Remarks offered by Vice Mayor Jones at the Gator Gala's welcome ceremony

Vice Mayor JonesPresident Machen... Vice President Poppel... Dr. Proctor... Senator Thrasher... Congressman Fuqua... members of the University of Florida Alumni Association... it is an honor to stand here with you on this important occasion.

St. Augustine Mayor Joe Boles sends his regrets at not being able to be here this evening. As I believe we all know, our Mayor is a proud citizen of the Gator Nation and so much wanted to be here tonight to celebrate this partnership between the University of Florida and the St. Augustine community.

Please allow me to recognize my fellow city commissioners: Mr. Don Crichlow... Ms. Leanna Freeman... and Ms. Nancy Sikes-Kline.

It is my honor this evening, on the behalf of the Mayor and the Commission and the citizens that we represent that I welcome you...the University of Florida... to St. Augustine.

Today was the fourteenth day... in the second month... in the 445th year of our city. No other city in the United States can say that. No other city in the United States can say that it has been continually inhibited since the day it was founded by Europeans over four-hundred and forty-five years ago.

And that's what makes St. Augustine special... that we are the Nation's Oldest City.

Of course I know that comes as no surprise to any of you...that St. Augustine is special. Each of us have our own love of this place... there is something special about St. Augustine to each of us.

But our city is also special because of its place in the history of our nation... the St. Augustine story is crucial to the telling of the whole story of the founding and development of the United States.

In fact, the history of our nation is incomplete if it does not include the St. Augustine story.

And, in many ways our story is still being written. Because of continuing research... both above and below ground... the St. Augustine story becomes more detailed every day as we learn more and more.

Vice Mayor JonesThe University of Florida will undoubtedly prove to be a dynamic partner with our community as we work to tell the St. Augustine story. This new partner is unmatched in its ability to draw on resources that are both vast and prestigious... and the University has already demonstrated its commitment to academic quality and professional research regarding our city's history.

We only need to mention the names of Gannon, Lyon, and Deagen.

Without a doubt, we are in good company when we are with the University of Florida.

There is also a very tangible benefit to our entire community that comes with this partnership and that is the University's embracing the stewardship of what we have come to know as "the Historic Properties."

For us, historic preservation is more than just doing the right thing... it is part of our economic engine. In the simplest of terms, for us it is important how we look. We are in the hospitality business after all.

And when our visitors walk our streets we want them to walk through history, to feel immersed in the past, and there's no better way to give them that experience that through a commitment to historic preservation.

All of these properties contribute to the historic fabric of our city... its character and charm... and now that they are in the care of the University, their preservation is assured.

And that's important because there is a common phrase that describes what we do in St. Augustine: "We Save Stuff."

Think about the buildings you passed on your way here this evening. Look around you at where we are right now here at Governor's House. We would not be in this courtyard tonight had not the generations that went before us embraced the importance of that phrase: "In St. Augustine, We Save Stuff."

And now with the University of Florida caring for so many of our city's architectural treasures, we can have confidence that "stuff will be saved."

I believe we can all agree that there are exciting opportunities for us as we work together for the future of the city with the longest past.

Again, on behalf of the entire St. Augustine community, we welcome you to our city and want you to know we are proud that the University of Florida is our newest partner in the continuing discovery of our history... in the preservation of our past... and in the telling of our story.

Lastly, I have to confess that as a Rattler, it is indeed a momentous day for me to stand here and say that I am a proud member of the Gator Nation, but tonight I do say it with pride.

Thank you.