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THURSDAY, MAY 23, 2013 WWW.CLAYTODAYONLINE.COM VOLUME 44, NO. 21 75¢ Council votes School board 5-0 for new nixes training, police station keynote speaker By Pete Geiger plan in works Correspondent By Eric Cravey GREEN COVE SPRINGS – After weeks of Managing editor wrangling and debate during the city’s re- cent election cycle, the planned Green Cove FLEMING ISLAND – Although a proposal to Springs police station received unanimous bring a corporate trainer and keynote speaker support from city leaders on May 21. to Clay County was shot down at last week’s The Green Cove Springs City Council’s PHOTO BY AMANDA RUHL School Board meeting, two planned June ve members voted 5-0 to award a $3.9 mil- Wilkinson Elementary students took to their school’s eld recently to celebrate a unit training seminars for principals and teachers lion contract to Batson-Cook Inc. of Jackson- about ancient Greco-Roman culture. will go forward. ville, cutting the project by some 30 percent “Plan B is me,” said Emily Weiskopf, su- and saving taxpayers $1.7 million. pervisor of professional development and Planned to be built on three city-owned Classroom heads outdoors school improvement for Clay County Schools, acres at Idlewild and Melrose avenues, who is preparing her By Sarah Wake eld Rosser Tuesday’s vote won over the support of coun- June keynote address. Staff Writer cil members Ray Braly and Van Royal, both “This is not about me. of whom had voiced objections not to build- MIDDLEBURG – Raven Brianna Schro- I’m disappointed for the ing a new police station but to its projected er palmed the discus, closed her eyes leaders and the teach- size and cost. to gather her thoughts, side-stepped to- ers who won’t have this Royal said at a city council meeting that ward to line, spun her body towards the opportunity.” he didn’t want to be “a  y in the ointment” of eld and sent it  ying. After traveling Since joining the the police station project. high into the air, the discus fell to the county school system Emily Weiskopf “But I’m concerned about the value en- dusty ground with a thud. administration in April, gineering changes that brought the cost Schroer and her fellow sixth graders Weiskopf had been working to put together down,” Royal said. Construction plans have at Wilkinson Elementary transformed a set of summer training programs for each not yet been drawn to include the changes. old riding mowers and bicycles into Ro- of the district’s 41 principals. Each principal Royal said awarding a contract without man chariots, hurled make-do javelins was to also invite three leader teachers from rst having construction plans could tempt and participated in other track and eld their school and, together, they would take a builder to draw plans for a structure de- events on May 17, a celebration of hav- their new knowledge back to their schools. signed to cost less than the contract amount. ing just completed a unit about ancient The goal – empower them to lead their fac- The councilman added, however, that he had Greco-Roman culture. ulty through the sea change known as the new con dence in Batson-Cook. “We still see some of their culture Common Core State Standards. To offset his concern, Royal asked that a today,” Schroer said. “We have lots of To achieve that goal, Weiskopf had invited SEE COUNCIL, 5 Greek words and our alphabet comes SEE LESSON, 2 SEE SCHOOL, 8

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immediate experts in the events. Seventh Lesson and eighth grade track and  eld athletes from page 1 from Wilkinson Junior High volunteered at most stations to show the younger students from Latin.” how to throw a javelin properly or toss Not only do root words such as “cene- the shot put without dislocating a shoul- tri” meaning “center” exist because of Ro- der blade. Kiana Heard and Alex Bar eld man culture, but food and sports. The fun helped students set their feet, tuck the on the  eld transformed classroom learn- shot put and push away from the body as a ing in practical understanding. means of preventing injury. “Romans used to race chariots in the “I’m naturally built like this,” Bar eld Colosseum drawn by horses,” said Amber said, who shuf ed his feet to the line be- Warriner, 12. “They put on plays about the fore launching the shot put at least 12 gods and only men were allowed to be on yards into the  eld, causing both teachers stage. Even if the character was a woman and students to gawk in amazement. or child, they were played by men.” Teams distinguished themselves by Instead of olive wreaths like ancient wearing different colors and rotated to  ve Rome, Wilkinson’s top three teams won a stations, including a refreshment tent, be- members pushed the chariots around the with PVC pipe, spray paint and glitter. The faux gold, silver or bronze medal mirroring fore competing in a massive game of tug- course. kids named it Scorpus.” the modern day Olympics. of-war and chariot races. “It probably took seven hours to make Throughout the afternoon, the stu- For Teah Ramirez, participating in a The chariots looked similar to home- my son’s team chariot,” said parent Aman- dents celebrated school camaraderie with modern version of ancient sports made her made soap box derby cars, made of shop- da Ruhl, whose son Cody participated in high- ves and cheers. Elevated from the feel connected to the past. ping carts or bicycles and painted to re- the games. barbaric competitive practices of ancient “To me, all this feels like I’m going back semble a modern day chariot. Dressed in “The two back wheels were taken from Romans, students fairly and respectfully in time,” Ramirez said. helmets and goggles, each driver sat in a broken down lawn mower, and we used a competed without the threat of being The students were not expected to be the main compartment while other team bike tire on the front. We put it all together mince meat for the lions. Pre-summer pruning: Beat the heat, bring on the owers

Summer is just around the corner and size, then the best bet for a healthy plant is already temperatures have started to rise. to prune before new growth sets in. Prune Despite having grown up in South Florida them too late, and you’re cutting yourself I don’t seem to have the stamina for sum- short on blooms for next year. mertime yard work. Ideally, you’ll prune early owering I know many shrubs and trees such as Azalea, Camellia, Clay County gar- Cherry family (Prunus species), Dogwood, deners are tough and Spirea as soon as they’re done bloom- – you can take the ing for the season. If you’ve been putting heat and humid- off this task, then do it now before the ity without batting weather warms. an eye – keeping “Don’t prune past June” is a great rule- weeds and pests at of-thumb for your early- owering land- bay in the most ex- scape plants – and to get heavy work done treme weather that Seasonal concerns before things heat up in the garden. Florida summers from gardeners Some summer bloomers, on the other have to offer. For AMY E. MORIE hand, can be encouraged to bloom again those of you who Environmental Horticulture Agent ll with pruning. The roses you pruned in mid- wilt in the warmer Clay County Extension Office February area a great example – by now second round of owers. The same holds beat the heat – a win-win for enjoying your months like I do, you likely have had a magni cent display true for other shrubs that will bloom again, garden. Want someone to answer a spe- here’s some heavy work to get out and take that’s starting to fade. Deadheading (prun- such as hibiscus and oleander. Prune light- ci c plant question for you? Go online to care of now. ing off spent blossoms) will encourage a ly and selectively to encourage an extend- http://clay.ifas.u .edu and under the head- Pruning early owering shrubs as well new round of blooms for you to enjoy later ed season of color. ing “Horticulture” (left hand side of page) as warm-season repeat bloomers now will in the season. Like any job, the right tool makes all left click on “Ask a Master Gardener” and help you enjoy the blooms for the rest of Other plants that will give you a second the difference when pruning. Make your a reply will be sent plus a hyperlink to the year – especially once the tempera- show – or more – if deadheaded include work easier with the right tool for your the appropriate University of Florida Fact tures soar. If you haven’t yet tackled prun- crape myrtle, as well as many perennial pruning job – see the illustration for de- Sheets. ing for your winter and early spring bloom- and annual owers. Make sure to only re- scriptions of the uses for common pruning Please send us a digital picture of the ing shrubs, now is the time. move the spent ower heads and no more. tools. Remember, you can prune broken, problem. To read past articles that might These shrubs are about to set their Heavy pruning of crape myrtles any time diseased, dead or dying limbs at any time help you with seasonal problems and to blooms for next year’s show and it’s critical of year will reduce the number of blooms without causing major harm to the tree or learn about upcoming Extension Program- to prune them before those blooms are set. for the plant’s next owering. Your biggest shrub. When it comes to encouraging your ming in our area go to our website at UF/ If planted in a place where they have pruning should have taken place in very owers, timing is everything – prune at the IFAS Clay County Extension. room to grow, pruning is seldom needed. If early spring, so take a light hand later in proper time and you’ll be rewarded with a you wish to prune for shaping or to control the season and simply aim to encourage a great display. You’ll also help yourself to

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Clay Today, 3513 U.S. Hwy 17, Fleming Island, FL U.S.P.S. (063-800) Publisher: Jon Cantrell Sales & Marketing Periodical Postage Paid at Orange Park, Florida Managing Editor: Eric Cravey NOTICE TO ADVERTISERS This newspaper assumes no nancial responsibility for Sales Manager: Peg Oddy typographical errors in advertisements, but when noti ed promptly will reprint IN CLAY COUNTY, MAIL DELIVERY OUTOFCOUNTY & OUTOFSTATE Sta Reporter: Sarah Wake eld correctly the part of the advertisement in which the typographical error ap- Subscription Rate Subscription Rate Sales: Susan Sawyer, Phyllis Vancas pears. All advertising in this publication is subject to approval of the publisher. Sports Editor: Randy Lefko This newspaper will not knowingly accept or publish illegal material of any kind. 1 year $34.00 1 year $45.00 Classi ed Sales, Obituaries: Martha Bagby Advertising which expresses preference based on legally protected personal Circulation Manager: Rob Conwell characteristics is not accepted. PHONE ALL DEPARTMENTS 2643200. MEMBER, Publication Designers: Eddie Hodges, Michele McNeill, Kathy Roy FLORIDA PRESS ASSOCIATION & SOUTHERN NEWSPAPER ASSOCIATION. FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS CALL 904-264-3200 Legal Notices: Christie Wayne CLAYTODAYONLINE.COM COMMUNITY MAY 23, 2013 CLAY TODAY 3

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20 Years Ago, 1993: Ask, then verify • Florida Dept. of Law Enforcement “I was in the Air Force from investigators arrested a 23-year-old Key- 1951 to 1955. I’ll do some reminiscing about the After running through their farmer’s house simply said that is not factual information. stone Heights man for growing marijuana Korean War.” and wreaking havoc, the barnyard animals The wise dog did not have the modern in his home. Scott Richard Hamilton alleg- were called to a special meeting by the wonder of technology at hand like I do. I edly had grown 66 pot plants in his home Kent Douglas, wise sage dog. hopped on an Internet search engine and in the 6500 block of Campo Drive. Fleming Island As the animals settled down, the dog typed in the words “state could take over • Tax Collector Ruth D. Lee set the spoke of how disappointed he was to learn Clay County Schools” and there it was – county’s annual delinquent tax sale for of his fellow animals’ a link to a news story from a Jacksonville May 28. Lee stated there were more than mischief. As he began television station. 3,000 properties whose owners had not to finish his speech, I’m not one to bash other forms of the paid their property taxes. he turned to Babe the media, but there comes a time when right • The “Toxic Crusaders” of Orange Park pig and said, “And is right and wrong is wrong. After hearing High won fifth place in a statewide Envi- “I homeschool my kids, so I was just thinking about you need to be more these two people comment on a body that I rothon competition where they negotiated how to teach them about discriminating in cover, I felt I had no other recourse but to a course through the Ocala National For- Memorial Day. This year, who you hang around go straight to the source. I called Superin- est. Students were required to stop at five they’re old enough to with” or something to tendent Charlie Van Zant Jr. who, in turn, stations in the course and answers ques- understand. I’m hoping to Eric Cravey find lessons online about that effect. invited me to breakfast this week. tions about the environment. famous Americans. We This scene from the film “Babe” re- During the conversation, which spanned have a lot of military fami- cently brought back fond memories for me multiple topics, I had to ask about the ru- 30 Years Ago, 1983: lies at our church, so I’m because it made me think of something at mor, which, by that time, had morphed into, • An accident at a Camp Blanding land- going to talk with them.” Tamara Simmons, least two people have said to me in recent “Hey, did you hear that the state is going to fill forces the Clay Board of County Com- Doctors Inlet days. take over the Clay County School District?” missioners to officially ban scavenging in There is a rumor going around that After all, I had sat through the same School area landfills. Residents petitioned com- the state “could take over the Clay County Board meeting as the Jacksonville TV re- missioners to again allow the practice de- School District.” So, to those two people, I porter had. I was merely trying to verify if I spite the man having been buried briefly by “I grew up in Indiana sort of took on the role of the wise dog and a dump truck load of garbage while seeking and learned to associ- SEE ASK, 16 ate Memorial Day with hidden treasures among the trash. the Indianapolis 500. My • The BCC voted down a contentious parents would take me to local option gas sales tax on a 3-2 vote. the cemetery where some Commissioners were seeking ways to plug family was buried, but to the Editor Letter a $400,000 to $450,000 projected hole in they’d be listening to the race on the radio.” GMO labeling needed now No imagination required, this is the the county budget. Suppose that your breakfast cereal reality. The majority of foods on the grocery • The Clay County Sheriff’s Office ex- John Allen, contained a substance that many believe to store shelves contain genetically modified tradited George Paul Ballman from a jail Orange Park be hazardous to your health. Suppose that organisms, commonly called GMOs. GMOs in Cobb County, Ga. to stand trial for the same substance and related substances are lab-developed plants whose genetic murder of Darrell Eugene “Wolfman” Ruhl, “For the past five years, were also found in the majority of the foods code has been altered, the patents for most 39, that took place July 2, 1982. Ballman, I’ve been the President of you eat. Now imagine that the corporations GMO seeds are held by the Monsanto Cor- who escaped from a Georgia jail in 1976 the West Point Society of that produce these substances have a “re- poration, a multi-national that is estimated while serving another murder conviction, Northeast Florida and on volving-door-relationship” with the Food to own 70% of the Worlds seeds. allegedly shot Ruhl in the chest three times Memorial Day my family always goes downtown and Drug Administration so that their for- “March Against Monsanto” is a in his apartment on Ferris Street in Green and presents a wreath, and mer executives have influence over studies World-wide effort to bring awareness to Cove Springs. when we don’t do that we related to food safety. As a consumer you this issue. Our local event will take place celebrate and remember would probably want foods containing this at the corner of Blanding and Wells on 40 Years Ago, 1973: what the service men and women have done for us.” substance to be labeled so you could make Saturday the 25th, 2:00 pm local time, Students at Orange Park Elementary, Bryan Cooksey III, informed decisions while shopping, but the same time as hundreds of thousands who had been studying communication, got Orange Park imagine that there is no legal requirement for labeling. SEE LETTERS, 5 SEE HISTORY, 15 CLAYTODAYONLINE.COM COMMUNITY MAY 23, 2013 CLAY TODAY 5

similar post at Hold- Council rege in South Central Town Council wrestles from page 1 Nebraska just west of Funk, Neb. a city-paid construction manager be hired The council with payroll costs for the project before final plans are pre- named Indira N. sented and cost adjustments are made to Moran and Amy L. By Sarah Wakefield Rosser up to a certain amount for health care. the contract. That way, he said, the city Stump to the Au- Mark Schultz Staff Writer Although the $10 weekly fee encourages could be certain that it would get full value gusta Savage Art and ORANGE PARK – Town of Orange Park employees to join the biweekly schedule for its money. Community Center board of directors. Mo- hourly union workers have been warned recently implemented by the town, it may The project budget includes pay for a ran was present for her induction; Stump, that unless they agree to join the town’s bi- ease the cost of covering higher health construction manager. absent. weekly payroll system, they will be charged care costs. Royal’s proposal won support from $40 a month to continue to receive a week- “The initial proposal was a 22 percent Mayor Mitch Timberlake and led to the The council also: ly paycheck starting this summer. increase, but was negotiated down to 15 unanimous vote in favor of the project. • Set up a local hearing procedure for The announcement was approved by percent,” said Mayor Jim Renninger. Braly voted without comment. motorists appealing traffic citations for in- the General Government Committee on Currently, the town pays $403.48 a The police station project has been dis- fractions based on the red light cameras at Employee Insurance Recommendations month for each employee’s health insur- cussed by the council for 11 years. City three city intersections. Previously the ap- and brought to the council May 21. The ance. police currently operate from a century- peals were heard in county court. The new proposal comes two weeks after a May 8 In other Council business, the Council old frame structure on Spring Street that procedure is required by state legislation special Town Council meeting where mem- had the first reading of an ordinance to has been deemed unfit for police use. Con- adopted last month but not yet signed by bers discussed ways to boost town reve- amend the town code regarding danger- struction of the new station should take Gov. Rick Scott. nue. The impact on the Northeast Florida ous animals. The current code does allow less than a year. • Agreed to cancel its June 4 meeting Public Employees Local 630 Labor Inter- town officials to issue citations owners of “I’ve done everything I could to make for lack of a quorum and its July 2 meet- national Union of North America would dogs that roam and appear dangerous by this a good project for the city. I’ve down- ing because of the Independence Day cel- cost one employee belonging to the union charging or growling at residents. Three sized it to make it less expensive. I believe ebration. A special meeting was scheduled $520 yearly. concerned residents gave vignettes of run- this is appropriate and I’d like the council for July 30 to begin work on the 2013-14 “By July 1, if they do not accept biweek- ins with packs dogs, an emotional topic to vote for it,” said Police Chief Robert A. budget. ly payroll, they’ll be charged $10 weekly discussed at the last two town meetings. Musco. • Took note that the 25th annual Me- to subsidize the cost,” Councilman Steve “We’re in a danger zone,” Renninger The city had previously paid $1.4 mil- morial Day Riverfest will be held May 27. Howard said. said. “We need to solve it and solve it lion for the three-acre site and for the fa- It will feature Freedom Marathon one- and Although Howard said the charge will quick.” cility’s architectural design. four-mile road races, free swimming in the “subsidize” the cost of covering weekly If there is a situation where law enforce- In other business, Mark Schultz was city pool, various singers and fireworks at payroll, the proposal was floated in con- ment cannot respond to a call reporting a introduced as the city’s new electric util- 8:45 p.m. junction with an employee insurance agen- vicious dog, the code enforcement officer ity director. He replaces Gregg R. Griffin, The next council meeting will be at 7 da item. It is listed in the union workers’ would deal with the rules and regulations. who resigned to take a job with the Tennes- p.m. June 18 in city hall. contract that the town can charge them SEE OP COUNCIL, 12 see Valley Authority. Schultz comes from a

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Are you a $ ‘person of faith’? We invite you to visit our Worship Service for a faith lift. See you in Church! Standard Assisted Living 2,447 Ask About Our June Special Bob Coulter, Pastor of Middleburg First Church of God 3965 Old Jennings Road, Middleburg, Florida 32068 (904) 636-0142 Sunday Morning Worship @ 11 am • Wednesday Evening Worship @ 7pm Fannie E. Taylor TAYLORWhere Serving Older MANORAdults is a Tradition www.taylor-residences.org Web: www.middleburgfcog.com • Phone: 904-282-1810 • email: [email protected] License number AL7201 6 CLAY TODAY • May 23, 2013 COMMUNITY CLAYTODAYONLINE.COM Business Clay Co. jobless drops again from 8.3 percent in April 2012. TALLAHASSEE – The unemployment rate for Clay County continues to improve, Taco Del Mar based on new numbers from the Florida lands in Orange Park Department of Economic Opportunity. ORANGE PARK – A popular and growing Figures released May 17 show Clay Seattle burrito chain has opened a location County’s April 2013 jobless rate at 5.7 per- in Orange Park, its fifth Northeast Florida. cent, down from 6 percent the prior month. Taco Del Mar held its official grand Compared to a year ago, the new rate re- opening May 18 at 1690 Wells Rd. flects a drop of almost two percent when Founded in June 1992 on Pier 57 in the unemployment rate was 7.6 percent. Seattle’s historic waterfront district, Taco Clay County reported a labor force of Del Mar’s signature dishes are fish tacos 97,951 workers in April 2013, compared and Mission style burritos, which refers to to 96,289 workers a year earlier in April the Mission neighborhood in San Francisco 2012. Florida DEO officials report that where the Taco Del Mar style of burrito has 5,619 people were counted as bring unem- been popular for decades, according to the ployed in April compared to 7,288 in April company’s website. 2012. The company has other locations in Statewide, Florida’s unemployment Hastings, Neptune Beach and two in Jack- rate dropped to 6.8 percent in April, down sonville. King honored for pro bono legal work ORANGE PARK – An Orange Park attorney was recently honored for his community ser- vice by the Clay County Bar Association. David King, left, received the 2013 Hon. Lamar Wingeart Jr. Pro Bono Service Award, which was presented at the Association’s annual Law Day luncheon on May 14. His fourth time receiving the honor, King was recognized for performing pro bono bankruptcies for Clay County residents who could not afford an attorney, as well as his work with the Clay County branch of Jacksonville Area Legal Aid, which recently honored King for his service at its Equal Justice Awards. Attorney Allison E. Hickman of Orange Park, and vice president of the bar association, right, presented the award.

Specialists begin seeing “Baptist Clay Medical Campus is de- patients at Baptist Clay signed to be a one-stop health care desti- FLEMING ISLAND – Baptist Heart Special- nation,” said Ron Robinson, Baptist South ists becomes the first physician’s practice Hospital President and administrative to move into the new medical offices at the leader for the new medical campus in Clay. Baptist Clay medical campus on Fleming “Our new medical office building allows us Island. to bring the quality heart care of Baptist Cardiologists Praveen Kanaparti, Da- Heart Specialists closer to home for Clay vid Stroh and Simone Nader began seeing County residents.” O’Charley’s re-opens, honors veteran patients this month at the 32-acre campus Cardiac testing available at Baptist FLEMING ISLAND – A Jacksonville veteran was recently honored as a “Hometown Hero” just off U.S. Highway 17 and Village Square Clay includes cardiac ultrasounds and by a Fleming Island restaurant. Parkway. echocardiograms; nuclear cardiac stress O’Charley’s recognized U.S. Army veteran Tyrinda “Ty” Dixon at its recent grand re- The Baptist Clay site is the 10th of- tests; treadmill stress tests; 24-hour holt- opening, A Warriors to Work Specialist