December 2006.pdfVOL.2 NO.12DECEMBER 2006
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Upon the
anniversary of
my first year
serving as your
Mayor, I extend
my enthusiastic
congratulations to you! Tuesday,
November 7 was a momentous day
for the future of Atlantic Beach.
Together, we collectively mandated
the limitation of population density
growth for our city from this date
henceforth. Never again will a three
votes simple majority place at risk
this component of Atlantic Beach’s
quality of life that is cherished by our
citizens and envied by those wishing
to live among us.
Together with this milestone,
the possible acquisition of the
Buckman Pritchard Land Trust
wetlands, should Atlantic Beach
receive state funding, will carefully
place another critical component in
our community’s framework
consisting of the wetlands to our
west extending from Dutton Island
south to within close proximity of
Atlantic Boulevard.
Your City Commission recently
agreed with me to create a “Citizens
District Representation Study
Committee.” This committee is
comprised of a diverse, cross-section
of your fellow citizens willing to
research this complex issue and
to bring its findings to the City
Commission for further evaluation
and possible action—district
representation, a combination of
at-large/district representation, or the
city of atlantic beach newsletter
WATER SAVINGS FOR THE HOLIDAYS –
GIVE THE GIFT OF FUTURE WATER SUPPLY
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You may wonder what water has to do with the
holidays.While guests are visiting,when
preparing large holiday meals and giving parties,
we use lots of water! You can use water-wise
behaviors and set good examples for your
guests.Here are some tips for saving this
valuable resource during the holiday season:
• Defrost foods in the refrigerator the night
before or use the microwave instead of
running water over them the same day.
• Rinse fruits and vegetables in a pan of water
instead of running water over them. Then
use the leftover water on plants.
• Make sure the dishwasher is full before
running it.
• Make sure you have a full load before
washing clothes,or set the washer level
appropriately if you have a small load.
• Urge family members to take showers
instead of tub baths to cut water use for
bathing in half.
• If you are leaving home during the holidays,
turn your water off with the main shut off
valve,or have it turned off.That way if you
have a leak while you’re gone you won’t lose
any water and you won’t have water
damage.
For more information on water conservation,
check the St.Johns River Water Management
District Website at www.sjrwmd.com or
www.floridaswater.com.
Remember,water only 2 days per week,
and never between 10 a.m.and 4 p.m.
Drunk driving is one of
America’s deadliest crimes.
Last year, nearly 13,000
people across America were
killed in highway crashes
involving an impaired driver
with an illegal blood alcohol
concentration (BAC) of .08
or higher. Drunk driving is
simply not worth the risk.
Not only do you risk killing
yourself or someone else,
but the trauma and financial
costs of a crash or an arrest
for impaired driving can be
significant. Much of the
tragedy from drunk driving
can be prevented with a few
simple precautions before
going out to celebrate:
• Whenever you plan on
consuming alcohol,
designate a sober driver
before going out, and give
that person your keys.
• If you’re drinking, call a
taxi, sober friend or family
member to get you home
safely.Your judgment is
impaired, and you are not
able to accurately assess
your level of impairment.
• Promptly report drunk
drivers you see on the
roadways to law
enforcement.
• Wearing your safety belt
while in a car is your best
defense in any crash.
• And remember, FRIENDS
DON’T LET FRIENDS
DRIVE DRUNK!
Don’t take the chance.
Drunk driving is a serious
crime.Remember:Drunk
Driving. Over the Limit.
Under Arrest.
DRUNK DRIVING. OVER THE LIMIT. UNDER ARREST.
city of atlantic beach newsletter
(continued from front)BEACHES TOWN CENTER HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
This year’s holiday celebration will be held
on Saturday, December 2 starting at 2 p.m.
with a bike parade through Town Center.
Everyone is invited to decorate their bikes
and join in the fun.The celebration will
include holiday music, dance performances,
“make your own and take it home” craft
tables, face painting, hay rides, train rides
and the lighting of the tree in Town Center.
Light refreshments and cookies will be
served. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive by
sleigh at 6 p.m. to visit with the children.
Donald Wolfson
MAYOR
Jamie Fletcher
COMMISSIONER
J. Dezmond Waters, III
MAYOR PRO TEM
Sylvia Simmons
COMMISSIONER
Mike Borno
COMMISSIONER
Jim Hanson
CITY MANAGER
Alan Jensen
CITY ATTORNEY
Donna Bussey
CITY CLERK
CITY OFFICIALS
www.coab.us •(904) 247-5800
C
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retention of at-large representation.
It is my fervent wish to provide our
citizens the opportunity to decide
through a citywide referendum next
fall a choice of preferred government
representation assuring our citizens
equal and fair representation for ALL!
As we come towards the end of
2006, a very busy year in many ways,
the Commission would like to take
the opportunity to wish everyone
Happy Holidays and a healthy and
happy 2007.
Sincerely,
Donald M. Wolfson
Mayor
5 POINTS CLOCK INSTALLED
Installation of the long awaited,
much anticipated 5 Points Clock
has been completed. The clock was
purchased with funds raised by
private contributions and is believed
to be the first public monument type
clock in the United States (if not the
world) to include an integral Tide
Clock in the display. The clock’s outer
dial indicates the tide state and
number of hours until the next
Atlantic Beach high or low tide. The
clock features dual backlit faces and
battery backup.
KARAOKE HOLIDAY SING ALONG
Come sing the “Songs of the Season”
karaoke-style in Bull Memorial Park
on Saturday, December 9 from 6 – 8
p.m. Light refreshments and snacks
will be served. Dress for the weather
because the forecast is calling for
snowflakes to fall. There will be a
visit from Santa, too! For more
information call the Parks and
Recreation Department at 247-5828.
CALENDAR
Meetings are held in the Commission Chambers unless otherwise indicated.
* These events will be held at Adele Grage Cultural Center,716 Ocean Blvd.
** These events will be held in the North Conference Room at City Hall,800 Seminole Road.
Dec.2 Beaches Town Center Holiday
Celebration | 2 – 6 p.m.
Dec 9 Karaoke Holiday Sing Along –
Bull Park | 6 – 8 p.m.
Dec 9 *Holiday Shop & Drop | 2 – 6 p.m.
Dec 10 *Songwriter’s Concert | 6 – 8 p.m.
Dec 11 City Commission Mtg | 7:15 p.m.
Dec 13 *Tree Conservation Board Mtg | 7 p.m.
Dec 14 Board Member Review Committee
Mtg | 5 p.m.
Dec 19 Community Development Board Mtg |
7 p.m.
Dec 22 City Offices Closed (Holiday)
Dec 25 City Offices Closed (Holiday)
Dec 26 *Cultural Arts & Recreation Advisory
Committee | 7 p.m.
Dec 27 *Tree Conservation Board Mtg | 7 p.m.
DECEMBER 2006
Jan 1 City Offices Closed (Holiday)
Jan 8 City Commission Mtg | 7:15 p.m.
Jan 9 Code Enforcement Board Mtg | 7 p.m.
Jan 10 *Tree Conservation Board Mtg | 7 p.m.
Jan 11 Board Member Review Committee
Mtg | 5 p.m.
Jan 14 *Songwriter's Concert | 6 – 8 p.m.
Jan 15 City Offices Closed (Holiday)
Jan 16 Community Development Board Mtg |
7 p.m.
Jan 22 City Commission Mtg | 7:15 p.m.
Jan 23 *Cultural Arts & Recreation Advisory
Committee Mtg | 7 p.m.
Jan 24 *Tree Conservation Board Mtg | 7 p.m.
JANUARY 2007
“SPREAD THE WARMTH” BLANKET DRIVE
The Adele Grage Cultural Center will be
accepting blankets donated for the “Spread the
Warmth”blanket drive through January 1.
Donated blankets will be provided to the
homeless and families who might be suffering
the ill effects of cooler temperatures.Please
do not bring torn, worn out or old
blankets. Collection hours are from 8 a.m.
to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., Monday
through Friday. For more information
call the Parks and Recreation Department
at 247-5828.
HOLIDAY SHOP & KID DROP
Drop off your kids ages 5-12 at the Adele Grage
Cultural Center on Saturday,December 9 from
2 – 6 p.m. for a holiday party filled with
various activities while you shop for the
holiday season.This event will be supervised
by City staff.The cost of the event is $20.00
per child and preregistration is required due
to limited space. For more information call
the Parks and Recreation Department at
247-5828.