Mr. Mayor

For years, the main library was in Green Cove Springs.  When the Fleming Island Library as built, I believe they designated it as the main library.

I was by it the other day and I think it's on the sign out front that it is now the main library.

I could be wrong though, so I won't set that statement in concrete.  Can probably find it on a Google search.

The Fleming Island library is now the main library. And I don't see what's wrong with leaving the current library in Green Cove in the building it is unless there's something wrong with the building. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. 

I do agree however that something needs to be done with the vacant buildings around town. Rather then waste the money on building and destroying woodlands for strip malls and office condos that sit empty for months only to be filled with nail salons and other equally useless things. We should concentrate on taking care of what's already an established building and either fix it up or tear down what's there and rebuild in it's place. 

Sunny,

I've worked in government, and I've worked in the private sector.  I am a strong believer in free markets and the power of private investment.  I've never been much in favor of a Soviet-style planned economy where the government reaches deeply into the lives and financial decision-making authority of people who risk their own capital to improve business property.

Government doesn't do those sorts of things well.

Ronnie Robinson's property will sell when a buyer agrees to pay the price that Ronnie is asking for the property.  At that price, I am certain that something nice will be developed.  In this kind of land market, who's going to pay a large chunk of change for a piece of property just to sit on the piece of property.

The Garber property next to Rich's has already been sold.  Architechtural plans are being drawn up for a hotel on that site.

The old library is owned by the County.  If you don't like the building, take the matter to the Board of County Commissioners.  The building and its grounds, while less than sightly, are not in violation of the City Code.  We can't just make up rules as we go because we don't like how something looks.

The building next to the Clay Theatre is another matter.  That property has a number of liens for code enforcement violations.  The City is now exploring legal steps to foreclose on code violation liens.  The City recently resolved a large lien against a property on Spring Street using a new ordinance that required the violators to pay the City costs for settling a lien.  This City Council is moving in the right direction to correct a lack of code-enforcement emphasis that existed in the Citiy between 2000 and 2005.  There is a pretty good backlog of code violations to deal with. 

I would be more than happy to take Sheriff Beseler's contributions for a new Police Station.  I'll bet Rick has $3 to 4 million in extra money laying around that we need for a new police station.  I list that idea as Plan C. 

I will agree that the County has some pretty trashy-looking sites around the City.  So does the School Board.  So does the City.  Some of the County owned and leased lots look pretty shabby.  So does the old City Hall next to the pool.  It is going to take some money to fix those problems.  Under current state law, we aren't going to raise taxes at the County and at the City to clean the mess up. 

How about this idea, Sunny.  You write a check to the City to go into a fund reserved for beautifying the ugly property that you and I own as residents of the City.  I match you dollar for dollar. 

I can bash ugly public sector property as well as the next person.  The difference between you and I is that I can see some of the nice public sector work that has been done, mostly at the insistence of the City government.  The new Clay County Courthouse is nice.  So is the new City Hall.  But, let me go back to bashing public sector stuff for a minute. . .

I feel as though I owe you an apology, Sunny.  Last week I commented that FDOT was going to install landscaping on the US 17 medians this year.  Less than a week later I get a letter from FDOT stating that they had cancelled the project.  I was appalled.  I immediately responded to FDOT.  I blind-copied 352 e-mail addressees on my distribution list within the City limits.  Within 45 minutes, FDOT called me on the phone begging me to shut off the irate e-mails being sent to FDOT Secretary Kopelousos and FDOT District 2 Secretary Baldwin.  My goal is that by early next week FDOT calls the City asking for a cease-fire.  My terms for a cease fire is that FDOT complete the job that they started 2 years ago.

I could use some help from folks like yourself.  You write well.  If you want  FDOT to complete the landscaping on US 17, send an e-mail to:

Charles Baldwin, FDOT District 2 Secretary, email:  Charles.Baldwin@dot.state.fl.us

Stephanie Kopelousos, Secretary, FDOT, email:  fdot@dot.state.fl.us

Join the other 100 citizens who have sent e-mails in the past 24 hours.  You might help make a difference.

Thanks for asking,

Mike Kelter, PE

Mayor, City of Green Cove Springs

mkelter@bellsouth.net

A lot of services that were in GCS are being moved to Fleming Island.  The State moved DCFS et. al. to Fleming Island.  It would be hard to believe that the rent on those new buildings are equal to or less than their previous locations.  I believe the prevailing reason is for better access to those  who live in other parts of the county.  If that is a good reason, why is the new hospital being located off Blanding Blvd, just like the existing one? If it were not for the addition onto the courthouse, I would believe GCS was being replaced as county seat.