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ALACHUA – The City of Alachua has approved a construction bid for the NW 150^th Avenue and NW 142^nd Terrace area, bringing the long-awaited project one step closer to completion.

During Monday’s commission meeting, the commission approved a $1.82 million bid submitted by Scherer Construction of North Florida. Construction should begin in early 2013.

The project will include the installation of an underground storm water management system, sidewalks, street-side parking and intersection realignment. The intersection is located at the corner of the City of Alachua Municipal Complex and the tennis courts.

There was originally a proposal to replace the existing four-way stop with a roundabout, but that plan has been abandoned. In an August interview, Alachua Public Works Director Mike New estimated that not putting in a roundabout would save the city between $50,000 and $75,000. The original price tag was an estimated $2.1 million.

In keeping with the design theme of the Main Street and downtown area, both NW 142nd Terrace and NW 150th Avenue will also have curbs, storm gutters, sidewalks, red brick crosswalks and paved side-street parking. The project will constitute the first major aesthetic connection between the Main Street and Alachua Towne Centre areas.

According to New, the City began advertising for formal bids in late October.

After a lengthy discussion, the commission also approved adding seven street side parking spaces on the east and west side of NW 142nd Terrace south of NW 150th Ave.

However, Mayor Gib Coerper voiced concerns about adding parking spaces near the intersection.

“Without any parking there, I’ve seen near accidents,” he said. “It’s a major concern to me…trying to put anything there.”

New said safety concerns had been taken into consideration when designing the additional spaces.

Coerper said he was also concerned residents wouldn’t use crosswalks after parking street-side.

“They’re going to get out of their car and dart across the street,” he said. “I’ve seen it a million times.”

Business owner Lisa Adel spoke out in favor of the parking spaces during the meeting’s allotted time for citizen comments.

“Those seven parking spaces are very, very important because so many have been taken away,” she said.

“I know many senior citizens who say it’s too hard to go downtown and find a place to park.”

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NEWBERRY – Newberry city officials are taking to steps to ensure that the city’s parks will soon be safer for all pedestrians. Signs will be posted that display safety rules, as well as information such as the hours the park is open to the public and the contact numbers to reach the Newberry Parks and Recreation Department.

Triangle Park is the initial impetus behind the initiative. “The idea came about when folks would drive right over the walking trail and up to the pavilion,” said Richard Blalock, the department’s director. “We don’t need vehicles driving around a walking park.”

Signs will also eventually be posted at the city’s East Park, West Park, Downtown Park, Diamond Sports Park, and the Easton Newberry Sports complex.

The rules will span basics such as leashing dogs and picking up after them, as well as no loitering. Other rules include no rollerblades, scooters, skateboards, bikes or motor vehicles. The park hours are 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Blalock’s chief concern is about people racing around on wheels because the walking trail is only about four feet wide, which doesn’t allow space for people to get around safely.

Newberry’s city attorney is reviewing City guidelines about designated smoking areas so that the parks will also be smoke-free areas.

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HIGH SPRINGS – The High Springs Chamber of Commerce-sponsored 2012 Christmas Parade went off without a hitch just after dark at 6 pm, Saturday, Dec. 8. The event, which is in its 16^th year, celebrated the theme Charlie Brown Peanuts Christmas.

Floats were judged on lights, sound and scene according to Chamber President Sandra Webb. The first place ribbon was awarded to Matchmaker Realty. Second place was awarded to the High Springs Art Coop and third place was awarded to Copeland’s Quality Construction for the aluminum Ferris wheel constructed out of aluminum over night by Mark Copeland.

Judges for this year’s competition were business owners Bettye Gloskowski and John Gloskowski, and Marsha Repp of Thompson’s Florist.

Parade participants and floats were replete with Christmas lights, Christmas trees, a mini ferris wheel, and, of course, ended with Santa Clause on the City’s new bright, red fire truck. Organizations from Gainesville, Alachua, Ft. White, Lake City, Bell, and High Springs participated with a total of 42 floats to help celebrate the Christmas season in style.

Bands from High Springs Middle School and Santa Fe High School also marched in the parade playing Christmas music and lighting up the night with uniforms complete with twinkling Christmas lights.

Area residents began lining up to watch the parade long before dark. Lawn chairs appeared along the parade route by mid-afternoon to help guarantee visitors the best viewing locations. Downtown businesses stayed open late to accommodate people who might need a hot drink, some fudge or who just wanted to shop before or after the parade.

The parade route began on US 441 at Alice’s Cafe and ended at the City’s Peanuts-themed Christmas tree, located on Railroad Avenue. Children wishing to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas were encouraged to visit him at the Christmas tree and to also have their photos taken with the jolly old man himself.

“Our churches, schools and bands were all awesome,” said Chamber President Sandra Webb. “We certainly appreciate all of them that helped make this one of the best Christmas parades ever. Unfortunately, our judges could only choose three among all of the fantastic floats as first, second and third place winners. Each church, organization and school went way above the norm with their excellent submissions this year,” she said.

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The holiday season kicked into high gear in Alachua Friday evening, Nov. 30, with the lighting of the city’s official Christmas tree. As children and adults gathered around, Singer Danny Wooten and his band, Southern Slang, offered up seasonal musical favorites. Area youngsters joined in the sing-along while waiting for Santa and Mrs. Claus’s arrival. The jolly elf and his wife, accompanied by a number of colorfully dressed and excited elves, swept into town led by a police escort. After a few ho-ho-ho’s, the countdown began, and the darkened tree was illuminated by hundreds of twinkling lights. Santa headed downtown to the Hitchcock Theatre Park where children received bags of treats and had their picture taken with him. The event was sponsored by the City of Alachua and the Alachua Chamber of Commerce.

HIGH SPRINGS – Citizens for a Better High Springs will be hosting a Christmas party for City employees and their families at the refurbished old school building behind City Hall. The group received approval from the High Springs City Commission to hold the festivities at the former school. The event, which will be a catered dinner with live entertainment, will take place on Friday, Dec. 14, 2012, from 6-8 p.m.

The idea for the dinner came about as an effort to thank City employees, some of whom took a pay cut this fiscal year, for the hard work they do on behalf of the citizens of High Springs.

Donations of food, drink, paper goods, decorations and entertainment are all being provided by more than 20 individuals, businesses and groups who want to show appreciation for the City employees.

Ed MacKinnon, Events Chair for Citizens for a Better High Springs, said that people are still making donations. “There will be no shortage of food.”

A variety of casseroles, a shrimp, rice, vegetable medley, roasted turkeys and Boston butts, along with a large array of desserts are among the dishes on the menu to be enjoyed by City employees and their families. “I’m going to have to slow some of them down a little bit,” quipped MacKinnon with a chuckle.

The gathering will be entertained by guitar music and vocals by Michael Loveday of Bank of America.

Former and retired employees, “some of whom retired 25-30 years ago,” will be joining in the festivities according to MacKinnon, who also said that many of them are providing food for the event.

“We are honored to be the first group to use the building in its new condition,” said MacKinnon about the former school. “The City spent $2 million renovating the building and it is absolutely beautiful. With its large rooms, high ceilings and beautiful wood floors,” he said, “it’s a throwback to an earlier time. They did an excellent job in rebuilding this school.”

“We really want employees to bring their children and spouses to this event,” said MacKinnon. “This is a great opportunity for all of them to see this beautiful building,” he said with a smile.

By the way, he said the nickname for the old school building used to be “The Sand Spurs.” Many long-time residents may remember that name he remarked with a smile.

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HIGH SPRINGS – In a special City Commission meeting held on Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, Commissioners unanimously approved a contract with City Manager candidate Edwin Booth to join the City staff on Monday, Dec. 15, 2012. The contract period ends Dec. 31, 2013.

Booth was present at the meeting and discussed his contract directly with City commissioners following an explanation of the proposed employment agreement by attorney Kathryn Tancig of Folds & Walker, the firm representing the City.

Under consideration was a contract for $65,000 for salary plus $1,500 for moving expenses and various other minor alterations to the original contract negotiated by the City attorney’s office. Concern as to how those amounts mesh with the City’s present budget were discussed and Finance Director Helen McIver noted that although approximately $4,000 would be freed up because Booth did not need some of the benefits usually offered to City employees, a shortfall of $13,500 still existed. McIver also said the City’s attorney position was not funded completely for the year.

Noting the next item on the agenda was the second hearing of Ordinance 2012-16, a budget adjustment that would free up funds from last year to possibly go into the Contingency Fund, McIver explained the Commission could use some of that money to fund the salaries of both positions. However, she cautioned that the Commission would have to budget those items in the next fiscal year’s budget to continue to fund the positions. McIver also suggested that at about six months into the budget year, the City could look at their budget again to determine if funds were not being spent and possibly either use those funds for these positions or transfer money from the Contingency Fund at that time.

Booth addressed the Commission and indicated he felt the city manager and commissioners had a “unique relationship” of trust and communication. Stressing his open door policy for cmmissioners and citizens alike, he said he was not the type of city manager who sat in his office all the time. “I like to get out and get a sense of what’s going on with our projects, what the citizens think and report back to the commission.” He also said he felt commissioners could not make good decisions without understanding all aspects of a situation and believed that it was his responsibility to make sure commissioners were informed.

Mayor Sue Weller commented afterwards, “I think we’re very fortunate to have such a qualified person in this position. I think the City needs an individual like Mr. Booth. I think only good things are going to come from this.”

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