Bob Jones: High Springs City Commission should embrace the city’s identity and traditions
Letter to the editor
The will of a small city to define its traits and characteristics is a powerful expression of local identity and a desire for self-determination. Small cities often have unique histories, cultures, and natural landscapes that shape their distinctiveness. By defining their traits and characteristics, small cities can cultivate a strong sense of community pride and establish a clear identity that sets them apart from larger urban centers.
To define its traits and characteristics, a small city can undertake several initiatives:
1. Embrace its history: Small cities often have rich historical backgrounds that can be a source of pride and inspiration. By preserving and promoting their heritage, small cities can create a sense of continuity and celebrate the accomplishments of their past. An example would be “Pioneer Day,” which we yearly celebrate.
2. Highlight local culture and traditions: Small cities often have unique cultural expressions, such as local festivals, traditional crafts, or culinary specialties. By showcasing and supporting these cultural elements, a small city can reinforce its distinctiveness and foster a vibrant community spirit.
3. Promote local businesses and entrepreneurship: Encouraging the growth of local businesses not only contributes to the economic well-being of a small city but also helps shape its character. By supporting local entrepreneurs and artisans, a small city can develop a distinct commercial landscape that reflects its values and aspirations. An example would be the local “ Artist Walk” around the downtown area. The Music in the Park series. Plus the weekly Farmers Market.
4. Enhance community engagement and participation: Giving residents a voice in shaping the city’s future is crucial for building a shared sense of identity. Small cities can promote community engagement through public forums, participatory decision-making processes, and collaborative initiatives that allow residents to actively contribute to defining the city’s traits and characteristics.
5. Showcase natural beauty and environmental stewardship: Many small cities are blessed with picturesque landscapes, parks, or natural landmarks. By prioritizing environmental sustainability and preserving the natural beauty of their surroundings, small cities can establish a reputation as environmentally conscious and attractive places to live and visit.
6. Foster educational and artistic endeavors: Investing in education and the arts is essential for nurturing creativity and intellectual growth. Small cities can support schools, cultural institutions, and community centers to provide opportunities for learning, artistic expression, and cultural exchange, which in turn contribute to the city’s unique character.
7. Collaborate with neighboring communities: Small cities can form alliances and partnerships with neighboring communities to collectively promote their shared regional identity. By working together, small cities can leverage their combined strengths, resources, and cultural diversity to define a distinctive regional character.
Overall, the will of a small city to define its traits and characteristics requires a collective effort and ongoing commitment from residents, local businesses, community leaders, and municipal authorities. By embracing their unique qualities and actively shaping their identity, small cities can create vibrant, thriving communities that attract visitors and foster a strong sense of belonging among residents.
Bob Jones, High Springs
The opinions expressed by letter or opinion writers are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of AlachuaChronicle.com. Letters may be submitted to info@alachuachronicle.com and are published at the discretion of the editor.
Ironic that Bob spouts “promote local businesses” yet actively states in a previous letter to the editor “While we recognize that growth is inevitable, it is crucial that we approach it with great caution, ensuring that our cherished heritage buildings and communities remain intact.”
Sounds like Bob only wants what Bob deems fit for Bob’s vision of the city.
Matt it sounds like you’re desperately trying to attack his character while also admitting he remains consistent in his statements. Sounds to me like he’s repeatedly stating he supports responsible growth.
There is a presumption here that promoting local businesses while approaching growth with great caution are mutually exclusive tenants, however, certainly the two can be intimately interconnected. There is infinite potential to support local businesses while maintaining the quality of life that people have moved to High Springs to embrace.
Dear Katherine, perhaps one of the finest Mayors ever of High Springs Florida, a simple request, if the commission would approve a simple small commercial district, dead center in the middle of the New 2200 house Briarwood residential district, keep an eye out for the gopher turtles, perhaps then all the noisy all night long bars will move to the more welcoming Briarwood noise district. And that will save our Historical residential downtown district. Thank you
Excellent request!!!
But I border it and don’t want that noise in my backyard
Agreed on all points! It is obvious Bob understands small town life!
Very well said Bob. A lot of people moving in wants the amenities of the place they have moved from due to crime, over tourism, etc. High Springs has always been a conservative community but the developers care only about the money for them in building subdivisions….so what one has to wait in a long line to get to work or go home. It’s just the locals that see the ramifications of overpopulation. Next we will have street gangs, loud music and drunks in our down town area like the larger cities. Just saying. Big city crime will come here, let’s keep us a sleepy community, a refreshing step back in time.
You are so right on all counts. If we don’t correct the course, it’s only a matter of time….
Great letter, Bob.
The commission from the past 8 or 9 years ago has turned our town into some kind of noisy entertainment tourists trap, there narrow vision didn’t much care about the quality of life for the residents that live all the way around the downtown residental historical district and that commission let it be taken over by noisy money changers that cater to drunkards and noise, leaving the residents with a 26% property tax increase, its on the way folks. Not too long ago this town was a pleasant walkable antique shopping town with a couple of quiet restaurants. I read the words, it came from one of the noisy bars, we will do what we want and if the commission don’t like it, we will move to Newberry where it’s more business friendly, Well then go! It will be better for the Historical residental
district of High Springs, Fine letter Mr Bob.
Some are not really stating fact. I moved here 20 years ago. The downtown area was struggling then. Lots of 2nd hand shops and even they were having issues and empty buildings. We were blessed when a wonderful couple came in and took over the GO Restaurant and made it into a vibrant restaurant. Unfortunately, they also moved on.
The reason the town is still struggling and will continue to struggle along with Newberry & Alachua is landlords with visions of grandeur. They put these small buildings up for high rent. Not all, we are lucky to have a few long-time owners who’s rents are reasonable. Some are these unrealistic owners are new residents and even a handful of old timers. The businesses cannot survive if the rents are too high. These owners need to get a reality check. Look at downtown of Alachua, a prime situation of high rents and high turnover. Newberry struggles too. Obviously no one is really looking at their historic downtown. High Springs has the healthiest downtown and that is not saying much. At the moment we have 7 empty stores. Now, some stores are empty because business owners age out and retire but if rents are at a reasonable rate for the landlord and the renter perhaps new young people will take them, if we don’t scare them away.
I also have to come out and say something about the Brewery. They took an old welding eyesore and made it a family hangout. I don’t drink beer but have gone often to participate in their family friendly activities and never saw misbehavior, rudeness or drunkenness. I played trivia, watched a movie, a game, visited with local friends, danced and shopped in their Hops & Shops with local creators. They also sponsored our town art festival. They sponsor a lot of good local causes.
On the positive side we do have younger entrepreneur’s taking a chance (Decades) and doing well. We also need the locals to shop in town. I hate to say this but most of the list of names I see who complain all over social media the most, never shop in town. Small-town businesses won’t make it if locals don’t eat in our eateries or shop in our stores. The tourists are not here all the time. Most of my customers are coming from Gainesville, Tallahassee and tourists. I also get big sales from new homeowners who recently moved here. We have great people downtown why not come and get to know them?
We can keep our town sweet if we all agree to cooperate and support those who work hard to make a living in this town. If you don’t as I have said before, you will have the Vape Shops, Dollar Generals and then when a space stays vacant too long it will fall apart and be condemned, then the Walmarts and big box stores will swoop in.
I believe one of Bob’s concerns is for downtown residents. They are continually told if they don’t like the noise and don’t want bars in downtown High Springs, they should move. Why should they move? Others are encroaching on their home life. They’ve paid for the their homes and they pay taxes, while supporting local businesses. They have to listen to loud music as it is but certainly do not want more. And Sunday is their one day of peace. The commission is not kicking the can down the road. A decision was made in 2020, but as one of the Brewery’s owners said, they will continue to push the envelope so prepare to continue seeing this issue.
Then the citizens need to vote the people allowing this to happen out. It’s that simple. Stop going to the establishment and maybe they will belly up. I’m all for kicking these places out of town. They can go to Alachua if they want big city.
Yes. And that’s why the brewery supported Grunter to make these changes. Luckily a few others were voted off the commission so we are relying on those few to stop the loudness of downtown. It’s so loud between the restaurants and brewery you can’t have a conversation. Why not have them turn down their sound systems. No need to have your car vibrate at the stop light from TGO, or windows rattle from the music at the brewery. Keep it quieter. Geesh
You are 100 percent right. Then the sound of dual exhaust and crotch rockets (organ donors) speeding out of town after bar closing also. It sounds like gainesville after bar closing. Maybe the new commissioners can look into this. I wonder if there are noise ordinances on the books that can address some of this.
How many times must the community come out to say that we want to maintain the historic, small-town charm? Only four years ago was this challenge put to rest. At the last commission meeting, a straw-pole was suggested. Someone in the audience asked, “Doesn’t the opinions of the people in the room count?” If our new city leadership truly wants to maintain the city’s own mission statement, they must uphold the wishes of the majority and not allow a small group of vocal individuals to continually challenge the ordinances that threaten the culture we wish to keep.
Well written good job Bob Jones. It’s people like you that make small town communities attractive to others. Thank you
Kudos to Commissioner Wayne Bloodsworth for bringing attention to a decision being made on the floor of the Dias. He asked, “So let me get this straight. We are going to continue to do something we know is wrong, because we have done it wrong in the past?”
These types of clarifying questions are exactly what we need to stimulate important discussion that protects the wishes of the residents who live here. Thank you Commissioner Bloodsworth for supporting your constituents wishes!