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| Jeb S. Smith District 2 Board of County Commissioners P: 904.209.0302 C: 904.325.4182 bcc2jsmith@sjcfl.us ____________________ |
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Upcoming
Meetings
APRIL
4/3 - Ponte Vedra Zoning and Adjustment Board
4/4 - Board of County Commissioners
4/6 - Planning and Zoning Agency
4/18 - Board of County Commissioners
4/20 - Planning and Zoning Agency
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MAY
5/1 - Ponte Vedra Zoning and Adjustment Board
5/2 - Board of County Commissioners
5/4 - Planning and Zoning Agency
5/16 - Board of County Commissioners
5/18 - Planning and Zoning Agency
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JUNE
6/1 - Planning and Zoning Agency
6/5 - Ponte Vedra Zoning and Adjustment Board
6/6 - Board of County Commissioner
6/15 - Planning and Zoning Agency
6/19 - Tourist Development Council
6/20 - Board of County Commissioners
All meeting dates are subject to change. Please visit
www.sjcfl.us
for current meeting information.
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Upcoming
Shows
For upcoming St. Augustine Amphitheatre or Ponte Vedra Concert Hall events please call 904.209.0367 or visit the events
website.
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| Invite a friend or neighbor to register for the St. Johns County E-Newsletters. 
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Thank you for registering for the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners District 2 newsletter. Inside you will find an update regarding projects and events in District 2 and timely information about St. Johns County programs, services, and initiatives.
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St. Johns County District 2 Update
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 Thank you for subscribing to my newsletter and informing yourself on some matters concerning St. Johns County and some issues specific to District 2.
Spring is here and summer is nigh. Although many azaleas prematurely displayed their grandeur as early as January, the one plant I was taught to observe is the pecan. Once this tasteful nut-bearer begins to bud, winter is finished. The cold snap we experienced on the morning of March 16 will likely be the last of this winter because my pecan tree has revealed its tender, green new growth.
It is a beautiful time of year. Last night, I was tending to farm duties and the intoxicating waft of fragrant orange blossoms enticed my olfactory sense. I witnessed lightning bugs mark the still night air with a rhythmic glow. It was warm, too. Most notably, there was an absence of the annoying hum of pesky mosquitoes. It will not be long and the woods will be filled with water, and these creatures will disrupt the solace and tranquility of a spring night. Summer will then be in full swing. I hope you are able to enjoy the subtle blessings we have and possess in St. Johns County.
If I may be of any help to you, please do not hesitate to contact me at my email address, bcc2jsmith@sjcfl.us, or on my mobile phone at 904.325.4182.
Sincerely,
Jeb S. Smith
District 2
St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners
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Volunteer Opportunities with St. Johns County Boards and Committees
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The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners provides residents who have an interest in participating in their local government with a variety of board and commission opportunities. Depending on the board or commission, the volunteer positions consider and make recommendations regarding a myriad of topics including planning and zoning issues, development projects, the library, parks and recreation facilities and programs, and arts, culture, and tourism matters. Please visit the Boards and Commission Webpage to view an updated list of board and commission vacancies and download an application, or contact the Board of County Commissioners office at
904.209.0300 or mlundquist@sjcfl.us for more information.
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St. Johns County Medical Marijuana Workshop
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St. Johns County is hosting a Medical Marijuana Workshop at 4 p.m. on April 13, 2017 at the St. Johns County Permit Center, 4040 Lewis Speedway, to discuss proposed zoning and permitting regulations for medical marijuana retail stores and treatment. The public is invited to attend and provide feedback. For additional information, please call 904.209.0805 or email
psoria@sjcfl.us.
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2017 Spud Run on Saturday, April 1
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 Join fellow runners and walkers for the annual Spud Run Half Marathon, 5K, and Cabbage Crawl at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 1 at the Hastings Health and Human Services Community Building, 6195 South Main Street, Hastings. Finishers will receive a t-shirt, medal, and goodie bags, which includes cabbage and potatoes!
Funds raised from this event will directly benefit opportunities and programs for agricultural education such as 4-H, Future Farmers of America, and Farm City Week. For race registration and more information, please visit www.spudrun.net.
In conjunction with the event, the Hastings Library will be open from 5:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. for race participants to utilize restroom facilities as well as coffee. For more information, please call 904.827.6971.
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St. Johns County 4H Events and Updates
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 4-H Expo - Saturday, April 8
Join St. Johns County 4-H for the 4-H Expo from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 8 at the St. Johns County Extension Office, 3125 Agricultural Center Drive, St. Augustine. This free event will showcase the many projects and activities in which 4-H youth from St. Johns County are involved through competitions, demonstrations, and exhibits. Food will also be available and the organization will host a bike helmet giveaway. For more information, please visit
http://stjohns.ifas.ufl.edu/4-H/2017%20Expo%20Handbook.pdf.
4-H Tropicana Public Speaking Contest - Monday, April 24
The St. Johns County 4-H Tropicana Public Speaking Contest will be held at 4 p.m. on Monday, April 24th at the St. Johns County Extension Office, 3125 Agricultural Center Drive. The 4th and 5th grade contest will begin at 4 p.m. at the 6th grade contest will begin at 6 p.m. Participants come from St. Johns County public and private schools, as well as area homeschooling groups. For more information, please call 904.209.0430.
Tri-County Potato Harvest Field Day - Saturday, April 29
St. Johns County 4-H is hosting the Tri-County Potato Harvest Field Day from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, April 29 at the St. Johns County Extension office, 2135 Agricultural Center Drive, St. Augustine. Participants are invited to gain knowledge related to current research on weed science,
plant pathology, variety selection, nutrient management, post-harvest innovations, and irrigation. This annual event provides first-hand knowledge to commercial vegetable growers in the Tri-County Agricultural Area. For more information, please call 904.209.0430.
St. Johns County 4-H Horse Judging Team Congratulations to the St. Johns County 4-H Horse Judging Team, which competed and earned fourth place at the Tampa State Fair Horse Judging Competition on February 11. Competing against 12 other teams, the St. Johns County Junior/Intermediate team took fourth place in the combined team age division. Team members included Mia Clyce, Amber Carlton, Macie Cerasale and Julianna Raimondi. This was the first horse judging competition the team competed in this year and we look forward to future accomplishments on this rising team of 4-H equestrian enthusiast!
Chicken Embryology Project
Over the past three months, the St. Johns County 4-H Program has facilitated chicken embryology projects in seven schools, involving 36 teachers and more than 800 youth. The 4-H Extension Agent conducted training for classroom teachers and students, loaned out equipment, supplies, and educational materials, and acquired eggs and homes for chicks. This science-based, hands-on learning experience is most popular among teachers and students. For more information, please call 904.209.0430.
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St. Johns County Partners with Coast2CoastRx to offer Free Discount Prescription Savings Program
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 St. Johns County is pleased to join the Coast2Coast Rx Card program. The new Coast2Coast Rx card will allow all County residents, regardless of income, age, or health status, to participate in the program and save on the cost of their medications. The program saved cardholders throughout the nation an average of 65% in 2016 on the cost of prescription drugs. Even pets and people living outside the County are able to take part in the program. The Rx card is distributed free of charge and may be used at all pharmacy chains and most independent pharmacies in St. Johns County and includes over 60,000 drugs in its formulary. The Coast2Coast Rx card will be available for residents at most participating pharmacies, governmental offices, libraries, and County health facilities. Residents will also be able to print the Rx card and view the nearest participating locations at
www.coast2coastrx.com/counties/fl/stjohns.
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St. Johns County Reach the Beach Program
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St. Johns County Beach Services wants you to "know before you go" by offering a variety of ways to enhance your beach day experience. St. Johns County residents and visitors can view current beach access updates and service information through the Reach the Beach program. iPhone, iPad, and Android users can download the
Reach the Beach icon to access the mobile website directly from their application screen. St. Johns County Beach information can also be found on
Twitter,
Facebook, and
Instagram. For more information on beach access conditions and beach services, please call the Beaches Hotline at 904.209.0331.
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St. Johns County Horse Council
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The St. Johns County Horse Council is a local nonprofit that strives to promote, defend, and propagate equestrian interests in St. Johns County. Since their establishment in 1999, the Council has become involved in promoting all types of equine activities and raising awareness regarding the economic impact of horses in the County. In addition to quarterly public meetings, the Council hosts numerous events at the St. Johns County Equestrian Center for handlers of all ages and experience levels. For more information on the St. Johns County Horse Council, events, and how to become a member, please visit their website or send them an email.
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St. Johns County Repairs Beach Walkovers Damaged by Hurricane Matthew for Summer Beach Season
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In preparation for the summer beach season, St. Johns County has completed repairs and reinstated pedestrian access at 17 beach walkovers that were damaged by Hurricane Matthew. The Board of County Commissioners recently approved funding to initiate and expedite large-scale repairs at South Ponte Vedra Park, Pope Road Beach Parking, and Boating Club Road, with work on the projects scheduled to begin by April 1.
For residents and visitors wishing to visit St. Johns County's beaches, numerous off-beach parking locations are currently open and accessible to the public, including Mickler's Landing, Surfside Park, St. Johns County Ocean and Fishing Pier, 16th Street, 11th Street, Ocean Hammock Park, and Crescent Beach Park. A full list of these locations can be found at www.sjcfl.us/beaches.
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Sea Turtle Nesting Season Begins May 1
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 Sea turtle nesting season begins May 1 and residents and visitors have a special opportunity and responsibility to protect these magnificent creatures and their vulnerable nesting sites as they return each season to nest along the beaches. St. Johns County officials are reminding residents, visitors, and businesses to help protect natural habitat by observing the following actions while enjoying the beach:
- Refrain from using artificial light such as white lights from flashlights, camera flashes, and cell phones. St. Johns County provides free red filters to place over flashlights at every beach access point within the City of St. Augustine Beach.
- Beachfront property owners and visitors are asked to turn off all exterior lights and cover windows to reduce interior light impacts at night.
- Fill in holes in the sand as they are hazardous to nesting females and hatchlings, which may become trapped while traversing the sand.
- Remove all chairs, umbrellas, tents, toys, coolers, and other beach equipment to prevent disrupting the paths of nesting females and hatchlings.
If an injured, sick, or deceased sea turtle is encountered, please call the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office non emergency dispatch line at 904.824.8304. Beach visitors are asked to never push an injured animal back into the ocean. St. Johns County is grateful to volunteers, residents, visitors, and businesses for supporting habitat conservation efforts and keeping our beaches beautiful. For more information, please contact St. Johns County Habitat Conservation and Beach Management at 904.209.3740 or visit
www.sjcfl.us/hcp.
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Hastings Branch Library Offers Accredited High School Diploma Program
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 The Hastings Branch Library is offering qualified community members the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma and credentialed career certificates through Career Online High School. Career Online High School is specifically designed to reengage adults into the education system and prepare them for entry into post-secondary career education or the workforce. The Hastings Library will award scholarships for Career Online High School to qualified learners looking to earn a high school diploma and advance their careers. Residents can learn more about this one-of-a-kind opportunity by visiting www.sjcpls.org or calling 904.827.6976.
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Join SJC and the Easter Bunny for Free Easter Egg Hunts!
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 St. Johns County Parks and Recreation is hosting free Easter Egg Hunts at multiple park locations on Thursday, April 13 and Saturday, April 15. Children eight years old and younger are invited to participate at the following parks:
Thursday, April 13 at 11 a.m.
- Veterans Park, 1332 Veterans Parkway, St. Johns
- Palencia Park, 405 Palencia Village Dr., St. Augustine
Saturday, April 15 at 11 a.m.
- Treaty Park, 1595 Wildwood Dr., St. Augustine
- Al Wilke Park, 6140 Main St., Hastings
Please bring a basket for collection, and eggs and treats will be provided. The Easter Bunny will be available for pictures at 10:30 a.m. and again after each Easter egg hunt. Parents are invited to bring their own cameras for photographs. For more information, please call 904.209.0377.
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2017 Just Tri It! Kids Triathlon
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Children ages 5 through 14 are invited to join the fun and participate in the 2017 St. Johns County Just Tri It! Kids Triathlon, scheduled for 8 a.m. on Sunday, April 23 at the Solomon Calhoun Center, 1300 Duval Street. The non-competitive event provides everyone with the chance to participate in a triathlon and Just Tri It! The first 150 children to pick up race packets will receive a Just Tri It! T-shirt, and every child that completes the race will get a medal for their accomplishment. For more information, including race distances, eligibility, registration fees, race schedules, a course map, and directions, please visit
www.sjcfl.us/Recreation/Youth/JustTriIt.aspx or contact St. Johns County Recreation and Parks at 904.209.0377 or
jbaccari@sjcfl.us.
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St. Johns County Holiday Hours
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Good Friday
All departments of the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners, St. Johns County Administrative offices, library branches, and the Pet Center will be closed Friday, April 14 in observance of Good Friday. All library branches and the Pet Center will reopen on Saturday, April 15. All other offices will resume standard business hours on Monday, April 17.
Garbage, recycling, and yard debris collection schedules will not be delayed. The Tillman Ridge and Stratton Road solid waste scale houses will remain open on the holiday during standard business hours.
Memorial Day
All departments of the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners, St. Johns County Administrative offices, library branches, and the Pet Center will be closed Monday, May 29 in observance of Memorial Day. All offices and branches will resume standard business hours on Tuesday, May 30.
Garbage, recycling, and yard debris collection schedules will not be delayed. The Stratton Road and Tillman Ridge solid waste scale houses will remain open on the holiday during standard business hours.
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