Historic City News is following a potential “Universal Primary” race forming in St Johns County District 2; as incumbent commissioner, Ronald Frederick Sanchez, is challenged by two other Republican candidates, so far, each of whom believes he is not earning his $69,033.49 annual salary. At 71, Sanchez is still not the oldest sitting member of the County Commission — John H “Jay” Morris, Jr, turned 72-years-old this month.
The City of St Augustine has invited Historic City News readers to an open house concerning the Spanish, Hypolita and Treasury Streetscape Rehabilitation Project; to be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 21st in The Alcazar Room, located on the ground floor of City Hall, 75 King Street in St Augustine.
Historic City News has learned that the retirement of Fire Chief Mike Arnold is bringing to a close a 30-year career with the St Augustine Fire Department; concluding with nearly seven years as fire chief.
One of the bones of contention during political campaigns and in reporting by Historic City News on both candidates and elected officials is where the individual “resides” — the address often is not where they call “home”.
The newest city commissioner, who has lived here the least number of years, will chair the “steering committee” that is set to drive the direction of the City of St Augustine government for the next twenty years. Think about that.
Some local attraction operators, who are members of the St. Augustine Attractions Association, are calling “foul” over a license agreement given by the City of St Augustine to UF Historic St Augustine, Inc — the direct support organization that acts as landlord over the state’s historic properties. The Association delivered an official letter of “non-support” to the City Manager’s office over terms of the license which they say allows an unfair competitive advantage to one private attraction operator.
