ThE BakER COUNty PREss

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$1.00 ThE BakER COUNty PREss 90TH YEAR | VOLUME 32 NOVEMbER 26, 2020

mike anderson

press staff

An international food processing company with plants in Europe, the Mid- dle East and other coun- tries has chosen Enter- prise East Industrial Park in Baker County for its first expansion in the United States.

If plans for the proposed development are success- ful, construction could begin early next spring on a 225,000 square foot cold storage facility 54 acres on Industrial Park Road on the north side of US 90 east of Macclenny.

Officials estimate up to 160 employees in “high wage jobs” could be em- ployed there within about five years, earning above average wages for locally trained workers starting at

joel addington

managing editor

reporter@bakercountypress.com

There have been several holiday food drives on- going in the community, at churches and at school campuses this month but some large organizations moved a lot of donated foods last week.

There was a large distribution sponsored by the regional food bank at the fairgrounds on November 18 and then Sunday following morning services Glen Baptist Church distributed some $52,000 worth of groceries, according to its Facebook page and that of head pastor Chas Rowland.

“What an amazing experience!” he wrote. “I just got to watch my church give out an entire semi- truck full ... We gave it away at our church, we gave it away all over the county, wherever we

could. We gave it away and invited people to the church and shared the gospel count- less times. Tes- timonies are streaming in about how people had been praying about how they didn’t know how they were going to buy groceries for their family this week, much less for Thanksgiving.”

He said the semi-truck dropped off 10 tons of grocer-

ies on 24 pallets with 1300 boxes.

Feeding Northeast Flori- da (FNEFL) announced last week its “Harvest Helpings”

initiative in Baker county.

In partnership with Winn-Dixie and the Winn-Dixie Gives Founda- tion, FNEFL provided 200 turkeys for those in need at

the Baker Coun- cil on Aging distribution at the Baker County Fairgrounds on November 18.

“Food insecurity affects approximately one in four adults in Northeast Florida. With the additional challenges of the COVID-19 p a n d e m i c , the need for food resources has nearly doubled in 2020,” said FNEFL in a press release late last week.

“Through the Harvest Helpings initiative, FNEFL

distributed not only fresh produce and dry goods, but turkeys and all the fixings for the upcoming holiday.

Area partner, the Council on Aging, was involved in the distribution process, choosing recipients to sur- prise and delight this holiday season.”

Sarah Hall, director of partnership and programs for the nonprofit organiza- tion, was thankful for the grocery store’s support in bringing holiday cheer to local families in need.

“Food insecurity is a year-round problem, but the holidays are a terrible time to be without,” she said in the release.

Virtual Turkey Trot November 26

Anytime

The 8th annual Turkey Trot 5K walk/run went virtual for 2020 giving partici- pants more flexibility while supporting the local YMCA branch. A group is meeting at First Baptist in Glen St.

Mary at 8 a.m. to participate but you can do so anywhere you like. It’s $20 for individu- als and $40 for families. Reg- ister by calling the YMCA at 259-0898.

Wildcats send off November 27

Noon

Wish the Wildcats football team good luck on Friday at noon at the campus as the team heads to Pensacola to play Pine Forest High.

Man, 29, among two new COVID fatalities

Page 3

at a GLANCE

community events

covid update

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bakercountypress.com

Planning on a virtual or in-person

Thanksgiving 2020?

89% In person 11% Virtual

November 17-November 22

Positive tests 45 Hospitalizations

^*

4 Avg. median age 42 Avg. positivity rate 7%

Since March 20

Total positive 1953 Corrections cases 636 Pediatric cases 130 Hospitalizations 101 Deaths (+2) 31

*Current hospitalizations as of 11/23/20.

Source: FDOH/ACHA see page pB

Baker county commission

see page 3 see page 2

Photoscourtesyof Ashley WilliAms

Northeast Florida Community Action Agency volunteers place donated groceries into waiting trunks

on November 18 during a drive-through giveaway at the fairgrounds last week.

Holiday food giveaways

joel addington

managing editor

A black Macclenny family building a home in Glen St. Mary discovered a noose hanging on the back porch of their partially-constructed residence on Glen Farms Drive last week.

The disturbing sight was found on November 18 by local bail bondsman Anthony James, whose wife Linda Hollings- James grew up in Baker County and contacted The Press last weekend.

“We live in a county where most think there is no racism or hate crimes going on. Well, clearly this shows otherwise,” she said via Facebook mes- senger with a link to her son’s post with a photo of the noose and his comments.

“My parents don’t do anything to warrant disre-

Noose is found on porch in Glen

Food plant is planned

Bennett’s erects

‘Blessing Box’

Inside an unremarkable wooden cabinet with a small roof and a latch but no lock Monday evening were sever- al food donations, some like cranberry sauce likely timed to coincide with meal preparations for the upcoming Thanksgiving Day holiday while others were everyday staples like coffee and canned goods. Also inside was a small toy football and plastic bag with colorful baby toys.

“The Blessing Box,” as it was named, was installed recent- ly by Bennett’s Feed, Farm and Pet Center. “The Blessing Box had lots of visitors last night, and lots of food poured back into it today. Thank you to all those who have gen- erously given and for those have taken from the box.

Enjoy. That’s what it’s there for!” the business posted to its Facebook page Monday evening. The box was even more full on November 5 when the business announced it was open to anyone who wanted to donate or receive food and other goods. “Baker, you are generous beyond words,” it read. “If you need anything from this box, please feel free to grab it. No questions asked, no need to come inside Bennett’s. It’s located on the lot right next door to Bennett’s by the Cooks portable buildings!”

see page 2

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Police arrested a Hilliard, FL man at a north Mac- clenny residence the afternoon of November 22 and

charged him with felony ag- gravated assault for alleged- ly brandishing a semi-auto-

matic pistol in the face of a Glen St. Mary man after re- ferring to him as “a snitch.”

The agitated com- plainant, 31, contacted Dep- uty Grant Peterson near Memorial Stadium in north Macclenny saying the as- sailant, later identified as Dalton Alexander, 22, ap- proached his vehicle earlier and pulled the weapon from the waistband of his pants and pointed it at his face.

The man said he then drove off after trying to dif- fuse the situation, and Mr.

Alexander struck a window of his vehicle with the weapon, then tossed a piece of watermelon.

The suspect’s identification was aided when the deputy learned that an anonymous person com-

plained several days earlier that drugs were possibly being sold from an address on Blair St., and that Mr. Al- exander was nearby waiving the firearm at passers-by.

Several officers con- verged on the residence and confronted the accused, who initially refused to an- swer the door, then locked it behind him when he finally emerged.

Contact was made with the home owner, identified as Mallorie Self, who al- lowed a search of the prem- ises that resulted in a pistol discovered in a toilet tank, and a bag containing sus- pected drugs in the form of a

“brown waxy substance and an unknown white powder,”

also in the bathroom.

“Winn-Dixie cares pas- sionately about the communities we serve and we know that this year has been a difficult time for many families,” said Eliza- beth Thompson, executive vice president at Southeast- ern Grocers, winn-Dixie’s parent company. “We are grateful for our longstand- ing partnership with Feed- ing Northeast Florida to support our communities

both inside and outside of our stores by providing cherished holiday meals for North Florida neighbors in need.”

In an effort to minimize COVID-19 exposure, the distribution was set up as a drive-through, with recipients asked to stay in their cars while volunteers from the Northeast Florida Com- munity Action Agency load- ed food.

All volunteers followed proper protocols from the

Centers for Disease Con- trol, including wearing masks and keeping social distance.

For more information about Feeding Northeast Florida or to make a dona- tion, visit feedingnefl.org.

It’s the largest nonprofit food bank and hunger re- lief network in the region.

It serves Baker, Bradford, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nas- sau, Putnam, and St. Johns counties.

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Giveaways draw crowds

spect from the people here in Baker County let alone these type of antics,” wrote An- thony James Jr. “2020 is officially off the charts! ... I ain’t [VICE News] and this ain’t no rally, this real life! ...”

The national and international television news outlet recently aired a one-hour docu- mentary about the modern white suprem- acy movement in America that included footage from “southern rights” rally here in last July, the courthouse mural and an in- terview with Florida House Representative Chuck Brannan (R-Macclenny/Lake City).

It sparked outrage on social media among local residents similar to the outcry online regarding the noose discovery.

“This can’t be serious. I’m so disgusted with Baker County,” posted Riann Perkins, whose profile shows she’s a Macclenny na- tive living in Tennessee.

“Damn man ... This is sad. People suck bro. Sorry this happened to you and your family,” wrote Mikal Flores, who graduat- ed from Baker County High School several years ago and now resides in Yulee.

Mrs. James said Monday that the incident was reported to the Baker County Sheriff’s Office and responding officers, including Sheriff Scotty Rhoden, were simi- larly appalled by the hate crime.

“They were pretty upset about it,” re- called Mrs. James. “I don’t think Baker

County realizes how bad it is. I didn’t realize it was that bad. The election brought everything out of everybody ...”

Mrs. James said after her son shared a photo of the noose on Facebook, friends and family members began contacting her to ensure she was safe, particularly those located outside of Florida.

“My family up north fears for our lives,”

she said.

The family has taken additional steps for security’s sake but she’s also much more aware of her surroundings and people following the incident.

“It didn’t faze me,” said Mrs. James of her initial reaction to the expression of racism, attributing it to desensitization. Then came anger.

The property where she and her husband are building their residence has also been the target of vandals and trespassers, which is also why they installed security cameras at the property. However, Mrs. James said, the suspect(s) in the noose hanging were careful to avoid their line of sight.

“I’ve never dealt with this before but I stand by my statement. I was born and raised in this county and I know what it breeds, but there’s never been this level of disrespect,” she said, noting that by-and- large the community has been welcoming and friendly to her family. “We don’t know of any enemies we have ...”

from page 1 from page 1

Noose: possible hate crime?

Arrest for brandishing gun

Dalton Alexander

A Macclenny woman was named in a sworn criminal complaint earlier this month and charged with felony child neglect for leav- ing her three small children unattended on November 5 when she left their apartment, ostensibly to get a tire fixed.

Apartment manager Tina Robinson called police that afternoon shortly after Dennice Bell, 27, left and the children wandered off within 300 feet of busy

North 6th St., according to the report by Deputy Justin Yingling.

The mother, who is be- lieved to be eight months pregnant, returned about 5 p.m. and said the children were asleep when she left.

An employee with the De- partment of Children and Families was called to the apartment and arranged for the children to stay with other family members for the night.

Council approves a garage addition

Child neglect alleged

joel addington

managing editor

James Elliot of East Andrews Street in Glen St. Mary won approval from the Glen St. Mary Town Council to make a detached garage on his property into a separate residence.

The low-density zoning district the nearly 1-acre parcel is located inside allows for two dwellings per acre but the parcel is just shy of that area at .98 acres. As such, the council voted unanimously on November 17 (with member Annie McCullough absent) for approval of a variance to the zoning rules.

“They already have a garage on the property ... That’s not going to change,” said Mayor Stephen Rhynehardt.

Town clerk Donna Loadholtz explained the new residence will require a new utility service connection and water meter and deposits for the account.

A permit for the construction work is expected from the county.

joel addington

managing editor

The Wildcats academic team competing in the Beta Division 2020-21 HighQ season went undefeated during October 6 through November 17 to become district champions and set up the divisional and con- ference tournaments in early December.

In line for much-de- served congratulations are players RJ Clines, Conner Gipson, Kyler Wilkerson, Elijah Platz, Anthony How- ell, Joel Harrell, Logan

Kemp, Parker Ferry, Cody Butcher, Geordan Haynes

Dayci Adkins, Seth Sweat, Aurora Balas and Mackenzie Crews.

“These young men and women crushed Lake City last night to close out the season unbeaten,” wrote “

“The Daily Growl” on social media. “We generally enjoy a winning season but this is our first perfect season in a few years.”

The team is lead by Macclenny mayor and high school teacher Mark Bry- ant.

Academic team goes undefeated

Donations sought

The First Baptist Church of Macclenny seeks donations of clean and recently laundered clothing and undergar- ments, as well as shoes and accessories for its giveaway held on the third Saturday of each month from 9-11:30 a.m. at the Garment Rack Building at 153 Minnesota Ave.

Please drop them off at the east side of the building. For more information, please call the church office at 259-2933 or visit the website fbcmac.com.

www.bakercountypress.com

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joel addington

managing editor

The Baker County School Board approved last week more than a dozen policy revisions related to discrimination, reporting safety incidents, dating violence and preventing over-heating among student-athletes, to name a few.

The board also spent a significant portion of the November 17 meeting welcoming a new face to the board and recognizing a trio of long-time teachers who retired last Spring.

Board Attorney John Caven Jr., whose

$500-per-meeting contract was renewed for another year later in the meeting, administered the oath of office for incoming member and former teacher Aman- da Hodges, who was joined by her husband and three children for the occasion.

“We’re thrilled to have you ... We welcome you with all our hearts,” said Super- intendent of Schools Sher- rie Raulerson.

Ms. Hodges won her seat on the school board in the August primary election against Justin Burnham.

Among the new policies or changes in school district policy, which typically follow changes to state and federal laws:

• A new policy for “timely and accurate” reporting of school safety incidents to

the Florida School Environ- mental Safety Incident Re- porting system. The system reports school and district level safety incidents of 26 varieties, but they’re mostly criminal in nature. Among them, however, are also bullying and fighting.

The most common types of incidents at the high school for the 2018-19 school year, the latest for which reports are available from the Florida Depart- ment of Education, were tobacco violations (101), fighting (26) and drug use or possession (17). At the middle school, they were fighting (56), tobacco violations (39) and threats or intimidation (30).

During the previous decade, the total number of safety incidents district-wide rose by 78 percent from 202 in 2008-09

incidents to 360 in 2018-19.

• Another new policy establishes best practices for preventing, monitoring and treating students who become over-heated, what the policy describes as “ex- ertional heat illnesses.”

The policy defines exer- tional heatstroke as having a temperature higher than 104 degrees and calls for hydration, cooling zones and other precautionary measures recommended by the Florida High School Athletics Association.

• New language in the anti-discrimination policy prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation, political or religious beliefs or “any other distinguish- ing physical or personality characteristics.”

• New definitions for sexual harassment were added to that policy, including

conditioning promotions or other benefits on someone’s participation in unwelcome sexual conduct; unwelcome conduct or contact “that a reasonable person would find so severe, pervasive and objectively offensive,”

or any violence or stalking as defined under the federal Violence Against Women Act.• New language was also added to the dating violence and abuse policy to encom- pass the use of electronic devices like cell phones and computers and both mental and physical abuse.

• A new provision in the safe and secure schools policy relating to students who transfer into the district says a threat assessment team must verify “that any intervention services [i.e.

counseling] provided to the student remain in place until the threat assessment team of the receiving school independently determines the need for intervention services.”

• The anti-bullying policy was strengthened to include bullying by employees and bullying that happens at bus stops or en route to or from schools. Parental notification for perpetrators of bullying was also added to the policy that previously only called for notifying victims’

parents and guardians.

• A new policy for notification of parents or guardians immediately when students are removed from

school, the bus or school activities for “involuntary examination.” The policy allows administrators to de- lay such notification up to 24 hours if it’s considered in the student’s best inter- est and a report was made to the child abuse hotline.

• A new policy to use the federal E-Verify system to check on the work eligibility of newly-hired employees.

• A new policy for bid- ding school construction, including the pre-qualifica- tion of bidders.

In other business last week, the board:

• Approved a three- year architectural services contract with Jackson- ville-based firm Akel, Logan and Shafer.

• Appointed board member Paula Barton as the new chairperson and district representative on the Small School District Council Consortium, and member Tiffany McInarnay as vice president and liaison to the Florida School Board Asso- ciation with member Dean Griffis as the alternate.

• Recognized retirees Pa- tricia Bennett, who started with the district in 1989, Sonia Combs, who began in 1999, and Pamela Hughes, who began in 1988.

joel addington

managing editor

The Florida Depart- ment of Health (FDOH) reported two new COVID-19-related deaths here on November 22, along with one new coronavirus hospitalization that day to bring those totals to 31 fatalities and 101 hospitalizations.

There were four current hospitalizations related to the coronavirus reported here the following day by the state’s Agency for Health Care Administra- tion, or AHCA, which has current data on hospital capacity across the state updated each day.

The latest deaths were a 65-year-old male, who was confirmed to be in- fected on November 5, and a 29-year-old male, who was confirmed Sep- tember 3, according to FDOH data. The 29-year- old is the youngest person to die from coronavirus in the county thus far.

Three new COVID-19 infections were reported locally November 22 to push the county-wide total since the pandemic began in mid-March to 1953 cases. They were ages 41, 25 and 49, and brought the median daily age of confirmed cases from 47 to 41 that day. They followed the addition five new cases November 21 and four new cases the day prior.

There was a surge in testing locally November 21 with 186 test results, up from 79 the day prior, or roughly a 135-percent jump. However, the result was drop in the positivity rate to 2.6 percent, which was much lower than the recent high on November 12 of more than 18 percent.

A few new cases also cropped up at schools early last week.

Baker County Middle School added one new coronavirus infection while the high school added two more and Westside Elementary one more, according to the latest schools report from the Florida Department of Health for the period of November 8 to 14.

They brought the school totals to 45 at BCHS, 13 at BCMS, seven at Keller Intermediate, four at Westside, three at the PreK-K Center and two each at Macclenny El- ementary and the district office.

$36,200 a year.

The total tax impact over 10 years is estimated to produce $4.9 million for the school district, $900,000 for the Baker County Hospital Authority

“and a little more than $6 million in county taxes,”

A development agreement was approved November 17 between the Baker County Commission, the Baker County Economic Develop- ment Commission (BCEDC) and the company, identified only as “Project Zeus” pending finalization of the deal in the next month or so.

“Project Zeus is one of the economic development projects that we’ve been working on for several months,” Darryl Register, executive director of the BCEDC, told commissioners, adding that the project site is behind the Walmart Distribution Center on the north side of US 90 east of Macclenny.

The EDC bought the 54 acres from Rayonier in 2001 at roughly $3800 per acre as part of a roughly 82-acre parcel purchase totaling $311,500, property records indicate. Today the parcel is valued by the county property appraiser at $821,000, or about

$10,000 per acre. At that price, the land given to the food processing company as a deal incentive is worth about $540,000.

“We (the county) will have to pave a portion of dirt road and extend water and sewer pipes to reach the property,” said Mr. Register. “We have applied for and have every reason to believe that we will receive state grants to fund that (infrastruc- ture improvements).”

The agreement further obligates the county to grant $4.5 million in tax rebates over a 10-year period under a program created by the county commission in 2003 — Recapture Enhanced Value (REV) Grant — to

“attract businesses interested in cre- ating high wage jobs and make significant capital investments in man-

ufacturing and distribution facilities in Baker County.”

The development agreement stipulates that the county “agrees to reimburse the Company a dollar amount equal to 75 percent of Baker County’s portion of ad valorem and tangible personal property taxes paid for the first ten years of operations.”

What the county will get in return, said Mr. Register, is “approximately

$115 million in capital investment in this facility and 160 jobs.”

Also appearing at the county commission meeting in support of the project was Jack Shad, economic development project manager with the Northeast Florida Regional Planning Council. He estimated the “spillover effect” of the proposed development would far exceed the company’s capital investment.

For one thing, he said, an estimated $16 million construction budget would create about 138 jobs during the construction phase and “after everything is up and running” another dozen or more new retail businesses, restaurants and roughly 65 new homes for newcomers to the county.

The regional council uses a com- puter model to estimate economic impacts of new developments in a seven-county Northeast Florida area and based on data provided by Mr. Register for Project Zeus, said Mr. Shad, “We think this project will generate, basically, about 350 to 360 jobs in total (throughout the county).”

By 2026, after the company’s been in business about five years, Mr. Shad predicted the development would be responsible for adding about $11 million annually in “personal disposable income to the county.”

Representing Project Zeus at the meeting was Richard Pinsky, public policy manager in the West Palm Beach office of Akerman LLP law firm, one of the largest law firms in the United States.

Mr. Pinsky described his client as

“a European-headquartered com-

pany with manufacturing facilities throughout Europe, Scandinavia, Middle East and the Pacific Rim.

This will represent their first product launch into North America.”

He thanked the county for its of- fer and said “while there is no an- nouncement yet…we believe strong- ly, 99.9990 percent,” that the deal will succeed. He said Baker County has competed against other communities for the project and appears to be the front runner.

“I’ve done a number of these (economic development projects) in Flor- ida and outside of Florida,” said Mr.

Pinsky, adding his praise for Baker County doing “everything right.”

“So, your team both on the cham- ber of commerce side and on the county commission side has done a great job,” he said, “not only in making things easy to make a decision but the commitment that Baker County has made. So, from the Proj- ect Zeus standpoint we want to say thank you.”

He said the company, headquartered in Greece, “is not going to be flying over 100 employees, so everyone is going to be hired locally…

except for some executive level staff.

This is a community partnership.”

“When it comes time for construction we want to make sure these are local construction jobs,” said Mr.

Pinsky. “I don’t know how many contractors there are in Baker County that can build a 225,000-square-foot cold storage facility So, it’s going to be our obligation to you that we want local contractors on that job, and mi- nority contractors.”

Lastly, he said his client doesn’t take lightly the fact that the county is committing free public land and tax rebates for the project, but assured officials “in this case it’s going to be well worthwhile.”

Commissioner and board chairman James Bennett expressed his thanks to everyone involved in the Project Zeus project, noting that the county looks forward to growth and

economic development, especially

“clean industry.”

“We appreciate your willingness to partner here, as well,” he told Mr.

Pinsky.

Other board members expressed similar sentiments of excitement and delight at the prospect of bringing a new employer to the county to create much-needed local jobs.

The development agreement ties the county’s incentives to the company’s meeting the following minimum number of employees each year: 90 at the end of 2022 and 2023, 100 at the end of 2024, 125 a the end of 2025 and 150 “at the end of 2026 and each year after that.”

CareerSource Northeast Florida also has partnered with the county for training and recruitment of applicants for Project Zeus, offering to “post the client’s job orders in ad- vance of the company’s opening at our statewide applicant and employee matching site, Employ Florida, at no cost. The value of this service is

$750 per hire (160 projected hires) for a total in-kind contribution of

$120,000.”

“CareerSource Northeast Flori- da will also work with the company to determine any customized training that may be required over the first three years. There is a limit of

$40,000 per year for a total value of

$120,000.”

The last paragraph in the agreement is one the county officials hope they never have to enact: “In the event the company fails to maintain the business operations at the location for a minimum period of ten (10) years they shall pay the Devel- opment Commission one million dollars ($1,000,000) for the value of the land provided to the Company.”

“Failure to pay said amount within forty-five (45) days after receipt of the written request shall constitute a breach of the terms of this Agree- ment and shall be subject to the en- forcement provisions contained in Section 163.3243, Florida Statutes.”

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Happy Holidays!

To give our team members time with family and friends, there will be no garbage service on Thursday, November 26, and collection will be delayed the rest of the week by one day. Our offi ce will also be closed, but will reopen for normal business hours on Friday, November 27.

From our family to yours, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

from page 1

Food plant: Said to be 99+% certain...

Several policy revisions, new member is sworn

2 more deaths reported

Photocourtesyof AmAndA hodges

Attorney John Craven administers the oath of office to incoming school board member Amanda Hodges with her family by her side.

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mike anderson

press staff

Right now there’s only mounds of dirt and a reten- tion pond surrounded by new green grass on the trian- gular-shaped parcel at one of the busiest street corners in Glen St. Mary: CR 125 and George Taber Boulevard.

But by early next summer the site will be trans- formed into Baker County’s new 3-bay central county fire-rescue station, the largest ever built in Baker.

The county commission awarded a nearly $850,000 construction contract for the public safety project on No- vember 17 to KBT Construc- tion of Jacksonville. Some

$811,000 was funded by the state and the balance will come from the fire-rescue department budget.

Construction is scheduled to begin on the site, about a quarter of a mile south of Glen Baptist Church, in mid-December and by early summer the new station should be fully operational.

The agreement with KBT states that the “contract time shall not exceed 180 calen- dar days,” and if it should go beyond the allotted time the

company could be assessed liquidated damages of $500 per day.

KBT won the job with the lowest of five bids ranging from $849,546 to about $1.1 million submitted earlier this month. The winning bid included $4000 as an alternate bid for the addition of outdoor awnings.

Building designs for the 6000-square-foot steel- frame structure include a second story to be added to the firehouse for training space in the future with an outside staircase as well. The project also includes grading and drainage, concrete curb- ing and sidewalks, asphalt pavement and underground

utilities.

The new central station will be the hallmark achievement of a progressive multi-million-dollar over- haul of the fire and rescue operations initiated three years ago, which included higher annual assessments on property owners to pay for it all.

In addition to the construction contract for the new station commissioners approved a request by Fire-Rescue Chief Trev- or Nelson to purchase two new rescue units totaling

$407,186.

In a memo to the board, the chief said he had obtained two quotes for the vehicles, including one in

the amount of $222,455 for a Ford F450 to be used on 911 medical emergency calls, which he said was “approved through the budget process last year.”

The 911 rescue unit will be housed at the Sanderson station and “will also cover the north end of the county,”

said the chief in his memo.

The quote was lower than the budgeted amount of

$225,000.

The second quote,

$184,731, will buy a Ford F-350 rescue unit that the chief said would be used for “interfacility transports through the CARES Act- phase 2” funds for reim- bursements to local commu-

nities for financial impacts caused by COVID-19.

The F-350 will be based in Macclenny and in addition to transporting COVID patients to the hospital it will be used to “backup 911 responses as needed.”

“We would like to ap- prove this purchase together so that the Pre-build and Fi- nal Inspections can occur at the same time, thereby elim- inating the need for double the travel costs associated,”

the chief said in his memo.

The board unanimously approved the request.

The last agenda item related to the fire-rescue department was recognition and appreciation expressed to two outside agencies for equipment donations totaling $8600 in value. Ascen- sion Health donated mo- dems for heart monitors and Columbia County Fire Res- cue donated two surplus ex- trication tool sets.

In other business last week, the county commission:

• Received a financial report on the final closeout of the 2019-20 fiscal year, which ended on September 30, with a balanced budget of $48,824,550 and “all rev-

enues were over our expens- es,” said county finance clerk Cheryl Rewis.

Her report included re- funds totaling $407,505.66 in unspent money from the budgets of five constitutional officers:

1. Clerk of Courts Stacie Harvey - $142,093.45.

2. Sheriff Scotty Rhoden -

$112,657.99.

3. Tax Collector Amy Dugger - $98,296.69.

4. Property Appraiser Tim Sweat - $43,017.38.

5. Supervisor of Elections Nita Crawford - $11,440.15.

She credited department heads and constitutional offices with running a tight budget ship and “due dili- gence” to safeguard taxpayers money.

“With everybody saving and everybody helping,” she said, “we are able to sustain this budget that y’all have approved for this year.”

• Allocated $15,000 in CARES Act funds to hire roadside cleanup crews to pick up litter on county roadways that have become inundated with trash since state prisons and the county jail ceased providing inmate work crews when the COVID pandemic began last spring.

Baker county commission

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26

Register Online igfn.us/f/3151/n until November 20th Cost: $20 Individual/ $40 Family

Runners receive a t-shirt and finishers medal.

Get ready for a fun family VIRTUAL 5k run Thanksgiving morning!

Proceeds from the race will benefit our Teen Achiever Program in Baker County. Sponsored by Rotary Club of Baker County.

CANDY CANE TRAIL

Take a trip down the

CANDY CANE TRAIL

Be entered to win cash prizes by visiting all 22 businesses listed on page 2 of A Baker County Christmas magazine.

Copies are available at The Press offi ce or any participating businesses. Turn in your completed form by November 30 to be entered to win. Forms can be dropped off to The Press offi ce at 104 South Fifth Street, Macclenny.

The Baker County Press - 104 South Fift h Street, Macclenny

Photo by Mike Anderson The property in Glen St. Mary where construction is about to begin on the county’s newest fire station.

New fire station construction is nearly $850M

mike anderson

press staff

An application to operate a dog grooming business as a home occupation at a residence in Macclenny II along with half a dozen rezoning requests in other neighborhoods were approved by the Baker County Land Plan- ning Agency last week and sent to the county commission for final approval.

The first case, and the only one that generated much discussion by the citizen advisory panel, was an application for a special zoning exception submitted by Stacy and Joseph Doyle to open a dog grooming business at their home on 4710 Maple St.

Mrs. Doyle told the LPA board the evening of November 19 that she and her son planned to conduct the business in an enclosed 400-square-foot garage attached to their home and would only be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 7 a.m. to noon Sat- urday.

The name of her business, she said, would be “Furr Real,” and should not pose a nuisance as the dogs would remain inside the garage at all times and her property is at the end of a long, private dirt road on 2.7 acres of land.

“It’s going to be a very small business with limitations …” said Community Development Director Lara Diettrich, who submitted a report recommending approval of the application.

She said the home occupation license must be renewed every two years, is not transferable and no overnight boarding of dogs would be permitted.

The property is in the southwest corner of Macclenny II in an area with several other residences on private dirt roads that actually is not part of the subdivision.

“She lives on a private road. It is not a public road,” said Ms. Diettrich.

However, she said customers will

have to drive through Macclenny II to reach the Doyle residence, and that is why Ralph Martin came to the hearing to register his concerns.

“I don’t like a business in a neighborhood that’s going to create additional traffic,” Mr. Martin told the board, adding that many motorists speed along nearby roads, including Pine Street, a major thoroughfare in the neighborhood. “Nobody respects the speed limit on that road.”

He resides on nearby Oak Street,

“catty corner to them (the Doyles),”

adding that he has two grandchildren in the neighborhood and he’s “scared (for their safety).”

LPA member Phillip Zamarron not- ed that he also lives in Macclenny II and he had concerns about the potential for increased traffic, as well, adding that customers heading to the Doyle home

“would come within one block of me.”

Mrs. Doyle said she will limit her business to appointments only for a maximum of 16 dogs a day, but “more than likely I won’t be doing 16 dogs a day.” So, the most daily traffic she an- ticipates her business might generate is

“16 in, 16 out.”

When board member Greg Sheppard asked her if she would be willing to ad- just her business hours to avoid con- flicts with morning and afternoon rush hour traffic, she indicated she would.

“It’s not set in stone,” she said.

“She’s already expressed her willingness to be flexible (on her hours of op- eration),” said Ms. Diettrich. “Her personal story, to me, is compelling.”

Mrs. Doyle told the board that she had recovered from a serious illness recently and has a special needs child, her son, who will be helping her by bathing the dogs.

Mr. Martin seemed to soften his ob- jections near the end of the hearing, telling the board he could be satisfied,

“If they try to keep the dogs quiet and

avoid school bus traffic — I would have to have that happen at a minimum.”

At that, the board voted 5-0 to rec- ommend approval of the application.

Other cases recommended favorably included:

• Application for exemption to subdivision requirements for preliminary review of a 160-acre parcel east of CR 125 on the north side of Woodlawn Road between No Road Lane and Vicki Drive.

The applicants, Mark and Jeremy Lee and Carroll and Kristen Dyal proposed to subdivide the land into six parcels: one encompassing 116 acres and the others ranging from 14 acres down to 5 acres.

A companion application also was approved for rezoning a 5-acre portion of the larger parcel from Agriculture 7.5, which permits one dwelling unit per 7.5 acres, to Agriculture 5.0, which allows one unit per 5 acres, to bring the parcel into compliance with its proposed acreage and zoning. It is present- ly the site of an occupied mobile home.

• An ordinance rezoning a nearly 6.5 acre parcel at the end of North Or- ange Trail from AG 7.5 to AG 5.0 “for the purposes of bringing the parcel into compliance and the ability to create family lots.”

• An ordinance rezoning a roughly 8.8 acre parcel on Herbert Harris Road off CR 125 near Bob Burnsed Road from AG 10 to AG 5.0 to bring it into compliance with the zoning code.

• Three other applications request- ing rezoning to AG 5.0 for the purposes of bringing the parcels into compliance with the code and enabling the owners to create family lots also won approval: a 6.9 acre parcel on CR 23A between Tim Crews Road and Deer Creek Lane;

6.89 acres at the end of Papa Fraser Road between Farm Lane and Mobleys Trail; and 10 acres on CR 125 between Crews and Yarborough roads.

Dog grooming okay at a residence

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mike anderson

press staff

County Commissioner James Bennett attempted to end a feud last week with Clerk of Courts Stacie Har- vey over the theft of more than $150,000 from a county bank account in the spring of 2019 and his recent de- mand for financial documents related to the hacked account.

Instead, tempers flared between the board chairman and Ms. Harvey and county finance director Cheryl Rew- is at a commission meeting Nov. 17 after Mr. Bennett explained how he wanted to put an end to the controver- sy.“I’m going to do my best to bring closure to an issue here that has been a con- cern to me for some time,”

said Mr. Bennett, who ends his term as board chairman next month.

However, a near shouting match ensued later as Ms.

Harvey and Ms. Rewis ex- changed angry words with Mr. Bennett after he called for County Manager Sara Little’s name to be added to all county bank accounts, along with the clerk/comp- troller and finance director, to keep an eye on transactions for the county commission.

“I don’t like you questioning my job skills,” at one point Ms. Rewis told Com- missioner Bennett, adding,

“I have nothing to hide.”

Nonetheless, she said she did “not have a problem with her (Ms. Little) viewing the accounts,” but that the county manager would have no authority to do anything else.

Mr. Bennett said his main intent in having the county manager added to the accounts was simply to “give us an extra pair of eyes” and make financial information

“much more readily available.”

Ms. Little affirmed the commissioner’s intent in the following email to this reporter after the meeting:

“I would not be signing for any financial transactions. Only reviewing information such as bank statements or contacting the bank for information if the need ever arrived. Just an extra pair of eyes as Com- missioner Bennett said.”

Unlike two weeks earlier when Mr. Bennett was not supported by fellow commissioners in a call for an independent review of the missing funds, his request to have the county manager added to the accounts was approved by consensus.

As he introduced his rec- ommendation, Commis- sioner Bennett had a First Federal Bank statement from March-April 2019 projected onto a screen in the board room showing seven unauthorized withdrawals totaling $151,452.28 (the money was later restored) before officials noticed the suspicious activity and stopped payment on six other attempts to withdraw an additional $61,419.63.

“Total impacts would have been $217,872.21,” said

Mr. Bennett, who said he had requested copies of the financial documents “to find out how much was taken out and how much was put back in the account.”

However, the thefts did not begin two months earlier as he had indicated at a Nov. 5 board meeting when he said partially redacted financial statements showed fraudulent transactions had begun in January 2019.

“I was incorrect at the last board meeting when I said they started in January,” he said. “That was not correct.

They started in March.”

Friction between Mr.

Bennett and Ms. Harvey and her staff began in October after he issued a scathing assessment of her office for not responding in a timely manner to his requests for financial records regarding the hacked funds, which remain the focus of an active investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforce- ment.

Ms. Harvey and her sup- porters, about half a dozen of whom were at the meeting last week, have accused Mr.

Bennett of using his office to help fellow Republican Bob- by Gray defeat Ms. Harvey, a Democrat, in the Nov. 3 election, a race she won by 171 votes in a county heavily dominated by GOP voters.

The demeanor of those directly involved in the dis- pute, plus the applause that came after Ms. Harvey and Ms. Rewis spoke, indicated that Commissioner Ben- nett’s attempt to bring closure to the unrest was not succeeding.

One such moment came when Ms. Rewis responded to the chairman’s criticism for making him wait three weeks to receive the financial documents he had requested.

“I want to clear the air about this three-week turn- around,” said Ms. Rewis.

“There was a three-week de- lay because I was in the hospital. I was sick. I was three weeks late giving him his records request. So I apolo- gize, James Bennett.”

Ms. Rewis went on to say that she had always tried to respond to any request for financial information from any commissioner, regardless of the time of day or night, and that she had always “done my due dili- gence” to protect taxpayers money.

Further, she said, she had sought the consent of the FDLE and the county attorney before releasing the bank statements since the hacked accounts remained under active internal and external investigations.

As she returned to her seat several people in the audience, presumably friends and staff members of the clerk’s office, applauded.

Commissioner Bennett’s position was not changed by

Ms. Rewis’ comments, however.

“First of all, any time an office is required to have one person that can do a func- tion I will tell you there are challenges in that office,” he said. “It shouldn’t take three weeks to get information on documents. Irregardless whether one person is ill or not, it shouldn’t take three weeks to get information that is on our own (county commission) account.

“That’s why I want to eliminate having to wait in case you are … sick for another reason in the future.

You can take offense, Cheryl, you can get upset if you want but the fact still remains that $151,000 was taken out of the public’s account over a period of five to six weeks that was not caught until after it was done.

“Whether the clerk’s upset with me, whether you’re upset with me, regardless of who’s upset with me, the fact is $151,452 was taken out of that account and it was oc- curring over a month before it was ever caught.”

Regardless that the sto- len money was restored to the account and the county made financially whole, as Ms. Harvey had previously stated, Commissioner Ben- nett defended his right to request the records to prove it.

“I make no apologies to anyone for my actions to make sure the public’s money has been returned,” he said.

After he concluded his remarks Mr. Bennett recognized Ms. Harvey, who had been standing at the podium for several minutes waiting for her chance to speak.

“You know what Mr. Ben- nett? I feel like we have always had a very open relationship (between the clerk’s office and the county), but all of a sudden you don’t feel like you can call the clerk’s office?” said Ms. Harvey. “I

called you four times; I never got a call back.”

“That is not a factual statement. I have never had four calls from you,” said Commissioner Bennett, in- terrupting the clerk. “Were you not aware that I made a request …”

Before he could finish that statement Ms. Harvey interrupted him, saying,

“You don’t understand, we have more than just this side (county) to cover, we have the clerk’s office to take care of. Plus, you wait till year- end to make a request and we’re trying to close out the fiscal year (budget).”

“That is your job, that you were elected to do,” responded Mr. Bennett.

The two constitutional officers continued to argue, speaking over each other in increasingly loud tones for several more minutes, re- sulting in another round of applause from members of the audience as Ms. Harvey returned to her seat.

The only commissioner who expressed reservations about adding the county manager to bank accounts was Mark Hartley, a former commissioner who was sworn into office for another term an hour before the board meeting began last week.

“I really see no need to have her (county manager) on there,” said Mr. Hart- ley. “But the majority of the board has spoken.”

A former Democrat who switched to the Republi- can Party after his defeat in 2016, Mr. Hartley said during his previous term in office “the clerk always an- swered my questions” and he had no reason to think the relationship would not continue to be a good one.

County Attorney Rich Ko- mando was directed to have the county manager’s name added to the county bank accounts.

Baker county commission

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NOTICE OF PROPOSED SUBDIVISION FOR FINAL

DEVELOPMENT PLAN REVIEW

Board of County Commissioners of Baker County, Florida will consider a proposed SUBDIVISION FOR FINAL DEVEL- OPMENT PLAN REVIEW described in this advertisement.

The public is hereby notified that the Board of County Commissioners of Baker County will meet on Tuesday, De- cember 15, 2020 at 6 P.M., or as soon thereafter as can be heard, in the Board of County Commissioners Meeting Room, 55 North Third Street, Macclenny, Florida to take final action on the proposed Subdivision for Final Devel- opment Plan Review and the corresponding required documents.

The subject parcels are 157.94 +/- acres located one mile west of SR 121 South on Southern States Nursery Road (Parcel ID Nos. 13-3S-21-0000-0000-0020 and 13-3S-21- 0000-0000-0023). The applicant proposes to create large family lots, being no less than 5.00 acres, for detached single-family homes. A change in land use, zoning, and an exemption to subdivision requirements for preliminary review have already been approved.

Location Address

One mile west of SR 121 South on Southern Nursery Road Parcel Identification Nos. 13-3S-21-0000-0000-0020 and 13-3S-21-0000-0000-0023

After the public hearing, the Board may take immediate action to adopt the proposed amendment, or may continue its deliberations to a date, time and place then announced without publishing further notice thereof. A copy of the proposed amendment is available for inspection by the public at the Baker County Community Development De- partment, 360 East Shuey Avenue, Macclenny, FL, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays. Interested parties may appear at the meetings and be heard with respect to the proposed amendment.

Pursuant to Section 286.0105, Florida Statues, a person deciding to appeal any decision made by the Local Planning Agency or Board of County Commissioners with respect to any matter considered at the meeting or at any subsequent meeting to which the Board has continued its deliberations is advised that such person will need a record of all proceedings and may need to ensure that a verbatim record of all proceedings is made, which must include the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person needing a special accommodation to participate in this matter should contact the Baker County ADA Coordi- nator by mail at 55 North Third Street, Macclenny, Florida, 32063 or by telephone at (904) 259-3613 no later than three (3) days prior to the hearing or proceeding for which this notice has been given.

NOTICE OF AMENDMENTS TO THE 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN INCLUDING AMENDMENT OF

THE FUTURE LAND USE MAP

The public is hereby notiﬁ ed that the Board of County Commissioners of Baker County (BCC) will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at 6:00 PM or as soon thereafter as can be heard, with the hearing being held in person. The public hearing is for the purpose of considering the ADOPTION of amendments to the Baker County 2040 Comprehensive Plan including amendments to the 2040 Future Land Use Map that will, if adopted, change the land use designation on real property within the Coun- ty. The public hearings are scheduled for the purpose of receiving public comment pursuant to Section 163.3187, Florida Statutes, on the proposed amendments the 2040 Baker County Comprehensive Plan.

ORDINANCE 2020 - 30 AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COM- MISSIONERS OF BAKER COUNTY, FLORIDA, ADOPTING THE PROSPECTIVE REPEAL OF ORDINANCE NO. 91-1 WHICH ADOPTED THE BAKER COUNTY COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AND ALL SUBSEQUENT AMENDMENTS THERETO;

ADOPTING THE BAKER COUN- TY 2040 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN WHICH WILL CONTROL FUTURE LAND USE, GUIDE PUBLIC FACILITIES, AND PRO- TECT NATURAL RESOURCES PURSUANT TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMPREHEN- SIVE PLANNING AND LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATION ACT (CHAPTER 163, PART II, FLORIDA STATUTES), INCLUD- ING A FUTURE LAND USE

ELEMENT, TRAFFIC CIRCULATION ELEMENT, HOUSING ELEMENT, PUBLIC FACILITIES ELEMENT, CONSERVATION ELEMENT, RECREATION AND OPEN SPACE ELEMENT, INTER- GOVERNMENTAL COORDINATION ELEMENT, CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS ELEMENT, ECO- NOMIC DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT, PUBLIC SCHOOL FACILITIES ELEMENT AND FUTURE CONDITIONS MAPS INCLUDING THE 2040 FUTURE LAND USE MAP; PROVIDING DI- RECTIONS TO STAFF; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

The BCC will consider the amendment for adoption at the hearing on December 15, 2020 after considering comments provided by the DEO and the public.

After the public hearing the BCC may take immediate action to adopt, adopt with changes or decline to adopt the proposed amendments or may continue its deliberations to a date, time and place then announced without publishing further notice thereof. A copy of the proposed amendments is available for inspection by the public by appoint- ment at the Baker County Community Development Department, 360 E. Shuey Ave in Macclenny, between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding legal holidays, or a copy may be obtained by contacting Lara Diettrich at lara.

diettrich@ bakercountyﬂ .org. If you have any questions or need additional information regarding the proposed land use change please contact the Baker County Community Development Department at (904) 259-2403.

Pursuant to Section 286.0105, Florida Statues, a person deciding to appeal any decision made by the Board of County Commissioners of Baker County with respect to any matter considered at the meeting or at any subsequent meeting to which the BCC has continued its deliberations is advised that such person will need a record of all proceedings and may need to ensure that a verbatim record of all proceedings is made, which must include the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person needing a special accommodation to participate in this matter should contact the Baker County ADA Co- ordinator by mail at 55 North Third Street, Macclenny, Florida, 32063 or by telephone at (904) 259-3613 no later than three (3) days prior to the hearing or proceeding for which this notice has been given.

PARTICIPATION INSTRUCTIONS

Written comments may be sent to the attention of the Baker County Community De- velopment Department, 360 E Shuey Ave, Macclenny, Florida 32063. Emails may be forwarded to lara. diettrich@bakercountyﬂ .org. You are encouraged to participate in the public hearings and be heard on matters pertaining to the proposed amendments.

Additional instructions regarding viewing of and participation in the public hearing or to obtain a copy of the agenda are available on the County’s website at www.bakercoun- tyﬂ .org. If there are any questions or concerns regarding access to this meeting, please contact the County Administration Ofﬁ ce at 904-259-3613.

Clerk-chairman fued re-erupts

It’s getting to be that time of year again. We’ll soon be preparing those scrumptious Thanksgiving

dinners & Christmas goodies! Let’s not forget the long-awaited New Year appetizers! We are here for all your appliance needs.

Call or message us at

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Al-Anon to meet Thursday

You’re invited! Al- Anon, a support group for families and friends of alcoholics meets every Thursday at the library at the First United Method- ist Church on North 5th St. in Macclenny.

We welcome people anytime between 6-8 p.m. For more details, call (904) 350-0600 or Ms. Donnie at (904) 305- 6874.

A Florida Highway Patrol trooper arrested a Macclenny motorist in the post-midnight hours of November 22 and charged her with driving drunk with a blood-alcohol level just over twice the legal limit.

Trooper T. Hofmann said he was called to the parking lot of the Council on Aging in downtown Macclenny about 2 a.m. after a Honda Accord driven by Desiree Harnar, 20, was involved in a collision with an unmarked sheriff’s department vehicle driven by Lt. Michael Hauge. The officer earlier observed the Honda exit Gator Patrick’s bar on U.S. 90 east and nearly cause two accidents.

The trooper observed common signs

of intoxication when questioning Ms. Harnar, who had a Ne- vada driver’s license but said she currently resided in Mac- clenny. She failed a field sobriety test and a breathalyser test that returned a level of .176, or nearly twice the legal limit.

Ms. Harnar’s demeanor at the jail ranged from coopera- tive to cursing and yelling, according to the offense report.

Desiree Harnar

DUI after vehicle collides with SO

Alcoholics Anonymous

Meetings Mon. - Sat. @ 8 pm 8981 S. SR 228, Macclenny Meeting Monday @ 6:30 pm

93 N. 5th St., Macclenny