer.

Notebook computers have become very competitive — comparing price to features like storage, speed and enhanced video display. Battery life has improved drastically and the device itself has slimmed down in size and weight and many businesses are taking notice of the new notebook.