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CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK P I A Go Symphony N G S E fish celebration I PAGE 12A 2 PAGE 1B D E 75¢ FRIDAY, August 14, 2009 /18 PAGES, 2 SECTIONS • fbnewsleader.com City may raise fees to help balance budget ANGELA DAUGHTRY city property for condo development. was a proposal to erect parking kiosks, News-Leader They indicated they may not including at the beach and downtown approve pay raises for city employees New fees could be levied for parking, stormwater – a proposal that has proven particu- Fernandina Beach Commissioners and will take new steps to cut collection, electricity use and parks and recreation. larly unpopular with residents. Most and staff began thrashing out ways to nonessential city spending. commissioners, however, said they cut spending and raise revenues at a The commission did not respond would not be completely opposed to budget workshop Monday. to seven non-profit organizations that City Manager Michael Czymbor, in among other factors, he said. parking kiosks somewhere in the city. Commissioners debated whether appealed for funding at the meeting. an overview of the proposed budget, In addition to putting a freeze on “all Commissioner Tim Poynter, even to implement paid parking, add a new There will be at least one more told commissioners that property tax non-critical measures” back in though he owns a restaurant down- stormwater fee for residents and busi- budget workshop on Aug. 24 at 5:30 changes and the economic climate February, Czymbor and staff have town, said he would be in favor of a nesses, increase fees on residents’ elec- p.m. at City Hall, 204 Ash St. Two pub- were responsible for significant budg- come up with a number of budget cut- pilot program for paid parking, as long tric bills, assess fees to organizations lic hearings on the proposed budget for et shortfalls. Rising electrical and fuel backs as well as some “creative” rev- as it was at no cost to the city. “We that use city ballfields, charge nonres- the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1 will fol- costs and an increase in city pension enue opportunities. idents more to use city facilities and sell low in September. contributions have also depleted funds, One of those revenue generators CITY Continued on 3A ENJOYING THE SOUNDS County lobbyists ‘earn’ $135,000 RYAN SMITH County’s extra News-Leader funds were directly attributable to the The Nassau County Commission efforts of the lob- renewed Monday the contracts of its byists. They dis- state and federal lobbyists for a com- missed the idea bined expenditure of $135,000. that the money, The law firm of Jacobs, Scholz and from President Associates, hired last year to lobby at Obama’s American the federal level, was given a new con- Jacobs Reinvestment and tract worth $75,000 for the next fiscal Recovery Act, year. would have come State lobbyist Mark Anderson’s to the county in the same amount with- $60,000 contract also was renewed. out the lobbyists’ efforts. Nassau County received higher fed- “I think they’ve made quite a record eral stimulus funding per capita this of accomplishment,” said Commission- year than any of the surrounding coun- er Mike Boyle. “One of the things I’ve ties – about $876 per person compared heard around the community is, ‘Well, to Duval’s $163, Clay’s $136 and St. the money was coming here anyway. Johns’ $80, according to the commis- Are they really responsible for this?’ ... sion. Nassau is ranked second I think surrounding counties are prob- statewide in per capita federal fund- ably wondering, ‘How did Nassau ing, behind Marin County. County get all this money?’” That’s because $55 million of “We’ve gathered all the facts, all Nassau’s $61 million in federal funds is the figures, and brought them togeth- slated for one project long on the coun- er,” said lobbyist Buddy Jacobs. “That’s ty’s wish list – additional lanes and what we do.” repair along A1A near Callahan. Commissioners said Nassau COUNTY Continued on 3A Hundreds of peo- ple enjoy Sounds on Centre on a warm Friday night in downtown Fernandina Beach Board admonishes a week ago, above. Face for Radio played and people – and dogs, left, – county fire chief danced to the music. The free community con- RYAN SMITH certs are held the News-Leader first Friday of each month during the Nassau County Fire Chief Chuck warm weather and Cooper has been directed to issue a are sponsored by formal apology to a firefighter under the Historic his command. Fernandina Nassau County Commissioners Business instructed Cooper to apologize to Lt. Association and Curtis Bollinger after they upheld Cooper Bollinger local business Wednesday part of a grievance filed by sponsors. Bollinger in May. This is a separate PHOTOS BY ROBERT FIEGE complaint against Cooper, who was tions to teach a class for firefighters. NEWS-LEADER accused in July of endangerment and The investigation began in April abusive conduct by the firefighters’ when Cooper received word Bollinger union. was teaching a Firefighter 1 class, Bollinger’s grievance claimed which requires a state-certified instruc- Cooper violated his rights under the tor, and possibly accepting money to Firefighter’s Bill of Rights, along with do so. Those charges were subse- Nassau County rules and regulations, quently determined to be unfounded during an investigation the fire chief conducted into Bollinger’s qualifica- FIRE Continued on 3A Council on Aging moves ahead on new building ANGELA DAUGHTRY North 14th Street, where the Nassau Affairs, a restrictive covenant also is not cost-effective to keep the old build- mercy of investments.” Fundraising News-Leader County Annex building is now located. being written that will guarantee the ing.” also has been difficult, he said, Also the site of the former Humphrey’s property is used for senior services. The grant from DEA is $500,000, because “even people that have money The Council on Aging relocation Memorial Hospital, the property Willette says an environmental but Willette says total cost for con- are being cautious ... we’re all kind of project approved by city commission- belongs to Nassau County but a lease analysis has been completed, which struction will be about $2.1 million. in a similar boat.” Willette added, how- ers in 2008 has quite a few hurdles to with the city is being negotiated. showed the site was clean of certain The center is looking toward state and ever, that recently “things are begin- jump, but according to executive direc- Willette, who became executive hazardous materials, but since both federal grants, charitable foundations ning to pick up.” tor Ken Willette, will still meet its 2011 director of the senior center last lead-based paint and asbestos have and fundraising efforts to cover the There is no federal stimulus money deadline. January, says the county wishes to been found in the building, it must be cost. The city also has committed to available for the relocation project, Because it must vacate its current retain ownership of the property, and demolished. Demolition, he said, $150,000 over three years for the entire said Willette, although the center is location at South 18th Street by the both city and county attorneys have would be funded by both the city of project. under contract to receive $30,000 in end of 2011, a suitable spot for the been working on drafting a lease. And Fernandina Beach and Nassau County. Willette says the economy has stimulus money for elderly nutrition. senior services center was found at because the center is using a capital “The building has also had break- affected charitable foundations, the corner of Atlantic Avenue and grant from the Department of Elder ins and vandalism,” said Willette. “It’s because many of them are “at the AGING Continued on 3A News-Leader INDEX LEISURE ........................................................ 1B SEA TURTLE NESTING SEASON 155th year. No. 65 CLASSIFIEDS ............................. 4B OBITUARIES ........................................... 2A 2009 Nests: 79 Hatchlings: 1587 Copyright, 2009 CROSSWORD ............................ 2B OUT AND ABOUT ................. 2B 2 nests lost due to storms The News-Leader EDITORIAL .................................. 7A SERVICE DIRECTORY ...................... 4B Please turn off or redirect lights shining Fernandina Beach, FL FISHING ..................................... 12A SPORTS ...................................................... 11A directly on the beach. For a detailed count Printed on 100% recycled HOMES ..................................................... 10A SUDOKU .................................................... 2B newsprint with soy based ink. see www.ameliaislandseaturtlewatch.com . CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK 2A FRIDAY, August 14, 2009 NEWS News-Leader LOOKING BACK E-scams on rise as economy slumps 50 YEARS AGO wastewater into the south JACKSONVILLE – In the account or avoid possible collection receive their bill. Amelia River. face of the current economic PPAAGGEE credit card actions. AT&T advises customers August 15, 1984 slump, consumers are more informa- Consumers should pay to return calls to familiar num- Dr. G.B. Brewton, county concerned about being duped tion. Make close attention to their bills. If bers only. They may call direc- physician, announced he 10 YEARS AGO by scams. Scammers are still sure a unauthorized charges appear, tory assistance or long dis- would resign effective Sept. relying on old phone and 2 website is customers should first call the tance operator to check the 1. Internet tricks – and even secure by vendor to have the charges area code location. September 1, 1959 Home sales in Florida applying old scams to new checking removed from their bill. • E-mail viruses and jumped 16 percent over the technologies. AT&T is educat- to see whether there is an “s” • Slamming: worms: 25 YEARS AGO same month the previous ing consumers by sharing after the “http” in the address Much like cramming, The recent Conficker year, according to the information about the most and a lock icon at the bottom “slamming” involves changes worm is just the latest exam- State officials rejected a Florida Association of common communication of the screen.