Watchdog Report: Intimidation tactics won’t stop public access
By Brad Matthews | Watchdog Arena
Special to Historic City News
When a local activist in Montgomery County, Maryland filed to get public records pertaining to the $89 million construction of a library and recreation center, she was told she had to wait three months for the data to be gathered. Oh, she also had to pay an exorbitant sum of $58,407.
Tuesday evening the candidates for Florida House of Representatives who survived the January primary, addressed an audience hosted by the St Augustine Beach Civic Association to discuss several issues of interest to area voters.
Complaints have been made to Historic City News local reporters concerning how city boards, staff, and public safety departments do not reflect the racial and ethnic mix of the community; hiring and appointments have been, more often than not, of white males.
At the St Augustine City Commission meeting last night, Mayor Nancy Shaver received public support for her call to audit the contracts associated specifically with the 450th Commemoration; even though there is still resistance from other commissioners to allow a full audit of those activities to proceed.
Historic City News readers know that when the legislature is in session, it’s time to hold on to your wallets. The following report helps break down the Florida Senate and House budgets in a way that highlights issues important to us locally.
After a long evening where the discussion was placed last on the items of business in the agenda, at about 9:30 p.m., City Manager John Regan offered to break a looming deadlock over terms for auditing contracts related to the 450th Commemoration.
Florida Weekend Recap – March 20
A recap of this week’s best political and policy happenings; Historic City News brings you what you missed this week in Florida policy and politics.
Did you catch it? In the spring edition of FORUM, the magazine of the Florida Humanities Council, writers informed their audience about the plans for the future of St Augustine, and moves underway to better balance the city to accommodate tourists as well as the families who live and work in the 450-year-old town.
