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TALLAHASSEE – The Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention and leaders from science centers and museums from around the state assembled during STEM Day at the Florida Capitol on January 25, 2022. The goal was to engage legislators about the critical role that Science Centers and museums play with inspiring and creating the STEM workforce of tomorrow while also advocating for increased funding to support these efforts. 

Participants were stationed inside and outside the Capitol building with experiments, displays, robots and more! Throughout the day, state legislators took part in hands-on activities while learning how STEM education helps grow Florida’s technological workforce.  Science museums act as a hub for STEM learning and can easily facilitate opportunities between industry, education and the public. Collaborations between science museums, corporations and education are key to developing a comprehensive approach to promote STEM learning from cradle to career.

The challenges of the past 18 months have reminded all of us that science matters now more than ever. Science literacy not only leads to a better understanding of life’s problems, but it promotes the development of skills to help solve them. Through study and experimentation, we acquire knowledge, which leads to understanding, innovation and ultimately prosperity. Our youth can save the world and science can help them do it. 

“We are in the middle of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, seamlessly blending our digital and physical worlds. Technology is evolving so quickly, we don’t know what the future will look like, but we do know how we can prepare for it,” says Stephanie Bailes, CEO & President of the Cade Museum. “We can teach our children to think like inventors, to be creative and problem solve, to work in teams and explore new perspectives, and to learn how to be fueled by failure rather than fear it.” 

During STEM Day at the Capitol, participating partners, including student groups, shared their passion for science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) with legislators, demonstrating the impact that their efforts can have on economic development across the state.  Displays will reinforce how science museums light the spark of curiosity, promote future careers and build essential 21st century skills while also illustrating how increased funding could expand these efforts. 

STEM DAY 2022 PARTICIPANTS:

• Orlando Science Center 
• Motorola Solutions Foundation 
• Museum of Discovery and Science (Ft. Lauderdale) 
• Cox Science Center and Aquarium (West Palm Beach) 
• Tallahassee Museum 
• FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), Northwest Florida  
• River City Science Academy (Jacksonville) 
• STEM SimX 

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ALACHUA ‒ Almost every community in America honors the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr. King inspired millions of people in his lifetime, and he changed the face of American society by bringing awareness about equal rights. During the 1950s and 1960s he rose to national prominence, and his death on April 4, 1968 at the hands of an assassin shocked and angered the nation. But his legacy and accomplishments live on.

King was one of many people who became involved in the Civil Rights movement, but his speaking ability and organization of non-violent protests, large marches and economic boycotts made him the most visible leader of the movement. He helped organize the 1963 March on Washington where he delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech to a crowd of over 250,000 people. On Oct. 14, 1964, King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to fight racial inequality through nonviolent protests. King was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.

Martin Luther King Day was enacted as a federal holiday through legislation signed by President Ronald Reagan in 1986. Now each year, on the third Monday in January, Martin Luther King Day is celebrated to mark his birth on Jan. 15, 1929.

In High Springs, Reverend and current Mayor Byran Williams has led a memorial march down West U.S. Highway 27 from City Hall to Catherine Taylor Park for the past 10 years.

“My church, Mount Carmel United Methodist Church, has been holding remembrance services for MLK day for over 20 years,” said Williams. “About 10 years ago it was decided to open the services to the whole community by creating a walk that all could participate in, similar to the marches that King organized, to honor the day and unify the community.”

This year, on a cold Monday morning, about 50 people gathered at High Springs City Hall to make the almost mile walk accompanied by a police escort. Once at the park, there was singing by Spiritual Excellence followed by Noah Brock describing Dr. King's life and achievements and keynote speaker Reverend Jon Ingraham.

For the past 16 years the City of Alachua has hosted a celebration of Martin Luther King Day with an event at the Cleather Hathcock Community Center. The City provides a catered lunch, equipment, law enforcement and some of the entertainment for the event. City employees from the parks and recreation department and the city manager's office volunteer their time and services for the event. Volunteers from churches and community organizations also offer their time to serve the food, prepare desserts and provide entertainment and information.

This year’s event started at 11 a.m. with an opening prayer by Pastor Gregory Pelham and the National Anthem sung by Antionette Hunt. Master of Ceremony Carol Richardson introduced speakers Alachua Mayor Gib Coerper, State Representative Yvonne Hinson and Florida State Senator Keith Perry. Entertainment from the Smooth Flava Dance group followed. Inside the Hathcock Center, Alachua born artist Kenneth Kith displayed his artwork while caterers set up lunch outside on the porch.

Speakers included Dr. Micha Johnson who spoke of his early life of homelessness and poverty and the childhood trauma that many minority children face. Born and initially raised in South Florida, Johnson was uprooted at a young age to Brooklyn, New York. Living in impoverished conditions, often homeless in a volatile family situation, Johnson's neighborhood was a dangerous place with gangs, drugs and poverty.

Many of the New York kids called him a farmer or hick due to his accent and background in the south. Johnson had low self-esteem and fear of not being accepted, especially due to his homeless situation. “I was afraid that once my friends found out about living in homeless shelters I would be shunned,” he said. But the opposite happened. “They all accepted that I was in a hard situation and never once mentioned or joked about my situation.”

Sleeping in cars and homeless shelters, Johnson graduated from high school and was accepted at the University of Florida where he pursed three degrees, including his doctorate in Sociology. He now teaches at the University of South Florida about childhood trauma and its effects on self-worth and ability to achieve.

Events held throughout the country not only honor King and his legacy, but they also memorialize the changes in society that King helped bring about.

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ALACHUA COUNTY – North Central Florida is expected to see temperatures at or below freezing this weekend. The Alachua County Department of Animal Resources and Care wants to remind citizens that pets, just like people, need a warm place to stay. 

Due to the present quarantine for exposure to the canine distemper virus, Animal Resources & Care has several dogs housed in a large tent outdoors. On cold nights, like those forecast this weekend, the dogs are brought indoors. The public can rest assured that all efforts are made to keep these dogs safe and warm. Animal Resources and Care encourage all pet owners to do the same.

The common belief that dogs and cats are more resistant than people to cold weather because of their fur is untrue. Like people, cats and dogs are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia and should be kept inside. Longer-haired and thick-coated dog breeds, such as Huskies and other dogs bred for colder climates, are more tolerant of cold weather; but no pet should be left outside for long periods in below-freezing weather. Pets can freeze, become disoriented, lost, stolen, injured, or killed if left outdoors. In addition, do not leave pets alone in a car during cold weather, as cars can act as refrigerators that hold in the cold and cause animals to freeze to death.

Consider a sweater or dog coat for dogs with short coats or who seem bothered by the cold weather. Have several on hand, so dogs can use a dry sweater or coat each time it goes outside. Wet sweaters or coats can make dogs colder. Some pet owners also use booties to protect their dog's feet. Those who choose to use them should make sure they fit properly.

Just like people, pets' cold tolerance can vary from pet to pet based on their coat, body fat stores, activity level, and health. Dog owners should be aware of their pet's tolerance for cold weather and adjust accordingly. Owners will probably need to shorten their dogs’ walks in frigid weather to protect both owner and dogs from weather-associated health risks. Pets with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, or hormonal imbalances (such as Cushing's disease) may have a more challenging time regulating their body temperature and may be more susceptible to problems from temperature extremes. The same goes for very young and very old pets. Pet owners should consult their veterinarian if they need help determining their pet's temperature limits.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ High Springs residents went to the Jan. 13 High Springs City Commission meeting to voice their frustration over what they say is a business operating in a residential neighborhood. Although the Commission was set to discuss proposed Ordinance 2022-01 amending the Land Development Code regarding home occupations, several homeowners took the opportunity to voice their frustration and concern about what they believe is an automotive repair business being run out of a residential property on Northwest 191^st Street.

Residents Sheila Gannon, Lance Verner, Deborah Simone, J.D. McNeil, Eva Verner and Jesse Lindsey all addressed the Commission to complain about the same home business, which they said was operating as an automotive and engine repair company.

Complaints ranged from excessive noise during the day and late at night, racing engines, the use of loud pneumatic tools, bright floodlights, cars being moved onto neighbors’ properties without permission, accessory construction without a permit and washing oil and automotive products into the soil to leach into the aquifer.

Some of the neighbors had produced videos and photographs to document their claims, some of which have been turned over to the High Springs Police Department and to the Codes Enforcement Officer.

High Springs Police Chief Antoine Sheppard said he had just seen some videos that afternoon that were concerning and would be following up on. Sheppard had contacted Alachua County Environmental Protection Agency regarding the business’s disposal of waste products. Sheppard said they conducted an assessment and cleared the business owner, whose business is listed as a mobile automobile repair business. He further encouraged citizens with proof to bring it to the police department.

Sheppard also asked that people call immediately with noise-related issues so his officers can document the disturbance as it is occurring.

City Manager Ashley Stathatos said she would also talk with the City’s Building Department regarding the structures that have been built on the property to determine if they were permitted.

Turning back to Ordinance 2022-01, the Commission considered the measure, which was drafted in direct response to an update in Florida Statutes. Florida Statute Section 559.955 preempts the regulation of home-based business to the state and the statute describes state and municipality authority and responsibilities. Stathatos said, “The goal is to ensure consistent enforcement of home-based business throughout the state of Florida.” She said that if a home-based business is operating such that you can’t tell it’s a business from the street, it is in compliance with state statutes.

Commissioner Ross Ambrose said he had attempted to contact State Senator Keith Perry when he was proposing the legislation. Ambrose opposed the bill because he felt this and some other bills Senator Perry was proposing preempted home rule. “Citizens need to be aware that this is going on in Tallahassee,” he said. He said although he tried to contact Senator Perry, he never received a return call or email from his office.

Regarding the ordinance, Assistant City Manager Bruce Gillingham said that the City was not compliant with statutes and were less able to enforce regulations. The ordinance was unanimously approved with Ambrose making the motion to approve, which was seconded by Vice-Mayor Gloria James.

In other business, Stathatos presented Resolution 2022-A, which authorizes the issuance of a $589,000 note to provide funds to finance the Santa Fe Canoe Outpost and related capital improvements. She said the funds to conduct the closing came from Wild Spaces Public Places and money from the Alachua County Trust associated with the Conservation Easement.

She said the fund has $1.6 million in available resources. “It is making around $300,000 - $400,000 a year. The purchase took away around $600,000, leaving approximately $1 million.

Parks and Recreation Director Damon Messina reported on projects planned for the next fiscal year and the anticipated costs associated with those projects. He said Alachua County voters would consider continuing Wild Spaces Public Places funding again this November. Should those funds be renewed, it is possible to pay the loan back sooner than the seven year time frame for payback.

“Staff’s recommendation is to borrow the funds to allow for some leeway,” Stathatos said. She pointed out that construction costs are higher right now and interest rates are lower. She also said there is no penalty for paying the loan off early, should the funds become available. The interest rate on the loan under consideration is 2.23 percent.

Weitz offered again that the City should use America Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds rather than borrow money. Jones said she tended to agree with Weitz. However, after a motion made by Ambrose to approve, with a second from James, the final vote was 4-1 with Weitz casting the only dissenting vote.

In other business, the Commission unanimously approved a settlement agreement and release of lien on Tax Parcel 01295-000-000. The agreement is with former titleholder Herbert Allen Towne and lien holder, the City of High Springs. The lien was placed against Towne’s property in 2006 for codes violations and fines that accrued at $200 per day to a total of $1,066,000.

The property was sold by tax deed in November 2020, and the building was removed in September 2021. In exchange for resolution of this matter, Towne will receive $40,000 and the City will receive $21,356. According to Stathatos, the lien attaches to all of Towne’s other properties. Should any other property owned by Towne be sold, a portion will also be collected by the City.

Also unanimously approved was Resolution 2022-C, which is a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City and the state of Florida to participate in a unified plan for the allocation and use of opioid litigation settlement proceeds. Sheppard presented this item and said that an amount of $5 billion is anticipated over a period of nine years to be available to cities for substance abuse education.

“Once they know the number of cities who want to participate,” said Sheppard, “the exact numbers will be provided.” He said he anticipates approximately $30,630 spread out over a number of years will be available to High Springs.

Commissioners appointed Hector E. Tapanes to replace Ronald Wilson, who resigned from the Planning and Zoning Board.

Stathatos asked for input from Commissioners in the near future as to whether they would like to discuss how the ARPA funds should be used at either the first meeting in February or at a workshop.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ HIGH Springs The High Springs Woman's Club delivered hand-made lap blankets and goodies to the veterans living at the Mayflower Assisted Living Retirement Home for Christmas. Club members say they love to help people in the community have a happy Christmas. L to R: Carole Tate, Manager Stepheny Conner and Windy Phillips.

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