November 2007.pdfVOL.3 NO.11NOVEMBER 2007
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The elections have been
decided and while there are
those thrilled with the results,
so too, there are those who are
disappointed. Our community
is represented by citizens
making personal commitments
to dedicate themselves to
serving us as elected officials and for this they
should be commended. As of this writing, there is
a runoff scheduled for Commission Seat 3. I
congratulate those who succeeded in being elected
and to those who were unsuccessful, you are to be
commended as well. I encourage you to remain
committed to the betterment of our community by
staying involved in service to our citizens.
This will be my final newsletter article to you as my
term comes to its end. On behalf of many, I sought
this office, my first elected position, for five primary
reasons:
1. First and foremost, we hoped to bring fair and
equal representation to our citizens citywide. In last
month’s election, the majority of our citizens who
voted understood the need to bring an end to token
representation and voted to provide representation
to ALL of our citizens through district
commissioners in the future;
2. Our second objective was to place a cap on
potential density growth by limiting vertical
development throughout Atlantic Beach. Last
October, a vast majority of you who voted approved
a charter amendment that essentially slammed the
door upon the possibility of a three commissioners
vote that could compromise what was a tenuous
ordinance limitation;
3. Our third objective was to find a way to protect
the Selva Marina Country Club golf course, located
within the jurisdiction of the city of Jacksonville,
from being overdeveloped in the future. Deed
restrictions limiting height to 35’ and limiting seven
dwelling units per acre will go a long way to
accomplishing this objective should the Club fall
upon financial difficulty at any time in the future.
city of atlantic beach newsletter
SECOND ANNUAL MARSHFEST
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Come out to Dutton Island Preserve Saturday,
November 17 and enjoy a fun filled day of
kayaking, canoeing, live Americana music, food,
exhibits and nature tours. The event is free and
open to all ages. Shuttle parking will be provided at Donner Park and the Food
Lion Shopping Center. The fun begins at 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Come out and spend
a day in your beautiful marsh preserve. This event is sponsored by the City of
Atlantic Beach and Marsh Preservation Society. All donations will benefit
preserving your marshes.
“SYNERGY” OPENS AT ADELE GRAGE
CULTURAL CENTER
The show,“Synergy,”is an exhibit by artist Margo Buccini of large vivid oil paintings
consisting of abstract and signature healing wave motifs. Buccini’s work is a
celebration of movement,energy,and color – a joyous ode to the creative
imagination. The artist describes her work as “a process,not a destination.
Like breathing,it expresses the exuberant sadness of life’s heartbeat.” The exhibit
is on display at the Adele Grage Cultural Center,716 Ocean Boulevard until
December 14,2007.
BEACHES TOWN CENTER HOLIDAY CELEBRATION
This year’s holiday celebration kickoff will be held Saturday, December 1
starting at 2 p.m. with a bike parade through Town Center. Everyone is invited
to decorate their bikes and join in on the fun. The celebration will include
holiday music, dance performances,“make your own and take it home” craft
tables, hay rides, trackless train rides, Dawson Pickett’s annual food drive and
refreshments. Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive at 6 p.m. for the tree lighting
and to visit with the children.
HOLIDAY GIVING TREE
A Holiday Giving Tree, where you can select a child's name and gift, will be
located at the Adele Grage Cultural Center beginning November 27.The toy
giveaway will take place Saturday, December 22 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the
Donner Park Community Center located at 2042 George Street.All Beaches
area kids who are in need are welcome to attend the party. For toy pick up or
for any other items you would like to donate to make this party a success for the
kids, contact Gail Baker, Donner Park Recreation Leader at 247-5828.
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city of atlantic beach newsletter
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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.
Nov 4 * Yoga 4 p.m.
Nov 8 Board Member Review
Committee Mtg | 5 p.m.
Nov 8 Pension Board of Trustees Mtg|
6 p.m.
Nov 11 *Yoga | 4 p.m.
Nov 12 Veterans Day Holiday – City
Offices Closed
Nov 13 CityCommissionMtg |7:15p.m.
Nov 14 *Tree Conservation Board Mtg |
7 p.m.
Nov 17 Marshfest Dutton Island
Preserve | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Nov 18 * Yoga | 4 p.m.
Nov 20 Community Development
Board Mtg | 7 p.m.
Nov 22-Nov 23 Thanksgiving Holidays |
City Offices Closed
Nov 25 *Yoga | 4 p.m.
NOVEMBER 2007
Dec 1 Holiday Celebration & Tree
Lighting Town Center | 2 - 6 p.m.
Dec 8 Holiday Sing-Along Bull Park |
8 p.m.
Dec 10 City Commission Mtg | 7:15 p.m.
Dec 12 *Tree Conservation Board Mtg |
7 p.m.
Dec 13 Board Member Review
Committee Mtg | 5 p.m.
Dec 18 Community Development
Board Mtg | 7 p.m.
Dec 24-25City Offices Closed
Dec 26 *Tree Conservation Board Mtg |
7 p.m.
DECEMBER 2007
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
4. Allowing One Ocean Resort (formerly the Sea
Turtle Inn) to have a larger footprint in the future,
should it need to for financial reasons, the city of
Atlantic Beach can soon proudly boast of hosting
the ONLY ultra luxury oceanfront resort and spa in
all of Duval county. It is our fervent hope that this
becomes the catalyst to anchor a resurgence in our
business district westward from the oceanfront
along Atlantic Blvd. to Mayport Road;
5. Finally, our fifth objective was to permanently
preserve and protect the wetlands and uplands in
the Buckman-Pritchard Trust. Negotiations are
ongoing and hopefully this effort will be
consummated in the not too distant future at a
minimum cost to our city.
Through the votes of the majority of our citizens,
successful charter amendments passed in October
of 2006 and 2007 bringing two major objectives to
reality. I am most humbled and gratified with the
success of these two efforts. I leave office knowing
that we collectively, as a city and as a Commission,
have accomplished much in a brief period of time.
I extend to my fellow Commissioners a sincere debt
of gratitude for legislatively supporting these
visions. I thank our city’s wonderful staff from the
City Manager through the rank and file to the men
and women who work tirelessly every day to bring
all services to our citizens that truly define the
Atlantic Beach “quality of life” for each of us. Thank
you to the City Clerk and her department for making
it possible for the Commissioners to perform our
responsibilities. I thank you, our citizens, for
understanding what the important community
issues are and for encouraging me to persevere.
With your help, we leave office knowing that in a
small way, our community is better protected for
generations to come.
Finally, I must thank my family for sacrificing so
much as you understood the need for me to take
time away from you so that I was able to do the
best that I could to guide our city through these
legislative processes.
With that, I again thank those of you who really
understand and gave me your confidence and
support unselfishly. I will always be indebted to
you.
Sincerely
Donald M. Wolfson, Mayor
HOLIDAY SANITATION PICKUP:
Because of the Thanksgiving,Christmas and New Year’s Holidays,there will be minor
changes to the garbage pickup schedules for the holiday weeks.
Thanksgiving – There will be no pickup on Thanksgiving Day. Thursday’s
scheduled service will be Friday and Friday’s collection will be Saturday.
Christmas – There will be no pickup on Christmas Day (Tuesday).
All scheduled service will be moved back one day.
New Year’s Day – There will be no pickup on New Year’s Day (Tuesday).
All scheduled service will be moved back one day.
HOLIDAY SING-ALONG
Come sing the “Songs of the Season” karaoke style in Bull Memorial Park
Saturday, December 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. This year’s Holiday Sing-Along will
feature “snow” in Florida and Santa will be stopping by to visit with the kids.
So grab the family and come on out for an evening of entertainment. Light
refreshments will be served. For more information call the Parks and
Recreation Department at 247-5828.
TOY COLLECTION DRIVE
The annual Toy Collection Drive begins Saturday,November 24 and continues through
Friday,December 21.
Toys can be dropped off at the Donner Park Community Center, the Fire Station
on Seminole Road and the Adele Grage Cultural Center (business hours only).
Because of the many toy recalls, the City can only accept new toys. For more
information contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 247-5828.
Nov 26 CityCommissionMtg |7:15p.m.
Nov 27 *Cultural Arts & Recreation
AdvisoryCommittee Mtg|7 p.m.
Nov 28 *Tree Conservation Board Mtg |
7 p.m.
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