I felt a little like a fish out of water on my first trip to Tallahassee so soon after the swearing in, but thankfully, I had the good sense to ride with City Manager Scott Kornegay and City Clerk Lynn Rutkowski to Clay Day at the Capitol. Both of them made a concerted effort to ensure I was where I needed to be when we all needed to be there. Here are some highlights from Clay Day.
NOTE TO STAFF: While it was a new experience traveling with people I didn't know really well, Scott and Lynn made it so easy. Especially, since my phone hiccupped. Many thanks to you both. Scott, you order a delicious Mahi Mahi.
AS AN ASIDE: One needs GPS to navigate the halls of the Capitol. If I hadn't been led by experienced Capitolists? No bueno. And the wait time on the elevators? Please.
HERE IS WHAT I KNOW: Clay County is alive and well in Tallahassee. Sen. Rob Bradley said in his address to us that Clay County is the smallest county to host a Clay Day at the Capitol. We showed up with tables from the City of Keystone Heights, the Keystone Airport Authority, the City of Green Cove Springs, the Town of Orange Park, the School Board of Clay County, the town of Penney Farms, the Clay County Sheriff's Department, the Museum at Camp Blanding, Shadow Lawn Nurseries, the Supervisor of Elections, and many others.
KUDOS: Chairman Travis Cummings and Chairman Senator Rob Bradley. Since our time together on the Clay County Charter Review in 2005-2006, you have both risen to heights and are serving at the highest level. On behalf of the City of Keystone Heights, I'm really proud of you both.
THE WORK: The work ahead in this legislative session - for small cities like Keystone Heights - is to protect the rights of local governments to govern locally. It is called, "Home Rule," and under the law, local officials have the authority to regulate building codes, zoning ordinances, bar closing times, the location of adult businesses and height restrictions, to name a few. The City Council passed a resolution at our January meeting to support the Florida League of Cities in its lobbying efforts on our behalf against this very, bad bill.
MORE WORK: CS/HB 17 - Community Redevelopment Agencies. We're watching this bill move through the process because if passed, it could impact our Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) which redirects tax dollars from the county to help rebuild our downtown core area.
THANKS: To all of those who worked on the Clay Day 2018 committee to represent us so well. You rocked it. The reception Wednesday night at a really cool venue PLUS the time and attention of all our legislative delegation was top notch: Rep. Cummings, Rep. Payne, and Sen. Bradley. Also heard from Rep. Clemens and Sen. Perry. Thank you for serving.
FINAL NOTE: GO JAGS! BEAT THE PATS! BELIEVE.
P.S. This post is a little late because I spent all day with this beauty...
