News from St. Johns County District 1

Christian Whitehurst

District 1

Board of County Commissioners

P: 904.209.0301

C: 904.584.5348

bcc1cwhitehurst@sjcfl.us

Hello

Thank you for registering for the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners District 1 newsletter. Inside you will find an update regarding projects and events in District 1, and timely information about St. Johns County programs, services, and initiatives.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the voters of our community for electing me to represent you, District 1, and all of St. Johns County for the next four years. As a third generation Floridian, I take pride in our community and have lived in Julington Creek, where my wife Courtney and I now raise our two daughters, for over twenty years.

As a job creator and business owner, I appreciate the importance of strong leadership. I also understand the value of serving your community and have done so with the United Way of St. Johns County, Daniel Kids, March of Dimes, and the Special Olympics of Florida. I will continue to serve with the same conviction while on the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners. With a fiscally conservative approach, I will focus on economic development, infrastructure, and core services while also supporting our youth, veterans, law enforcement, and other first responders.

I believe that communication is the key to the County Commission serving you at the highest level possible and am always available to discuss how we can continue to make St. Johns County an amazing place to call home. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or suggestions on how your county can best serve you.

Sincerely,

Christian Whitehurst

District 1

St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners

St. Johns County COVID-19 Vaccination Program

Initiated in January, St. Johns County’s vaccination program is currently ranked among the highest in the state of Florida. Those interested in receiving the COVID-19 vaccine from St. Johns County at the Solomon Calhoun Community Center, 1300 Duval St., may do so by preregistering for an appointment at sjcvaccineappointment.sjcfl.us. To receive text notifications regarding the program, text SJCVACCINE to 888777. To learn more about COVID-19 vaccination eligibility, identification and residency requirements, and preregistration, call the St. Johns County COVID-19 vaccination hotline at 904.295.3711. You must dial all ten digits to reach the COVID-19 vaccine hotline. We thank you for your support and patience as St. Johns County continues to administer COVID-19 vaccines to the community as quickly and safely as possible.

St. Johns, Putnam, and Flagler Tri-county Meeting

Members of the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners, Flagler County Board of County Commissioners, and Putnam County Board of County Commissioners hosted a regional meeting April 1, to discuss local issues that impact all three counties. Transportation, agriculture, economic development, and residential growth were all topics of mutual interest.

Proud to Represent St. Johns County on the North Florida TPO

It is my honor to represent St. Johns County residents and businesses on the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization. We work together to lead efforts in planning, funding, and identifying resources to develop and maintain our transportation system.

Touring St. Johns County's Agricultural Community

I recently had the opportunity to tour St. Johns County's farm research facilities with Dr. Christian Christensen and Tim Wilson with the University of Florida/IFAS Extension to learn about the important work they do to help our farming community overcome the many challenges they face.

Recognizing April 2021 as

Child Abuse Prevention Month

The Board of County Commissioners and I had the privilege of honoring the Florida Department of Children and Families and our own Health and Human Services Department at the April 20, 2021, Board meeting for their work in preventing child abuse in our community.

St. Johns County 200th Anniversary Celebration

On July 21, 2021, St. Johns County is celebrating the 200th anniversary of our founding as a County. Visit www.sjc200.com to learn about the history of St. Johns County and the upcoming 200th Anniversary events, activities, and programs. Join us throughout the year as we celebrate this momentous occasion together.

Bartram Trail Girls Soccer

Ranked #1 Nationally

Congratulations to the Bartram Trail Bears for being ranked the number one high school girls soccer team in the nation! With a 14-game winning streak and a win rate of 91%, the team overpowered their competition and claimed a second consecutive Class 7A state championship. It was a true pleasure to watch you succeed. We cannot wait to see what you bring to the field next season.

St. Johns County Receives Regional Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing

St. Johns County was recently awarded the Regional Award for Excellence in Affordable Housing by the Northeast Florida Regional Council for the County’s new workforce housing zoning designation. The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners authorized a new zoning designation that would offer incentives for local developers to produce housing for families that make less than the Annual Median Income. The award recognizes individuals, organizations, or specific projects with a primary focus on meeting the planning and growth management needs of communities within the Northeast Florida Region. The “workforce” zoning designation went into effect in August 2020 and has drawn interest from a variety of homebuilders. Visit here for more information.

Volunteer Opportunities with SJC Boards and Committees

The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners provides residents who have an interest in participating in their local government with a variety of board and commission opportunities. Depending on the board or commission, the volunteer positions consider and make recommendations regarding a myriad of topics including planning and zoning issues, development projects, the library, parks and recreation facilities and programs, and arts, culture, and tourism matters. Please visit the Boards and Committees Webpage to view an updated list of board and commission vacancies and download an application, or contact the Board of County Commissioners office at 904.209.0300 or mlundquist@sjcfl.us for more information.

On-beach Driving Passes

Toll booths are now open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at all St. Johns County on-beach driving access ramps. Daily passes cost $10 for County residents and non-residents, and $5 for disabled and active military beach visitors. Annual passes are also available for purchase at the booths. Visit here for more information on annual passes. Lifeguards are currently performing limited patrols, and full lifeguard coverage will begin Memorial Day Weekend. For the most up-to-date information on beach access and driving conditions, please follow @SJCBeaches on Facebook and Twitter, or download St. Johns County’s Reach the Beach app. For more information, please call 904.209.0331.

Mussallem Beachfront Park Now Open

Mussallem Beachfront Park, 3365 Coastal Highway, is now open for public use. Acquired through a grant with the Florida Communities Trust, this 8.5 acre property is a frequent nesting location for sea turtles and has healthy beach dunes. The acquisition of this passive park will preserve the integrity of this important stretch of beach. The beachfront portion of this site includes off-beach parking, a crosswalk, and beach access. Learn more about Mussallem Beachfront Park here.

Bartram Trail Branch Library Now Open

The Bartram Trail Branch Library, 60 Davis Pond Blvd., reopened recently after the completion of a roof replacement. The library is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursdays, and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information on the St. Johns County Public Library System, please visit www.sjcpls.org.

Are you ready for spring cleaning and yard work?

To prepare yard debris for curbside collection, please remember to follow the guidelines listed here. For more information, please call the St. Johns County Solid Waste Division at 904.827.6980 or visit www.recyclestjohns.com.

"Outside the Box" Art in Public Spaces Exhibit Features Local Artists

St. Johns County’s Art in Public Spaces program is excited to host the “Outside the Box” art exhibition through April 29 at the County Administration Building, 500 San Sebastian View. Hosted in partnership with the St. Johns Cultural Council and Art Box, the exhibit, which features more than two dozen talented St. Johns County artists, has artwork in a variety of mediums including paint, photography, and woodworking. Visitors are invited to view the exhibit from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. To learn more about the St. Johns Cultural Council, please visit www.historiccoastculture.com.

The Sunshine Bus Company Offering Free Rides with

St. Johns County

Library Card

The St. Johns County Public Library has partnered with the St. Johns County Council on Aging to offer library patrons a way to travel around town easier. On the first Wednesday of each month, Sunshine Bus riders may present their St. Johns County Public Library card to the driver to receive a free ride. Up to three children, ages 12 and under, may also ride with a qualifying adult at no cost. To sign up for or renew a library card, please visit any branch library. For more information about the St. Johns County Council on Aging, including information about the Sunshine Bus and schedules, please visit www.coasjc.org.

St. Johns Golf Club Receives Five

North Florida Chapter PGA Awards

The Northern Chapter of the North Florida Section PGA (NFPGA) recently recognized the St. Johns Golf Club with several prominent awards during their annual meeting. St. Johns County received five of the organization’s seventeen regional awards, including:

Professional of the Year – Wes Tucker
Patriot Award – Wes Tucker
Public Merchandiser of the Year – Wes Tucker
Bill Strausbaugh Award – Tommy Aycock
Superintendent of the Year – Anthony Baur

Wes Tucker, Director of Golf, has been with the St. Johns Golf Club since December 1988, and won three of the awards, including the esteemed PGA Professional of the Year recognition. Tommy Aycock, Head Professional, has worked for the St. Johns Golf Club since March 2014, and was recognized with the Bill Strausbaugh Award for his professionalism and mentorship through golf instruction and community involvement. Superintendent of the Year, Anthony Baur, joined the Golf Club in November 2014, and is credited with maintaining superior greens that draw players from across the region, state, and nation. The Patriot Award was given in recognition of the St. Johns Golf Club’s support of Fold of Honor, a nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service members.

St. Johns County is encouraging all residents to sign up for Alert St. Johns, a new emergency notification system that provides critical information during emergency situations. Sign up here.

Upcoming Holiday Office Closures

May 31, 2021 - Memorial Day

July 4, 2021 - Independence Day

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