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May 2008.pdfVOL.4 NO.5MAY 2008 The long-promised construction on Maypo rt Road is underway. While they have promised to always maintain open lanes, there are times during non-peak traffic hours where the road is down to one lane in each direction. Hopefully we can all slow down and respect the workers and other traffic. Along with the construction which will see vast improvements to the look of Mayport Road, we are rapidly forming a plan to transform the perception and reality of turning the corridor into an area everyone that works or lives near can be proud of, and equally important feel safe whether in a car or on foot. We intend to hire a project manager to focus on the many issues of improving and revitalizing the area and we also intend to place police presence on the ground to work with the neighborhoods to reduce crime and allow citizens to take control. In addition we believe that enforcing zoning and code requirements in both the commercial properties and housing is absolutely necessary to make long term change. New laws, such as rental inspection programs, may well be part of the effort. In conversations with other community leaders that have a stake in this process, Atlantic Beach has received the commitment of Mayor John Peyton, Navy leadership from Mayport Naval Station, the school system and the business community that they will work with us and fully support our efforts. As we go forward with our commitment to the area, my hope is that we all keep in mind the bottom line goal: to change and revitalize the Mayport Road corridor, increase safety, reduce crime, facilitate neighborhood pride and fully integrate us all into a unified Atlantic Beach Community. city of atlantic beach newsletter MAYPORT ROAD CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY Petticoat Contracting has begun resurfacing and median construction for Mayport Road. As part of a joint effort by FDOT, City of Jacksonville and City of Atlantic Beach, this project will mill and pave Mayport Road from the end of the flyover to just north of the Wonderwood Connector, and will add raised landscaped medians for safety and esthetic improvement of the Mayport Corridor. Construction is expected to be completed in January 2009. Two lanes of through traffic in each direction will be maintained during rush hours, but traffic may be reduced to single lanes during other hours. Residents or businesses wanting ongoing information on project status and impacts may sign up for e-mail updates by calling Public Works at 247-5834 or by e-mailing Lisa Showman at lshowman@coab.us. A project overview is available on the City’s Web site (www.coab.us) in the Public Works Department Projects section. We sometimes take our drinking water for granted; but without it, we wouldn’t have the wonderful quality of life we all enjoy. Safe, dependable drinking water delivered right to your tap for less than a penny per gallon. Only tap water provides the critical combination to protect the public health, douse fires, and support the economy. Celebrate Drinking Water Week from May 4 through May 10 this year. For activity and project ideas, go to the American Water Works Association Web site at www.awwa.org/government/ and click on Public Affairs, then on Drinking Water Week. Remember – Water your landscape no more than two days per week, before 10:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m. For more ways to conserve water, check out www.sjrwmd.com. ONLY TAP WATER DELIVERS –DRINKING WATER WEEK 2008 DANCIN’ IN THE STREET SATURDAY, MAY 17 | 11:00 A.M. – 9:30 P.M. Come out and celebrate with your neighbors at the 21st Annual Dancin’ in the Streets. This event is family-friendly and several streets will be blocked off so families can enjoy a safe and playful area. A KIDS ZONE, sponsored by sever- al local schools, will offer lots of activities, games, rides and snacks in an alcohol free area. An art show will feature local and regional artists displaying their talents in paintings, jewelry,hand crafted glass, pottery and woodcarvings. Arts, crafts, music and lots of food are scheduled throughout the day. Parking will be limited so plan to walk or bike to the event. Pets, skates, skateboards, bikes and coolers will not be allowed in the festival area. John Meserve Mayor cab_may.qxp:Layout 1 4/15/08 10:14 AM Page 1 DO YOU HAVE A HURRICANE RE-ENTRY PASS? city of atlantic beach newsletter 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. John Meserve MAYOR John Fletcher COMMISSIONER Mike Borno MAYOR PRO TEM Paul Parsons COMMISSIONER Carolyn Woods COMMISSIONER Jim Hanson CITY MANAGER Alan Jensen CITY ATTORNEY Donna Bussey CITY CLERK CITY OFFICIALS SPECIAL EVENTS May 2008 May 3 Bowl Bash – Oceanside Rotary Skate Park May 3 Art in the Park – Johansen Park | 11 a.m. May 4 Yoga for Health – Adele Grage | 4 p.m. May 4 Songwriters Concert – Adele Grage| 6-8 p.m. May 10 Wild Wonders – Dutton Island | 11 a.m. May 11 Yoga for Health – Adele Grage | 4 p.m. May 15 North Beaches Art Walk – Town Center | 5-9 p.m. May 17 Dancin’ in the Streets – Town Center | 11:00am – 9:30 p.m. May 18 Acoustic Nights – Bull Memorial Park | 6-8 p.m. May 18 Yoga for Health – Adele Grage | 4 p.m. May 24 Wild Wonders – Tideviews Preserve | 11 a.m. May 25 Yoga for Health – Adele Grage | 4 p.m. June 2008 June 1 Yoga for Health – Adele Grage | 4 p.m. June 8 Songwriters Concert – Adele Grage | 6-8 p.m. June 14 Wild Wonders – Dutton Island | 11 a.m. June 19 North Beaches Art Walk – Town Center | 5-9 p.m. June 22 Acoustic Nights – Bull Memorial Park | 6-8 p.m. June 28 Wild Wonders – Tideviews Preserve | 11 a.m. SUMMER CAMP SIGN-UP Looking for something fun for the kids to do this summer? The City of Atlantic Beach Department of Recreation is holding registration through May 24 for summer camp. Camp starts June 16 from 9:30 to 4:30 weekdays at the Donner Park and Jordan Park Community Centers. You can register your child (ages 5-12) at the Adele Grage Cultural Center, 716 Ocean Street from 8:30-11:30 a.m. or 1-4 p.m., Monday through Friday. For more information call (904) 247-5828. www.coab.us •(904) 247-5800 Mayport Middle is the zoned school for Atlantic Beach middle school students. The school is on a beautiful wooded campus with a lake and fountain. Some school highlights include: • Great teacher and staff; the new principal is from Fletcher High School • A full-time gifted program, as well as advanced and standard classes • All middle school sports are offered: boys and girls soccer and basketball, football, volleyball, track, swimming and cheerleading • An award-winning band, along with art, computer, drama and Spanish • Great facility that has been recently renovated. For more information, please call the school at 247-5977 or visit their Web site at www.mayportmiddle.org. COME CHECK OUT MAYPORT MIDDLE SCHOOL CALENDAR MAY 2008 JUNE 2008 Turtle nesting season takes place from May 1 through October 31. Please help protect their safety by keeping our beaches as dark as possible during the nesting season. For more information on sea turtle nests you can contact the Beaches Sea Turtle Patrol at (904) 613-6081 or visit their Web site at www.bstp.net. HELP PROTECT OUR SEA TURTLES Hurricane Re-entry passes have been distributed to Atlantic Beach residents during the past several years, and those passes continue to be valid. However, if someone is new to the City of Atlantic Beach or they have misplaced the Hurricane Re-entry pass, then additional passes are available from City Hall and/or the Atlantic Beach Police Department Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 8 Pension Board Mtg City Hall | 6 p.m. May 12 City Commission Mtg | 6 p.m. May 13 Code Enforcement Board Mtg | 7 p.m. May 14 *Tree Conservation Board Mtg | 7 p.m. May 20 Community Development Board Mtg | 6 p.m. May 26 Memorial Day Holiday – City Hall Closed May 27 City Commission Mtg | 6 p.m. May 27 *Cultural Arts & Recreation Advisory Committee Mtg | 7 p.m. May 28 *Tree Conservation Board Mtg | 7 p.m. June 9 City Commission Mtg | 6 p.m. June 11 *Tree Conservation Board Mtg | 7 p.m. June 17 Community Development Board Mtg | 6 p.m. June 23 City Commission Mtg | 6 p.m. June 24 *Cultural Arts & Recreation Advisory Committee Mtg | 7 p.m. June 25 Tree Conservation Board Mtg. City Hall Chambers | 7 p.m. cab_may.qxp:Layout 1 4/15/08 10:14 AM Page 2