The week in between Christmas and New Year's is often slower than the weeks leading up to the holiday season. This week held serve.
There were three notable engagements I'd like to share with you.
The first of which was Tuesday's staff meeting conducted by the City Manager at 8:30 AM the day after Christmas. He was able to take down a project of major completion off the project board dealing with drainage at the Fox Run/Commercial Circle intersection. It's great that area business owners feel like the city responded to their issues. As I understand it, it hasn't been an easy resolution to come to so I appreciate everyone's patience and cooperation while the City worked things through.
The City Manager added a project to the board regarding the City sponsoring the League of Cities April meeting at the Keystone Heights Airport. It's one of the best attended events on the regional calendar and takes planning well ahead of time to pull it off perfectly.
Speaking of planning and the Keystone Airport, the Mayor's Ball is coming up on Saturday, March 10th from 6:30-11 PM at the same venue. Please save the date. We began planning this week. This is a collaboration between the Rotary Club of Keystone Heights and the City of Keystone Heights. Proudly, I am a member of both organizations and want to see this event rise to unprecedented levels of success.
Former mayor, Tony Brown, rocked it last year, so the bar was set high. Our City Manager is a Rotarian, too. He called our first meeting to order a week ago and once people shared how they wanted to participate, we got organized. Shelley Gibbs and I consulted with both major planners from a year ago to gauge the scope of the project and boy, are we in for a ride.
Maria Hitt, operations manager at the airport, and City Clerk Lynn Rutkowski are huge resources. I look forward to working with them and the Rotary committee to bring you a truly, exceptional event.
The Mayor's Ball will continue to benefit the new Trailhead in between Wendy's and CVS Pharmacy on SR-100. Tickets will be on sale for $40 a person or $70 per couple. The theme is A Speakeasy theme from the 1930s. The Clay County Swing Band will be the entertainment. Heavy appetizers will complement the experience.
A heads up, the first city council meeting of the year will be held at city hall on Thursday, Jan. 4, 2018 at 6 PM where among other agenda items, we will recognize one of our oldest city residents, Huntley Redfearn, for his services to the city and community. If you know Mr. Redfearn, please come support his years of dedication to the City of Keystone Heights. Who knows, maybe Mr. Redfearn will tell us a story. :-)
Many good wishes to all you and your families as you send out 2017 this evening and welcome a new 2018. I love this time of year because it's a time of reflection and setting new visions and goals for the year. My journal is my best friend today as I envision the new year. Let's help each other achieve those goals.
Be safe. Have fun. Go Jags!