Blog Archives - The County Insider

The County Insider

County Employee Receives "Good Neighbor Award"

9/30/2014

At the annual Farm Bureau dinner held on Thursday, September 18th, Nassau County Extension Director Becky Jordi was given the 2014 Good Neighbor Award. This award was established in 2008 in an effort to recognize citizens who are viewed by other community members as someone that goes above and beyond to help those in need.

Ms. Jordi's work through the County Extension Office touches the lives of many people through her numerous newspaper and website publications, and through her monthly gardening and landscape courses, may of which are free to the residents. These classes provide homeowners with important information such as how to care for grass, trees, and flowers, and important tips on pruning, spraying insecticides, and selecting the correct type of plants for your landscape.

Under Ms. Jordi's leadership, the County Extension offers numerous programs including food and nutrition classes, 4-H, and Summer Camps. They also offer programs on a variety of topics to help local farmers such as how to start a small farm and how to care for livestock.

The County Extension has a very successful Master Gardener Program in which volunteers are trained through the University of Florida and provided with the knowledge and skills necessary to assist the Extension Office with their educational programs, allowing more citizens to be reached. In 2013, volunteers put in over 6,000 hours with a value of over $119,000.

Ms. Jordi was very surprised but also deeply honored for receiving Good Neighbor Award. She stated, "This award doesn't just represent me, it represents the contributions made by all the County Extension staff and volunteers to the residents of Nassau County, improving the quality of life for everyone living here".

Congratulations Becky! Your work reflects great credit upon Nassau County and we are all honored to work with such an exemplary person.

Pictured left to right: Gil Quarrier, Becky Jordi, and Commissioner Junior Boatright

-Sabrina Robertson
Nassau County Manager's Office

Temporary Lane Closure on Lime Street

9/29/2014

Please be advised that the northbound lane of Lime Street at the corner of 14th will be temporary closed on Wednesday, October 1st from about 9:30-10:30 a.m. for installation of a new sign for Baptist Hospital.

The contractor is Harbinger Sign and all questions should be directed to their Project Manager, Susan Barrett at (904) 647-4215 or via e-mail at sbarrett@harbingersign.com.

-Sabrina Robertson
Nassau County Manager's Office

Charity Golf Tournament Only 3 Days Away

9/24/2014

There are only three days left until the 3rd Annual City of Fernandina Beach vs. Nassau County Charity Golf Tournament. This tournament is open to everyone, not just City or County employees and it's not too late to sign up. There will be lots of great door prizes and raffles that you don't want to miss!

Entry fee is $80 per player, or $300 per foursome and includes 18 holes of golf and a BBQ lunch. Contact the City Golf Course at (904) 310-3175 right away to sign up. Proceeds will benefit the United Way of Northeast Florida.

If you have any questions, please contact Sabrina Robertson or Megan Sawyer at (04) 530-6010.

-Sabrina Robertson
Nassau County Manager's Office

Jasmine Street Drainage Project Beginning Today

9/22/2014

The Jasmine Street Drainage Project began today and consists of repairs to the existing drainage system from South 15th Street to east of Citrona Drive. The eroded corrugated pipes currently in place will be replaced with reinforced concrete pipes in order to extend the life of the drainage system. Additionally, the outfall ditch east of Nature's Gate at Egan's Creek will be repaired to eliminate some of the ground erosion that some residents have been experiencing.

Once the drainage project is complete, the portion of Jasmine Street from 14th Street to Citrona Drive will be resurfaced as part of the County's level and overlay projects. $146,000 in Small County Road Assistance Program (SCRAP) Funding was awarded by the State and will be used to help fund the surface improvements.

Motorists should expect some minor delays while traveling in the area. The project is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2015. Questions should be directed to Nassau County's Engineering Services Department at (904) 491-7330.

-Sabrina Robertson
Nassau County Manager's Office

Grace Christian Academy Visits Fire Station 60

9/17/2014

Students and teachers from Grace Christian Academy visited Fire Station 60 on September 16, 2014 to learn about tips on Fire Safety. During their visit, the students had a chance to tour the station to see the sleeping quarters and bay area where the fire apparatus is stored. They were also allowed to climb aboard the fire engine and got a first hand look at the various controls and radio system.

In addition to the tour, students watched a video titled "Be Cool About Fire Safety" and heard from the Firefighters about the importance of fire safety. The Firefighters also provided a demonstration on their bunker gear and how they prepare themselves to respond to a fire.

A big Thank You to Station 60 for their time and for teaching the children about the importance of fire safety.

-Megan Sawyer
Office of Management & Budget

Nassau County Firefighters Raised $20,230 for the Annual MDA Fill The Boot Campaign

9/15/2014

The annual "Fill the Boot" Campaign held in Nassau County August 30-September 1, 2014 raised $20,230 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Funds raised will benefit children and adults right here in Nassau County that are affected by muscle disease.

For the last 60 years, fire fighters have worked tirelessly to support the MDA's mission to find treatments and cures for life-threatening muscle diseases. Nassau County's very own Professional Firefighters Local 3101 and the Callahan Volunteer Firefighters have once again exemplified a true example of dedication and demonstrated their commitment to helping others. MDA Executive Director Lauren Herringdine stated, "We're grateful for the support of these inspiring, selfless individuals who provide life-saving help that will fund research, advocate for children and adults affected by muscle disease, and rally our community to fight back".

To read the Press Release issued by the MDA, click here.

-Sabrina Robertson
Nassau County Manager's Office

A1A/State Road 200 Widening Project Has Begun

9/10/2014

The A1A/SR200 widening project has begun. Please read the attached press release from the Florida Department of Transportation for additional information about the project including phases of the project, anticipated completion dates, and expected lane closures. All questions pertaining to the project should be directed to the Florida Department of Transportation, District Two Office, at (800) 207-8236.

You can also obtain current information on the project through FDOT's website, or by following FDOT on
Twitter (https://twitter.com/MyFDOT_NEFL) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MyFDOTNEFL).

New Video Tour Book of Nassau County

9/8/2014

The Board of County Commissioners is excited to announce that a series of videos promoting Nassau County is now featured on the County’s website. This video series, known as the Video Tour Book, consists of six one-minute videos that focus on living, working, and visiting Nassau County.

The purpose of the videos is to provide website visitors with a visual experience about Nassau County in an effort to encourage them to relocate or visit. Video topics were carefully selected to include a variety of information that County officials feel is relevant to Nassau County and everything it has to offer. “The quality of life in Nassau County is abundant”, said Nassau County Manager, Ted Selby. “Whether you prefer a rural setting or the benefits of a city, you are sure to find what you are looking for in Nassau County”. In addition, Nassau County boasts a high quality school system, a rich history, and a myriad of fun activities that attracts tourists year-round.

The videos were shot by CGI Communications and were produced at no cost to Nassau County or the taxpayers. CGI will offer local businesses the opportunity to place an ad on the CGI webpage to offset the costs for the production of the Video Tour Book. OMB Director/Assistant County Manager, Shanea Jones, stated “Nassau County is not involved in the sale of ad space, nor will they be displaying ads on the County website”.

The County was offered this promotional idea through their membership with the National Association of Counties (NACo). Ted Selby stated, “The agreement with CGI offers the County the opportunity to showcase all the wonderful things in our community and share them with future residents and visitors of Nassau County, at no cost to the County or the taxpayers”.

To view the Video Tour Book, please visit the County webpage.

Notice Regarding Deobligated and Unobligated Community Development Block Grant Funds

9/4/2014

DEOBLIGATED AND UNOBLIGATED COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT FUNDS - PUBLIC NOTICE

Nassau County is considering applying to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunities (DEO) for Deobligated and Unobligated Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds of $250,000. These funds must be used for one of the following purposes:

To benefit low and moderate income persons;
To aid in the prevention or elimination of slums or blight; or
To meet other community development needs of recent origin having a particular urgency because existing conditions pose a serious and immediate threat to the health or welfare of the community and where other financial resources are not available to meet such needs.

The categories of activities for which these funds may be used are in the areas of housing, neighborhood revitalization, commercial revitalization, or economic development and include such improvement activities as acquisition or real property, loans to private-for-profit business, purchase of machinery and equipment, construction of infrastructure, rehabilitation of houses and commercial buildings, and energy conservation. For each activity that is proposed, at least 70% of the funds must benefit low and moderate income persons.

The proposed project is continued de-snagging of fallen vegetation in the Thomas Creek drainage basins. A ten (10) day comment period will begin on, September 12, 2014. Contact Shane Whittier at (904) 491-7330 for a copy of the proposed application. Please submit comments to Shane Whittier at 96161 Nassau Place, Yulee, Florida 32097 by September 22, 2014.

-Megan Sawyer
Office of Management & Budget

Attention Local Photographers - Pictures of Sunrises & Sunsets Needed for FAC 2015 Calendar

9/2/2014

The Florida Association of Counties is seeking pictures of beautiful sunrises and sunsets for their 2015 Calendar themed "Sunrises and Sunsets". Photographers wishing to submit an entry of a sunrise or sunset taken in Nassau County, should submit them through FAC's website. Photos should be at least 2,000 pixels, however 3,000 pixels is preferred and should be in a high resolution ipeg format.

The top photos will be featured in FAC's 2015 Calendar and will include a caption describing where the photo was taken, and the photographer's name. The entrant will also be required to acknowledge a release providing FAC the rights to use the photo.

Entries will be accepted through Friday, September 5, 2014. Please keep in mind that there are 67 counties in Florida and only thirteen available spots for the calendar (the cover photo and 12 months). While we are sure FAC would love to use all photos submitted, that is not possible due to limited space.

Thank you in advance you sharing your photos. We wish you all the best of luck and hope that one of your photos is selected so we can show the rest of the State how beautiful sunrises and sunsets are here in Nassau County.