Feeling frustration from what he’s called a “lack of accountability” in the management of the City of St Augustine, one-term commissioner Todd Neville is quoted in this morning’s St Augustine Record saying, “the city needs a different kind of leadership to reach its goals” and that he will not seek re-election.
When Carlotta Miles-Theodore quit the claim of Echo House, Inc., to the Lincolnville property left by her late mother Rosalee Gordon-Mills, she as president and Dorothy Israel as secretary, struggling to pay almost $3,500 in property taxes and even more in fines to the City for numerous code violations, walked away from their interest in the historic 1920’s complex that at one time provided indigent African-Americans with nursing care.
In the case of Jeremy Banks, “Plaintiff” versus Rusty Ray Rodgers, an individual, “Defendant”, (3:14-cv-00065-BJD-MCR) a final judgment has been issued by decision of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division finding for the Defendant and against Deputy Sheriff Jeremy Banks.
With the sitting commission of the City of St Augustine one member short, during its regular meeting Monday night March 25, 2018, the audience heard a presentation by Madeline Wise for the Lincolnville Historical Preservation and Restoration Society lnc. offering a plan to repair and utilize the remaining historic ECHO House building for nonprofit, charitable and philanthropic purposes.
On a 4-0 vote, with Commissioner Leanna Freeman absent, the commission of the City of St Augustine approved a new ordinance on second reading after hours of sworn witness testimony and public comments, that will prohibit general panhandling and begging for money within specific 20-foot or 100-foot zones within the city.
St. Augustine City Manager John Regan announced to Historic City News local reporters today that Mike Cullum, an engineer with nearly forty years’ experience in the public and private sector utility industry, will take over as the city’s Public Works Director starting on May 1.
Today, St Johns County Property Appraiser Eddie Creamer informed local Historic City News reporters that in November Florida voters will have the opportunity to vote on a proposition that would apply a third $25,000 homestead benefit to the portion of assessed value of homes between $100,000 and $125,000.
When the St. Johns County Tourist Development Council meets tomorrow afternoon, members will decide whether to accept the seven applicants for the seven available seats on the controversial Category II Funding Panel; the committee that recommends who does and doesn’t get a piece of the bed tax pie, and how much.
