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Newberry targets Alachua County Fair; Alachua’s Project Legacy expands recreation center

Newberry’s proposal comes in at an estimated $7 million while the City of Alachua is requesting $500,000.  Proponents of both projects are seeking bed tax revenues, money generated from taxes on hotel rooms, campsites and other short term rental lodging.

Final decisions on both projects were deferred to later dates, though the Alachua project is set to be reviewed within a month. Commissioners voted to send the Newberry request for review by four separate committees.

Newberry Project

The City of Newberry proposed to move the Alachua County fairgrounds, planned for NE Waldo Road in Gainesville, to the Canterbury Equestrian Center in Newberry.  The current fairground, along NE 39^th Avenue across from the county jail, has already been slated for closure as county officials had intended to relocate it to another nearby site along NE Waldo Road at an estimated cost of $22 million.

The Newberry proposal brought enthusiasm among many who believe it may save money over current plans for the new fairgrounds, and concern among others who believe the move would create blight on the already-troubled east Gainesville.

The plan proposed by the City of Newberry would scrap the planned Waldo Road facility, which would house indoor sports, conventions and agricultural events, from east Gainesville and instead, purchase Canterbury Equestrian Showplace, about 10 miles west of Interstate 75 on State Road 26.

The 60-acre equestrian center in Newberry would require a $7 million dollar commitment from the County.  But Newberry officials noted that a 55,000 square-foot sports arena would be funded, at least in part, by a $4 million contribution from developer Jerald Good, the owner of a hotel management, development and construction company.

County commissioners raised concerns over the price tag of the land and said any purchase by the County would be contingent on current market appraisals.

Two members of the audience spoke out against the proposal, but several others favored the move.

Newberry City Manager Keith Ashby said the town has a “lack of indoor facilities” and the fairgrounds would bring in bed tax through the hotel rooms booked, meaning more revenues the Tourist Development Council would have available. Officials said purchasing it would also bring in sports camps, and possibly function as a hurricane shelter.

“A business that makes nothing but money is a poor kind of business,” he said.

In support of the move, Newberry Mayor Bill Conrad said the fairgrounds would allow the city, an agricultural hub with “more cows than people,” to keep its character as a small community.

But a member of the audience, Doris Edwards, said she was sad that the commissioners didn’t put their foot down to keep the project in east Gainesville. She said the people of east Gainesville planned for the fairgrounds, and they hoped it would bring the needed social and economic development to the area.

Evelyn Foxx, of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), also opposed the project proposal and wanted to keep the fairgrounds in east Gainesville. She urged the commissioners to “stay committed to what we had agreed upon.”

Commissioner Susan Baird said there might be a better economic solution for east Gainesville.

In a town hall meeting Monday night at Oak View Middle School in Newberry that attracted hundreds of people, residents expressed their concerns about the possible acquisition of Canterbury.

The question of the evening seemed to be how much is it going to cost?

City manager Keith Ashby said there's no specific budget to announce yet until residents give a go to the project. He assured the attendees that there would be more town hall meetings regarding the proposal.

Newberry City Commissioner Lois Forte said she didn't know much about the possible purchase. Just like some residents said they worried about paying for the project out of their pockets, Forte said she will “not put this city in debt.”

At one point during the Monday night meeting, City Commissioner Alena Lawson asked the audience if they wanted a carnival-type fairground at Canterbury. Most of audience said no, and instead suggested agricultural-theme activities.

After discussing the matter for hours Tuesday, the Alachua County Commission referred the issue to the Rural Concerns Committee to determine the best location for the fairgrounds, the Tourist Development Council to determine the potential revenue to be generated, Plan East Gainesville and the Economic Development committee for further review.

They also requested a formal proposal from Newberry, as information provided by the City Tuesday was lacking in detail.

In holding off on a decision Tuesday, county commissioners said they were re-opening the opportunity for other municipalities or organizations to submit new or substantially refined tourist development project proposals to utilize bed tax revenues.  The project proposals are to be submitted within 30 days.

Alachua Project

The City of Alachua requested funding that would allow for the expansion of the Hal Brady Recreation Complex, which currently encompasses about 25 acres.

Assistant to the City Manager Adam Boukari presented a proposal that would acquire 105 acres of vacant land, currently slated for residential housing development, adjacent to the recreation center complex. The additional land would allow for three multipurpose arenas, including fields for lacrosse, soccer and football, and a trail system, among other amenities.  The expansion would provide facilities for large-scale national sports tournaments, generating bed taxes through hotel occupancies.

Boukari said the city is seeking a one-time bed tax allocation of $500,000 for the proposal named Project Legacy.  In requesting the $500,000 from the County, the City of Alachua is leveraging $700,000 in pledges and contributions already received for the project. The total cost of the land comes in at $1.2 million.

The City would be committed to developing the three lighted multi-purpose arenas in the next three to five years, city officials said. It is expected those arenas would cost about $350,000 total.

Alachua County Commissioner Baird said she liked the price tag and possibility for a quick payback, but Commissioner Mike Byerly said they should first open it up for competition from other projects.

The City has a contract to purchase the land by Dec. 31, 2011 or risk losing the deal.

Boukari said placing Alachua’s request on the same track as Newberry’s would likely exceed the end of the year timeline.

Even though the project has a deadline to be funded by Dec. 31, Byerly said the proper process would be to consider all alternatives and the best use for the money.

County Commission Chairman Lee Pinkoson and Commissioner Baird argued that opportunity to buy the land neighboring the recreation center could be lost forever if not taken up sooner rather than later.

In a 4-1 vote, the county commission decided to fast-track the City of Alachua’s proposal and requested that it submit a business plan and white paper to be reviewed by the Tourist Development Council in October.  After review by that board, it will then be forwarded back to the county commission for consideration at the Oct. 25 meeting.

Judith Jankosky, current assistant city manager in Arcadia, Fla., was interviewed Sept.15 at a special meeting of the High Springs city commission. She answered questions about her plans and qualifications, explaining her interest in small towns.

“I’d rather be in a small-town setting than Miami or Orlando,” she said. “I understand the politics.”

The city started off with five candidates for the position, eventually narrowing the applicants down to Jankosky and Terry Leary at a meeting on Aug. 25. Leary took a job elsewhere after that meeting, leaving Jankosky as the final candidate.

With a bachelor’s degree in growth management and a doctorate in law, Jankosky is extremely qualified for the position, Commissioner Eric May said. However, he questioned her ability to take on her first city manager job in a city undergoing difficult times.

She said she understands the infrastructure of small towns. Prior to working in Arcadia, she did consulting for Lady Lake, Fla.

There she worked on expansion, explaining that the area experienced $200 million worth of development in three years. She called that situation luck.

“Arcadia is a different story,” she said. “It’s probably more like High Springs, just all of a sudden, everything suddenly dropped off. It has been a struggle.”

However, she said that her financial management style has proven effective, leading to her departments in Arcadia being under budget.

Jankosky said she plans to bring her hands-off management style to High Springs, allowing heads to run their own departments without micromanagement.

At the meeting, she put an emphasis on her open-door policy for staff and citizens alike. She said she is committed to keeping citizens engaged and informed about politics.

“I know they are so busy. It’s hard,” she said.

Jankosky suggested a new approach, perhaps even allowing citizens to attend meetings via Skype. In that way, citizens can take care of responsibilities at home and still go to meetings.

In order to maintain a strong relationship with the public, she said she will have a presence in local groups. This is a practice she follows in her current position, staying involved with groups like the Mural Society and Together Everyone Achieves More.

She and her employees must always be available “to speak, to talk, to listen and to really hear what the people are saying, not just brush them off,” she said. “You have to listen to them.”

Jankosky has lived in small towns her entire life, she explained.

Originally from upstate New York, she was born and raised on a farm. She then lived in Lady Lake for 25 years, holding jobs ranging from 911 dispatcher to engineering firm consultant.

Opening an environmental planning and consulting company led her to seek a law degree to better serve her clients, she said. However, after earning her doctorate, she decided she was too old for the courtroom.

At that point, she got involved in planning for the government in Lady Lake. Last year, she took her current position in Arcadia.

After the meeting, Jankosky attended a meet-and-greet with High Springs residents to hear their concerns.

The city commission will vote Sept. 22 at 6:30 p.m. to decide whether to negotiate a contract with Jankosky or to continue the search for additional city manager candidates.

Judge dismisses contempt charge

The suit filed last week stems from Grapski’s incarceration at the jail after being arrested for battery on Alachua Police Department officers four years ago.  He claims in the six-page complaint that he was improperly strip searched by two corrections officers, Brenda Spencer and Lee Jackson.

According to the complaint, at least one of those officers was female, making it unlawful for her to conduct a strip search on a male inmate.

Moreover, he claims the correctional officers failed to obtain written authorization from a supervising officer on duty.

“Spencer, Jackson and others violently forced Grapski onto the concrete floor in the strip search room,” the political activist wrote in the lawsuit.  “The violence Spencer, Jackson and others expressed against Grapski caused him to be bruised and contused, to suffer chemical burns and pain in his eyes, to suffer difficulty breathing and to become extremely ill from the chemicals in the mace.”

Although Grapski did not mention it in his lawsuit, charges were filed against him for allegedly knocking one of the corrections officers to the ground and causing her injuries.

Following the incident in the strip search room, Grapski was reportedly taken to a solitary cell where he says medical treatment was not provided.  He reports later passing out and hitting his head on a metal bench and the concrete floor.

Grapski alleges that he was strapped to a chair for several hours, and being denied medical treatment in spite of his requests.  This caused him to become sicker, and eventually admitted to the Alachua County Detention Center (ACDC) medical unit, he wrote.

“As a result of Sheriff’s practices and custom of providing inadequate medical care, training and supervision in ACDC Grapski suffered severe illness including kidney failure,” he wrote.

He asserted, “After being ill and throwing up, Grapski lost consciousness and fell unconscious in the ACDC medical unit.”

Described as a “coma” by Grapski, he blames his condition on the ACDC, although he had admitted publicly to engaging in a hunger strike.

The suit charges that Spencer and Jackson intentionally battered Grapski in “wanton disregard of his human rights and safety and causing him to suffer physical injuries and pain and suffering.”

The Sheriff had “negligently and inadequately” supervised, trained and instructed staff that caused physical injuries and pain to Grapski, the suit also charges.

In another charge, Grapski wrote that he was denied adequate medical care.  He also points to the United States Constitution in stating that he was denied rights guaranteed by the Fourteenth Amendment, presumably his right to due process.

Contempt charge dismissed

Judge James Nilon dismissed, Tuesday afternoon, criminal contempt of court charges against Grapski.

The charge resulted from Grapski’s alleged actions and statements made on June 21 in Nilon’s courtroom.

But in the brief hearing Tuesday, the judge granted Grapski’s motion to dismiss the charges on the basis of procedural flaws.

In the motion, Grapski argued that a sworn affidavit of the alleged events did not accompany the charging documents and that the Assistant State Attorney filing the contempt charges was not witness to the June 21 events.

Speaking on behalf of Grapski, University of Florida Law Professor Joseph Little noted that a sworn affidavit had only just been placed into the file, but was not with the original order as required by law.

Nilon concurred with Little stating that he received the affidavit Tuesday and hadn’t reviewed it yet.

Assistant State Attorney Brian S. Kramer responded saying, “The defendant is asking you to engage in a farce.”

But Nilon disagreed, granting Grapski’s motion to dismiss.  “I think it’s important to follow the procedures,” Nilon said.

But Grapski isn’t off the hook yet.  In response to the dismissal, Kramer said, “We will have [the new petition and sworn affidavit] by tomorrow, your honor.”

The petition alleging Grapski’s contemptuous behavior came after a June 21 violation of probation hearing in which it is reported that he approached the podium and told Assistant State Attorney Shawn Thompson to “get a real job.”

At a later hearing on the same day, Grapski allegedly approached the table of Thompson in an “aggressive manner,” pointed his finger at Thompson and stated to him, “you are a f---ing liar” not less than two times, the order alleges.

Grapski re-files federal complaint against Alachua

Grapski met the Sept. 9 deadline to file an amended complaint in his federal lawsuit against the City of Alachua.

Last month, Federal District Court Judge Maurice Paul denied several motions by the City of Alachua and others defending themselves from the lawsuit.

In his ruling, Paul required Grapski to file an amended complaint.  The judge agreed that Grapski’s lawsuit was too ambiguous in many respects, but said he could continue with the case provided clarity is given.

“The plaintiff shall file a second amended complaint by Friday, September 9, 2011, which more clearly articulates the specific conduct and charges applicable to each defendant,” Judge Paul wrote.

The lawsuit alleges a host of federal violations including several constitutional abridgments.  Grapski is claiming that his rights to freedom of speech, equal protection and against illegal searches and seizures were violated when he was removed from at least one Alachua City Commission Meeting in 2006 and handcuffed on two occasions.

The submission earlier this month marks the second amended complaint in the case.

The budget was amended to provide for the restoration of the fire chief position that had been eliminated following the resignation of Chief Verne Riggall.

Interim City Manager Jenny Parham reported at Monday’s meeting that the difference in the salary between the fire chief and fire captain positions was $3,300. The commissioners moved to make up the difference by taking the amount from the proposed city manager salary of $50,000 to $75,000.

Commissioner Eric May said he did not think the difference would change the quality of the candidates for the position.

“I think we’re still going to get the same pool of candidates,” he said. “I don’t think that $5,000 is going to make a difference. That’s an easy switch.”

Parham also explained that she would post the fire chief job opening in-house for five days, allowing employees to apply for the position first. The commissioners had expressed concern at the first public budget hearing on Sept. 8 that reinstating the position would put Captain Bruce Gillingham’s job in jeopardy.

As long as the captain applied and received the job, there would be no need to open it up for general application. Parham said this is a common practice she has followed multiple times this year alone.

Debate over the issue led to Commissioner Sue Weller voting against the proposal at the first hearing.

At Monday’s meeting, Commissioner Dean Davis voted against the final budget as proposed because of his opposition to the promotion of a part-time employee to full-time Parks and Recreation Director.

The new budget allots $41,000 for the employee to mow grass, do janitorial work and oversee the city’s parks and recreation facilities. The city is currently paying the individual $12,000 to mow grass.

Davis was in favor of hiring a contractual employee to do the job, explaining that it would cost $24,000 while relieving High Springs of having to pay for the upkeep of the mower and weed eaters.

“I know recreation is close to some of you-all’s heart, but we could have time in the spring to re-address this,” he said. “Spending this $30,000 is not going to improve it.”

However, Commissioner Eric May pointed out that taking this route would force the city to hire a janitor for the Civic Center. Hiring a full-time director is a $50 difference per year from using contractual employees, May said.

“Any way we slice this- from a financial standpoint, even just a mathematic standpoint- it doesn’t make sense, what you’re proposing,” he said.

Georgia Pacific, a plywood factory located in Putnam County and in the city limits of Hawthorne, announced Friday that the factory’s indefinite curtailment of production will begin Oct. 14. Described as hopefully a temporary situation, the factory will cease operations, but the equipment will be left at the plant pending possible future resumption of production.

Hawthorne Mayor Larry Guidi said the city is being proactive by trying to establish political and legislative communications with the groups that could help the city’s situation.

“We are trying to encourage the leaders to know how much our city will be impacted by this loss,” he said. “We hope to open doors and get people together to pool resources.”

The closing will not only affect the 400 unemployed workers and their families, but local establishments such as restaurants, clothing stores and gas stations, will also suffer because people will spend less money in the community, according to Guidi.

He said Georgia Pacific’s temporary closing has brought reality to the economic situation across the country.

“A large, nationally known company such as Georgia Pacific in the little town of Hawthorne gave us a sense of place in the country,” he said.

Trish Bowles, the public affairs manager for Georgia Pacific’s Palatka operation, said she blames the market conditions for the housing industry’s decline in plywood purchases.

“We really thought the housing market would change this year, and that is why we left the facility open,” she said. “It continued to be unprofitable and the factory’s situation got worse.”

Bowles said there is a chance for the factory to reopen once market conditions are favorable again. Until then, the company is attempting to assist employees in finding new jobs.

Workers are encouraged to apply to other Georgia Pacific facilities around the state. The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) guarantees the workers pay for 60 days or until Nov. 7, according to Bowles.

Georgia Pacific is working with the Council for Economic Outreach to connect employees with new job opportunities and Florida Workforce One-Stop Career Centers to help build the resumes and skills of those who were laid off.

Ellen Vause, Hawthorne’s city manager, said she is encouraging people to be positive in this challenging time.

“One of the things everyone needs to do is figure out where their assets and abilities are,” she said. “Think outside the box. Rethink traditional opportunities.”

Associated industries that work in tandem with Georgia Pacific, such as logging businesses and contractors, will also suffer a loss, according to Vause.

Georgia Pacific was an important part of Hawthorne, and the company sponsored schools, churches and even select families in the community, she said.

For example, Georgia Pacific was the primary sponsor of the Chamber of Commerce’s community bowling tournament. Proceeds from the event benefited a scholarship program that was awarded to two students each year.

“They are our corporate partners and have been generous to the community as a whole,” Vause said.

The city of Hawthorne is used to the factory idling down its production for months at a time, she said.

Still, Vause said she is hoping that the indefinite curtailment will end quickly so that the community can get back on track.

“As a small community, we are used to our challenges. Now, we have to know that every challenge can give us a new opportunity.”

Photo 1:  A mother and her son were gunned down Sunday afternoon in the front yard of this High Springs home.   Russell Hogg has been arrested, and has been charged with two counts of premeditated capital murder for the deaths of his wife and son. Photo 2: Russell Hogg has been charged with two counts of premeditated captial murder for the deaths of his wife and son.

Russell Dewayne Hogg, 58, has been arrested in the shooting death of his wife, Trenda Hogg, 48 and their 22 year old son, Anthony Wayne Hogg.

According to an arrest report, just before 1 p.m. Sunday, Russell Hogg, last known to be employed as a welder, pulled into the driveway of the family home at 240 Poe Springs Road in High Springs.  He allegedly exited his vehicle, pulling out an AK-47 rifle and pointed it at his son stating, “I told you I was going to kill you,” to which Anthony Hogg replied, “shoot me then.”

Russell Hogg reportedly fired two rounds at his son, striking him in the torso.  The report states, “[Russell Hogg] then walked up to him and shot one round to his face.”

Upon realizing Anthony Hogg had been shot, Trenda Hogg ran outside where “Russell [Hogg] pointed the gun at her and fired several rounds at her,” the arrest record states.

Russell Hogg then threw the gun down and an eyewitness grabbed the gun and threw it under the house to prevent further access to it.  Russell Hogg then got into his car and left, officials report.

When deputies arrived at the scene, both victims were lying in the front yard and pronounced dead, according to Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) Spokesman Sergeant Todd Kelly.  He said there are some reports that Russell Hogg may have stopped in the Winn Dixie shopping plaza after the shooting.  Kelly was uncertain as to whether or not Russell Hogg had been residing at the family’s residence.

Two witnesses told investigators that Hogg stated his intentions to commit the crime beforehand.  “Russell was at their home and made the statement he “was going over to kill them.”  After the shooting, Russell Hogg allegedly returned to the witnesses’ home where he stated, “I told you I was gonna’ kill them,” the report states.

Columbia County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Russell Hogg on U.S. Highway 441 a short time after the shooting.

After being read his Miranda rights, Russell Hogg made several statements acknowledging that he killed his wife and son, according to ACSO Detective Sandra Myers.

Among his statements to investigators was that, “Tony [Anthony Russell] had gotten too big for his britches,” and that if he could have whipped his son, he would have, “rather than having to kill him.”

Myers wrote, “Russell [Hogg] also stated that it hurt him to see his wife laying there barely breathing because he did not want her to die.”

“I just killed my family and the bread winner of the home,” Russell Hogg allegedly said.

Kelly did not know if Russell Hogg was intoxicated in any way.

Russell Hogg was transferred to the ACSO Department of the Jail Monday.  Tuesday morning, he made a first appearance, Kelly said.

Russell Hogg is being held without bail on two charges of premeditated capital murder.

State Attorney Bill Cervone said the case will be presented to a grand jury within 21 days.  Grand jury presentations are required in first degree murder cases.