Nassau County Sheriff’s Office warns – Click it or ticket!

Press release submitted bySheriff - Click it or Ticket

Nassau County Sheriff’s Office – Sheriff Bill Leeper

Motorists beware: Click it or Ticket is here.  The Nassau County Sheriff’s Office will join local and national law enforcement officers and highway safety advocates across the country for the national Click It or Ticket safety belt enforcement campaign that kicks off May 20 and ends June 2, 2013.  During the mobilization, officers will help save lives by cracking down on those who do not buckle up.

“While Florida reached a record high last year for safety belt use, we still see many drivers and passengers who fail to buckle up.  All too often it ends in tragedy,” said Sheriff Bill Leeper. “One of our goals is to save lives through education and enforcement campaigns such as Click it or Ticket.”

Safety belt use saves thousands of lives across America each year and NCSO is helping to spread the word in Florida.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 25% of all Florida traffic fatalities in 2011 were a result of occupants not wearing their seatbelts.  Research shows that lap/shoulder belts, when used properly, reduce the risk of fatal injury.

Florida is a primary seatbelt enforcement state, meaning you can be stopped simply for not wearing your seatbelt.  Florida law requires all drivers and occupants in the front seat of a vehicle to fasten their safety belts.  Occupants under the age of 18, regardless of where they sit in a vehicle, also must buckle up. Motorist cited for failure to buckle up face a non-moving violation.  The fine for a seatbelt violation in Nassau County is $101.00 and $151.00 for a child seat violation.  “Save your money and save a life!” added Leeper.

May 20, 2103 8:54 p.m.

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Florida Governor Rick Scott vetoes $500,000 funding for proposed Nassau County Sheriff’s Facility

Submitted by Susan Hardee Steger

Proposed Nassau County Sheriff's facility
Proposed Nassau County Sheriff’s facility

Governor Rick Scott vetoed a $500,000 request to fund construction of a 10 million Nassau County Sheriff’s facility despite approval from the state legislature.

“The following [$500,000 request] is vetoed because funding for planning and construction of county buildings is the responsibility of local government,” according to Scott’s announcement.   (Click here for message from governor.)

The Fernandina Observer will continue to follow this story.

May 20, 2013 2: 10 p.m.

 

 

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Fernandina Beach Train Depot restoration begins

Train Depot 8
Gil Langley, president and CEO of Amelia Island Tourism, and Benjamin Morrison of Cotner and Associatees discuss restoration plans.

Submitted by Suzanne Z. Thamm Reporter-News Analyst

The painstaking and arduous work of restoring Fernandina Beach’s historic train depot has moved from the planning stage into actual construction work. According to Gil Langley, President and CEO of the Amelia Island Convention and Visitors Bureau, there is no time frame for completing this restoration project, because all parties want to make sure that the job is done right.  Badly needed brick repointing is awaiting test results to determine the best type of mortar for use with the existing brick. Langley is overseeing the restoration, which is being funded by his organization, the city of Fernandina Beach and the Amelia Island – Fernandina Restoration Foundation.

Railroad Express Sign on Western Facade
Railroad Express Sign on Western Facade

Once completed, the train depot’s exterior wood surfaces will loose their white paint and return to the original paint scheme – green and gold, as visible in the Railway Express Agency sign on the west façade.  In addition to returning the two doors on the west side originally exiting to the train platform, the plans call for replacing the front door to the depot and adding flanking windows.

The west side of the building has been blocked off to allow craftsmen from the Avondale Window Restoration Company to work on restoring some of the old windows, while also doing preliminary work to return two of the current windows to doors.  In addition to removing many coats of a variety of paints that have been applied over the life of the 114 year-old structure, the workers are dealing with lead paint issues.  Once the windows are free of lead paint, they will be removed and taken to the shop for a thorough going over to repair wood and glass damage that has occurred over the years. 

train depot group
Representatives from Avondale Window Restoration Company begin to tackle window restoration.

Project architects Cotner Associates, Inc. have done extensive research to uncover photographs of the train depot in its earlier days in attempting to make the restoration as historically accurate as possible.  Unfortunately, many early photos were housed in an office in Jacksonville that was destroyed by fire.  Any leads to locating old depot photos would help the architects in final design elements.  Langley would also like to incorporate old brick pavers from Centre Street in the depot platform area.  If you have information on old photos or sources for the old brick pavers, please contact Gil Langley at 904-277-4369 or glangley@ameliaisland.com

Train Depot 5 Cropped

 

At this point it remains to be seen whether the roofed train platform, which was removed many years ago, will be replaced as part of this project.  The cost, roughly estimated at $100K, was not included as part of the original estimate. However, adding this feature would provide exceptional covered public space with a view of the waterfront for public gatherings and special events.

May 20, 2013 11:21 a.m.

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Amelia Island revealed . . .

Submitted by  David Lee Roberts
www.dlrobertsphotography.com

Turtle 14

 

Turtle 13

Turtle 11

Turtle 12

Editor’s Note: We thank David Roberts for sharing his photos taken while sea turtles were released at Main Beach. The release is part of a three day Wild Amelia Nature Festival that ends today (Sunday).

David Lee Roberts grew up in Fernandina Beach, and is the son of former mayor Beano Roberts. For 23 years he has lived in Orlando, Florida and is employed by WKMG-TV6 (CBS) as a Newscast Director. To see more of David’s photos click on www.dlrobertsphotography.com

May 19, 2013 6:00 a.m.

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Timoti’s among the nation’s best seafood dives

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter-News Analyst
Timoti's 2

Coastal Living magazine has named Timoti’s Seafood Shak at 21 N. 3rd Street in Fernandina Beach one of their 22 favorite seafood dives in the country. The reviewer stated, “In just one year of operation, Timoti’s (pronounced TIM-oh-tees) has earned a fiercely loyal following for its local and wild-caught seafood—especially fried shrimp and fried clam strips.“

 

Tim and Theresa Poynter
Tim and Theresa Poynter

 

 

Tim Poynter, who along with his wife and partner Theresa, owns and operates both Timoti’s and Café Karibo on North 3rd Street in Fernandina Beach’s downtown historic district, said that he learned about this latest distinction from a restaurant patron. “Right away we went out and bought a copy of the magazine. And when we opened it, there we were!” Tim said.

Timoti's 4

In addition to being a hit with fresh seafood lovers, Timoti’s is popular with the younger set who head off for the pirate ship at the rear of the property as soon as their parents allow. No doubt the pirate ship helped Timoti’s get mentioned favorably in a recent Parents Magazine. This year the outside seating area is also equipped with fans that blow a cool mist over patrons as they enjoy their seafood.

 

Timoti's 1
“Some of the best around” staff members including  Carlin Catanzaro Manager, far left,  Brian Poynter (far right)

Carlin Catanzaro manages Timoti’s and has been a force in reshaping menus and service over the first year.  She heads a staff that includes Tim and Theresa’s son Brian and others whom Tim has called “some of the best around.”The staff is composed of young people who are efficient, friendly and look like they are having a good time, even when they are caught up in a busy period.

 

 

While Coastal Living’s reviewers know their food, they are a bit geographically challenged, listing Timoti’s under Gulf Coast restaurants on their website www.coastalliving.com. In fact, among all their listings nationwide, Timoti’s is the only Atlantic Coast Florida “seafood dive” that made their list. See the May 2013 issue for the complete list.

May 18, 2013 12:06 p.m.

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Police blotter blast . . .

Submitted by Deborah Lavery PowersPolice Station Sign

Staff Reporter

The following are highlights from some of the narrative reports on file at the Fernandina Beach Police Department.

Our Police officers thoroughly investigate every reported incident, even when the Reporting Individual has a history of calling in thefts and burglaries that eventually  — or almost immediately  — prove to be “unfounded.”   Our Reporting Individual’s “burglary” of this week was no different.  It was found to be “unfounded,” too..  But, no matter.  Maybe one day she will be calling about a real theft or burglary.  And our Police officers will be right there to serve her — as they are every time she calls.    Our Reporting Individual has been “Baker Acted” multiple times.   Being “Baker Acted” means that there is evidence available that the individual in question has a mental illness and  is a “harm to self, harm to others, or self neglectful.”

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It isn’t only our young people who illegally drink beer on the  beach accesses.  This week a 40 year old female was carrying an open can of beer on the access near Sliders.
$75.00.

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Only at Shrimp Fest — because when else are there closed tents lining Centre Street at 8 p.m.?  Allegedly Drunk Teen unzipped one of the tents and went inside — with Police right behind him — because he was trespassing and who knows, he might have burglary in mind.  He didn’t.  He, instead, wanted privacy when he urinated!

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Hullo out there!  GPS tracking can help locate a phone that suddenly goes missing from an Employee’s  Workstation  — maybe not when the phone is still in the same “dead spot” as the workstation — but when the phone takes a “walk” outside to the parking lot where there is a signal, voila!, there it is!

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This Problem moved itself from inside the bar to the sidewalk outside by the time Police arrived.  The Problem was actually two women who needed to be “separated.”  Number One and her party were sitting at a table inside when Number Two tried to “commandeer” the table.  There was alleged spitting (but no evidence of spittle on the supposed victim’s clothing) but there was redness under the eye of the one who claimed she was punched in the face by the other.  The alleged Puncher was taken into custody.

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Twenty-Three-Year-Old  was traveling down the street on his skateboard while “attaching himself” to the back of a moving vehicle.   $75.00.  And lucky!

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A sealed envelop containing confidential personnel information was mailed from Fernandina Beach, but there were no contents inside when it arrived at its destination.    Sender has requested a USPS  investigation be undertaken.

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Victim never left town, but his debit card was used by somebody in China to make three purchases in Texas — one of them noted as being a “US Birth Certificate.”  Victim’s bank is arranging reimbursement of the debited $136.50.

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At approximately 1:00 a.m., Police observed Driver drinking beer in a parking lot — and then throwing the beer bottle out of her car before driving off down the street.  Driver wanted to be honest and admitted to feeling a little “buzz” — maybe a 6,7, or 8 on a scale of 10?   “0” is sober.   She provided two breath samples: .182 and .185.  (.08 is considered legally intoxicated.)

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The two word note on the car certainly made it appear that Criminal Mischief Maker has little regard for Victim — and apparently doesn’t mind saying so in words not fit to print.  Criminal Mischief Maker went one step further — and apparently chipped the windshield of Victim’s car — and also apparently made a long scratch on the passenger’s side of the car.  Victim thinks she knows the culprit – her Ex.

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There were investigative leads and video footage that helped City Police and Nassau Deputies locate Owner’s weed trimmer, “valued at $400.”  It had been stolen from the back of his  truck.  Thief admitted to stealing the weed trimmer and then selling it for $50 — but he wouldn’t ‘fess up to whom he had sold it.  He told his aunt, instead, and she arranged to have Purchaser return it.  Thief is charged with Grand Theft and Dealing in Stolen Property..

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The short story is that 98 Oxycontin (325 mg) are missing.  The long story involves a handful of relatives in and out of the unlocked house during the hours of possible robbery — and a housemate sleeping through the whole adventure.   And where were the pills kept?   Hidden under Pill Owner’s mattress.

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Deb Powers Cropped 3Editor’s Note: After a career in adult education, where writing, course design and development were her “beat”, Deborah now enjoys the world of freelancing, and volunteering.  Deborah covers the police beat for the Fernandina Observer writing weekly “Police blotter blasts . . .”   We thank Deborah for her many contributions.

May 16, 2013 10:33 p.m.

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Fernandina Beach recycles

 Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm

Recycle 1
Fork life hauls away material

Reporter-News Analyst

The city of Fernandina Beach conducted its annual recycling event on Saturday,  April 20, 2013 at the city’s maintenance/utility yard. 1017 S. 5th Street.  Despite a miserable, unrelenting rain, the turnout for this event was high.  While the event cost the city $17,000 in fees for items like paper shredding and hazardous waste disposal, tons of material were recycled to better use than the landfill.  Jeremiah Glisson, maintenance manager for the city of Fernandina Beach, updated commissioners and the public on the event at the May 7, 2013 Fernandina Beach City Commission meeting.

Recyles 2
Numerous pieces of electronic equipment were received.

Glisson reported that the paper shredding activity was so successful that the truck filled before the end of the day.  Electronics recycling also proved popular, and many old tires were turned in as well as scrap metal, automotive batteries and fluids, household cleaners, paint, hazardous chemicals, pesticides and everything else that qualified for recycling.

Recyles 3
Cars line up to recycle

Fernandina Beach’s normal recycling efforts expanded in fall 2012.  Advanced Disposal, the city’s waste removal service, replaced the familiar dark green or blue recycle boxes with large, wheeled recycle containers in a bright green emblazoned with the slogan “Make Your Mother Proud.”  In addition to accepting newspapers, glass, aluminum cans and certain plastics for recycling, Advanced Disposal expanded the types of metal cans and plastic it would recycle and significantly expanded the types of paper products it would accept to include cereal boxes, junk mail, catalogs, magazines and phonebooks and more.  (For a complete listing of recyclable items, consult the city’s website:  www.fbfl.us/recycle)  Glisson reported that following the program expansion, monthly curbside recycling in the city has increased from slightly less than 30 tons to more than 90 tons.

The annual recycling event is an effort to help residents dispose of those materials not accepted under the curbside program, although normal recycling materials are accepted at that event as well.  Glisson expressed gratitude to the city staffers and local citizens who volunteered to work the event as well as the city’s important partners:  Advanced Disposal, Creative Recycling, Environmental Options, FCC Environmental, Republic Services and Ultra Shred.

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City of Fernandina Beach Proclamations: May 7, 2013

Procolomation 1Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm

Reporter-News Analyst

At the beginning of each Fernandina Beach City Commission meeting, the commission takes time to recognize important events and actions.

Len Kreger 3
Len Kreger of the Fernandina Beach Kayak Club accepted a proclamation designating Fernandina Beach as a Florida Paddling Trail Blueway Community

Mayor Sarah Pelican proclaimed Friday, May 17th, 2013 as Arbor Day to representatives of American Legion Post #54 and the Sunrise Rotary Club.  Former Mayor Bruce Malcolm accepted on behalf of the American Legion and recognized the men with him who provided the labor to improve the new Veterans Memorial at Central Park.  Malcolm thanked the FBCC for dedicating that space as a Veterans Memorial.

Len Kreger of the Fernandina Beach Kayak Club accepted a proclamation from Mayor Pelican designating Fernandina Beach as a Florida Paddling Trail Blueway Community.Procomation 2

Fort Clinch Ranger Heath Alboher, Amelia Island Museum of History Educational Programming Coordinator Gray Edenfield and City Community Development Director Adrienne Burke received a proclamation from Mayor Pelican in celebration of the Viva Florida 500 anniversary.  Edenfield used the opportunity to remind commissioners and the public that many events are being planned and the Museum would welcome volunteers.

Proclamation 3Mayor Pelican presented Police Chief James Hurley with a proclamation honoring past and present law enforcement officers by declaring May 12-18, 2013 as National Police Officer Week and May 15, 2013 as Peace Officers Memorial Day.  In accepting the proclamation, Chief Hurley invited the public to attend a joint ceremony with the Nassau County Sheriff’s Department at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 14 to mark the memorial day tribute a day early.  The event will be held at the Sheriff’s Department in Yulee.

Proclamation 4

Sean McGill, the Amelia Island-Fernandina Beach-Yulee Chamber of Commerce’s 2012 Business Leader of the Year, accepted a proclamation from Mayor Pelican proclaiming May 18-24 as “Small Business Week.”  McGill thanked the FBCC on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce and encouraged people to patronize small businesses in the local community.  He also invited people to the Small Business Expo on May 18 at the Betty P. Cook Center of the Florida State College at Jacksonville on William Burgess Boulevard in Yulee.

Proclamation 6The FBCC unanimously approved Resolution 2013-69 expressing its appreciation for outstanding services rendered by Mr. Philip L. Hawkins as a member of the General Employees’ Pension Plan Board of Trustees for the past 10 years.  Mayor Pelican presented Mr. Hawkins with the resolution.

May 13, 2013 3:50 p.m.

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Road improvements slated for Nassau County

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm

Reporter-News AnalystNassau County Roadmap

There are state and county road improvements in store over the next 5 years that will make life easier for Nassau County and Fernandina Beach residents, according Wanda Forrest, a representative of the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization (TPO).  Forrest briefed the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) on the highlights of the TPO’s current draft plan at the FBCC meeting on May 7, 2013.

Projects slated for work during the next 5 years include:

·       2013/14:  US 17; resurfacing from Duval County Line to I-95 (10.928 miles)

·       2014:  State Road A1A/State Road 200; add lanes and reconstruct west of Still Quarters Road to west of Rubin Lane (1.542 miles)

·       2014/15:  US 1(SR 15); resurfacing from Duval County Line to 5th Avenue, Callahan (4.300 miles)

·       2015/16:  State Road A1A/State Road 200; add lanes and reconstruct from west of Rubin Lane to east of County Road 107/Scott Road (5.031 miles)

·       2016/17:  State Road A1A/State Road 200; add lanes and reconstruct from I-95 to west of Still Quarters Road (2.166 miles)

·       2016/17:  Chester Road; add lanes and reconstruct from SR A1A to Green Pine Road (2.343 miles)

The draft report also calls for $266,057 in operating and administrative support for the Council on Aging as part of rural transportation assistance.

The North Florida TPO is the independent regional transportation planning agency for Duval, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns counties.  Federal Statutes require urbanized areas with 50,000 or more people to have a Metropolitan Planning Organization. The TPO Board is comprised of elected officials and transportation agency representatives.  Under Board direction, an Executive Director leads the TPO with professional staff in transportation planning, modeling, communications and finance. 

Forrest emphasized the extensive citizen involvement via many scheduled public meetings that went into developing the annual, 5-year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP).  The approval date for the FY 2013/14 to 2017/18 draft plan is scheduled for June 13, 2013 at a meeting to be held at 10:00 a.m. at the North Florida TPO building, 1022 Prudential Drive, Jacksonville.

For additional information or to consult the complete plan, which covers Nassau, Duval, Clay and St. Johns Counties, including their municipalities, consult the TPO website, (http://www.northfloridatpo.com/).  You may submit comments on the plan to Wanda Forrest by May 31, 2013 via the website.

May 13, 2013 6:12 a.m.

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State Senator Aaron Bean to update AARP on legislative session – Public invited

Submitted by Susan Hardee Steger

State Senator Aaron Bean
State Senator Aaron Bean

On Tuesday May 14 at 1:00  State Senator Aaron Bean will update AARP members on the recently concluded state legislative session. The public is invited to attend the meeting that will be held at the Council on Aging building across from Baptist Nassau.

The Florida legislature concluded its session failing to approve funds to allow medicaid expansion. Governor Rick Scott previously an opponent of expansion, announced support prior to the legislative session.  AARP advocated support.

May 12, 2013 5:25 p.m.

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