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october 2009
Oct 12 City Commission Meeting / 6 pm
Oct 14 **Tree Conservation Board / 7 pm
Oct 20 Community Development Board / 6 pm
Oct 26 City Commission Meeting / 6 pm
Oct 27 *Cultural Arts & Recreation Advisory Committee / 7 pm
NoVember 2009
Nov 9 City Commission Meeting / 6 pm
Nov 10 Code Enforcement Board / 7 pm
Nov 11 Veterans Day – CiTy OffiCEs ClOsED
Nov 12 **Pension Board of Trustees / 7 pm
Nov 17 Community Development Board / 6 pm (location TBD)
Nov 18 **Tree Conservation Board / 7 pm
Nov 23 City Commission Meeting / 6 pm
Nov 24 *Cultural Arts & Recreation Advisory Committee / 7 pm
city officiAls
John Meserve, Mayor Carolyn Woods, Commissioner
Mike Borno, Mayor Pro Tem Jim Hanson, City Manager
Paul Parsons, Commissioner Alan Jensen, City Attorney
John fletcher, Commissioner Donna Bartle, City Clerk
www.coab.us • (904) 247-5800
Meetings are held in the Commission Chamber 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 Rd.
october 2009
Oct 4 songwriters Concert / Adele Grage / 6 - 8 pm
Oct 10 Campout under the stars / Jack Russell Park
Noon - 10 pm
Oct 15 North Beaches Art Walk / Town Center Area / 5 pm
Oct 25 Acoustic Nights / Bull Park / 6 - 8 pm
(last one of the season)
NoVember 2009
Nov 4 songwriters Concert / Adele Grage / 6 - 8 pm
Nov 6 - 8 2009 sea and sky spectacular
Nov 19 Artisans’ Holiday faire / Adele Grage / 5 - 9 pm
Presents…
After the Murders
by richard wolf / mystery – Drama
Adele Grage theatre / october 23 - 25, 30 -31
World premiere by fernandina Beach playwright. Acquitted of the
ax murders of her father and stepmother in 1893, lizzie Borden
lived another 34 years and stayed right in fall River, Massachusetts.
Many of the events in her life during those subsequent years were
both bizarre and fascinating, as this compelling play reveals.
showtimes: Thursday, friday & saturday 8 pm / sunday 2 pm
Admission: Adults – $15 / senior, student, Military – $12
Dear citizens
of Atlantic Beach,
As i leave office after 12 years as a Commissioner
and 4 terms as Mayor i would offer some thoughts. first,
while struggling with the economy, Atlantic Beach has
taken the prudent steps to weather the financial storm.
i would hope that the “new” Commission continues
to put resources into the Mayport Road area to further
reduce issues of crime and neglect, and create a sense of
community that everyone wants. it has been a pleasure to
serve with Commissioners Mike Borno, Carolyn Woods, Paul
Parsons and John fletcher for the last two years. They are
all dedicated public servants. We have not been lock-step
on all issues, but at the end of all conversation and debate,
we voted our consciences and i cannot remember a time
that we strayed from addressing the issue vice personal
challenges. i always strived to tighten up meetings and
stay on task, while allowing sufficient opportunity for the
public to make their input. The staff, under the leadership
of City Manager Jim Hanson, are a fine group of individuals
and we, the Commission, all value what they bring to the
community. As we so often say at meetings, Atlantic Beach
is a special place with a home-town feel that is mostly
missing in other places i have lived. As i pass through
the five corner area on a daily basis, i glance at the tide-
clock and the “search for Atlantis” statue and realize how
blessed we are to live here.
—Mayor Meserve
Back to School
Safety Tips
summertime is nearing an end and it is time to fall back into the fall
routine which means school begins. With that in mind your Atlantic Beach Police
Department would like to help with some friendly tips on how to keep your
children safe.
• The most important
thing to remember is to
slow down when driving
through school zones
and always pay attention
to posted speed limits.
Many children walk to
and from school.
• Never pass a school
bus when the lights are
flashing. These indicators
let drivers know that children are entering or exiting the bus.
• Parents or guardians are encouraged to walk with their children, either to
the bus stop or to school.
• Always talk to your kids about strangers. Help them get to know safe
places or people to run to along their route in the case of an emergency.
• Bike riders: Remember that kids under 17 years of age are required by
law to wear a helmet.
• Give your kids the proper rest. Put them to bed early and get them up
early. This will reduce stress and fatigue for everyone!
• Make sure that your child eats a proper breakfast. if you can’t afford to
feed them at home, contact your child’s school to ask about enrollment in
the free lunch program. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day!
• Meet your child’s teacher, either by phone or in person.
• Make sure your child is properly dressed according to school guidelines.
This is especially important for students who wear uniforms.
• And always remember, if you have any questions or concerns,
contact your child’s school. They are there to help.
Curl Up With a Good Book
about our most precious natural resource—water!
• Mirage: Florida and the Vanishing Water of the Eastern U.S., by Cynthia
Barnett, examines how development and politics have led to sinkholes, water
table pollution and a shift in weather patterns.
• The Ghost Map, by steven Johnson, tells the story of how mapping Cholera
deaths in 1854 london led back to a single water pump.
• Cadillac Desert: The American West and Its Disappearing Water, by Marc
Reisner, tells the story of conflicts over water policy in the West and the
resulting damage to the land, wildlife and indians.
• Water: The Fate of Our Most Precious Resource, by Marq de Villiers.
remember – water only on your days, before 10 am or after 4 pm.
homes with oDD addresses – wednesday and saturday
homes with eVeN addresses – thursday and sunday
Non-residential – tuesday and friday
for more information on how to conserve water go to www.floridaswater.com.
March Fest ‘09
Marsh Preservation society, the City of
Atlantic Beach, North florida land Trust
and the City of Jacksonville are hosting
a celebration of the acquisition of the
River Branch Preserve (formerly known
as the “Buckman-Pritchard” property)
on November 14, 2009, from 9 am to
3 pm at Dutton island Preserve. Come
out and enjoy kayak/canoe tours of
the property and surrounding marshes,
live music, food, children’s activities and
more. There will be environmental exhibitors, nature walking tours and scavenger hunts.
Bring your chairs and stay the day enjoying our beautiful parks and marshes. This event
is free to the public, but donations will be gladly accepted. Donations will help fund the
master planning for public access to the River Branch Preserve.
for more information, you may contact Maria Mark, Event Coordinator at 707-3584 or
visit the City of Atlantic Beach’s website: www.coab.us/marshfest