Historic City News has confirmed that Governor Charlie Crist vetoed two bills Wednesday that would have created new exemptions to the public records law.

In a statement received by Historic City News from St. Augustine Representative William Proctor today, Proctor said an idea that was brought to him by a retired National Guard helicopter pilot failed to receive the Governor’s approval.

Attorneys for four Plaza artists, who recently won a temporary injunction in federal court against the city’s ban on selling visual art, have offered to settle that case for $52,000 in attorneys’ fees and $2,500 in “nominal damages” for each plaintiff.

City Attorney Ron Brown notified city commissioners near the end of last night’s meeting that the lawsuit brought by developer Donna Wendler has been dismissed by mutual consent.

Historic City News watched as lawyers; for the city, city commissioners who are lawyers, and a hired attorney representing County Commissioner Ken Bryan and others, debated the settlement proposed by Fish Island development.

City Attorney Ron Brown will present a proposal at next week’s city commission meeting to settle a lawsuit by Fish Island Development, LLC.

Historic City News has learned that formal organization for upcoming 450th commemoration events begins tomorrow with a public meeting of the 450 Steering Committee and Consultant Mayor Jeanne Zeidler.

Want to hear a pin drop in the county commission chambers? Just bring up the suggestion of collecting a fire tax!