Nassau Legislative Delegation meets in Yulee

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
December 5, 2014 12:26 p.m.

 

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State Representative Janet Adkins and State Senator Aaron Bean hosted a meeting of the Nassau Legislative Delegation at the Page Government Center in Yulee the evening of December 4, 2014.  The meeting was well attended by local citizens and elected and appointed officials. Nine speakers had signed up in advance to address the Nassau Delegation. Three presentations related directly to local matters. Two additional speakers came forward with concerns specifically related to local matters.

Stormwater Opportunities

(l-r) Fernandina Beach Utilities Department Director John Mandrick. Arthur I. "Buddy" Jacobs, Fernandina Beach Mayor Ed Boner prepare for the city's presentation.
(l-r) Fernandina Beach Utilities Department Director John Mandrick. Arthur I. “Buddy” Jacobs, Fernandina Beach Mayor Ed Boner prepare for the city’s presentation.

Lobbyist Buddy Jacobs introduced Fernandina Beach Utilities Department Director John Mandrick, who used a slide presentation to impress upon legislators the city’s problems in handling stormwater runoff. Mandrick explained that the city has been working to solve these problems throughout the city, but that the entire list of projects needing to be tackled carries a price tag of $18M. Although the city has instituted a stormwater management fee, certain parts of the plan that have been deemed critical cannot be executed until more money builds up in the stormwater fund. This situation has led to repetitive losses in Flood Insurance and adverse impacts to the aquatic preserve.

Mandrick sought help from the Delegation in the form of additional funds to address problems in the North Fletcher basin and the downtown area. He said that while the city has matching funds, the North Fletcher area requires $1.3M and the downtown $2.7M.

Senator Bean commented that he and Adkins had worked together to help Jacksonville Beach with a similar problem. He said that it would be a tougher sell to get FDOT help for the Fernandina Beach areas, however, because they are not located along state roads. He informed Mandrick, “We’ll come up with a plan and use your photos [of the flooded areas].”

Council on Aging (COA)

Nassau County Council on Aging Executive Director Janice Ancrum
Nassau County Council on Aging Executive Director Janice Ancrum

COA Executive Director Janice Ancrum provided legislators with an update on the COA’s activities and space needs for the Fernandina Beach service area. She said that Phase I of the fundraising campaign has been completed, providing $2M for the construction of a new facility with adequate space to meet the growing needs of an aging local population. However, an additional $2M is needed before the COA can begin construction.

In response to a question from Senator Bean, she said that the COA’s lease with Baptist Hospital to remain in its current location runs out in 2020. Ancrum said that currently the COA does not have space to accommodate those on waiting lists.

Senator Bean said, “We look forward to working with you.”

Highway Designation Request

Emmitt G. Coakley
Emmitt G. Coakley

Dawn West and a group of like-minded supporters requested help from the Delegation in designating a portion of US 1 in Callahan located between Old Dixie Highway and 5th Avenue as Emmitt G. Coakley Highway. Coakley, a well-known and respected Nassau County educator, made a significant impact on the community, in addition to faculty and staff of the local schools, according to West. Coakley passed away earlier this year.

Representative Adkins advised the group that the legislature compiles one bill to include requested highway designations around the state. She and Bean said that they would include the Coakley designation on that list.

Dawn West and friends of Emmitt G. Coakley
Dawn West and friends of Emmitt G. Coakley

Requests for education assistance

Dr. John Ruis, Nassau County Superintendent of Schools
Dr. John Ruis, Nassau County Superintendent of Schools

Dr. John Ruis, Nassau County Superintendent of Schools, explained to legislators the importance of the FACES Program, a federally funded program committed to building healthy families and preventing violence by assessing family dynamics and providing counseling, education, and supervised visits/exchanges. FACES is an acronym for Family Assessment Counseling and Education Services.

Ruis reported that federal funding for the program has run out, but that the program has been critical to helping sustain success at West Nassau High School and in other counties around the state. He said, “Student achievement culture has been transformed at West Nassau High School.” He sought help from the state in restoring funds to the program.

Ruis, who had recently attended a statewide meeting of school superintendents, talked to the legislators about concerns across the state over the accountability system for publicly funded schools in Florida. He quoted one of the superintendents as saying, “We can’t assess our way to greatness; but we can’t measure greatness without assessment.” Ruis said that there is so much testing being done today that it takes students out of the educational process for 10 days a year. Adding to the problem is that many tests require access to computers, so students have to be scheduled in smaller groups for the tests, thereby disrupting the educational process.

Nassau County School Board members (l-r) Donna Martin and Gail Cook
In the audience:  Nassau County School Board members (l-r) Donna Martin and Gail Cook

He expressed concern that the Florida Standard Assessment has not been field tested, and that when grades are published, they will cause concern in the communities. He opined that the English language assessment in the 11th grade is not necessary. He asked legislators to consider holding the process in abeyance.

Senator Bean told Ruis that he has a bill in draft that calls for “less testing, better testing.” He agreed that 10 days is a lot of time to devote to testing.

FSCJ Professor of Economics Dr. Susan Reilly
FSCJ Professor of Economics Dr. Susan Reilly

Dr. Susan Reilly, FSCJ Professor of Economics at the Kent Campus, asked for delegation support for HB29 and SB92 calling for financial literacy instruction in the public schools. Reilly said that students need a better understanding of consumer financing and the costs of credit default before college. She said that students need to understand that debt burdens and declarations of bankruptcy affect their employability as well.

Mental Health 

Dr. Laureen Pagel, CEO of Starting Point Behavioral Healthcare, along with 5 Starting Point Board Members, addressed the Delegation and pleaded for more funding for mental health programs. Pagel said that Starting Point is the only mental health facility accepting Medicaid payment in Nassau County. She said that Florida ranks 50th in the nation for per capita spending on mental health and that Nassau County is below the state average at $27 per capita. She emphasized that the problem is greater in rural counties where there are few mental health care providers. She added that community based programs like Starting Point are much cheaper to fund than looking toward Emergency Rooms or the justice system to address mental health problems. She urged Bean and Adkins to support the Excellence in Mental Health Bill.

Dr. Laureen Pagel, CEO of Starting Point and members of her Board
Dr. Laureen Pagel, CEO of Starting Point and members of her Board

Four Starting Point Board members also addressed the Delegation, emphasizing local needs and the community effects of untreated mental health issues.

Two other local citizens addressed the Nassau Legislative Delegation.

Phil Scanlan
Phil Scanlan

Phil Scanlan raised three matters. As president of Amelia Island Trails, he asked legislators to support the Florida Association for Greenways and Trails proposal for added funding for trails. He also asked for more state support for non-profit social service providers, saying, “We don’t need more corporate tax cuts. The people need help. The burden cannot rest solely with the non-profits.” Finally, he provided each legislator with a paper on the problems of the Port of Fernandina containing 7 issues with 5 bulleted points per issue.

Pat Beamer
Pat Beamer

Pat Beamer, the final speaker, called for support for a constitutional convention to institute term limits for elected officials and judges at the national level and to eliminate automatic citizenship for children born to non-citizens in the United States. Senator Bean suggested that a balanced budget amendment be added to the US Constitution as well, adding that Florida is required to produce a balanced budget each year.

 

 

The audience awaits call to order of the Nassau Legislative Delegation meeting.
A significant number of local citizens attended the meeting of the Nassau Legislative Delegation.

Delegation Chair Janet Adkins thanked the speakers and audience members for attending, emphasizing that individuals with problems or concerns should contact her office for advice and assistance. Senator Bean echoed her remarks.

State Representative Janet Adkins and Fernandina Beach Planning Advisory Board Chair Len Kreger
State Representative Janet Adkins and Fernandina Beach Planning Advisory Board Chair Len Kreger

As a result of redistricting, Nassau County now has only one state senator, meaning that only two legislators comprise the delegation. Adkins, who chaired the meeting Thursday evening, passed the gavel to Bean, who will chair the Nassau Delegation in 2015. Meanwhile, Adkins has been elected to serve as the chair of the Duval Legislative Delegation. Both Adkins and Bean represent portions of Duval County in addition to all of Nassau County.

 

Suanne Thamm 4Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.

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gerry clare
gerry clare(@gerrycclaregmail-com)
9 years ago

Great reporting Suanne. It is nice to know that we have concerned citizens and public officials comunicating vital needs in our area. Very educational to me.

Janie Thomas
Janie Thomas (@guest_25033)
9 years ago

Congratulations to Honorable Janet Adkins on being selected as Chair of Duval Delegation..big tasks, however she is good at all tasks,
God Bless
Janie