The Florida Association of Counties is holding their annual photo contest for their 2016 calendar. This year's theme is Flora & Fauna and they are seeking photos of Florida's beautiful plants and wildlife. We are encouraging local photographers to submit their best photos in hopes that Nassau County can be featured in this year's edition.

There is no limit on the number of photos that can be submitted, however please note that each photo must be a minimum of 2,000 pixels. If your photo is selected, your name will be published in the calendar as well. How cool is that?

To submit your entries, please visit FAC's website. We look forward to seeing our beautiful county showcased in the 2017 FAC Calendar. Best of luck to each of you!

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

On Saturday, July 23, 2016, USA Football hosted a free, one day football camp at the Yulee Sports Complex. This program was one of many USA Football Protection Tours offered throughout the country. While many of the clinics are hosted at NFL footballs stadiums, this event was hosted at the Yulee Sports Complex in celebration of the Jacksonville Jaguars Foundation's partnership with the Nassau County Board of County Commissioners for construction of a new football field.

Master Trainers from the USA Football Head's Up Program led player safety clinics with local coaches and footballs players. In this program,coaches were trained on the 4 pillars of safe football: Equipment Fitting; Concussion Awareness; Heat & Hydration; and Head's Up Tackling. The event also featured appearances by former Jacksonville Jaguar players who now serve as Head's Up Ambassadors, members of Roar, the Jacksonville Jaguars Cheerleaders, and Jaxson de Ville, the Jaguars beloved Mascot.

Statistics have shown that players who learn the Head's Up Tackling technique have less injuries because they know how to safely block and tackle. Following the clinics, Master Trainers will continue to work with league coaches throughout the season to insure they are practicing the four pillars and applying the techniques they learned to each game. This joint effort serves as reassurance to parents that their children are being coached by individuals who can teach them the safety techniques they need to play the game safely.

To learn more about the Head's Up Program, please visit USA Football's website.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

FDOT has notified us that there will be nighttime lane closures on State Road 200/A1A from July 23rd - July 29th for construction of utility crossings. Below is more information regarding the location and dates/times:

• SR 200 EB Right Lane/WB Right Lane at Old Nassauville Rd Intersection; Monday, 7/25/16, 9:00 PM – 6:00 AM
  
• SR 200 EB Right Lane/WB Right Lane at Old Nassauville Rd Intersection; Tuesday, 7/26/16, 9:00 PM – 6:00 AM
• SR 200 EB Right Lane/WB Right Lane at Old Nassauville Rd Intersection; Wednesday, 7/27/16, 9:00 PM – 6:00 AM
  
• SR 200 EB Right Lane/WB Right Lane at Old Nassauville Rd Intersection; Thursday, 7/28/16, 9:00 PM – 6:00 AM
• SR 200 EB Right Lane/WB Right Lane at Old Nassauville Rd Intersection; Friday, 7/29/16, 9:00 PM – 6:00 AM
  

If you have any questions, please contact Carrie Smithheart of England, Thims & Miller at (904) 265-3170.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

Friday, July 15 through Sunday, July 17, Petco Foundation and First Coast No More Homeless Pets hosted a mega-adoption event at the Nassau County Fairgrounds. Pets from the surrounding counties were brought to the event in hopes for adoption. A total of 723 peters were adopted. Of those 723, 64 were from Nassau County Animal Services. Great job to everyone involved!

Nassau County Animal Services will participate in another large scale adoption event hosted by the Jacksonville Humane Society and Petsmart from August 22-August 23, 2016. Please check back for more information.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Nassau County Manager's Office

Governor Scott issued an order for all flags in the State of Florida to be lowered to half-staff through sunset on Friday, July 22, 2016, in respect of the officers attacked in Baton Rouge on Sunday, July 17, 2016. To view the memorandum, please click here.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

The Florida Department of Transportation has provided the attached monthly status report for the State Road 200/A1A Widening Project. The report gives an overview on activities that have taken place since the project began in September 2014, as well as activities that are expected to be performed in July.

If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Delgado, Public Information Officer for Adkins Global, at (904) 524-3869 or via e-mail at Debbie.Delgado@atkinsglobal.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
                      County Manager's Office

Governor Scott issued a memorandum ordering all flags in the State of Florida to be flown at half-staff through sunset on Tuesday, July 19, 2016, in honor and respect of the victims of the attack in Nice, France. Governor Scott stated, "We join the nation is mourning this unimaginable loss of life by another senseless act of terror in our world".

To read the memorandum in its entirety, please click here.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

ORANGE COUNTY, FL – The Florida Association of Counties (FAC) presented Nassau County Commissioner George V. Spicer with the Certified County Commissioner (CCC) designation following his completion of a comprehensive study program developed by the association.  Commissioner Spicer received the designation with 16 other county commissioners during an awards ceremony held at the FAC Annual Conference in Orange County, Florida.

Upon completing the Certified County Commissioner Program, George Spicer stated that, “I highly recommend this program to any Commissioner who wants to gain a better understanding on ethics and Sunshine Laws, as well as how to handle various issues such as growth and budgetary constraints. I feel the program has helped me maximize my leadership skills and improve the knowledge I need to effectively represent my district, as well as Nassau County.”

CCC certification is not a requirement to serve as a county commissioner in Florida.  However, county commissioners may voluntarily enroll in the program and complete a series of courses totaling 45 hours.  The coursework is designed to provide information and enhance skills relevant to a commissioner’s duties and responsibilities as an elected official.

“This certification provides our citizen electorate with valuable tools to assist them in their public service”, said FAC Executive Director Scott Shalley. “The more than 400 graduates of this program have shown an exceptional commitment to serving Florida’s counties.

The CCC program coursework covers a variety of topics, such as county government roles and responsibilities, county government structure and authority, financial management, ethics and sunshine law, negotiation skills, economic development, and effective communication.  Completion of all coursework averages 12 to 18 months.   The University of Florida/IFAS Extension sponsors this program.

Following are the names of the 17 county commissioners who received their CCC designation in 2016:
Wayne Bolla, Clay County; Terry Burroughs, Okeechobee County; Scott Carnahan, Citrus County; Ricky Gamble, Suwannee County; Cheryl Grieb, Osceola County;  Viviana Janer, Osceola County; James Johns, St. Johns County; Ronald Kitchen, Citrus County; Nick Maddox, Leon County; Russell Melendy, Hardee County; Everett Phillips, Columbia County; Marion Poitevint, Gilchrist County; Weston Pryor, Glades County; Charles Smith, Manatee County; George Spicer, Nassau County; Kathryn Starkey, Pasco County; Michael Swindle, Hendry County; and Rob Williamson, Santa Rosa County.

For more information about the CCC program and courses, visit the FAC web site at www.fl-counties.com. 

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office

Governor Rick Scott issued a memorandum today ordering all flags in the State of Florida to be flown at half-staff until sunset on Tuesday, July 12th in respect of the victims of the attack on police officers in Dallas yesterday.

Governor Rick Scott stated, "The violence displayed against Dallas law enforcement was a senseless and cowardly act that has no place in our country. Law enforcement officers across the nation bravely put their lives on the line every day in order to protect our homes, our communities, and our families". 

To read the memorandum in its entirely, please click here.

-Sabrina Robertson
 County Manager's Office