Henry Dean
Chair, District 5
Board of County Commissioners
P: 904.209.0305
C: 904.325.3924
Hello
Thank you for registering for the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners District 5 newsletter. Inside you will find an update regarding projects and events in District 5, and timely information about St. Johns County programs, services, and initiatives.
St. Johns County Mourns Loss of Commissioner Paul Waldron
St. Johns County is mourning the loss of District 3 Commissioner Paul Waldron, 53, who passed away on Oct. 18.

A lifelong resident of St. Johns County, Waldron was a true champion for residents, always putting their needs first. He served honorably as the representative for the County’s southeastern region after being elected in 2016 and re-elected in 2020.

His passing is a tremendous loss for our County.

Please join us in keeping our County family and the Waldron family in your thoughts and prayers, especially his wife of 34 years, Stephanie, and their two daughters, Ashley and Kati.
St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners Approve $500,000 to Provide Mental Health Support for Fire Rescue Personnel
During the Oct. 4, 2022, regular Board of County Commissioners meeting, commissioners unanimously approved an allocation of $500,000 from the Fire District Rescue Reserve to provide mental health support for members of St. Johns County Fire Rescue.  
 
District 2 Commissioner, Sarah Arnold, proposed the funding in a heartfelt message to first responders. 
 
"Suicide is the leading cause of death among firefighters and EMTs, and the repeated exposure to trauma provides a direct link to suicide rates among firefighters and EMTs," Commissioner Arnold said during the meeting. "Our men and women in Fire Rescue are in crisis. I am speaking to you today, imploring you not only as a member of this board but as a member of this community whose life has been deeply impacted by mental health struggles and the devastation of suicide."
 
The approved funding allocation will go toward the contractual establishment of mental health services available 24/7 to Fire Rescue personnel. Services will include professional mental health support in response to critical incidents or long-term exposure to high-stress events.
 
"Fire Rescue is very thankful for the board's action this morning to secure funding for department mental health services. The resources this program will provide are critical to the health and well-being of our firefighting force. The support of County Administration and the Board of County Commissioners in providing for this program cannot be understated, and for that, the entire Fire Rescue family is grateful," said St. Johns County Fire Rescue Chief Jeffrey Prevatt.
 
This allocation will also provide funding to hire a Fire Rescue Chaplain who will provide services to personnel daily and respond to critical events for on-scene support. Additionally, the Chaplain will help grow and train the department's peer support team, who is already working to provide necessary peer-to-peer support for department members in need. 
St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners
Welcomes District 4 Commissioner Krista Joseph

On Nov. 15, the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners welcomed its newest member, District 4 Commissioner Krista Joseph. Mrs. Joseph took the ceremonial oath of office in the presence of her family. Ellen Glasser, City of Atlantic Beach, Florida - Government Mayor, administered the oath.

Shortly after being sworn in, Commissioner Joseph received a special visit from Atlantic Beach Police Department K-9, C4, who was named after her late son Charles Keating IV. Keating was a Navy SEAL who served in Iraq.

We thank the Atlantic Beach Police Department for honoring Charles Keating IV and helping us Commissioner Joseph to the Board of County Commissioners!
St. Johns County Continues
Hurricane Recovery Efforts
Before, during, and after Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole, St. Johns County continued to serve and protect our residents.

Sandbags were made available to residents at multiple locations in the days before the storms arrived.

St. Johns County ordered evacuations for the zones predicted to be most affected by the storm flooding for the safety of residents in those areas.

Storm shelters were opened at Pacetti Bay Middle School, Southwoods Elementary, and Pedro Menendez High School.

Free bottled water was distributed at multiple locations in the days after the storm.

The Emergency Management Citizen Information Line remained open 24/7 for the duration of the storms and our staff helped thousands of residents who called seeking information on evacuation zones, storm debris, garbage collection, and more.

St. Johns County continues to assess our beaches to determine the best course of action to protect our 42 miles of coastline against erosion. St. Johns County Emergency Management is currently gathering LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) data to assess the amount of sand lost to Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole.

To view all updates related to Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole, including individual and business recovery assistance, please visit www.sjcfl.us/hurricane.
2022 West Augustine Job Fair

St. Johns County, in partnership with the West Augustine CRA, held the 2022 West Augustine Job Fair on Oct. 28 at the Solomon Calhoun Community Center.
 
Members of St. Johns County Public Works, Utilities, Parks & Recreation, and Human Resources shared information and answered questions about open positions in these County departments. Attendees submitted applications for open St. Johns County positions and completed mock interviews at the job fair.

This is only the beginning! More job fairs dedicated to serving the West Augustine community will be announced in the coming months.
Update from St. Johns Golf Club Director Wes Tucker

Patrons,
 
As we near the opening of the golf course, I want to give everyone some important dates. We are working out of the Pro Shop Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., until we open. Our point of sales system has changed from GolfNow to ForeUp. In doing so, we will need to re-enter each player into the system the first time they play. If you could please do so before your tee time, stop by, call, or email (wtucker@sjcfl.us) the information to us.
 
What do we need for this?

  • First and last name
  • Phone number
  • Email
  • Address
  • Your address is needed to establish residency for the correct rate to be charged.
 
We will have temporary carts for the first several months, another supply chain issue due to chips. With that said, they will not have GPS restricting the movement on the course. As you have a new course that needs time to establish turf, we ask for your cooperation as you play by:

  • Always staying on cart paths on par three holes
  • Stay on cart paths when around tees and greens
  • Avoid areas that have weak turf or repairs
  • Never get nearer than 30 feet (10 yards of the surface of a green)
 
As before, we will start taking tee times one week in advance, and this practice will begin on November 23 for times on November 30. Because we are closed on Thanksgiving Day, we will also take times by phone or in person on December 1. Online tee times will be available on the website beginning November 23, one week in advance.

  • November 23 (Wednesday) Pro Shop is open from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; tee time reservations begin for the coming week Wednesday, November 30, and Thursday, December 1
  • November 24 (Thursday) Pro Shop is closed for Thanksgiving
  • November 25 (Friday) Pro Shop is open from 8-5 and will have a Black Friday sale on select merchandise
  • November 26 (Saturday) Pro Shop open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • November 27 (Sunday) Pro Shop closed
  • November 28 (Monday) Pro Shop open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  • November 29 (Tuesday) Pro Shop open 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony (1 p.m.)
  • Warm-up for inaugural rounds | range, putting green, and short game area open (1:40 p.m.)
  • Grand opening nine-hole shotgun (2 p.m.)
  • Pro Shop and food and beverage area open after play (4:15 p.m.)
  • November 30 (Wednesday) normal operations begin.
 
Signs have gone up around the course regarding access. With golfers returning on the 29th, this is to remind everyone of the primary use of this property. This applies to all golf course properties.
 
We look forward to having the facility open again for your enjoyment.

Click here to receive more updates from the St. Johns Golf Club.
Veterans Council of St. Johns County

The Veterans Council of St. Johns County meets at 7 p.m. on the last Thursday of the month (excluding November and December) in the Veterans Services Office, located at 200 San Sebastian View. Each council meeting will feature keynote speakers who address various topics relevant to veterans and military causes.

  • Dec. 22: Dr. Amelia Lyons, University of Central Florida, Veterans Legacy Project
Volunteer Opportunities with
SJC Boards and Committees

The St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners provides residents interested in serving their community and participating in local government with a variety of board and committee opportunities. The volunteer positions consider and make recommendations regarding planning and zoning issues, development projects, libraries, parks, recreation facilities and programs, and arts, culture, and tourism matters.

Please visit the Boards and Committees web page to view the current openings and the requirements and duties of each board and committee, download an application, or contact the Board of County Commissioners office at 904-209-0300 or jspencer@sjcfl.us for more information.
Sign Up for Alert St. Johns
Emergency Notification System
St. Johns County encourages all residents to sign up for Alert St. Johns, an emergency notification system that provides critical information during emergency situations. Sign up here.
Upcoming Holiday Office Closures
Thursday, Nov. 24, 2022 - Thanksgiving
Friday, Nov. 25, 2022 - Thanksgiving
Friday, Dec. 23, 2022 - Christmas
Monday, Dec. 26, 2022 - Christmas
Monday, Jan. 2, 2023 - New Year's
Monday, Jan. 16, 2023 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
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