Community Update
A Report on the Activities of Alachua County Government
This Issues Features:
Alachua County thanks WCJB TV20 for their help adopting pets
Rescued pooch gets 2nd place in costume contest
County Update TV on Community 12
115 acre parcel is donated to Alachua County Forever
County and Constitutional employees raise $33,059 for United Way in 2007
Primary voter registration deadline is fast approaching
Small Business Administration Disaster Loans Are Available in Alachua County
What’s on Alachua County Talks?
County Event and Meeting Reminder
Commission Meeting Highlights
Let’s All Get Involved - Alachua County Advisory Boards
Alachua County thanks WCJB TV20 for their help adopting pets
For nearly 4 years, WCJB TV20 in Gainesville has been hosting Alachua County Animal Services Officer Hilary Hynes once a week during their Morning Edition news broadcast for the Pets of the Week segment. The segment showcases pets that are up for adoption from Animal Services, and occurs on Thursday mornings during the 6:00 a.m. broadcast, at roughly 6:15 a.m.
Hynes usually lets viewers meet a dog and a cat, and TV20 News Anchor Amanda Decker discusses with her the pets’ personalities and the types of homes they’re looking for. Additionally, TV20 posts video of the segment on their website in the Your Pets section along with photos and information of other pets looking for a home in Morning Edition’s Picks of the Week.
Hynes is very appreciative of TV20’s efforts as she says, “Almost every animal that has been shown on Pets of the Week has been adopted.” She notes that this segment also leads to a great deal of community interest in Alachua County Animal Services, such as Brownie Troop 314 visiting Animal Services this week to make a donation of supplies and tour the facility. Hynes also said TV20 does many animal related stories, and is big promoter of animal news.
TV20 has noted, based on a study of their viewership, that Pets of the Week is the most watched segment of the most watched news broadcast on TV20.
Alachua County thanks TV20 for their good work in helping find homes for animals in need.
For more information on how to adopt a pet, please visit Alachua County Animal Services on the web at http://www.alachuacounty.us/government/depts/pw/animal/ or call them at (352) 264-6870.
Rescued pooch gets 2nd place in costume contest
When Alachua County Codes Enforcement Officer Dorothy Hague dressed up her dog Frankie, a nine year old Shih Tzu, as a construction worker for Alachua County’s third annual United Way Fall Festival, she had no idea he would be in the costume contest. Against some very strong competition, and him not wanting to wear his hard hat, he won second place.
Frankie’s life has turned around. In 1999, Frankie ran away from home and was rescued by Alachua County Animal Services. Hague adopted Frankie from the Alachua County Humane Society via Animal Services that year, and he had made himself a real mess. His original name was Petey, as in Stinky Petey.
Now Frankie has cleaned up, though he still sports his green Animal Services tattoo. Not only did he dress up for United Way, he also visits a day care center and lets dozens of kids, all at once, hug him and get doggie kisses. As long as you’re not trying to cut his nails or make him share his toys, he’s game for anything.
Hague is quite taken with Frankie, exclaiming, “Rescue dogs rock!”
County Update TV on Community 12
This month’s County Update include features on the The City of Gainesville/Alachua County Office on Homelessness 3rd Annual Homeless Night Out, The 9th Annual Trashformations Recycled Art Competition, County news, fire safety tips for the holiday season from Alachua County Fire Rescue, a visit with Alachua County veterans of World War II, and a recap of recent County Commission meetings.
The episode will premier on Community 12 on Friday, November 30.
115 acre parcel is donated to Alachua County Forever
At their Tuesday, December 11, 2007 board meeting, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners will consider accepting a conservation easement donation from Mrs. Mable Robertson. The property is a 115 acre parcel on SW 8th Avenue just west of SW 91st Street. As part of the conservation easements negotiations, Alachua County Forever and The Nature Conservancy are proposing covering the transaction costs.
Mrs. Robertson and her husband bought the land over 50 years ago, when that part of the County was still 100% rural, and have made great efforts to keep the land as it was at the time of the original purchase. They farmed the areas that had been previously cut for timber and pasture use, and left alone those hammock areas that had not been disturbed. Mrs. Robertson continues to walk the fencelines, tend to the few cattle that graze the property, pull boulders and fallen limbs from various walking paths, and does most of the work to keep up the property.
In speaking of the donation, Mrs. Robertson’s attorney Mellissa Norman said, “Mrs. Robertson has watched development change the character of Newberry Road from rural parkway to highway and observed the gradual demise of tung trees and adjacent farming practices. Over the years, the Robertsons turned down many lucrative development offers.” Norman continued saying, ‘She has a true love of the land; the land inspires her, keeps her mentally and physically balanced and intact. She knows and tends to every individual tree on that property like they were her children.”
Mrs. Robertson said of the donation, “I’m glad to know the property will be protected in its natural condition for the enjoyment of future generations to come, and the needs of the community for green space. You can’t put a price on trees.”
“We are very grateful that Mrs. Robertson and her family recognize the value of conserving these green spaces,” said Ramesh Buch, Alachua County Forever Program Manager. “We are honored she chose Alachua County Forever as the trustee of her legacy.”
Alachua County Forever was created by the voters in 2000. It is funded through a 0.25 mill property tax and is capped at a total of $29 million. To date the County has used $22 million of these local dollars to leverage $41 million of federal, State and private funds to protect over 12,000 acres of property.
For more information about becoming an Alachua County Forever Volunteer, contact Ramesh Buch at (352) 264-6800. Visit http://www.alachuacounty.us/government/depts/epd/land/ for more information on Alachua County Forever.
County and Constitutional employees raise $33,059 for United Way in 2007
At the Dec. 11, 2007 Board meeting the Alachua County Commission recognized the United Way Team that dedicated the time, talent, creativity, and effort that made the 2007 fund raising campaign a huge success.
For several years now, Alachua County employees have supported United Way and its community investment programs through payroll deduction and annual special events. This year’s event, the United Way Fall Festival, included participation by employees of the County Commission, the Clerk of Court, the Sheriff’s Office, the Tax Collector, and the Library District.
The third annual Fall Festival raised $5,955 and our second annual A-Bay online auction raised $2,628 for a grand total of $8,583. In total, between the Fall Festival, A-Bay Auction, and Payroll Deduction, employees donated a total $33,059.
To view video of recognition, go to item number 7 in the following video link: http://alachua.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=3&clip_id=529&publish_id=&event_id=
Primary voter registration deadline is fast approaching
Monday, December 31, 2007 is the last day to register to vote for the January 29, 2008 Presidential Preference Primary Election and the City of Gainesville Election. The Supervisor of Elections Office will be open during normal office hours on December 31, 2007 to accept voter registration applications. You must be a City of Gainesville resident to vote in the Gainesville City Election.
You may register to vote, update your voter information, or update your signature online at http://elections.alachuacounty.us . You may also register to vote in person at the Supervisor of Elections Office or by mail. Call the Supervisor of Elections Office at (352) 374-5252 for a list of other facilities in the county where voter registration application forms may be obtained. Mail-in applications must be postmarked no later than the December 31st deadline.
There are 3 ways to cast a ballot in Alachua County. Voters may choose to vote absentee, early vote or vote at their polling location on Election Day.
Absentee Voting
Anyone may request an absentee ballot. To have your absentee ballot be mailed to you, call the Supervisor of Elections office at (352) 374-5252 no later than 5 PM on the 6th day before the election. All absentee ballots must be received in the Supervisor of Elections Office by 7p.m. Election Day.
Early Voting
Early Voting for the January 29th Presidential Preference Primary Election and the City of Gainesville Election will be available during the following dates and times: from J anuary 14, 2008 through January 26, 2008
Early Voting Sites
Supervisor of Elections Office
Millhopper Branch Library
Tower Road Branch Library
Election Day Voting
The polls are open from 7AM to 7 PM on Election Day. Florida Law requires voters to present picture and signature ID in order to vote, or you will need to vote a provisional ballot. If you need to locate your precinct, go to http://elections.alachuacounty.us/precinct_finder.html . If you have any questions, please call the Supervisor of Elections Office at (352) 374-5252.
Accessible Voting Equipment
One audio enhanced, accessible voting machine will be available in every polling place and each early voting site. This equipment enables voters with low vision, voters who are blind, or otherwise unable to cast a paper ballot to vote without assistance. The voter is able to listen to the ballot and vote independently using a keypad or by touching the screen. All other Alachua County voters will continue to use the Optical Scan (fill in the bubble) equipment they are accustomed to.
Small Business Administration Disaster Loans Are Available in Alachua County
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced last week that federal disaster loans are available to small businesses located in the State of Florida as a result of drought that occurred January 1, 2007 and continues. Small businesses in Alachua County are eligible to apply.
“When the Secretary of Agriculture issues a disaster declaration to help farmers recover from damages and losses to crops, the Small Business Administration issues a declaration to assist small businesses affected by the same disaster,” said Frank Skaggs, Director of SBA Field Operations Center East.
Under this declaration, SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program is available to farm-related and nonfarm-related small business concerns and small agricultural cooperatives that suffered financial losses as a direct result of this disaster. Farmers and ranchers are not eligible to apply to SBA, but nurseries are eligible to apply for economic injury disaster loans for losses caused by drought conditions.
Eligible small businesses may qualify for loans up to $1.5 million. These loans are available at a 4 percent interest rate with loan terms up to 30 years. SBA determines eligibility for the program based on the size and type of business and its financial resources. Loan amounts and terms are set by the SBA and are based upon each applicant’s financial condition. Under this disaster declaration, the SBA cannot provide loans to agricultural producers.
Interested business owners should contact the SBA’s Customer Service Center by calling 1-800-659-2955 (1-800-877-8339 for the hearing-impaired) Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Loan applications can also be downloaded from http://www.sba.gov/services/disasterassistance/businessesofallsizes/index.html . Completed applications should be mailed to: U.S. Small Business Administration, Processing and Disbursement Center, 14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
Completed loan applications must be returned to SBA no later than July 28, 2008.
What’s on Alachua County Talks?
On the latest editions of Alachua County Talks, Jonathan Paul, Alachua County’s Impact Fee Administrator for the Growth Management Department, discusses impact fees.
Also, Alachua County Court Services Director Cyndi Morton gives a detailed overview of the Court Services functions.
Alachua County Talks is shown on Community 12, Your Local Government Channel, so tune in.
Alachua County Talks Video Archive
County Event and Meeting Reminder
Primary Voter Registration Deadline
Pet of the Week News Segment
Presentations, Proclamations and Recognitions
The Board recognized the Event Coordinators, the Official Event Sponsors, the United Way 2007 Team, and the County Employees who contributed to the success of the Fall Festival 2007 in support of United Way of North Central Florida. (See page 4 for article)
The Board approved the revisions to Employee Policys #5-15,
The Board Adopted Resolution 07-XXX in support of the 2007 Orange Creek Basin Management Action Plan
The Board approved the Lease Agreement between Sun Circle Inc. and Alachua County Board of County Commissioners to house the State Conflict Resolution Attorneys.
The Board passed a resolution supporting the Permanency of the FEMA long-term recovery office in Orlando, FL.
Public Hearings
The Board held the Public Hearing and adopted the Resolution of Intent to use the uniform method of collecting non-ad valorem assessments for collection, disposal, recycling and management of solid waste throughout Alachua County and for community maintenance in the Sugarfoot Oaks/Cedar Ridge Preservation and Enhancement District for Fiscal Year 2008-09.
The Board accepted and exercised the option to purchase the Conservation Easement on the Gainesville Archipelago - Robertson Tract and authorize staff to execute documents as necessary to close the transaction. Amount: $25,505.00
The Board adopted Resolution Z-07-32 amending the requested zoning district from RE-1 (single family residential) district to residential PD (planned development) district.
The Board approved ZOM-21-07 the proposed minor amendment to the South Pointe Planned Development.
The Board approved ZOM-18-07 the proposed amendment to the Oakmont Planned Development, with the bases and conditions in the staff report.
Advisory Board Appointments
Poverty Reduction Advisory Board
Local Planning Agency and Planning Commission
Let’s All Get Involved - Alachua County Advisory Boards
The Alachua County Commission is committed to citizen involvement on its advisory boards and is soliciting applications for the following vacancies:
Get Involved - Click here for an application: http://www.alachuacounty.us/government/bocc/advisoryboard.aspx
Applications are also available at the County Manager’s Office on the Second Floor of the County Administration Building, 12 SE 1st St., Gainesville. For more information, call (352) 264-6904.
Thank you for your continued interest in County Government!
Community Update is produced by the County Manager's Communications Office.