October 2007.pdfVOL.3 NO.10OCTOBER 2007
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Recently, Wal-Mart
failed to notify our
staff of its need to
request a redesign of
one of the 11 medians
(i.e. removal of large
Medjool palm trees)
on Atlantic Blvd., our southernmost city
limit. A “good” corporate citizen, sensitive
to the passion of our citizens, would surely
use common sense to discuss this need.
Not Wal-Mart. During the permitting
process in Neptune Beach, our citizens
were assured that Wal-Mart’s presence
would not adversely impact the traffic pat-
terns on Atlantic Blvd. Recently, Wal-Mart
informed the FDOT that it needs relief for
expected westbound traffic to move
smoothly at the intersection of Atlantic
Blvd. and Seminole Rd. In the mid-70s,
the beautification effort of the medians
along A1A and Atlantic Blvd. was
launched by the Neptune Beach Zoning
Board. This effort met with initial defeat at
the hands of the FDOT along with resist-
ance from the Commission of Atlantic
Beach. Fortunately, persistence of citizens
in Atlantic Beach and Neptune Beach
resulted in success 30 years later. These
persistent efforts paid off with the comple-
tion of the plantings of all islands along
this corridor. Truly, we are the beneficiar-
ies of the beauty so obvious to us all. We
must continue to persevere to protect our
community’s assets of which these medi-
ans are a part.
Perhaps of greater importance to our citi-
zens is the Selva Marina Country Club
rezoning and redevelopment. It is impera-
tive for leaders and citizens to look
towards an uncertain future. Some may
disagree with the land use change that
city of atlantic beach newsletter
SEA & SKY SPECTACULAR
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The City of Jacksonville, Naval Station Mayport and the Cities of Jacksonville
Beach, Neptune Beach and Atlantic Beach are proud to present the 2007
Jacksonville Sea and Sky Spectacular, November 2-4, 2007 at Jacksonville
Beach oceanfront. Highlighted by the world famous United States Navy Blue
Angels, this FREE event will feature three days of the most exciting military
and civilian air acts in the world, a street festival featuring static displays of
aircraft and military vehicles, simulators, recruitment booths and the Kiddy
Hawk Kids Area.
For more information on the air show,check out the city’s Web site at www.coab.us.
The Atlantic Beach Police Department received 150 bicycle helmets through the “Safe Routes to
School” program this year. If you have a child/children who are in K-8th grade, and in need of a
bicycle helmet, please contact Detective Tiffany Layson at 247-5859 or tlayson@coab.us.
FREE BICYCLE HELMETS FOR SCHOOL KIDS
SECOND ANNUAL MARSHFEST AT DUTTON ISLAND PRESERVE
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.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 the Marsh Preservation Society.All donations
will benefit preserving your marshes!
HOW YOUR DRINKING WATER HELPS PREVENT CAVITIES
Dental cavities used to be a fact of life;but today are less common than ever.Fluoride has been used
for several decades to prevent tooth decay—and can even reverse early signs of cavities by repairing
tooth enamel.
Fluoride is naturally present in all water to some degree.According to the Centers for Disease
Control,the best concentration of fluoride in drinking water ranges between 0.7 and 1.2 parts per
million (pm).
Many communities add fluoride to their water supply,which provides health benefits for children
and adults in all income brackets.In Atlantic Beach,our drinking water comes from the Floridan
Aquifer,with just the right amount of fluoride—naturally!
Remember,water your lawns no more than 2 days per week—before 10 a.m.or after 4
p.m.For more information on water conservation check out the Water Management
District’s Website:www.sjrwmd.com.
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city of atlantic beach newsletter
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.
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
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will allow the development of pastoral
acreage into a new residential Atlantic
Beach neighborhood. Of utmost impor-
tance is what may lay ahead should the
club leadership fail to achieve its present
objective of attaining financial stability in
decades to come. Should the club fall
upon financial hardship in the future, citi-
zens living in surrounding neighborhoods
will not have to fear the prospect of high
rise development approved by the City of
Jacksonville on the present golf course
acreage if development becomes the ulti-
mate solution for this parcel of land. In my
opinion, the most critical component of the
acceptance of the proposed design of the
club is the deed restriction placed in per-
petuity upon the golf course that will limit
height to 35’. This acreage rests within the
Jacksonville city limits and we have
learned that there is no assurance as to
what future council members will allow to
be developed on this site or what height
they will permit without this restriction.
The lesson of the above reflection is that
persistence for worthwhile projects is of
the utmost importance. Vigilance is critical
for such projects to survive! So too is the
importance that foresight look farther than
the near future. While some of us may not
be here when the need for such restric-
tions are to be tested, the foresight of this
commission will withstand the test of
future efforts by council members in
Jacksonville not inclined to best protect
what is so sacred to the quality of life in
Atlantic Beach.
Sincerely,
Donald M. Wolfson
Mayor
Oct 6&7 Annual Fun Day/Campout at Jack
Russell Park
Oct 7 *Songwriter’s Workshop | 6 - 8 p.m.
Oct 8 City Commission Mtg | 7:15 p.m.
Oct 10 *Tree Conservation Board Mtg |
7 p.m.
Oct 11 Board Member Review Committee
Mtg | 5 p.m.
Oct 16 Community Development Board
Mtg | 7 p.m.
Oct 21 Acoustic Night - Bull Memorial Park |
6 - 8 p.m.
Oct 22 *Tree Conservation Board Mtg |
7 p.m.
Oct 23 *Cultural Arts & Recreation
Advisory Committee Mtg | 7 p.m.
Oct 24 *Tree Conservation Board Mtg |
7 p.m.
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www.coab.us •(904) 247-5800
OCTOBER 2007
Nov 4 *Songwriters Workshop | 6 - 8 p.m.
Nov 8 Board Member Review Committee
Mtg | 5 p.m.
Nov 8 Pension Board of Trustees Mtg |
6 p.m.
Nov 12 Veterans Day Holiday – City Offices
Closed
Nov 13 City Commission Mtg | 7:15 p.m.
Nov 14 *Tree Conservation Board Mtg |
7p.m.
Nov 17 Marshfest Dutton Island Preserve
Nov 20 Community Development Board
Mtg | 7 p.m.
Nov 22-23 Thanksgiving Holidays – City
Offices Closed
Nov 26 City Commission Mtg | 7:15 p.m.
Nov 27 *Cultural Arts & Recreation
Advisory Committee Mtg | 7 p.m.
Nov. 28 *Tree Conservation Board Mtg|7p.m.
NOVEMBER 2007
The City’s franchise hauler,Waste Services of
Florida (WSI), is required to pick up five cubic
yards (CY) of green waste per week.This
includes tree and bush limbs, palm fronds and
containerized leaves, grass clippings or other
small debris. (See www.coab.us for additional
information on yard waste and other sanitation
tips). If a resident has more than five CY at one
time, they have the option of waiting while WSI
picks up five CY each week until completion or
arranging a special pickup of all debris at one
time. If a special pickup is desired, either call
WSI directly at 731-3440 or call Public Works
at 247-5834.A WSI Supervisor will respond
within 24 hours (weekends excluded) and pro-
vide a written estimate of the cost for the spe-
cial pickup.The resident must agree to the
charge in writing before the pickup will be
scheduled. Special pickups are billed directly to
the resident by WSI at a rate of $20 per CY
after the first five CY. Residents should never
pay a WSI employee directly for any services
related to sanitation. Nor should any WSI
employee ever request payment for trash pick-
up of any kind.
SANITATION TIP:YARD WASTE
Atlantic Beach Experimental Theatre presents Party to Murder, a mystery by Marcia Kash and
DouglasE.Hughes.This is the perfectHalloween entertainment, complete with secret passageways,
hidden compartments and unexpected twists! The play runs from October 26 through November
10 (Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays). Evening performances begin at 8p.m. and Sunday
Matinees begin at 2 p.m. at the Adele Grage Cultural Center at 716 Ocean Boulevard.
ABET PERFORMANCE
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