Alachua County Commission and High Springs City Commission discuss youth literacy and infrastructure projects in joint meeting
BY DAVID LIGHTMAN
HIGH SPRINGS, Fla. – At a June 6 Joint City/County Commission Meeting, Alachua County Commissioners joined City of High Springs Commissioners at the High Springs City Hall. City Commissioner Wayne Bloodsworth was absent.
High Springs Mayor Katherine Weitz began the meeting, “Good evening, everyone. Thank you so much for coming to this joint meeting of the City of High Springs City Commission and the Alachua County Commission. We appreciate you all coming out and joining us in High Springs.”
Weitz handed the gavel over to Alachua County Commission Chair Mary Alford. Alford said, “I hope this meeting is a good opportunity for you to learn more about how we’re working together with High Springs, and we’d love to hear what you have to say about issues that the County can help you with.”
Youth literacy
Alford introduced the first topic, youth literacy. Weitz said, “There’s a lady named Ann Lane who brings her therapy dog to our Public Library here every other week for children’s opportunity to read to a dog. And it’s absolutely magical, the transformation that you can see when a child who, when they meet you, they stutter, and when they’re reading to a dog, they’re completely at peace. It’s amazing. It’s been incredibly impactful here, and, you know, hopefully that might take off.”
County Commissioner Anna Prizzia said, “I just wanted to mention,… we have been collaborating with the Children’s Trust… and working towards a comprehensive literacy assessment for Alachua County. It’s sort of a needs assessment. It will look across the entire county, including all the municipalities, so we’ll definitely need your participation. It will gather data on what’s already being done, where the gaps are, where the needs are, and then that will help us to craft ultimately the ideas to create a comprehensive literacy plan for the County in collaboration with the School Board and the Children’s Trust. But not just for children’s literacy – also for adult literacy.”
Weitz suggested trying to partner with Gator Paws, a local group that provides therapy dogs, if they wish to pursue getting “non-judgmental, safe” dogs into elementary school libraries.
County Commissioner Ken Cornell said the Children’s Trust is heavily invested in reaching out to the smaller municipalities to help with literacy. County Commissioner Marihelen Wheeler added that the libraries have many programs to help adults improve their literacy.
Infrastructure tax partnership projects
Alford introduced the next topic, an update on the City of High Springs’ proposed infrastructure tax partnership projects. City Manager Jeremy Marshall said High Springs was able to buy at least six pumps with the sales surtax funds. Marshall said some projects were put on hold due to not having a Public Works Director, but a new Director is in the process of being hired.
Weitz said the City is building a second wastewater treatment plant, and they are trying to direct runoff away from the Santa Fe River; they are hoping to partner with the County to help protect the river. Alford said she will be interested to hear how the plan moves through the Water Management District, and she added that the County hopes to build a rail trail between High Springs and Newberry when that becomes possible. Alford said, “I know everybody would love that.” Weitz said she would reach out to Newberry Mayor Jordan Marlowe to collaborate on the rail trail project. Commissioners discussed a canoe outpost as another worthwhile project.
County transportation projects
The last topic for the joint meeting was an update on County transportation projects impacting High Springs, introduced by Alachua County Growth Management Director Jeffrey Hays. He said the County has received a Federal grant of $350,000 through the Safe Streets for All program, which will be used to increase safety for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians throughout the county.
Hays said there is also another related project, a county-wide bicycle and pedestrian master plan with a budget of $254,000 funded by the MTPO (Metropolitan Transit Planning Organization). Hays said they are in the process of hiring a consultant to help prioritize bicycle and pedestrian projects.
Hays continued, “When we look at (the State’s road projects), the only one of any import in the area is the resurfacing of U.S. Highway 27/41. That’s basically from the City of Newberry to U.S. 441. [The road segment is] about 3.3 miles. That’s an $11 million project that is scheduled for sometime in the 2025-2026 fiscal year. That’s a resurfacing project that FDOT is taking on.”
Commissioners discussed Poe Springs Road and the need for a traffic light and/or turn lane at Main Street (27/41). Weitz said people routinely take a shortcut through downtown and endanger pedestrians near the High Springs Brewery.
Alachua County Public Works Director Ramon Gavarrete came to the podium. He listed all upcoming County road projects in the next five years within five miles of High Springs, at a cost of over $33 million. Gavarrete said they are always applying for grants and other sources of funding.
Cornell said, “It’s nice to see that priority being in this area. The growth of High Springs and the priority of this Commission to put infrastructure dollars in this area, I think, is great. I appreciate that.”
Gavarrete mentioned that construction on NW 23rd Avenue has begun, and he suggested taking an alternate route if possible. Gavarrete said, “There’s a lot of work that is about to start on the roadways around the county.”
Alford: “All of these roads were picked dispassionately”
Alford said, “And just to remind the public, all of these roads were picked dispassionately. We did not go through and say, ‘Well, we think we should do that and not that.’ It was all done with a computer program with ranking systems, and we let the computer decide.” Prizzia clarified that staff drove all the roads and input the data into the model, so it wasn’t strictly the computer’s decision. Gavarrete said these road evaluations all took place in 2020, and he plans to re-evaluate the roads about every five years to keep the data up-to-date.
General public comment
During general public comment, David Linch said alcohol kills 8,000 people a day according to World Health Organization statistics, and he doesn’t feel the brewery or other alcohol-related businesses should be promoted in any way by the City or County. During a lengthy response, Prizzia said, “Even Jesus turned water into wine.” Alford followed by saying, “Your point is heard, sir… It does give us pause.”
County Commission comment
During County Commission comment, Wheeler said she is excited to see the work beginning on the Priest Theatre. Wheeler said, “I’m your girl! I’ll make sure you have a card before I leave, to do what I can, you know, to make sure… your needs are heard, at least, at the County.”
Cornell mentioned that, following his doctor’s advice, he watched the Netflix documentary, Live to 100 – Secrets of the Blue Zone. Cornell said, “In there, there’s a couple of cities that really have adopted that philosophy and that approach, and as I was watching, I was thinking about High Springs.”
Alford said, “In my mind, coming to High Springs is like a little vacation every time I come here, because it just reminds me of my childhood and all of those times I always thought I’d want to live here, but I ended up in Archer, dang it.”
High Springs Commission comment
During High Springs Commission comment, Commissioner Andrew Miller said he agrees that the Children’s Trust is important, especially to High Springs.
Commissioner Byran Williams said, “Thank you, guys, for listening to us… and having a dialogue with us… We are a part of Alachua County.”
Commissioner Tristan Grunder asked about the status of High Springs’ request to expand their CRA (Community Redevelopment Area) zone. Alachua County Senior Planner Leslie McLendon said he looks forward to working with new City Manager Jeremy Marshall to move things along with the CRA.
After praising Marshall’s work so far, Mayor Weitz said, “Thank you for coming to our little corner of the world. We kind of like it here.”
Thank you Anna Prizzia for a stupid, tone deaf comment “Jesus turned water into wine”. That gentlemen speaks at almost every meeting with the same comment, and I’m sure he felt real appreciated when she said that.
Ken Cornell “at the advice of his doctor” (pointless comment) watched a documentary about blue zones, and somehow he believes High Springs has some similarity to that? What world does he live in?
What the heck is wrong with these morons? They talk just to hear themselves speak, which is a sure sign of foolishness.
It’s good to have some strong leadership back at the City Manager position.
Some people will do anything — literally anything — that a doctor recommends. That hasn’t worked out too well over the past several years has it?
For the heathen fool Pizzia. Turning water into wine. Jesus chose a wedding to perform His first miracle, doubtless to emphasize the sanctity of marriage. (See Gen. 2:18-25) This first miracle teaches us a valuable lesson: Jesus can provide for our needs. We may not always get what we want, but when we turn to the Lord, our needs are met so we can pursue a deeper relationship with Him. A metaphorical lesson is to pay less attention to the wine and instead focus on the winemaker Focusing on the wrong things is something many of us do. Your focus may be on a fancy new car or a bigger house. Whatever you face, don’t let it take your focus from the Lord.
Very well stated, Bear
As an atheist, I would recommend focusing on reality and using your logical capabilities as best you can, and not the writings of multiple authors from way before the Dark Ages describing the supernatural being they imagined.
Your welcome to your religious beliefs, but since you are using them to criticize others on a public non-religious forum, you have to expect criticism and feedback.
Pizz started with her crappy insulting comments. I just clarified what the good book says about it and what most Christians interpret it as. She is so insulting. It’s not like her true motives were not known on the Isreal issue when she opened up her liberal gator a few months ago. As for you, your choice of being an atheist is solely your decision and is not for everyone. But too each their own. High Springs has a lot of people that believe in the Lord and probably do not appreciate Pizz’s comment. It’s just Cornhole trying to relate the Blue Zones to High Springs. The documentary doesnt even mention a blue zone in the USA except in Loma Linda, CA if you really want to consider California part of the USA. And the whole BS with all the wasted time turns out to be one thing – lifestyle choice. People live a lifestyle that includes a healthy diet, daily exercise, and a low-stress life that incorporates family, purpose, religion, and meaning. Hence they live longer. That is why the High Springs Brewery is a city thing not a county thing. Our city can decide what is best for it. We have great schools with exceptional grading. We dont need the County Commission involving itself. Look at the mess they have created in Newberry. And in Gainesville, enough said.
Your right Bear, I have no opinion on the spat you take such offense with on the true meaning of words written in a tent 2000 years ago, and will leave that to you and other believers.
As to California being in the USA, maybe it will surprise you to know that over that last 8 presidential elections, it voted for the candidate most voters in the US did, with the exception of Bush in 2004, which was the only time in those elections that voters actually went with the GOP candidate. Based on that I think California clearly not only belongs in the US but is with the majority of it’s citizens, unlike you and those other right wing clowns who like to claim being “real Americans”.
Well, no, you are certainly in a minority and while I would not question the patriotism or right to be considered Americans of well over 90% of our fellow citizens – including you – but you have no standing to call out others you disagree with as somehow being aliens.
In another post you suggested I should maybe leave north central Florida – because I objected to having my Fl House Rep in McClenny when I live 9 miles from University and Main – and was clearly a “sissy”, so this seems to be a habit with you. Maybe you should know I’ve probably been here longer than you, work in construction and before that farming (where I personally tackled and castrated the bull calves every year with a sharp knife) and get along fine every day with my redneck and black co-workers. We don’t BS about who is a real American though – we just are – so you probably would not be comfortable.
Same old Jazzy Eastman. I don’t refer to people illegally crossing our borders as aliens. Aliens are from outer space. They are illegal trespassers. Just look at the eight ISIS terrorists they just caught in New York, Pennsylvania, and CALIFORNIA. All blue states. The eight illegally came through under DIsfuntional Joe’s watch and BS policies. As far as you trying to justify for patriotism I find it funny that you have to justify that you personally gave friends who are black and rednecks. You prove my point that liberals are true segregationists. You need to justify race, background, and religion people you know by pointing out their differences. Me, I have just FRIENDS who love our country and our lifestyle ways.
I’ll take your non-responsive post as surrender on who real Americans are and that they include Californians.
By the way, I was in segregated Gainesville in 1963-65 and was active in the civil rights movement here, so not only are your previous insinuations about who real men are wrong, but also your now stupid allegations about segregation. Here’s a clue – stop speculating about who people you’ve never met are based on your BS politics. You’ll note I don’t do that with you or others.
Truth hurts ole jazzy eastman. You dont have to keep justifying you are not a segregationist. I understand your trying to be a good liberal.
California is a joke and really deserves no talking point untell they fix their state governor and government. People are fleeing that state in masses that gave not been seen before. Businesses are closing and leaving. The state government is trying to fine and tax businesses for leaving. How stupid is that? And your comment about inferring that Pizzira may be a Christian contradicts your above statement just a little. Also you noted that you were here for the segregation in Gainesville in the 60s. Explain then why a decades long liberal city and county still segregate groups of people and businesses to certain areas of town. You would have thought that the demoncrats would have this mess cleared up and minority groups would be in every neighborhood in the county but they are not. Once again its the liberals and demoncrats fas lighting minorities telling them that they have their best interests in hand but we will segregate you in low income neighbors so you cant prosper. Explain why Gainesville wants to build all of these luxury Apartment Complexes but no can afford to live in them. All I ever see are Demoncrats continuously keeping the thumb on people and gaslighting them that they cant do without demoncrats.
I’ve lived in Florida, not California, almost my entire life, so I’m not sure why you think attacking that state has any relevancy to anything but especially any bearing on your previously disproven claim that those who do live there are maybe not real Americans. But I accept your surrender on that issue and tacit agreement that you were wrong and we are all Real Americans.
As to other personal attacks on me, that’s equally irrelevant to our discussion – note that I have made no assumptions, asked any questions, or GAFF about your personal life and details.
As to societal problems stemming from the 400 years of slavery and legal segregation which you blame on a party which you have assigned a cute middle school level nickname, note that red governments all over the south and as nearby as Lake City and Ocala have similar problems, if not worse.
Try harder next time or I’ll ignore you.
Ok concrete finisher then stop commenting on my posts so I can ignore you. You started I finished.
You’re a product of chance and time. How do you trust anything you say?
The fact that she thinks she can run her mouth about Jesus says a lot. I don’t remember her rambling about Mohammed or Political Zionism during all of the Israel/Palestine discussions that seem to never cease.
Her agenda is beyond obvious.
Uh, maybe because she’s a Christian? They do tend to do that.
Don’t hold your breath waiting for her to talk about Jesus throwing the money changers out of the temple. Many of the people who support the brewery have been openly disrespectful to the Christian segment there in High Springs. At this point, that’s probably the main reason they’re still not open on Sundays and may not ever be.
My guess is that plenty of Christians “support the brewery” or there’s a lot more atheists, Muslims , and Jews in High Springs than anyone thinks.
If you only knew. Again gaslighting. Thanks concrete finisher…. Slice was spot on about you.
If I was lying about my past and present, don’t you think I’d come up with something better?
But hey, I’m flattered that you clowns – who’s past and present is of no interest to me, but who’s behavior on this forum warrants that label – are so impressed with the facts of my personal life that you need to denigrate it to try and make otherwise unattainable points in our discussions.
Awwww you are upset.
Vote her out! District 3 has a stellar candidate running against Prizzia.
Commissioners: do your elected job and enough of the social justice warrior BS that you are there to fix everything in Society. Your job is to fix the roads. I pay taxes to the School Board and it is their job to teach kids to read. You want to promote literacy, run for school board. Do your real job. Stop the “I am here to fix everything.”