Isolated thunderstorms Potato Potato 30% rain chance 96 | 74 4-H kids get hands-on experience. CURRENTS, Inside For details, see 2A www.mypdn.com PALATKA DAILY NEWS SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 2014 $1 Leary: Commission isn’t tied to task force landfi ll vote BY BRANDON D. OLIVER The 15-member task force unani- Board of County would vote in favor of selling the wouldn’t take any further action Palatka Daily News mously recommended the county Commissioners will landfill to Republic Services of with the landfill until the com- operate its landfill in the same man- choose the same Florida or if it would choose an missioners vote on whether to Putnam County and private land- ner as New River Regional Landfill, option when it votes alternate method. sell it, take the task force’s rec- fill officials said they’re waiting for which is controlled by an authority on the matter. Neither he nor anyone from the ommendation or seek other the official vote from local lawmak- of its host counties, Baker, Bradford “It’s certainly not board of commissioners provided options. ers before either party decides how and Union. binding on them,” staff support for the task force, and It’s likely the commissioners they want to proceed following the New River is in Raiford, which is Leary said, refer- no one from the board participated in will discuss the task force’s rec- sanitation committee’s recommenda- in Union County. encing the commis- the task force meetings. ommendation during their meet- tion regarding the landfill. But Putnam County Administrator sioners. Leary “I had not attended any of the ing on July 8, Leary said, but it is On Thursday, the Solid Waste Rick Leary echoed some of the task Leary said that task force meetings,” Leary said. not certain whether they will Task Force voted against recom- force members’ sentiments when he prior to Thursday’s “I didn’t have any preconceived vote during the same meeting. mending the county sell the Putnam said that just because the task force task force meeting, he did not know notions of what would occur.” County Central Landfill. chose one option, it doesn’t mean the whether the landfill committee Leary said that the county See LANDFILL, Page 5A Pomona WATER BALLOONS FLY AT CAMP HIGHER GROUND Palatka ready begins work on municipal to break code rewrite ground on BY ASIA AIKINS Palatka Daily News waterfront POMONA PARK – Town officials recently discussed revisions to the first draft of improvement the town’s new Land Development Code. including extending alcoholic beverage BY ASIA AIKINS sales hours. Palatka Daily News Working alongside Lindsay Haga, senior regional planner Palatka officials plan to mark the for the Northeast Florida beginning of significant construction on Regional Council, council the riverfront Tuesday by holding a members discussed updates to groundbreaking ceremony for southern the town’s regulations on zon- riverfront improvements. ing, subdivisions, streets, sig- The groundbreaking ceremony is nage, natural resources, con- planned for 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at the currency management, hous- City Dock. The public is invited. ing, historic preservation and “The city is excited to be able to begin alcohol sales. the phase 1 southern riverfront park The seven council members, improvements with the help of $776,000 Haga, Town Attorney Craig in grant funds we received from Florida Sherar and Town Clerk Cindy Fish and Wildlife’s Boating Hair were the only people in Improvement Grant program,” said attendance at the third Land Jennifer Wright, camp coordinator for Putnam County’s Camp Higher Ground, dodges a water balloon Palatka Mayor Vernon Myers. “These Development Code workshop Thursday as children attending the camp got a chance to throw water balloons at camp counselors. improvements will provide a huge bene- on Tuesday. fit to our boaters, both our recreational “I think the council would Children boaters and those who come here for our like to see more of the public attending the many fishing tournaments. This will go attend these workshops and Putnam a long way towards upgrading Palatka’s give input,” Hair said. “This is County Parks status as a boating destination, thereby a great time to give input and benefiting all of our citizens.” before we get the ordinance to Recreation Commissioners awarded S.E. Cline Higher public hearing.” Construction, of Palm Coast, with a $1.2 Ground Council members agreed to summer camp million bid for a portion of the southern change the town’s current alco- throw water riverfront improvements project on June holic beverage chapter to match balloons at 12. The city is expected to contribute Putnam County’s regulations, camp more than $243,000 for the project. which allow alcohol sales 24 counselors S.E. Cline was the lowest apparent hours a day. The town’s current Thursday bidder for the first phase of construc- policy states that no alcoholic afternoon at tion, including the construction of the beverages should be sold in the C.L. boat ramp and boat launch parking lot, town limits between the hours Overturf Sixth city documents state. of 1:30 a.m. and 7 a.m. Grade Center. “The floating docks and improvements The council asked to change to Laurel Street, Memorial Parkway, the historic preservation Second Street and the Laurel Street Photos by CHRIS DEVITTO / Palatka Daily News parking lot will be completed as funds See POMONA, Page 5A become available,” documents state. See PALATKA, Page 5A INDEX Advice .............................5C Briefing ........................... 2A Judge Mendoza says he’s ready for federal district court stint Classified/Legals ............ 2B Comics ............................5C Horoscope ......................5C School,” Mendoza said. It will According to Wolfe’s biog- Lottery............................. 7A His seat in Putnam will be give him a chance to study up raphy, voters elected him to Obituaries ....................... 8A on the nuances of the federal the bench in 2006. He had Opinions ......................... 4A system, he added. served as a general magis- Sports ............................. 6A taken by Judge Clyde E. Wolfe Chief Judge Terrence R. trate and child enforcement- Sudoku ........................... 3B Perkins selected Judge hearing officer previous to BY PETE SKIBA with federal laws,” Mendoza Clyde E. Wolfe to move to assuming the role of judge. The Voice of Palatka Daily News said. “I am going to miss Putnam’s felony court on With an undergraduate Putnam County Putnam County. I worked Aug. 4. degree from the University Judge Carlos Mendoza with excellent people. This Judge Wolfe currently of Florida, Wolfe graduated since 1885 won’t be calling the Seventh was one of the best experienc- presides over family law with a juris doctorate from Judicial Circuit home any- es of my working life.” cases in St. Johns County Stetson University. VOL. 126 • NO. 129 more. He is headed to the fed- A press release from the and Juvenile Drug Court. He was unavailable for PALATKA, FLA. eral court system. State Attorney’s Office said “Judge Wolfe has many comment. Mendoza’s judicial Approved by the U.S. Mendoza’s commission from years of criminal-law experi- assistant, Traci Davis, will Senate and awaiting a presi- the president would be signed ence including many years continue at Wolfe’s request. Public Notices dential signature to begin his next week. He would be fin- in Putnam County and was “I find it a privilege Judge on Page 2B new job at the U.S. District ished here in July and would the perfect selection for this Wolfe has asked me to stay,” Circuit Judge Carlos Mendoza By mail, 3 sections Court – Middle District, then preside over cases in division,” Perkins said. “I Davis said. “I look forward Mendoza said he is ready. Orlando. will soon move to the U.S. know he will be missed in to the opportunity.” “I was once a federal prose- To make the transition easi- District Court - Middle District St. Johns County as he will cutor, so I am experienced er, the judiciary has a “Judges of Florida. be welcomed in Putnam.” [email protected] 062814a1.indd 1 6/27/14 7:53 PM 2A PALATKA DAILY NEWS • SATURDAY, JUNE 28, 2014 LocaL 4-H cLubbers Take on PoTaTo ProjecT Putnam AM convicted Florida felon. Duan Eugene Brown, 25, Palatka: Local grand theft larceny of a firearm; pos- CorreCtion session of marijuana. Stefan Lantrae Burns, 24, Task force Palatka: selling synthetic narcotics. In Friday’s edition of the Daily Audrey M. Garris, 20, Palatka; News, Putnam County Solid Waste grand theft larceny over $300 but Task Force Member Rudd Jones was less than $5K. erroneously cited as Paul Rudd. Nata Carlis Harvin, 68, Interlachen: aggravated battery PALAtKA with a deadly weapon. Nina Wolf, 49, Hawthorne: grand Commission schedules theft larceny over $300 but less than budget workshop $5K; fraud – illegal use of credit cards. Palatka city officials are expected to meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday for the TRISHA MURPHY / Palatka Daily News first 2014-15 fiscal year budget workshop. The meeting will be held at Palatka City Hall, 201 N. Second State St., and is open to the public. miAmi Planning board Public comment sought to meet Tuesday on snake ban proposal The Palatka Planning Board is The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service expected to meet at 4 p.m. Tuesday is seeking more public comment on a at City Hall, 210 N. Second St. Board proposal to add five types of giant members will consider conditional snakes to an existing federal python use permits for package alcohol sales ban. at Dollar General stores at 3205 Officials have proposed adding CHRIS DEVITTO / Palatka Daily News Above: Hope Eddins digs potaotes at the UF Hastings Research Farm in Crill Ave.