12 31 15 a

www.AlachuaCountyToday.com 25¢Thursday, December 31, 2015Vol. 16 No. 03 Alachua, Florida, two sections

8 2015 Alachua Today, Incorporated

Index insideon A2 Alachua Pediatrics & Primary Care

(Adults and Children)Dr. Nasir Ahmed, M.D.Dr. Bilal Khodr, M.D.

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High Springs Police Holiday Cheer Below

PHOTO/Special to Alachua County Today High Springs Police Officers and helpers made special deliveries of Christmas gifts through the Annual Holiday Cheer program.

By RAINA BARNETTToday Intern

'Star Wars' at the Priest Theater

PRIEST:Continued on page A2

CHEER:Continued on page A5

Ghost towns left behindHIGH SPRINGS – The

potential rail trail running from High Springs to Newberry travels through the heart of what first drove large settlement in Western Alachua County 125 years ago: phosphate country.

The phosphate industry boomed from 1890 to 1914 in similar ways to the California Gold Rush of the mid-1800s, including leaving once-thriving communities as ghost towns in its wake.

At least three communities existed directly on the rail line between High Springs and Newberry: Clark, Wade, and Lexington.

Barely a trace remains of any.

All that is known of one, Lexington, is that it existed approximately two miles north of Newberry and was a community owned and operated by W.N. Camp, a vast land-owner and phosphate and timber baron in Northern Florida.

The first ghost town of substance one would come across while traveling south on the proposed trail is at Clark, a little less than four miles south of High Springs.

Clark is closely associated with Loncala, Incorporated, a former phosphate company that has been operating in the High Springs area since 1920.

Loncala relocated its headquarters in 2007 from the building located between the High Springs Branch Library and McCall’s TV Sales and Service off NW 1st Avenue to a new complex located less

than half a mile from Clark.Extensive phosphate

mining near Clark predates the existence of Loncala, however, as that company inherited the business of several previous phosphate enterprises.

It is likely that Clark was named after E.W. Clark of Jacksonville. According to “The Book of Jacksonville: A History,” published in 1895, Clark was a former postmaster of Jacksonville who began a

phosphate business with A.W. Barrs in several areas of the state.

As of 1895, Clark was vice president of High Springs Phosphate Company, which was later purchased by Loncala.

A post office existed at Clark from 1894 to 1911. A company commissary and several tenant houses were also present for several years after.

A little less than a mile

south of Clark was the far larger Town of Wade, incorporated in 1902. A post office predated the incorporation, running from 1893 until 1930.

The town itself consisted of 25 houses and four stores according to longtime local historian Mary Lois Forrester. The post office boxes are in the possession of the Matheson Museum in Gainesville.

Forrester stated that the

GHOST:Continued on page A3

A dark history of Western Alachua County

DAVID S. WISENER/Alachua County TodaySituated in the forest, an abandoned building still stands in the former railroad town of Wade. Wade was incorporated in 1902 and consisted of 25 houses, four stores and boasted a population between 400 and 500 residents.

By DAVID S. WISENERToday Editor

Community year in review

YEAR:Continued on page A4

LACROSSE – An armed robbery occurred at a Kangaroo Gas Station near town Monday morning.

According to Alachua County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO) Public Information Officer Art Forgey, at 10:47 a.m. a suspect described as a bearded white male wearing a red shirt and blue jean shorts threatened

LaCrosse armed robbery

ROBBERY:Continued on page A2

Abandoned railyards leave legacy of hidden treasures

TREASURE:Continued on page A6

AlachuaCounty

Serving the Heartland Communities





High Springs Police bring holiday cheer

HIGH SPRINGS – Although Christmas has come and gone, families in High Springs have been blessed with joyous memories to last a lifetime, all thanks to the High Springs Police Department and other contributing groups.

A program, titled Annual Holiday Cheer, has been going on for several years, according to Angela Robertson of the High Springs Police Department (HSPD).

Members of the Santa Fe High School Key Club, Heather Clarich and other members of the High Springs Rotary Club were

One of numerous train engines that was serviced at the High Springs yards a century earlier. High Springs was a major railroad hub in the late 1800s. The original two-story depot can be seen in the background.

ALACHUA – The old adage is true that you can’t understand where you’re going if you don’t know where you’re from.

As 2015 comes to an end, it marks a convenient opportunity to reflect on major events for Alachua County communities and what it could mean

HIGH SPRINGS – The Force is awakening in High Springs, and it’s going to be strong come mid-January.

The Priest Theatre will begin screening the new blockbuster movie in the “Star Wars” saga, “The Force Awakens,” and the High Springs

HIGH SPRINGS – Alachua County stands to buy the most culturally important land associated with the City of High Springs.

Despite this, it does not seem to be aware of the

extent of what it may be inheriting.

Alachua County is in the process of acquiring land parcels from CSX Transportation Inc., which comprise the former rail line that ran between High

Springs and Newberry, in order to convert the line into a rails to trails project.

Included in the County’s potential purchase is the land on which High Springs’ massive rail yards

PHOTO/Special to Alachua County Today

A2 Alachua County Today LOCAL NEWS Thursday, December 31, 2015

Jesse says,“Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach a man to fish and he will sit in

a boat all day drinking beer.”

Alachua County Today (ISSN 1534-7567) is published weekly by Alachua Today, Inc., 14804 Main Street, Alachua, FL 32615. All material herein is the property of Alachua County Today. Reproduc tion in whole or in part is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher. Periodicals Postage Paid at Alachua, FL 32616.

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Up in the sky…it’s a bird, it’s a plane…wait no, is that a quadcopter? An Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), also known as a drone, is any unmanned aircraft over 0.55 pounds and less than 55 pounds. Drones are considered a Model Aircraft and are defined and regulated as such.

Model Aircraft are any unmanned aircraft that is: capable of sustained flight in the atmosphere, flown within visual

line of sight of the person operating the aircraft, and flown for hobby or recreational purposes.

Drones must be operated in a manner that does not interfere with and gives way to any manned aircraft. If a drone is flown within five miles of an airport, the operator must provide the airport operator and airport air traffic controller with prior notice of operation. Flying a drone in a careless or reckless manner may be subject to

legal enforcement.Drones must be registered with

the FAA. Those who purchased drones prio to Dec. 21, 2015, have until Feb. 19, 2016.

However, all drones purchased on or after Dec. 21, 2015, must be registered with the FAA prior to operation. There is a $5 fee for registration which is good for three years and will cover multiple drones.

Upon registration of the drone,

the FAA will issue a unique registration number that must be placed on the drone in a readily visible location. Owners must be prepared to make a copy of the registration available to law enforcement upon request.

To register your drone with the FAA, visit the FAA’s website: http://www.faa.gov/uas/registration/.

A message from the desk of Sheriff Sadie DarnellDrone Regulations and Registration

Q: How can I overcome my fear of the dentist?

A: First of all, you are not alone in having some sort of anxiety about going to the dentist. The apprehension often stems from a bad experience as a youngster that may have left you fearful of a particular dental procedure or with a general anxiety about going into a dentist’s office, or with a full-blown phobia. As a youngster you may have had a procedure in which the dentist used too little anesthesia or applied it improperly. Dental phobia can also come from a fear of needles, which is not an uncommon fear, or from the whine of the drill. But be assured that dental technology has evolved considerably over the years.

Anesthesia now comes in many forms and through new delivery systems. In some cases you may be able to listen to your favorite music instead of the dreaded whine of the drill. The most important thing is to find a dentist with whom you can talk and feel comfortable. If it’s been a while since you’ve seen a dentist, talk with your friends about the dentists they use. They’ll be happy to help you find one you’re comfortable with. Once you find a dentist with whom you’re comfortable, ask him or her to explain the wide variety of anesthetic options that are available. Once you’ve reestablished the practice of regular dental visits, you’re going to feel much better about yourself and your smile.

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an employee with the implication he had a gun.

An undisclosed amount of cash was given to the suspect from the register, and he left the station located at 5420 West State Road 235 and proceeded to head north on State Road 121 in a black sedan.

The suspect was at large

until 2 p.m., at which point deputies arrested a man they believed to be responsible for the robbery after finding an abandoned sedan on NW 218th Avenue.

Forgey said deputies searched the area around the sedan using police dogs and found the suspect hiding in the woods. The

suspect, whose name has not yet been released by ACSO, was apprehended after threatening the deputies and remains in custody.

# # #Email [email protected]

ACSO has suspect in custodyROBBERY:Continued from page A1

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Historical Society Museum will exhibit displays on the history of the series.

“We have had a lot of people asking about “Star Wars,” and we are definitely going to be showing it,” said Priest owner Janet Alligood.

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” Episode VII in the nine-part saga, was released on Dec. 18 and has shattered several box office records, including recently becoming the fastest movie to earn $1 billion.

Unlike the three most recent “Star Wars” movies released between 1999 and 2005 – the critically-panned prequel trilogy – “The Force Awakens” combines box office earnings with critical acclaim: it currently is rated at 94 percent Fresh on popular movie review Web Site Rotten Tomatoes and registers at 81 percent on critic aggregate Web Site Metacritic.

Thanks to ongoing renovations that began in 2013, the Priest is more ready than ever to display the audio and visual showcase that is associated with a “Star Wars” movie, and at $5 per ticket, at less than half the price of Gainesville movie theaters.

“Everything to do with watching movies has been updated,” Alligood said. “We have a new digital projector, all new speaker and sound system, just completed new electrical work throughout the entire building, and put new stucco and paint on the outside of the building.

“We’ve had the sound system levels adjusted for the optimum a few times and will have it tweaked again this coming week.”

The Priest Theatre is the only movie theater in Alachua County outside of Gainesville. It was built in 1914 by W.A. Priest –

a local Ford dealer – and has been in continuous use since, though it originally hosted stage and vaudeville shows instead of movies.

It’s fitting that the uniquely historical Theatre will likely have a “Star Wars” tie-in provided by the Historical Society Museum.

Museum Director Bob Watson said that once the specific January date for the showing at the Priest is set, he will begin a “Star Wars” themed exhibit.

“We have some items – toys and such – that we can be lent for display to show the history of “Star Wars,” he said. “We even have some people in Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker costumes willing to do some reenactments.”


PRIEST: Continued from page A1

Priest Theatre in continuous operation since 1914

FILE PHOTO/Alachua County TodayL-R: Pictured in 2013, Alan and Janet Alligood raised funds to allow for upgrades to the Priest Theatre, including converting from 35 mm film projectors to the modern digital projection system that will be used to for the "Star Wars" showing.

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A3Alachua County Today COMMUNITY CORNER Thursday, December 31, 2015

Meetings & Events in the Heartlands ■ Dec. 31: Bethesda

Outreach Ministries invites the public to their New Years Eve Service at 10 p.m. The location is 13205 NW 157th Avenue, Alachua.

■ Jan. 2: Dudley Farm Historic State Park Birding Tour with Ron Robison on Saturday, Jan. 2 at 9 a.m. There will also be a kids photography hike with a park ranger. Learn basic photography; take pictures of nature and historic buildings. Admission is $5 per car up to 8 occupants. Dudley Farm Historica State Park is located at 18730 W. Newberry Road, Newberry. For additional information, call 352-472-1142 or visit www.friendsofdudleyfarm.org.

■ Jan. 2: Ichetucknee Springs “Annual Iche Nippy Dip Day.” Participate in an old tradition of starting your New Year by taking a “nippy dip” in the beautiful, clear 72 degree water of the Ichetucknee Springs headspring. The first “dip shift” is at 10 a.m. with the last “dip shift” at 11 a.m. Free giveaways, hot chocolate and coffee are sponsored by Honda of Gainesville. The headspring is located at the North Entrance, off Elim Church Road

(County Road 238), Fort White. For additional information, contact the park at 386-497-4690 or visit www.FloridaStateParks.org.

■ Jan. 9 – 10: Gainesville Camellia Society’s 40th Annual Camellia Show will be held Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 9 and 10 at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, 4700 SW 58th Drive. The show will feature award-winning blooms from growers throughout the Southeastern United States. Growers may enter blooms on Saturday from 6:30 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. Judging will be from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. The public is invited to view the flowers from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday. Unique camellia plants will be available for sale from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. until all plants are sold.

■ Jan. 13: High Springs AARP next membership meeting will be on Wednesday Jan. 13. The activity is the annual collection of School Supplies to be donated to the High Springs Community School. Check their website, [http://highsprings.sbac.edu/pages /HIG0461/

Information/Supply_Lists] for a supplies list. The speaker will be Tina Corbett, President of the Lanza Gallery and Arts Supplies, in High Springs. The meeting starts at 11 a.m. Come early to socialize. The public is invited. Bring a covered dish to share at the dinner following the meeting. Join the group at St. Madeleine Catholic Church in the Family Life Center building, on U.S. Hwy 441 between Alachua and High Springs, 17155 NW U.S. Highway 441, High Springs. For more information, call President G. James at 386-454-9834.

■ Jan. 15: Introduction to Volunteering at Haven Hospice, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. at Haven Hospice, 4200 NW 90th Blvd., Gainesville. There are many ways in which your skills and your smile can make a difference by volunteering. Explore all the possibilities, including patient support, administrative and volunteering in our resale stores! Call Jayna Mason at352- 692-5130 for more information. To apply online, go to www.HavenHospice.org/volunteer

■ Jan. 30: Floridiana Show & Rare Book Sale at the Matheson History Museum on Jan. 30, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. This event is free and open to the public and will feature antique collectors from around North Central Florida. Visitors will be able to view and purchase a unique selection of Floridiana, historic postcards, antique bottles, jewelry and other memorabilia. Vendors will also sell rare books from the Marinus Latour collection and Wolf’s Head Books in St. Augustine. In addition, all local and Florida history books, framed and matted art, historic Florida postcards and other items in the Matheson’s gift shop will be on sale at a special 20 percent discount during the Floridiana show. Parking is available on the east side of the Matheson History Museum, 513 East University Avenue, Gainesville, as well as the Law Office of Attorneys Folds and Walker, and the Kirby Smith Administration Building. For more information call 352-378-2280 or email [email protected].

GHOST:Continued from page A1

#Alachua (City) – Meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. #Alachua County - Meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 9 a.m. at the County Administration Building, 12 SE 1st Street, Room 209, Gainesville. Citizen comments are taken at 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.#Archer - Meets the 2nd Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 16870 SW 134 Ave.#Gainesville - Meets the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month at 1 p.m. at City Commission Chamber, 200 East University Avenue.#Hawthorne - Meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.#High Springs – Meets the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall.#LaCrosse – Meets the 2nd Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.#Micanopy - Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall.#Newberry – Meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at City Hall#Waldo - Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at Yerkes Center.

PUBLIC MEETINGS

overall population of the Wade community was between 400 and 500 people, a very large and hard to believe number until one understands a dark and hidden aspect of Alachua County’s phosphate mining industry: convict labor.

Convicts were leased to businesses until 1923 since Florida did not have a prison system. The vast majority were used in phosphate mining and turpentine farms.

Conditions were often horrible. Convicts were routinely beaten, housed in terrible conditions, and frequently died from disease and taxing physical labor.

A former captain of a Florida convict camp, J.C. Powell, wrote a book in 1891 called “American Siberia” in which he described his 14 years experience as a guard.

Convict labor in the phosphate mines surrounding High Springs, Clark, Wade, Lexington, Newberry and several other former communities was massive.

Horror stories from the camps became so common that the Florida Senate began regularly sending out

inspection teams to oversee camp conditions.

In one report from 1899, the inspection team visited a “headquarters camp” owned by W.N. Camp about a mile and a half from Wade, where 120 convicts were listed as employed in phosphate mining. Seven deaths were listed for that calendar year.

The 1900 U.S. Census lists 134 inmates at this single camp along with 11 guards and 16 other support staff and family members.

There were at least three other convict camps in the nearby vicinity, all complicit in a system that was criticized as inhumane even at the time and would ultimately result in the system’s abolishment.

One gruesome death of a teenage inmate in a camp near Newberry operated by H.F. Dutton (an influential Gainesville luminary in banking, cotton and phosphate) became national news, as did an expose of the Wade camp by the Brooklyn (NY) Daily Eagle on June 24, 1900 titled “Convict Camps in Southern States: Horrible Tales of Cruelty, Florida’s System Exposed.”

So it is that future use

of this proposed rail trail can serve as a reminder to all of us as residents of Alachua County of some of the forgotten aspects

of our local history, both good and bad, that make any community less than a white-washed utopia but more than a dark blot in the

past.It also testifies to the

rapid ability of Florida’s nature and fauna to reclaim that which was once

uprooted back to a peaceful and beautiful setting.


PENNY FARMS – “Foothill Function” is a music ensemble based in Knoxville, Tennessee. Their mission, as they describe it, “is to make enticing music that reaches diverse audiences for culturally engaging and responsive experiences.”

They take joy in supporting charitable causes and bringing the arts, education and culture to audiences in all communities. Individually, they are each talented musicians with diverse career paths in performing, teaching or composing and yet together they produce a unique sound that

inspires the heart strings.Three vocalists,

accompanied by a talented pianist will share music by Samuel Barber, John Ness Beck, Stephen Sondheim and others in a program entitled “An Evening with Barber, Broadway and Blessings.”

The concert will be held at Penney Memorial

Church, 4465 Poling Boulevard, Penney Farms on Sunday Jan.3 at 7 p.m. Admission is free and parking plentiful. Let this talented group add to your holiday experience.

# # #Email editor@

alachuatoday.com

Penney Retirement Community features Foothill Function in upcoming concert

Special toAlachua County Today

Use of convict labor widespread, harsh conditions

The Town of Lacrosse is accepting applications for the CDBG Housing Grant.Applications are at theTown Hall o�ce, which isopen Monday and Thursday9 - 3 and Wednesday 9 - 12

DAVID S. WISENER/Alachua County TodayAbandoned building in the former Town of Wade, which was located near phosphate mining operations. Convict labor was routinely used in phosphate mining, and conditions were harsh leading to a number of deaths.

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A4 Alachua County Today VOICE OF THE HEARTLANDS Thursday, December 31, 2015

We Aren’t the World

Fill In the Blanks

To believe his critics, Donald Trump has ripped up the U.S. Constitution and sprinkled its shreds on the smoldering embers of what was once the Statute of Liberty.

He did this, of course, by proposing a temporary ban on Muslim immigration into the United States, which might be the most roundly and fiercely denounced idea in America since the British Parliament passed the Intolerable Acts (in 1774).

There is no doubt about it: Donald Trump’s proposal is invidious; not all Muslims are a security risk. It is unworkable; among other things, airlines would have to screen travelers from Europe for their religion. It is imprudent; we

don’t want to send a message of generalized hostility to Muslims.

But it’s not unconstitutional. Trump’s detractors, and even some of his fellow Republicans, can’t help making this charge, even though it betrays a misunderstanding, not just of the Constitution, but of the very nature of a sovereign nation.

“We do not discriminate on people based on religion,” Ben Carson said in response to Trump’s

proposal, “that’s constitutional, that’s in the First Amendment.” Of course, he’s right. Except the First Amendment isn’t a free-floating grant of rights to all of mankind.

We are a sovereign country with the right to exclude whomever we want from coming here. In keeping with this basic attribute of nationhood, a long line of Supreme Court cases have upheld the “plenary power” of the political branches to set immigration policy in any way they please.

We have seen exercises of this plenary power in recent decades. During the hostage crisis, as FrontPage Magazine reported, Jimmy Carter ordered that all nonimmigrant visas from Iran be invalidated and that no more be issued, absent a compelling humanitarian reason. He also mandated that Iranian students

in the United States report to the authorities, who queried them about potential radical sympathies. Some students were expelled. Jimmy Carter has not heretofore been known for his fascistic tendencies.

It is different, and less disturbing, to target the nationality of potential entrants, rather than their religion. It is the difference between Trump proposing, say, a temporary moratorium on visas for people coming here from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia -- San Bernardino terrorist Tashfeen Malik was a Pakistani who spent a lot of time in Saudi Arabia -- and a halt to all Muslims. Trump’s ban would apply to an Iraqi interpreter who worked alongside U.S. troops, as well as to a harmless Ph.D. from Malaysia.

Still, the braying about the First Amendment from the left

is rich. The implicit position of Trump’s progressive critics is that the First Amendment doesn’t protect all political speech, or cover people with religious objections to gay marriage, or prevent the Obama administration from forcing nuns to sign up for contraception coverage, but it extends to foreigners hoping to gain entry into the United States.

The embedded assumption is that migrating here is some sort of global civil right. Trump may be ignorant and bombastic, but his supporters believe that, if nothing else, he understands that the security and interests of Americans must come first. They know no such thing about his hysterical detractors.

Rich Lowry is editor of the National Review.

(c) 2015 by King Features Synd., Inc.

Alachua County TodayEstablished in 2000

Ellen B. Boukari Bryan Boukari Executive Editor Publisher

Alachua Today, Inc.

Alachua County Today Policy Statement

Alachua County Today is dedicated to reporting news and events relevant to all citizens of the Heartland Commu nities. Above all, the staff is dedicated to policies of fairness and objectivity, and to avoiding what is sometimes characterized as "agenda journalism."

Alachua County Today is not a Republican newspaper, not a Democratic paper. Nor is it a liberal or conservative paper.

Alachua County Today is

a newspaper dedicated to: (1) balanced reporting of news and events relevant to the community, and (2) reporting on all significant social, economic and political issues and problems that the staff believes should be of concern to our readers.

The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the management, ownership, reporters, or staff of Alachua County Today.

It’s a journalist’s worst nightmare: We discover that nobody cares about our stories because they’re predictable and boring. That certainly seems to be the case for those of us here in Washington, but it’s true throughout our industry. We keep on regurgitating the same stuff and spend a lot of energy doing it. Face it: It’s the same bit, different day.

It’s time to save time, to say

nothing of big money. So, as a public service, let’s concoct reports where all you have to do is fill in the blanks. For example:

“Medical researchers at (institution) have discovered in (animal) a (protein, enzyme, stem cell) that causes (disease). If confirmed in a larger study, the scientists will apply for

authorization to conduct human trials that could lead to a better understanding of (disease) and possible new protocols. They emphasize that any advances in treatment will take five to 10 years to develop.”

How many times have we seen minor variations of that one?

Or in the business section: “(Airline) announced today that it will now be charging a $25 fee for

passengers’ (essential travel item). Other carriers quickly stated that they would follow suit. One executive was overheard saying, ‘Why didn’t we think of that?’”

And this one has become routine: “(Federal agency) has agreed to a settlement with (bank), which will pay $(number) billion in fines for fraudulent mortgage practices during the period leading up to the 2008 financial collapse. Under the terms of the deal, (bank) does not admit wrongdoing. A (bank) spokesman issued a statement saying that it only decided to go along ‘to avoid any further distraction from time-consuming litigation.’”

Wherever you look, you can find examples, from the lifestyle sections and fluffy celebrity magazines, where (contrived reality star) was spotted holding (body part) with (rapper).

But nowhere is this paint-by-

numbers coverage more prominent than in the wild and wacky world of politics. On any given Sunday, the evening newscast will feature a story on the crisis and hostilities in (country name), quoting Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., appearing on (“Meet the Press”/”Face the Nation”/”This Week”/”Fox News Sunday”/”State of the Union”/wherever). McCain always says the exact same thing: “I think we should send in troops. President Obama is wimpy.”

Some of the various personalities who prowl the political world have become so predictable, the reports about them have turned into cliches. I’m thinking of you, Ted Cruz, with your “shut down the government if Obamacare isn’t repealed.”

Let’s face it, Barack Obama has become same-old, same-old, and even sadder, so has the incendiary vitriol that is

relentlessly spewed at him. The politics of hate has become run-of-the-mill and has paralyzed our country.

Is it any wonder that we so often see this story: “A new study, ranking the nations of the world in (health care/ nutrition/obesity/economic fairness/education/infrastructure) show that the United States is trailing the pack. ‘The solutions are obvious,’ said (government official or designated expert). ‘We need to spend more money. But in the current environment, no money will be approved. For anything.’”

How pathetic our routine. If we don’t get our act together, the story will read “On (fill in the date), the United States of America ceased being a superpower.”

(c) 2015 Bob FrankenDistributed by King Features

Synd.

Local News

Waldo loses school, LaCrosse keeps fire departmentfor their futures, both immediate and distant.

The following summary of events is intended strictly as a rehashing of important stories and should not be understood as attempting to slant public opinion either positively or negatively.

The City of Alachua finally saw the opening of its long-awaited Publix Supermarket. Similarly, a resolution with the county seems to have been reached after nearly 10 years of arguments and lawsuits regarding a future Walmart Supercenter. An elaborate plan was also unveiled for the construction of a massive park adjacent to the existing Hal Brady Recreation Complex, to be called Legacy Park.

Archer has come through turmoil surrounding a State audit of the city government, perceived racially-insensitive remarks by a former assistant city manager and the loss of two city managers. It celebrated the groundbreaking of the Archer Ecological Conservation Park and further progress is expected to be made toward implementing a city sewer system.

Hawthorne received a new fire station early in the year. An incredibly significant event recently was the successful annexation of approximately 1,200 acres in order to facilitate the beginning stages of Plum Creek Timber Company’s Envision Alachua development plans, which promise to provide a massive number of jobs for the

city and Eastern Alachua County.High Springs ignominiously lost its

chief of police and now has its sixth chief in five years. A series of city water problems have been cause for a lot of debate between citizens and city government. Plans may soon be moving forward on creating a small park surrounding the city’s namesake spring.

LaCrosse was able to keep its fire department by raising its millage rate, and several road resurfacing projects promise to benefit the community in 2016.

Micanopy was named one of the 12 “cutest small towns in America” by popular online news aggregator and blog The Huffington Post.

Newberry approved construction of the Newberry Town Center project. It hosted a Babe Ruth World Series tournament and also started the process of forming a Community Redevelopment Agency.

Waldo saw its K-5 school disbanded following the 2014-2015 school year and is adjusting to its students being zoned for Hawthorne or Lake Forest Elementary School in Gainesville. It is exploring options for leasing the former school buildings.


YEAR:Continued from page A1

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A5Alachua County Today LOCAL NEWS Thursday, December 31, 2015

HELP END HOMELESSNESS! The Alachua County Coalition for the Homeless and Hungry,

Inc., a 501(c)(3), is starting a Motor Donor program to support the GRACE Marketplace Homeless Center

PLEASE DONATE

352 575-8307Cars, trucks, boats, RVs, motorcycles,

scooters and bicycles (running or not!)

All donations to us are tax deductible

Community organizations, school clubs help with donationsamong the groups to gather and donate gifts, along with the Newberry High School Criminal Justice students, according to the official Facebook page for the HSPD.

A total of three families were assisted this year, ranging in ages from 3 months to adult.

“A little bit of everything is donated,” Robertson said. “We try to get the child maybe a toy they really wanted, and other things, like blankets, pajamas, things like that.”

H e a t h e r Clarich, the chair of the High Springs Rotary Club, has been heavily involved in coordinating efforts and working with the families to have a successful season of gift-giving.

“We look forward to

it every year,” said Laurie Roder, president of the High Springs Rotary Club. “We have friends help us gift wrap.”

Executive Lieutenant Antoine Sheppard, a native

of High Springs who has served in the department since 2001, has been directly involved with the project in years past.

This year, a family

with a baby was assisted, so diapers, wipes, and gift cards were supplied.

The students with the Santa Fe High School Key Club gathered funds and donated items themselves

to assist their community. A $100

Winn-Dixie gift card was supplied as well.

Educational gifts like books and puzzles are encouraged, along with items the family may need, such as blankets. Citizens in the community were welcomed to stop by the HSPD and drop off gifts throughout the holiday season.

Christmas is not about how many presents are given and

received, but the quality and time

spent with loved ones, and the memories that last a lifetime.


CHEERContinued from page A1

“We try to get the child maybe a toy they really wanted, and other things, like blankets, pajamas, things like that.”

n Angela Robertson

PUBLIC NOTICE OF ENACTMENT OF AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ALACHUA,

FLORIDA

Notice is hereby given that the City Commission of the City of Alachua will hold a public hearing on a proposed ordinance. The hearing will be held on Monday, January 11, 2016, at 6:30 p.m., in the James A. Lewis Commission Chambers in City Hall, located at 15100 NW 142nd Terrace, Alachua, Florida.

The ordinance title is as follows:

ORDINANCE 16-02

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF ALACHUA, FLORIDA, PROVIDING AN EXTENSION OF ORDINANCE 15-08, EXTENDING FOR THREE (3) MONTHS THE TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON ALL APPLICATIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL FOR "DISPENSING ORGANIZATIONS" AS DEFINED BY CHAPTER 2014-157, LAWS OF FLORIDA, AND AS FURTHER DEFINED IN CHAPTER 64-4.001, FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, AND PROVIDING FOR A THREE (3) MONTH MORATORIUM ON ALL APPLICATIONS FOR DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL FOR “DISPENSING ORGANIZATION FACILITIES” AS DEFINED IN CHAPTER 64-4.001, FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE CODE; PROVIDING FOR EXEMPTIONS; PROVIDING FOR AN ADMINISTRATIVE REMEDY; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

At the public hearing, all interested parties may appear and be heard with respect to the proposed ordinance. Copies of the proposed ordinance and related materials are available for public inspection at the Planning and Community Development Department, 15100 NW 142nd Terrace, on any regular business day between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Written comments on the proposed ordinance may be sent to the following address: City of Alachua, Planning and Community Development, P.O. Box 9, Alachua, FL 32616. Notice is given pursuant to Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes, that, in order to appeal any decision made at the public hearing, you will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, you may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, any persons with a disability requiring reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this meeting should call the City Clerk at (386) 418-6100 x 101 at least 48 hours prior to the public hearing.

(Published: Alachua County Today - December 31, 2015)

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING BEFORE THE CITY COMMISSION OF

THE CITY OF ALACHUA, FLORIDA

Notice is hereby given that the City Commission of the City of Alachua will hold a public hearing on January 11, 2016, at 6:30 p.m. The hearing will be held in the James A. Lewis Commission Chambers in City Hall, located at 15100 NW 142nd Terrace, Alachua, Florida, to consider the following: A request by James J. Meehan, P.E., applicant and agent, for Golden Pond Farms Inc. and Florida Timber Co, property owners, for consideration of the preliminary plat of Benton Hills, which proposes the subdivision of the subject property into a total of 210 lots. The ±81.14 acre property subject to the proposed subdivision is located immediately south of the Meadowglen subdivision, west of NW County Road 235A (also known as NW 173rd Street), and north-northwest of the Santa Fe Hills subdivision, consisting of Tax Parcel Nos. 03044-010-002, 03044-010-003, 03044-011-001, 03044-011-002, and 03044-011-003. FLUM: Moderate Density Residential and Medium Density Residential; Zoning: Residential Single Family – 4 (RSF-4) and Residential Multiple Family – 8 (RMF – 8.)

At the public hearing, all interested parties may appear and be heard with respect to the application. Copies of the application are available for public inspection at the Planning and Community Development Department, 15100 NW 142nd Terrace, Alachua, Florida, on any regular business day between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Written comments on the application may be sent to the following address: City of Alachua, Planning and Community Development, P.O. Box 9, Alachua, FL 32616. Notice is given pursuant to Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes, that, in order to appeal any decision made at the public hearing, you will need a record of the proceedings, and that, for such purpose, you may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, any persons with a disability requiring reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this meeting should call the City Clerk at (386) 418-6100 x 101 at least 48 hours prior to the public hearing

(Published: Alachua County Today - December 31, 2015)

ALACHUA – In July 2014, Matthew Jayroe, an active teenager with a love of sports and the outdoors, suffered an injury while helping his mother prepare dinner.

In leaping out of the way of a dropped crystal butter dish, Matthew accidently landed on a large shard of glass, slicing the bottom of his foot, including lacerating two major nerves and the plantar tendons. This glass trauma, a common household injury, resulted in a loss of nerve function from the front of his heel through his first three toes.

Upon learning the extent of his injury, Matthew’s parents were concerned that he would grow up impaired and unable to perform in all the activities he enjoyed.

They began searching for a repair option and found Dr. A. Lee Dellon of The Dellon Institutes for Peripheral Nerve Surgery®. In August 2014, Matthew underwent surgery where Dr. Dellon repaired the damaged nerve tissue with AxoGen, Inc.’s Avance ® Nerve Graft, allowing the nerves to regenerate and restore his sensation. Matthew is now back to being an active teenager, running, climbing trees and playing sports again.

Alachua based AxoGen, Inc., a leader in developing and marketing innovative surgical solutions for peripheral nerve injuries, announced that Matthew Jayroe, one of the thousands of patients who have had injured nerves repaired with AxoGen’s Avance® Nerve Graft, will be honored as a recipient of donated nerve tissue.

Matthew will ride aboard the 2016 Donate Life Rose Parade Float in

Pasadena, California on New Year’s Day. Matthew, a native of Dothan, Alabama, is one of 30 riders on the float, all of whom have received the gift of donated tissue, organs or eyes thanks to the generosity of deceased donors and their families.

“We are honored that Matthew will have the opportunity to represent nerve tissue recipients on the Donate Life Rose Parade Float,” said Matthew’s mother, Teresa Jayroe. “The injury to Matthew’s foot may be a common household injury but when the physicians in our area were unable to repair his nerve injury, I knew right away it could impact the rest of his life. We are grateful for Dr. Dellon of The Dellon Institutes for Peripheral Nerve Surgery® and Avance® Nerve Graft for giving Matthew a second chance to be an active teenager.

“Nerve injuries like Matthew’s can happen at any time and it’s critical to quickly find a doctor who can recommend treatment options that restore functionality so you can get back to doing what you enjoy the most,” she added.

“There are over 900,000 nerve injuries in the U.S. annually and the growing awareness of our product portfolio, including Avance ®Nerve Graft, is benefitting thousands of patients with an off-the-shelf option for patients suffering from peripheral nerve injury,” commented Karen Zaderej, President and Chief Executive Officer of AxoGen, Inc. “Matthew’s mother is a great champion for her kids and due to her quick response and persistence, Matthew is able to return to his active lifestyle.”

# # #Email editor@

alachuatoday.com

Local firm AxoGen’s nerve graft recipient honored on Rose Bowl parade float

Special toAlachua County Today

PHOTO/Special to Alachua County TodayHigh Springs Police Officers helped in the collection and distribution of brightly wrapped gifts. Three families were recipients in this year's Project Holiday Cheer.

A6 Alachua County Today LOCAL NEWS Thursday, December 31, 2015

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Photos by RAINA BARNETTToday Intern

once resided.This is noted on the

second page of the Florida Greenways and Trail Council’s (FGTC) project description for the corridor as presented at its Dec. 14 meeting.

The FGTC is a subcommittee of the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and as such is primarily concerned about preserving biological life, yet it states in its subsection on the corridor’s historical and cultural resources that, “although not identified as historic by the State Division of Historical Resources, there are remnants of a railroad roundhouse and supporting rail yard located in the vicinity of High Springs.”

The former passenger depot located nearby at 20 NW Railroad Avenue, however, is a marked Florida Heritage Site

designating “Railroading in High Springs.”

The depot was moved from its original location adjacent to the former yards in 1994.

Railroading is thus recognized by the State as part of Florida Heritage, but a property has to be submitted to the State for consideration of historic status, so just what exactly remains of the rail yard, and is it worth preserving?

“Henry Plant made High Springs the division headquarters of his rail system in 1895,” said Bob Watson, Director of the High Springs Historical Society Museum.

“There was a huge roundhouse, machine shops, two large water towers, a two-story hospital: it was a major railroad hub,” he said.

The High Springs Museum is in the midst of a long-term project of

constructing a to-scale model of the rail yards based on 1917 blueprints.

The entire complex covered more than 50 acres of land, approximately half the size of Disney’s Magic Kingdom as a point of comparison.

The population of High Springs exploded to almost 2,000 by 1900, making it the second largest city in the county and half the size of Gainesville.

As of 1925, nearly 400 people were employed directly by the railroad, with several more working

in ancillary roles. When asked if anything

remained of the extensive operations, Watson said quite a bit was still extant.

“All of the foundations for the buildings are still there, including the roundhouse and the shops,” he said. “When they built things back then, they built them to last.”

Watson said CSX had actually approached the City and Historical Society about the possibility of turning the land into a park.

“We’re all supposed to get together sometime at

the beginning of the year to discuss things further,” he said.

Watson noted that preliminary ideas for a park would include clearing out the underbrush that covers the entire area and making several paths with signage

in front of the historical remains which tell the story of the buildings and industry that once stood there.


TREASURE: Continued from page A1 Railroad Avenue depot is a marked Florida Heritage Site

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