By Cindy Jackson
Reporter
October 17, 2019
Each year, State-elected officials host a meeting in the BOCC Chambers in Yulee to hear from local Nassau County residents, commissioners, non-profits and others to develop a list of priorities for the next session of the Florida State Legislature in Tallahassee, FL. That session officially begins on January 14, 2020.
Based on the size of its population, Nassau County has two elected officials. Cord Byrd serves in the House, representing Nassau County and a part of Duval County. An attorney and a Republican, he was first elected to a two-year term in 2016 and re-elected in 2018.
Nassau County’s State Senator is Aaron Bean. A Republican, Bean has served his district as Senator since 2012 but began his career in Tallahassee in the House from 2000 to 2008.
The meeting was well orchestrated and completed in just a little over an hour, with speakers allotted just three minutes each.
BOCC Commission Chair Justin Taylor articulated the three legislative priorities for Nassau County which includes additional monies for the septic removable and replacement project at American Beach, the S.W.E.A.T. Program – (the Sheriff’s Work Ethics and Training program which can serve as an alternative to jail for juveniles) and additional monies for the William Burgess Boulevard.
Included among those who signed-up to speak to the legislative delegation were:
• The Alzheimer’s Association, noting that for now, there is no prevention, no treatment or cure but that every 65 seconds someone develops the disease
• The Council on Aging, requesting monies to improve the Hilliard facility which currently serves some 2.000 seniors on the West Side of the County
• Buddy Jacobs, the longtime lobbyist for the City of Fernandina requesting money for three separate issues – monies for dune walk-overs and stormwater management and a revision to State law so the City might be allowed to donate land to Habitat for Humanity instead of requiring that said land be sold at the fair market value
In addition, other organizations presenting before the delegation were:
• The North Florida Land Trust
• The Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival
• The Boys and Girls Club
• Starting Point
• ElderSource
• The County Board of Education
• The Amelia Tree Conservancy
And a few others – and some private citizens as well. News of the meeting and notices to request to speak were posted on one publication of public record (The News Leader) and on County website: www.nassaucountyfl.com.
The Florida Legislature meets in session every year for just sixty consecutive days. And while committees have begun to meet already in 2019, the official session of the 2020 Florida Legislature does not begin until January 14, 2020.
To follow legislation in the State Senate, go to http://www.flsenate.gov and for House matters, go to https://www.myfloridahouse.gov.
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.