News
By Michael Hernandez, 7-18-24
YULEE, FLORIDA—The Nassau County Board of Commissioners approved a $1.9 million contract for the William Burgess Boulevard Extension at their July 17 meeting to England-Thims & Miller Inc. of Jacksonville for professional Construction Engineering Inspection services. Motion was made by Commissioner Jeff Gray with second by Commissioner Klynt Farmer. The vote was 4-0. Commissioner Alyson McCullough was absent.
The William Burgess Boulevard Extension project extends from US 17 to Miner Road and was identified as a Mobility Project in the County and is a parallel route to SR 200. Land acquisition began in January of 2020 and all the needed lands were acquired by summer, 2023.
Nassau County Equipment Operator Apprenticeship Program Wins 2024 National Award
Some 17 apprentices (see photo above) are enrolled in the Nassau County Road Department Equipment Operator Apprenticeship Program which won the 2024 National Award from the National Association of Counties which represents the 3,100 counties nationwide. Commissioner Gray called the apprentices the “boots on the ground” while Commissioner Huppman said “a piece of equipment is useless without anyone putting it to work.”
In 2021, Nassau County staff developed a plan to implement a training program that would give employees “a clear vision of their career with the Road Department. Employees would know that there is training available to increase their skill level rather than waiting for vacancies through attrition.” The three-year training program is to train employees on the safe and efficient operation of small equipment, heavy truck and heavy equipment.
Since the program’s beginning, the Road Department vacancy rate has decreased from nearly 36 percent to less than 10 percent. The department has increased employees, Stormwater Maintenance Capabilities and tree-trimming/cutting maintenance. Apprentices receive certificates on different equipment. The first group of apprentices are expected to graduate the summer of 2025.
The national award from the National Association of Counties honors innovative, effective county government programs that strengthen services for residents. The national achievement awards were launched in 1970 and each program is judged on its own merits and not against other applications.
County Proclaims July 27-August 4 as Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week
The first Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week began in 2012 due to the work of St. Helena Island native, Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation who with Kwame Sha founded the “Gullah/Geechee Nation International Music & Movement Festival” in 2005. The Gullah/Geechees have an extensive history in Nassau County that is connected with the history of Amelia Island, Old Town, Yulee, Nassauville, Franklintown, and American Beach. Fernandina served as a point of disembarkation of Africans along the shoreline and a place of fishing and spiritual nourishment which extends from Jacksonville, North Carolina to Jacksonville, Florida.
The Nassau County Board of Commissioners extends their best wishes in celebrating “Gullah/Geechee Tekin a Stand and Healin de Land.”
Atlantic to Okefenokee Conservation Corridor Celebrated
Commissioner Farmer in his closing comments celebrated the Atlantic to Okefenokee Conservation Corridor which was a partnership of Nassau County with the North Florida Land Trust involving 55,864 acres of conservation known as the A20 and has now been included on the Florida Forever Priority List. This corridor has both environmental and historical importance. (See link: https://www.citizensjournal.net/atlantic-to-okefenokee-conservation-corridor/.)
Chester Road Project Begins August 1
The Chester Road Project costing $7.5 million will include widening and resurfacing of Chester Road from David Hallman Parkway to Courtney Isles Way by Reeves Construction Company starting August 1. Questions about the project can be directed to Capital Project Management Director Raymond Albury at 904-530-6225 or at [email protected]. (See link: https://www.citizensjournal.net/chester-road-pages-dairy-road-intersection-improvements-project-will-begin-on-august-1-2024/.)
Citizens Guide to Preserve Historic Places In Nassau County Wins State Award
Nassau County received a preservation media and communications state award for its “Citizens Guide to Preserve Historic Places in Nassau County.”
July 17 Agenda
Meeting video- Watch: 39 minutes
https://nassaufl.granicus.com/player/clip/1880?view_id=2&redirect=true
Michael Hernandez, from California is co-founder of the Citizens Journal—Ventura County’s online news service. He is a former Southern California daily newspaper journalist and religion and news editor. Mr. Hernandez can be contacted at [email protected] and is editor of the weekly “Nov. 5 Election Day Countdown” and “Stories Speak Volumes.” He also writes a column called “Revive America.”
