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NEWBERRY ‒ The Newberry City Commission conducted a series of public hearings setting the tentative millage rate, establishing a tentative budget and setting rates for electric, water, wastewater and solid waste during the Sept. 13 Commission meeting. Commissioners also approved the establishment of a water public service tax to generate revenue for construction of roads in the downtown Newberry area.

Although most of these items were unanimously approved by the Commission, Commissioner Tim Marden voted against the Water Public Service Tax, which would cost residents $1.48 per month, according to Director of Finance and Administration Dallas Lee.

The resolution adopting the tentative ad valorem tax for fiscal year 2021-2022 was set at 5.999 mills. The resolution establishing the tentative budget for the same time period was approved at $32,815,483. “This is the fifth year in a row that the millage rate has remained the same,” said Lee.

One modification to the budget was also approved to set aside $15,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act Funding, which was approved via Consent Agenda earlier in the meeting, to be used toward hiring trainers for elementary schools to establish radKids Children’s Safety Education Programs to enhance kids’ knowledge, critical thinking ability and physical resistance skills.

The American Rescue Plan Act Funding amount for the City of Newberry is anticipated to be a little over $3 million to be paid to the City in two payments. Mayor Jordan Marlowe said members of the City’s Opioid Task Force would address other cities in the county to encourage them to set aside money from this fund for the same program.

Commissioners will again address the budget and millage rate at a public hearing scheduled for 7 p.m., Sept. 27, at City Hall to finalize approval. At the same meeting, ordinances approving revisions to the electric, water wastewater, solid waste and public service taxes will be heard on second and final hearing.

Second reading of Ordinance 2021-36, was also approved. This ordinance provides consent for the City to be included in a non-ad valorem assessment for a Municipal Service Benefit Unit (MSBU), which was created by Alachua County to address solid waste management costs. This item must be reviewed and considered for approval by the City each year. According to Lee, the assessment amount is the same this coming year as it was this current year.

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NEWBERRY ‒ Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, along with other Republican leaders including Attorney General Ashley Moody, U.S. Congresswoman Kat Cammack, State Senator Keith Perry and Representative Chuck Clemons gathered in Newberry Monday morning to speak out against the City of Gainesville’s employee vaccine mandate, as well as the Biden administration’s recently announced mandate.

The event was originally planned for Alachua’s Legacy Park but was moved to a private Newberry venue reportedly to avoid public protests against the Governor's Covid regulations and restrictions. Despite the short notice, the venue was standing room only attended by a maskless crowd.

DeSantis and other officials spoke of the importance of considering vaccination, but said that the ultimate decision should remain with each individual. “This is not something that should be coerced onto people, it should be left to personal choice,” DeSantis said. “It should be something that they have access to and they can make that decision for themselves.”

Governor DeSantis made it clear that he is not against vaccines, but against mandates and he’s prepared to punish agencies like the City of Gainesville that are requiring vaccines by fining $5,000 for each violation of his orders.

“In a place like Gainesville, which has mandated vaccines for all employees and currently has 200 employees involved in a lawsuit against the mandates, that could be millions of dollars of their tax revenues,” DeSantis said. This comes after DeSantis withheld salaries of school board members in school districts that have mask mandates, including Alachua County, and recently passed a law prohibiting businesses from requiring customers to prove vaccination.

Most requirements from businesses, school systems and city governments have been in response to the recent surge in the more infectious Covid-19 Delta variant. Florida accounted for 20 percent of the cases in the U.S. during August. Cases are beginning to drop, especially in counties that have stricter masks or have higher vaccination rates. Alachua County has a higher vaccination rate at 67 percent and a positivity rate of 11.8 percent compared to the statewide rate of 13.5 percent. The county had 36,610 cases overall and dropped by 200 cases last week to a weekly total of 1,277.

The City of Gainesville is requiring all City employees to be vaccinated by the end of October or face disciplinary action with repeated incidents possibly resulting in termination. Alachua County and other cities in the county do not have as stringent requirements, but do encourage employees to get vaccinated. According to Alachua County Communications Director Mark Sexton, Alachua County employees are required to wear masks in buildings or in interactions with others, but neither testing nor vaccinations are mandatory. “We offer employees a $500 incentive to take the vaccine and offer free testing as well as paid time off if they catch the virus after getting the vaccine,” Sexton said.

Several City of Gainesville employees and firefighters spoke about the demand for vaccinations being an infringement on their freedom and a threat to their jobs. Christine Damm, who has worked for the City of Gainesville for 10 years, said she believes that it is nobody’s business if the person you’re are seated next to is vaccinated. She also repeatedly defended that position with a phrase often used in the pro-abortion issue of “My body, my choice, my business.”

Fire Rescue Lt. Jonathan Cicio is a 16-year department veteran and a member Florida’s Urban Search and Rescue team. He assisted in the Surfside building collapse in June as well as in the Bahamas following Hurricane Dorian in 2019. “We feel betrayed and used,” Cicio said. “While we were heroes and selfless not long ago, now we’re selfish and they’ll let us go. We are not anti-vaccine; we are anti-mandate.” Cicio also said many first responders “have natural immunity because of exposure.”

DeSantis said those who have recovered from COVID have “very strong immunity and are now safe.” Studies have shown that the immunity from having had COVID is not long lasting and there have been multiple cases including health workers who have had severe reinfections. In addition, they can still be a carrier and potentially infect others.

GRU employee Darris Friend claimed it was a loss of freedom that is being taken away slowly on multiple fronts, including religion.

Loud cheers erupted from the crowd when Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody spoke against Gainesville’s employee vaccine mandate, offering support to the employees who have filed the lawsuit against the City, saying, “You now have the attorney general and the state of Florida in your corner.”

Since the announcement last week of the federal government requiring the vaccine in certain instances, Congresswoman Kat Cammack said she’s using her power to “fight for what’s right.” She promised to fight against President Biden's planned vaccine mandate for some private employers. “I will use my power as a member of Congress to ensure any locality that infringes upon an individual’s personal medical choices will no longer receive federal funding.”

DeSantis said he does not believe the mandates are productive and are likely to have the opposite effect on people, forcing them to “dig in their heels” as they continue to question government officials. He also focused on the potential for lost jobs if employees still refuse to get vaccinated and get fired, especially among first responders.

“Thousands upon thousands could lose their jobs, pensions and livelihood, not based on performance but on illegal policies demanding vaccines.” DeSantis said that could cause a shortage of dedicated first responders and medical staff. He also said he believes that the “supposed shortages” of ICU beds is partially due, not to a shortage of treatment facilities, but a shortage of staff who have quit due to mask and vaccine mandates.

Unvaccinated individuals account for nine out of 10 of hospitalizations, and there are reports that Covid-19 is now the leading cause of death among U.S. law enforcement officers. Last month, 75 percent of the Lake City Fire Department staff were out with Covid or in quarantine. The virus itself has intensified staff shortages for the past year and a half, and has especially affected first responders and medical staff who are in frequent contact with people, often in a crisis situation.

While Governor DeSantis has fined the Alachua County Public School System for requiring masks and demanded in-class learning at school, the Alachua school system currently has 940 positive cases among students and 173 staff, as well as over 940 other student and staff in quarantine, none of whom can attend school.

While the cost of the pandemic may not ever be fully known, it can be counted in lost lives, lost jobs and businesses, and the associated financial cost of long-term health issues. Florida’s Republican leadership wants to eliminate mandates and its associated costs to individual freedom and personal choice.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ Following nearly a half-hour of discussion, High Springs Commissioners agreed on a Tentative Rate of Ad Valorem Taxes for Fiscal Year 2021-22 at 5.99 mills. On July 22 the Commission set the proposed tentative millage rate at 6.25 mills with the knowledge that it could be lowered, but not raised.

City Manager Ashley Stathatos said the upcoming budget had been prepared at last year’s millage rate of 5.88. She also presented a list of revenue that increased millage rates would generate, ranging from $24,000 at 5.95 mills to $132,000 at 6.25 mills. Stathatos said the City had set the millage rate at 6.25 mills previously.

Some members of the Commission voiced concerns how the increased millage rate might impact some citizens, especially along with the increase in this year’s Fire Assessment fee. The second concern was how to provide for the current citizens as opposed to those who move into the City.

Commissioner Scott Jamison was in favor of setting the rate under 6.0 mills, while Commissioner Linda Jones suggested 6.0, saying that maybe next year “we can do more.” Commissioner Byran Williams said 6.0 mills was an increase, but it wouldn’t be enough to address paving the roads. He echoed Jones’ feeling that next year might be better. He and Mayor Gloria James both were concerned about whether people would be able to pay the additional amount should they raise it above 6.0.

Jamison made a motion at 5.95 mills and said he didn’t want to go to 6.0 mills. His motion died for lack of a second.

Commission Ross Ambrose made a motion to approve 6.0 mills, which would bring in $42,000 more than last year’s millage rate. Jones seconded the motion.

Jamison argued that impact fees would be an additional revenue source for the City, pointing to one development that would bring in $7 million in impact fees.

Ambrose responded that during the City’s strategic planning workshop Jamison had made it clear that there was a difference between what the City needs to operate current facilities infrastructure and the things for the citizens that are here. He stressed that impact fees would pay for the cost of additional people coming into the community, but that’s down the road.

At an apparent impasse, Williams suggested the millage rate be set at 5.99 mills, which is slightly less than the 6.0 mills Ambrose requested.

Ambrose modified his motion to 5.99 mills and it was seconded again by Jones. The motion passed 4-1 with Jamison casting the dissenting vote.

As a follow up to determining the tentative rate of ad valorem taxation, Stathatos presented the proposed budget for FY 2021-22. She included items identified during the strategic planning process. As some of those items were not included in this year’s budget, she indicated those that staff would be pursuing through grants and other funding sources.

The Commission approved Ordinance No. 2021-08 adopting the 2021-22 fiscal year budget unanimously on first reading. Stathatos later said the spending budget amount would be $23,387,923.  

According to Stathatos, there will be updates to the proposed budget that may bump the amount up an additional $11,000, which Commissioners could review and consider on second reading on Sept. 20.

In other City business, in recognition of the 20th Anniversary of Sept. 11, City Attorney Scott Walker read a proclamation into the record commemorating the fateful day. Commissioner Ambrose reminded everyone that a ceremony in recognition of the attack on the World Trade Center Towers would be held at the High Springs Fire Department on Sept. 11 at 8 a.m.

Two brief presentations were conducted during the Sept. 9 Commission meeting. The first was a presentation by Rodney Long, Candidate for the Florida Senate, District 8. He spoke briefly about his history with local governments and talked about why he wanted to run for this office.

Rev. Adam Joy also addressed the Commission to let them know that his preschool is currently at capacity and he would like to partner with the City for a location that might be able to accommodate his group of preschoolers.

He also said he would like to take advantage of a Head Start grant that would fund 20 three- to five-year-old children who come from very low-income families, but needs a larger facility in order to accommodate them. He also talked about the now-closed day care center building and said he would like to continue to see that building be brought up to code so it could be used to serve children in that area.

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NEWBERRY ‒ Military veterans returning from Afghanistan will be welcomed home to Newberry and honored for their service. Major Stroupe and event organizer Bob Watson of Newberry American Legion Post 149 invited the Newbery City Commission to participate in a parade and expo at the commission’s Aug. 23 meeting.

The event will take place on Sept. 25, kicked off by a parade at 10 a.m. with Newberry Mayor Jordan Marlowe as Grand Marshal.

Other parade participants include this yeaar’s Watermelon Festival Teen Queen, Gainesville American Legion Post 16 Motorcycle Riders, Buchholz High School Young Marines and Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), military vehicles from the National Guard Division 631 in Starke, floats from Concerned Veterans for America and Newberry Post 149 American Legion, Newberry Fire Department Fire Trucks and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) vehicles along with Alachua County Sheriff Clovis Watson, Jr.

The parade route begins at The Produce Place, 25040 W. Newberry Road, and runs through downtown to the First Baptist Church, 25520 W. Newberry Road.

Following the parade, the event will continue at Clark Plantation Event Venue LLC, 3700 S.W. 202^nd Street, Newberry.

“There will be a lot to see and do at the Expo,” said Watson. A display of old cars, military and other vehicles will be available, kids games, face painting, food trucks to keep everyone hydrated and fed, raffles and a silent auction with amazing gift items will be part of the day.

To help veterans and their families adjust to a different lifestyle, information booths will be available to help with housing, counseling, employment opportunities and a whole host of other useful information will be available to help smooth the transition from war time to peace time.

A formal welcome home ceremony will take place following the parade beginning with The Star-Spangled Banner, a color guard and an open prayer. Well wishes from area dignitaries will also round out the welcome home event.

Live music from area bands will begin at 1 p.m. and continue until 9 p.m. A list of bands and their performance times will be available closer to the event.

“This is planned to be a fun day for veterans, their families and area residents to help welcome home those in the military who have been away from their families and friends overseas,” said Watson.

More sponsors are always appreciated and all proceeds will benefit American Legion sponsored veteran projects. For more information, contact Bob Watson at 352-262-5068 or Lynn Reeves at 386-365-2137.

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ALACHUA ‒ On Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021 all across America, people came together in remembrance of the Sept. 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Certain events are of such a magnitude that they affect the consciousness of an entire population and live on in memories. This past Saturday, communities remembered the 9/11 attacks and honored those lost in the attacks and those lost and injured seeking to rescue victims. Locally, remembrance events included those in Alachua, High Springs and Gainesville where people recalled the events of that infamous day.

Tragic Events Unfolded

On that morning, four commercial airliners traveling from the northeastern U.S. to California were hijacked mid-flight by 19 al-Qaeda terrorists. The hijackers were organized into three groups of five hijackers and one group of four. Each group had one hijacker who had received flight training and took over control of the aircraft. Their goal was to crash each plane into a prominent American building, causing mass casualties and destruction of the targeted buildings.

The first plane to hit its target was American Airlines flight 11. It was flown into the North Tower of the World Trade Center complex in Lower Manhattan at 8:46 a.m. At 9:03 a.m., the World Trade Center's South Tower was hit by United Airlines flight 175. Both 110-story towers collapsed within an hour and forty-two minutes, leading to the collapse of the other World Trade Center structures and significantly damaging surrounding buildings.

A third flight, American Airlines flight 77, crashed into the west side of the Pentagon at 9:37 a.m., causing a partial collapse of the building's side. The fourth, and final flight, United Airlines flight 93 was flown in the direction of Washington D.C. The plane's passengers had heard the news of the other planes’ fate and attempted to regain control of the aircraft away from the hijackers. They succeeded in diverting the flight from its intended target but it crashed into a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania at 10:03 a.m. Investigators determined that Flight 93's target was either the White House or the U.S. Capitol.

The attacks stunned the nation, with 2,977 killed and over 25,000 injured. Many first responders died in the attack trying to rescue those trapped in the burning towers—343 firefighters and 72 police officers were killed when the towers collapsed. It was the first foreign attack on U.S. soil since 1814. Many of the survivors still suffer long-term health problems from the debris of the tower collapse and the subsequent rescue attempts and clean up.

The attacks led to the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq in an attempt to destroy the terrorist network, which resulted in the two longest wars in American history. The attack and its aftermath still haunt the nation. Every year the day is set aside to remember those who died, especially the brave first responders that gave their lives trying to save others and the heroic efforts of the passengers on Flight 93 who gave their lives to stop the hijackers. This year marked the 20^th anniversary of the attack and towns across America held ceremonies and memorials to honor all those who died.

Local Remembrance Ceremonies

The High Springs Fire Department and memorial organizer Leda Carrero worked in partnership with the High Springs Police Department and Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe to host a 20th anniversary memorial event in remembrance of the attacks. The event was held on the steps of the High Springs Fire Department with both High Springs fire and police on hand to honor their fallen fellow responders as well as citizens who gathered to honor all the casualties.

On Saturday, Sept. 11 at 8 a.m. the ceremony began. Those in attendance were asked to share their memories of that fateful day and half a dozen told their stories, still clear in their memory after 20 years. At 8:46 a.m., the exact time the first plane hit, bagpiper Ben Mowry played Amazing Grace in memory of those lost. The fire truck blew three long horn blasts and then a long moment of silent prayer. Several city officials and Chief of Police Antione Sheppard spoke. A wreath donated by Thompson's Flower shop decorated the stone memorial in honor of the 9/11 victims. High Springs K-9 officer and police dog Ceasar paid tribute to a plaque honoring service dogs that worked at the Trade Center wreckage looking for survivors and served in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. Trumpeter Vito Montauk played taps and vocalist Dani Mackinzie sang God Bless America as the ceremony ended.

In Alachua, a ceremony was held in front of City Hall with the flags at half-mast. City Manager Mike DaRoza opened the ceremony followed by remarks from Alachua County Fire Rescue officials who described the efforts and bravery of the firemen who rushed into the burning towers only thinking of saving others. Also offering remarks were Alachua Police Chief Chad Scott and Alachua County Sheriff Clovis Watson, Jr. Watson discussed the unity of purpose in the country after the attack and called upon the audience to remember that unity in these divisive times and strive to return to that united country. After each speaker, a silver bell was struck three times in memory of the first responders who died that day.

Other members of Alachua Fire Rescue gathered at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at the University of Florida. Their goal was to ascend the stadium steps 11 times in full gear to emulate the height that the firefighters had to climb in the burning towers trying to rescue the victims of the attack. Several hundred people joined them at the stadium in tribute for the annual event.

In the evening, the Alachua Military Support Group gathered at the High Springs Brewery in tribute to the soldiers who went on to fight the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan, where over 2,372 paid the supreme price. All over America communities held events in memorial to that horrible day 20 years ago—a day that changed the world.

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NEWBERRY ‒ After more than 20 years of efforts and negotiations with the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners (BoCC), the City of Newberry is forming the Newberry Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA). The CRA will be responsible for developing and implementing a Community Redevelopment Plan that addresses the unique needs of Newberry’s community redevelopment area. The plan will include overall goals for redevelopment and identify programs and projects planned for the area.

Negotiations between the City of Newberry and the BoCC have been ongoing. On June 25, 2019, the Alachua County Commission approved an agreement between Alachua County Commission and the City of Newberry Commission, authorizing the creation of the Newberry CRA. This approval also provided the delegation of authority necessary to authorize the action.

At the June 14, 2021, meeting of the Newberry CRA Board, the Board voted unanimously to approve the draft CRA plan and to forward the plan to the Newberry and Alachua County commissions for review and approval. Upon receipt of the draft plan, the Newberry City Commission unanimously approved it.

On August 24, 2021, Newberry City Manager Mike New addressed the Alachua County BoCC and said it had taken more than 20 years to get to this point in establishing the CRA.

At the same meeting the Alachua County Commission approved the Newberry CRA plan, contingent upon City approval of the revised agreement. New said he realized the City Commission would have to also approve the changes voted on by the County, but felt he would not need to “twist any arms” to get the changes approved by his Commission. As it turned out he was right as Newberry city commissioners once again approved the agreement.at a Special City Commission meeting on Sept. 7, 2021. Ordinance 2021-45, which set forth the revised terms of the agreement, was unanimously approved on first reading by the Newberry City Commission following a public hearing.

The ordinance creates the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) trust fund for the Newberry Community Redevelopment Agency District where the annual TIF contributions from the City and County will be deposited.

Through the agreement with Alachua County, the Newberry CRA Plan runs for 20 years, beginning in 2021 and terminating in 2040. If the goals and initiatives of the CRA Plan have not been accomplished within the 20-year time horizon, the City and County commissions, through joint agreement, may choose to extend the CRA for an additional 20 years.

According to the City of Newberry, the ordinance is scheduled to be heard again for second reading and enactment at the Sept. 27 City Commission meeting following another public hearing.

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