Scattered Thunderstorms 40% rain chance ANTIQUES ROADSHOW | Palatka and Interlachen groups team up. In APPLAUSE! 87 66 For details, see 2A www.mypdn.com PALATKA DAILY NEWS THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2015 $1 SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION SETTLES INTO NEW QUARTERS Proposed BY PETE SKIBA Palatka Daily News he 21st century touched riverfront down in a big way with the new Putnam County TSchool District adminis- tration building. restaurant on District Facilities Supervisor Scott Gattschall pointed out several innova- tions, including state-of-the- art computer access, energy city’s agenda conserving lights and air con- ditioning, and other high-tech Palatka planners say they amenities. “This is a quantum leap need to nail down size at from where we were in the old Campbell Building,” tonight’s board meeting Gattschall said, strolling around the 200 Reid St. prem- ises. “This was the deal of the Photos by CHRIS DEVITTO / Palatka Daily News BY ASIA AIKINS century.” The new Putnam County School District Administration offices are complete after an extensive remodeling Palatka Daily News Purchased for about of the former bank building in the 200 block of Reid Street. $500,000, the former bank Palatka city staff members are look- building put 25,000 square ing for direction in pursuing a future feet at the district’s service, riverfront restaurant. including two-and-a-half A “request for clarification” was sub- times more parking. mitted by Palatka City Attorney Don Counting the addition and Holmes and special projects manager the modernization, along with Jonathan Griffith, asking commission- the up-to-code Americans ers to continue discussion about the res- with Disabilities Act features, taurant during today’s city commission the gutted building cost more meeting. than $2.5 million to remodel. “Based upon the motion made at the The administration was for- last meeting and the conversation sur- merly housed in the Campbell rounding reducing the size of the restau- Building, a 100-year-old struc- rant operation, staff is requesting clari- ture that could not be adapted fication from the commission,” city docu- to modern technology. It was Putnam County School District payroll employee Network Specialist Lenow Harvey stands in the ments said. “Does the commission desire Kristy Futch works in her office at the newly computer server room in the administration building to move forward with a smaller restau- See SCHOOLS, Page 3A remodeled administration offices on Wednesday. Wednesday. rant operation or continue as previously approved?” During the April 9 city commis- sion meeting, Commissioner Justin Campbell made a motion to move forward with negotiations with Palatka Boathouse Marina for oper- ation of a building that would house BEE-ING VERY CAREFUL water taxi ticket sales, boater facili- County ready to set fees for ties, restrooms, a ship store and a restaurant. He added the option to decrease the size of the restaurant E. Palatka sewer customers in his motion. The commission approved. BY BRANDON D. OLIVER Putnam Wastewater System. According to Griffith, a Department of Palatka Daily News “We will need to adjust the Economic Development grant the city fee schedule for the charges has applied for to fund the construction Putnam County officials for wastewater for the month- of the building is dependent on the discussed the wastewater sys- ly charge,” Leary said. “We amount of jobs provided by develop- tem being built in East estimate that the cost for the ment. Palatka and the increasing wastewater would need to be “Right now, the restaurateur says the fees that will come increased from $27 (a number of jobs is relative to the number along with it. month) to at least of seats in the restaurant,” he said. “If The topic of chang- $33.75 (a month). The there’s a change in the operator or res- es to the fees and other increase we taurateur at this point, we’ll have to changes schedule need to incorporate reapply for the grant.” came up Tuesday into the fee schedule The grant application specifies that afternoon during the is for a tap fee for a 30 jobs would be provided by the opera- Board of County wastewater connec- tion. The next grant cycle begins May 8, Commissioners work- tion fee.” but Griffith said applying for the grant shop. The $33.75 fee in the new cycle could potentially affect County Admin- Leary would be the base fee the city’s chances of receiving grants in istrator Rick Leary for residential and the near future for other needs like said there would be an commercial customers, infrastructure. ordinance regarding changes Leary said, and the remainder “We get points every time we apply for to the schedule, and one of of people’s bills would be CHRIS DEVITTO / Palatka Daily News a grant,” he said. “If we have to reapply those changes would be determined by usage. Putnam County beekeeper Steven Hessling had to use a city bucket truck to lift during the next grant cycle, the points adjustments to animal control The fee increases wouldn’t him high enough to remove a swarm of bees from a tree on Kirby Street in Palatka would impact our community-needs fees. go into effect until July 1, but Wednesday afternoon. Bee removal became necessary after a storm damaged the score for that cycle.” But what monopolized the tree and exposed the hive. discussions was the East See PUTNAM, Page 10A See PALATKA, Page 10A INDEX Advice ............................. 5A Briefing ........................... 2A For Water Works and Ravines, Earth Day is Saturday Classified/Legals ............ 8A Comics ............................ 5A BY ASIA AIKINS backyard birds,” Foil said, including Horoscope ...................... 5A Palatka Daily News woodpecker, cardinals and parula Lottery............................. 7A warblers. Obituaries ..................... 10A Local residents will have an oppor- She and King joined WWEEC volun- Opinions ......................... 4A tunity to celebrate Earth Day at teer Dick Franz on Wednesday, spend- Sports ............................. 6A Palatka’s neighboring hubs for envi- ing international Earth Day taking a Sudoku ........................... 9A ronmental activity. pre-tour of the grounds where “Birds, Bee, Flowers and Trees in Saturday’s bird walk will take place. The Voice of celebration of Earth Day” is set to take Franz is also a member of the Santa Putnam County place from 7 a.m. until 4:30 pm. Fe Audubon Society. Saturday at the Water Works “While we’re doing the wetlands res- since 1885 Environmental Education Center. toration, it will be helpful to document “It’s to help people tune into nature,” what organisms are currently here, VOL. 127 • NO. 81 said Joyce King, president of the Santa and at the top of that list are birds,” PALATKA, FLA. Fe Audubon Society. ASIA AIKINS / Palatka Daily News Franz said. King and society member Carol Foil Carol Foil, left, Joyce King and Dick Franz of the Santa Fe Audubon Society “Birds are the most visible,” King Public Notices will be leading a bird walk, which will spend time on Wednesday at the Water Works Environmental Education Center said. “We’ll be looking to see what kick off the Earth Day celebration preparing for a bird walk at the center’s Earth Day celebration on Saturday. birds are here now and how it evolves on Page 8A events Saturday morning. as the wetlands restoration contin- By mail, 2 sections Free guided activities including bird ues.” watching, hikes and tours will be throughout the day. from 7-9 a.m. Foil said the distance of People interested in bird watching offered at the WWEEC and neighbor- The bird walk will begin at the the walk be about a mile. ing Ravine Gardens State Park Ravine Gardens Civic Center, lasting “We’ll be seeing a lot of familiar See EARTH, Page 10A 042315a1.indd 1 4/22/15 7:49 PM 2A PALATKA DAILY NEWS • THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2015 Speedway planS Benefit for tate Putnam AM automatic payments for monthly phone service. Announcements Crisafulli is charged with one felo- PALATKA ny count of exploitation of the elderly and has been released on $20,000 Flag retirement at bond. American Legion post fOrT MYers The American Legion Post 45 will Couple accused of neglect have a flag retirement ceremony at 9 after baby found in car a.m. Friday at 316 Osceola St. Police say a man and woman left their 11-month old daughter alone in Artist featured at a locked car while they shopped at a welcome center southwest Florida Wal-Mart. The couple told police they had The Palatka Welcome Center will “forgotten” the child was in the feature Wendy Beeson and the Gem car on Sunday afternoon. The City Cottage arts and fine crafts investigation revealed that from 5-7 p.m. Saturday at 900 St. 27-year-old Carl Merrickes Jr. Johns Ave. Wine and appetizers will and 22-year-old Lakisha Green Submitted photo be served. Free to the public. also left three other young chil- Putnam County Speedway will host the Benefit For Tate fundraiser Saturday at 1009 South U.S. 17, Satsuma. Gates open Wendy Beeson has painted many dren home alone. at 3 p.m. with racing scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. According to a news release, the speedway owners want to help the historic houses and scenes in and Merrickes and Green are each Johnathan Tate Ricks family, after the 9-year-old died following a boating accident on the St. Johns River over the around Palatka. She has a mural charged with four counts of child weekend. Race classes will be added to the weekend event, including Gladiators, Thunder Stocks, Hobby Stocks, Limited “Noah’s Ark” painted on Hammock neglect. Late Models, Modifieds, Mini Stocks, LQ Late Models, Sprints and EMods.