Local

Irby Elementary students were joined by University of Florida cheerleaders and Albert and Alberta to help raise funds for the American Heart Association’s annual Jump Rope for Heart held at the school Wednesday.

ALACHUA – Facing a mid-life crisis, Gainesville Police Department Sergeant Donald Geelhoed left the fancy new convertible at the dealership and challenged himself to run a marathon.

He didn’t make it. Instead, he had heart surgery for a genetic defect in his aorta valve.

Geelhoed was just one of the many service men and women honored at Irby Elementary School’s Jump Rope for Heart on Feb. 15 where the theme was “Be a Heart Hero.” The American Heart Association coordinates the event every year.

“I’m honored and I’m humbled,” he said. “But I think the real heroes on that stage are the military veterans.”

While Geelhoed trained for his marathon, he experienced shortness of breath and numbness. After his surgery in October 2005, he accomplished his pre-surgery goal by running two marathons – the Marine Corps Marathon and the Gainesville Five Points of Life.

He shared his story with Irby students during morning announcements and donned a gold medal during the Jump Rope for Heart event, which labeled him the Heart Ambassador.

In addition to Geelhoed, military personnel, city officials and law enforcement officers representing the Gainesville Police Department and the Alachua Police Department were recognized as heroes.

Physical Education teacher Ray Crone, who organized the day’s events, was inspired to bring the service men to Jump Rope for Heart during a recent trip. While waiting at a Dallas, Texas, airport gate, he noticed military men and women boarding a plane. The people waiting at the gate started to clap for them.

“So I decided to bring that to Jump Rope for Heart to teach our students to appreciate service people,” he said.

Irby has a long history with Jump Rope for Heart, Crone said. Since starting the program, the school has raised over $100,000. This year, a new Internet e-card was available online for children to send to long-distance relatives or friends. The e-card pictured a superhero with a space for the children to place their face on the superhero. The school’s Internet fundraising increased donations from approximately $400 a year to about $1500 for this year’s event.

Megan Weinstein, representative from the American Heart Association, said the Jump Rope for Heart program has been going on for 35 years.

Using a jump rope is an excellent cardiovascular exercise, and it encourages children to see that exercise can be fun, she said.

“This school goes above and beyond in everything they do,” Weinstein said. “They put a lot of heart behind it – pun intended.”

The University of Florida’s Albert and Alberta joined in the fun, along with Gator cheerleaders and Gator Dazzlers. Jessica Prentiss was given an award for her volunteer work. Michele Faulk, Santa Fe High School’s athletic driector, was also given an award to recognize her contributions. Faulk’s Interact Club, a service organization at Santa Fe High School, participates every year in the Irby Jump Rope for Heart by helping teachers entertain the children.

First and second grade students competed in a jump-rope contest to see who could last the longest. The American Heart Association provided prizes to the first, second, third and fourth-place winners. Prizes included a sports water bottle, a speed rope and a soccer ball.

For the first-grade class, Amari Ray took first place. Nathan Kemph came in second, followed by Everett Melvin and Joanna Scott in third place. Fourth Place was awarded to Tristan Rivera.

For the second-grade class, Serenity Carrodus won first place. Anthony Rollins came in second, and Raynard Robinson won third place. Savannah Terrell won fourth place.

Crone imparts three lessons to the students of Irby during Jump Rope for Heart. First, help yourself by exercising. Second, help others by fundraising. Last, help your school. For every $2000, Irby gets $100 in P.E. equipment.

“Kids get so excited for this event,” Crone said. “What’s really rewarding is when a high school senior told me a week ago that the Irby Jump Rope for Heart event was one of her favorite memories of going to this school.”

High Springs may soon take over the management of Poe Springs Park in a year-long agreement with Alachua County.

GAINESVILLE – Alachua County Commissioners unanimously approved an agreement Tuesday for the City of High Springs to oversee the daily operation of Alachua County’s Poe Springs Park, which is located along the Santa Fe River. Terms of the agreement include an initial one-year period, which can be renewed.

According to the agreement, the City of High Springs would take charge of the daily staffing and maintenance of the park while the county would review fees, plans, and events at the park. The county would further take charge of larger upkeep such as mowing and building repairs.

“There will be staff for the park as well as volunteers from boy scouts, the lions club and volunteers from the city,” High Springs City Manager Jeri Langman said.

Under the City of High Springs’ management, the park would be open Wednesday through Sunday, with Wednesday and Thursday being free admission days. On weekends, High Springs will charge $5 to $8 per vehicle, and $2 for individuals.  High Springs has proposed to offer annual passes to local families and individuals.

Alachua County currently does not require an admission fee for entrance to the park.

“This will allows us to have something that can draw people to the city since we are one of the lesser known cities in the county,” Langman said. “It will put us on the map and promote Poe Springs to more people.”

The agreement states that after the city has covered its costs through entrance fees, additional revenue will be split between Alachua County and the City of High Springs. The agreement now awaits a final vote of approval from the Alachua County Commission.

Despite harsh criticism from some, on a motion placed on the floor by Vice Mayor Barnas and seconded by Commissioner Linda Gestrin, commissioners approved the measure in a 3-1 vote.  Mayor Dean Davis also supported the appointed while Commissioner Sue Weller cast the only vote against it.

“I’m not happy with the way this is going,” Weller said during a workshop prior to the meeting.  “I’m not happy with the fact that we have a manager in here that, in my belief, does not have the experience or the knowledge as a city manager to bring us forward,” she said.

It was during that workshop before the regularly scheduled commission meeting that it was reported that the only remaining candidate in the running for the job, W.D. Higginbotham, Jr., withdrew from the process.

Langman was hired as the interim city manager in December at a salary of $4,000 monthly without benefits.  She replaced Jenny Parham, who served as interim city manager and was compensated about $1,500 monthly in addition to her role as city clerk.  Langman will drop the interim from her title, but will see a marked increase in compensation.  In approving the change, commissioners also gave Langman an annual salary of $55,000 plus benefits.

The appointment did not come without heated criticism from several people calling on the commission to reconsider the action.  Most of those speaking out in opposition to the appointment urged the commission to restart the city manager selection process.  Others, however, lauded the commission and encouraged their fellow residents to stand behind Langman and the city.

Barnas said he was pleased with Langman and didn’t want to search for another city manager.  “I have no other process to start,” Barnas said.  “I wouldn’t do another process until…the upcoming election in November,” he added.

But numerous people spoke out against aborting the search for a city manager, including resident Laura Graetz who said the city needs a city manager with the proper qualifications to run a city.

Graetz referenced an employment advertisement for the city manager position, in which the desired qualifications are outlined.  Among them are 3-5 years of responsible municipal government experience, professional management experience and economic development experience.  “I asked for a public records request for Mr. Langman’s qualifications that were submitted for this and there is none of that on here,” she said.

“She may have many good qualities, but not those that are required for city manager,” Graetz said.

Linda Jones said she voted for Barnas and Gestrin but accused the duo of switching their positions.

“I’m sorry to see they’re taking a different position,” said Jones, adding, “I think this has come up as a payback.”

“That’s the way it appears, and I’m very disappointed,” she said.

Other residents, including Bob Hallman, supported the commission’s move and blamed the city’s prior administration for harming its financial position.

Hallman also said unrest in the community might be explained by what he considers inaccurate news reporting.  “You’re going through an experience where it’s not unusual for the people in the community to come up because, well, the information they’re getting is through the newspaper, and the information may not be accurate.”

Hallman did tell the commission that he thought there was some “serious staff problems” at the City.  But he supported the appointment of Langman saying, “I think you have a good situation.  You should hang on to it.”

Resident and employee Don Alderman said he was pleased with the direction of the City, but warned that the commission’s swift actions on Thursday might not be perceived by the public in a positive light, and therefore, motivate people to replace commissioners.  “Most of you have your positions up there due to the perceptions,” Aldermand said.

After Barnas made the motion during the City Commissioner Comments portion of the meeting to appoint Langman, former City Attorney and High Springs resident Thomas DePeter sharply criticized the move.

“Commissioners comments is the point where you choose to make the most important decision that this commission can make, the person who is going to run this city, be the most powerful person in the whole city.  No interview process.  No vetting,” DePeter asked of the commission.

“Your vice mayor didn’t want to interview anybody from your list of candidates until the person has been vetted,” DePeter said of Barnas.  “My question is, what vetting having you done for the current person you’re going to name as your city manager?”

“You haven’t even allowed an interview for this person.  No public interview. No demonstration of the qualifications.”

“You can’t wait two weeks, put this on the agenda, so at least people can come and know that the most important position in their city is going to be filled permanently by somebody?” he asked.

“Just put it on agenda for the next meeting; then you can get some feedback.”

Noting that the motion was made at the end of the meeting, DePeter said, “Wait until people actually leave the meeting, then at the last minute, make a motion to appoint the city manager.”

In perhaps his most harsh criticism on the matter, he said, “I’m just not sure whether you don’t realize what you’re doing, or you realize what you’re doing and you just don’t care.”

Barnas responded, saying DePeter did similar things while sitting on the dais as the city attorney.  Standing by his motion, Barnas said, “This has to be done for the city, and we’ve been elected to do it.”

Another criticism came online as former commissioner Eric May noted on his blog site that in making the appointment during commission comments, they violated the city’s own rules.  According to section 4(L) of the city commission’s Rules of Procedures, “Final action can only be taken if the City Commission waives its Rules of Procedures.”  That waiver never occurred.  Although there appears to be a violation of the city’s own rules, the appointment of Langman is unlikely to be successfully contested as the rules are not state law.

Langman’s appointment was effective immediately.

All five commissioners were in agreement that the annexation of the property into the City of Alachua would be mutually beneficial for both the City and Phoenix Park. Virginia Johns, one of the owners of Phoenix Park, requested a final meeting between city staff and owners of the commercial property to fine-tune several items in the agreement.

Phoenix Commercial Park consists of 146 acres located along U.S. Highway 441 and includes the former Moltech Power Systems battery plant. City commissioners have expressed concern that potential environmental hazards may still exist on the property.

Johns said she could not guarantee that the parcel of land was contaminant- free, but a 2006 environmental study did give Phoenix Park positive reviews.

The property has a brownfield designation, which comes with concerns, but Johns said the designation provides state and county incentives. The designation was given because the property sits adjacent to land that is a confirmed contaminated site.

During the Monday meeting, the city’s consulting attorney, David Theriaque, provided the commission with three options on how to proceed with the annexation. Theriaque has been working with Phoenix Park representatives since a Jan. 24, 2011 meeting to determine possible options available to the city.

Options include the city annexing the property without limitations, or annexing the property and attempting to set up a system where city employees would not perform utility work on site, or abandoning the annexation.

A stated concern is that a city employee performing utility work on the site might come in contact with contaminants, and the city would be held responsible for workers compensation if something happened.

Johns suggested the city look at the property as if it were any other piece of land. If a city employee came to check the meter on a piece of property, he or she would not progress any farther than that meter. It should be the same for Phoenix Park.  At the end of the meeting, Theriaque agreed.

Utilities on the site would remain private, except for sewer.

“I want to be in the city,” Johns said. “But I don’t want to cause any problems.”

Johns does not want Phoenix Park to be required to perform an environmental study every time it breaks ground for construction as extensive costs associated with such prerequisites would cause development to stagnate.

Prior to the next city commission meeting, city staff will assemble documents and studies associated with the property and meet with the owners to review the proposed annexation agreement.

The PBA, which represents the unionized police officers at the High Springs Police Department (HSPD), apparently negotiated with city officials terms that would give up to 48 hours of vacation time to officers who don’t use sick leave for an entire year.

The move was presented as an incentive for officers to not abuse sick leave and in lieu of a wage increase.

Commissioner Sue Weller said she was under the impression the 48 hours was not what was originally decided upon. During the executive meeting, Weller said it was agreed to give the police department 28 hours of annual vacation time, not 48.

“It’s not a concession that they get this because they didn’t get an increase in wages,” Weller said. “They had no right to wages; they had no right to the sick leave. It’s something that you negotiate. The city didn’t get anything back for this, and generally, in negotiations, there’s a give and take.”

City Manager Jeri Langman said the agreement had already been voted on by the High Springs Police Department.

Mayor Dean Davis agreed with Weller.

“I find that a little bit high to give six days vacation time just because you don’t get sick,” Davis said. “It’s not that we don’t think they deserve it. It’s can we afford it?”

City Clerk Jenny Parham said the proposed vacation time is three times what employees in other city departments receive.

Vice Mayor Bob Barnas made a motion to approve the contract as it was written, and Gestrin seconded. The motion failed by a vote of 2-2 with both Weller and Davis opposing it.

Davis said the contract needed to go back to the negotiation board.

Elaine May remembers her mother singing that song when she was growing up. Her mother loved Irish music.

“She’d always tell people, ‘I’m a sucker for an Irish tenor,’” May said.

It’s been over a year since May’s mother stopped singing. Ninety-six-year-old Lila Leach died on Sept. 6, 2010, after she was brutally beaten in her Newberry home at 322 NW 259^th Terrace earlier that year, on July 16.

Her house was found in disarray, leading some to believe it was a burglary.

She was hospitalized at Shands at the University of Florida after the attack, suffering from fractures, broken bones and brain damage. Leach died when she was taken off life support.

The case remains unsolved, but Leach’s family is still hoping for answers.

Living in Florida was a fulfillment for Leach, her daughter said. Originally from Delaware, Leach moved to Florida with her family in 1975. Her mother wasn’t a fan of the cold weather and “falling around on the ice,” according to May.

Leach lived in Gainesville and in Newberry throughout those years.  In 2009, she moved back to Newberry to be closer to her daughter.

“No matter where we went or what we did, she always came back to wanting to live in Florida,” May said.

Leach was not one to stay in one place, though. She loved to travel. May said she remembers going on family trips to St. Augustine, St. Petersburg, New York, Niagara Falls and Arizona.

Even in her final years, Leach would watch the Travel Channel. “I just got back from Siberia,” Leach would tell her family and friends when they called, May said.

She loved to meet people on her travels and to experience different cultures. This attitude was not restrained to being on the road, May said.

Leach was always interested in and surrounded by people. May estimates that wherever she went, there would be at least 20 to 25 people there to routinely tell their problems.

May remembers how a neighbor would tell Leach her problems in Portuguese, stopping every once in a while to say, “I know you don’t know much of my language.” Nevertheless, Leach listened and told her daughter the language was beautiful.

Even at the time of her death, she was never alone for more than three hours, May said.

Though the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office said it still gets occasional leads, it has made no arrests.

Leach is survived by her two daughters and a son. Leach’s Pomeranian dog, named Rya, lives with May.

May said she hopes that the criminal is caught, because as long as he or she is free, there’s a possibility it could happen again. She said she counted at least 11 other elderly people in the area where her mother was attacked.

Anyone with information related to Leach’s death is urged to call the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office at 352-955-1818.