Board of County Commissioners listens, honors, and gives

Understanding how government works – be it at the local, state or federal level – is never easy. Understanding what a government body can do under the powers vested in it is yet another level of complexity.

County Attorney/Manager Mike Mullin, Board chair Justin Taylor, and Danny Leeper listen to residents.

At the January 14, 2019 meeting of the Board of County Commissioners, during the segment of every BOCC meeting when members of the public are invited to the podium provided the perfect example of how very daunting is the task of knowing who does what and where one should go to help resolve these issues.

One individual was angry with her homebuilder and asked, “what can this community, the BOCC do, to help resolve these issues?”

Nothing. County Attorney Michael Mullin very simply stated, “the BOCC has no control over builders.” He explained that the first recourse would be to contact the Department of Business and Professional Regulation in Tallahassee. That department is where consumers can verify licenses, file a complaint against licensed or unlicensed individuals and obtain other information.

Dennis Lavery

Another resident, Mr. Dennis Lavery, expressed his frustrations with the homeowners’ association in his community and stated emphatically that he did not want to be a part of it. In addition, he was looking to the BOCC for help to get a mailbox in front of his house. The mailbox issue, as Mr. Mullin explained, is strictly the responsibility of the United States Postal Service (USPS) but offered to meet with Mr. Lavery as well. Mr. Lavery insisted that he had been told “if the county pushes the issue it would happen.”

Nassau County does have a very comprehensive website which includes a list of Frequently-Asked-Questions (FAQs). It is often a good place to start for information about meetings and events and “How Do I” type questions. That address is https://www.nassaucountyfl.com/faq.aspx.

Steve Leimburg holds his  photograph of "Old Florida" selected by the Florida Association of  Counties for its upcoming calendar.

A resolution honoring local photographer Steve Leimburg for having his photograph selected to be included in the 2019 calendar of the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) was presented. Leimburg responded to a call for submissions back in July of 2018. Over 351 photos were submitted statewide. Mr. Leimburg’s photograph, entitled “Old Florida” is an image of the old welcome station at the Florida/Georgia line on U.S. Highway 1. It will be the August photo feature.  (To order calendar click here.)

Another resolution, also unanimously approved was one proclaiming January 31, 2019 as “American Beach Day.” Joyce Jefferson, President of the American Beach Property Owners Association, was there to accept a copy of the proclamation. The proclamation includes a brief history of this unique community on Amelia Island:

American Beach, an African American enclave on Amelia Island in Nassau County, Florida, was founded on January 31, 1935 by the Pension Bureau of the Afro-American Life Insurance Company for the purpose of developing an oceanfront resort for its employees and shareholders; and

2019 marks the 84th anniversary of the founding of American Beach;

during the period of racial segregation in America, American Beach became known to hundreds of thousands as the Negro Playground, and was a home in Paradise to many; and

since 1982 property owners assumed leadership for the community and began a neighborhood association; through the efforts of the American Beach Property Owners’ Association, Inc., a state historic survey of homes and structures on American Beach was completed; and

after a thorough and certified documentation conducted by the American Beach Property Owners’ Association, Inc., American Beach, since January 28, 2002 has been listed as the American Beach Historic District in the National Register of Historic Places.

Later in the meeting, commissioners gave their final approval and authorization of funding agreements for several not-for-profits including:

• $150,000 to the Nassau County Economic Development Board, whose mission is to create, grow and attract business investment to Nassau County and offer high-wage jobs to its residents and our future workforce, says its website.
• $83,655 to the Jacksonville Area Legal Aid (JALA) which provides legal services to low income persons residing in Nassau County including services to individuals and families facing domestic violence, loss of housing and computer scams
• $243,000 to the Council on Aging which describes itself as an organization whose goal “is to maintain and enrich the lives of older citizens throughout Nassau County. NCCOA’s programs enable those age 60 and older to live independently at home while also providing opportunities for companionship, and activities geared toward the needs of seniors.”'
• $60,000 to the Boys and Girls Club of Nassau County Foundation whose "mission is to fund and operate Nassau County's after-school and summer programs which benefit the community’s youth by providing them with a safe place to improve their academics, be engaged with positive role models, and develop into confident leaders; and
• $50,000 to Micah’s Place, “the only certified domestic center in Nassau County,” as their website instructs.

TO BE CONTINUED. . .

Editor's Note: Born in Hagerstown, Maryland, Cindy received her BA in Political Science from Dickinson College. Upon graduation, Cindy began her career on Capitol Hill working as a legislative aide and director. She later became a part of the public relations and lobbying team of the American Iron and Steel Institute and served as director of the office of state legislative affairs for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). Cindy was involved in economic development with the state of Maryland, and served as executive director of Leadership Washington County. As a community volunteer, Cindy participates in numerous volunteer activities serving as a member of Sunrise Rotary, and as board member of Cummer Amelia Board of Directors.