Press Release
By Nassau County Board of County Commissioners
07-19-24
Chester Road & Pages Dairy Intersection Improvements
Please be advised that the Chester Road & Pages Dairy Road Intersection Improvements Project will begin on August 1, 2024. This project will include widening and resurfacing of Chester Road from David Hallman Parkway to Courtney Isles Way, construction of turn lanes, addition of bike lanes, utility improvements, drainage improvements, and a new traffic signal at Chester and Pages Dairy. This project will greatly improve the safety of the roadway for both motorists and pedestrians.
The bid was awarded to Reeves Construction Company on June 13, 2024, in the amount of $7.5 million. The project will take approximately 465 days and is anticipated to be completed in November 2025.
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Nassau County’s Atlantic to Okefenokee Conservation Corridor Approved as Florida Forever Project
The Atlantic to Okefenokee Conservation Corridor, more than 55,000 acres of potential conservation land known as the A2O, has been granted a significant approval. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Acquisition and Restoration Council (ARC) has approved the A2O for inclusion on the Florida Forever Project List. Nassau County and North Florida Land Trust (NFLT), long-time partners in conservation, worked together on the proposal to ARC to consider adding the critical corridor to the priority list.
The A2O stretches from the Atlantic Ocean on the east coast to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge to the west, with 55,864 acres that NFLT and Nassau County hope to preserve. The corridor incorporates the John M. Bethea State Forest, Osceola Wildlife Management Area, and the Osceola State Forest complex. The St. Marys River also unifies it at its northern boundary. The river is ecologically, recreationally, and historically significant and a critical habitat for the Atlantic sturgeon, a federally listed endangered species.
Vacancies on the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
In May 2017, the Board adopted a resolution creating the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee to review affordable housing and strategize on ways to bring more affordable housing to our community.
At this time, Nassau County is seeking two individuals to fill vacancies on the Affordable Housing Advisory Board. Florida Statutes, Chapter 420.9076, mandates that the committee be comprised of at least eight, but no more than eleven members.
Outdoor Movie Night Successful
On Friday, July 12, 2024, approximately 100 people attended our Outdoor Movie Night at Peters Point to see the 1978 classic “Grease”. This event included classic cars by Amelia Cruizers, movie trivia and a Grease costume contest.
Congratulations to Rosie Cains on winning the costume contest and to team Ella and Kenzie on winning the movie trivia.
A big thank you to the Amelia Cruizers for sharing your vehicles with the community and to everyone who came to support the event. We hope that you had a great time! Stay tuned for information about our next Outdoor Movie Night which will take place in August.
To see photos from the event, please click here.
Animal Hero Awards
Nassau County Animal Services (NCAS) recently recognized several outstanding Nassau County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO) Officers with the first “Animal Hero Awards,” recognizing their work in responding to a recent animal cruelty case.
As previously reported, NCAS and NCSO responded to a call on Sunday, July 7, 2024, reporting that a lady outside Target was threatening customers and mistreating a kitten. Upon arrival, NCSO reviewed the store’s video surveillance footage and determined that the individual intentionally inflicted pain upon this innocent animal. NCSO arrested the individual and she has since been charged with Aggravated Animal Cruelty. Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper stated, “We take cases of animal cruelty very seriously, and cruelty to animals will not be tolerated in our community.” The kitten, later named Bullseye, was taken by NCAS to the animal shelter where he was checked by a vet and determined to be in good health. He will remain with NCAS until the case goes to court and then will be eligible for adoption.
Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week
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On Wednesday, July 17, 2024, the Board of County Commissioners approved Proclamation No. 2024-028 designating the week of July 27 – August 4, 2024 as “Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week.”
This is an annual celebration of the living legacy of Gullah/Geechee history, heritage and culture. The Gullah/Geechees have an extensive history in Nassau County that includes both the enslavement and self-determination of the GUllah/Geechee people through the history of Amelia Island, Old Town, Yulee, Nassauville, Franklintown, and American Beach.
To learn more about the Gullah/Geechees, please click here.
Turtle Talk Tuesday
This week’s Turtle Talk Tuesday Message:
Did you know that the temperature of a sea turtle’s developing eggs determines whether or not the offspring will be male or female? In most species, gender is determined during the fertilization process, however the sex of most turtles, alligators and crocodiles is determined after fertilization. This is called temperature-dependent sex determination.
Research shows that if it turtles eggs incubate below 81.86°F, the hatchling will be male.  If the eggs incubate above 88.8°F, the offspring will be female. Temperatures that fall somewhere between will produce a mix of male and female, baby turtles.
To learn more, visit NOAA’s website.
Voter Registration Deadline
Monday, July 22, 2024, is the deadline to register to vote or change your party affiliation before the August 20 Primary Election. To register to vote or change your party affiliation, visit www.VoteNassaufl.gov or download the Vote Nassau FL mobile app.
Bounce Back to School Event
33 local community organizations, including the Nassau County Department of Health, have partnered to bring the 2024 Bounce Back to School Event. It takes place on Saturday, July 20th from 9am-1pm at the Peck Center Gymnasium located at 510 S. 10th Street, Fernandina Beach. The overall purpose is to support families and promote a home and family environment that helps students flourish.
This event will include FREE health screenings, school physicals, TDAP vaccines, vision screenings, and school supplies. There are still appointments available for the EKG (heart scan)! If you have a child that plays sports, this is their chance to get their school physical and have their heart checked before the school year kicks off.
There is no cost to participate, however the ECG heart screenings do require advanced registration. Sign up by scanning the QR Code or by visiting www.whoweplayfor.org.
Bicentennial & Nassau Vision 2050 Activities
Throughout the year, Conner’s A-Maize-ing Acres, located in Hilliard, provides family-friendly and agritourism opportunities to the community by allowing the public to visit the farm for photo ops and good, wholesome fun. They host field trips and parties and provide the annual sunflower patch and the pumpkin patch and corn maze. Each year, Conner’s A-Maize-ing Acres creates a new design of the corn maze which is unveiled before opening day. We are excited to announce that as part of our year-long Bicentennial, Nassau County has partnered with Conners A-Maize-ing Acres for a special Bicentennial-themed corn maze design.
Stay tuned in the coming weeks as we highlight this tedious process and provide sneak peaks of the mystery design. An announcement will be made this summer about a joint unveiling event between Conner’s A-Maize-Ing Acres and the Board of County Commissioners. You won’t want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime (more like 200 years!) design unveiling or the loads of fun waiting for you at Conner’s A-Maize-Ing Acres.
Community Building Blocks Survey
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The County launched Nassau Florida Vision 2050, a collaborative 18-month process involving local leaders, residents, businesses, and stakeholders to shape the future of our community.
The project kicked off with extensive community engagement and a review of the County’s plans, studies, and existing conditions. Based on this input, draft “Community Building Blocks” have been developed, outlining core values that will guide recommendations and strategies for the Vision plan. Residents, business owners, and other community members are encouraged to share their thoughts on the Building Blocks through a new survey. The survey asks respondents to:
● Identify which values resonate with them.
● Describe their ideas for what these values could look like in practice.
Once participants take the quick 5-question survey, they will be entered in a raffle to win a local prize or experience in the County.
Survey Link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/nassaubuildingblocks.
To learn more about the project, Nassau County Bicentennial events, and ways to get involved, please visit www.nassaufl2050.com.
Public Meetings
elow are public meetings scheduled for the week of July 22 – July 26, 2024
Please note that meetings are subject to change. Please review our website calendar for up-to-date information.
Meeting agendas can be located here.
