The new Legislative Delegation for St. Johns County, which includes Sen. Tom Leek and Reps. Sam Greco and Kim Kendall, heard what stakeholders want in 2025
One speaker called it a “need list.” Yet it remains to be seen how much will be deliverable from Tallahassee.
St. Johns County Commission Chair Krista Joseph wants state matching funds for the District 23 Medical Examiner’s office (a “critical need” for the “outdated office” encompassing St. Johns, Flagler, and Putnam) and the North Beach flood mitigation project affecting 84 blocks that “sit in a bowl.”
She also wants funding for the Florida Museum of Black History.
“We’re hearing crickets,” Joseph said, about the state commitment to the “epicenter of African-American history.”
Howard Holley, a board member of the Museum of Black History and member of the state task force establishing the museum, echoed these concerns.
Commissioner Ann Taylor bemoaned “severe traffic issues” at the “failing exit” of I-95 at the World Golf Village, exacerbated by increased commercial development approved by the county commission.
She wants a new exit ramp to remedy “dangers and delays” including people sitting through multiple light cycles, with “assistance at both the state and federal level.” Taylor noted the County Commission is unanimous in this plank of its “need list.”
School Superintendent Tim Forson said start times for schools mandated by the state could lead to “very young children” waiting for buses in the dark, but he didn’t say what change he wanted.
St. Johns Property Appraiser Eddie Creamer noted that property is expensive in the county, and increasing senior exemptions from school taxes and other burdens could help “retiree homeowners.”
St. Augustine Mayor Nancy Sykes-Kline wants a roundabout on A1A and fire station relocation, which would be a $5 million hit if approved.
Finally, Airport Authority Interim Director Courtney Pittman presented the local bill that would rename the Northeast Florida Regional Airport to St. Augustine Airport, correcting a change made four years ago. This would align the name with that of the “city it serves” and its “global reputation as a high-end, culturally rich destination.”
Rep. Kendall will carry that bill.
Lawmakers wanted clarity on removing the regional airport designation, and Pittman noted that it is clunky for people trying to communicate.
–A.G. Gancarski, Florida Politics
JimboXYZ says
I’d list all the projects they have that are nothing but unfunded & grossly underfunded growth projects. in St Johns county. Sounds a lot like Flagler County wasn’t the only growth vision plan shorted by Federal & State pipe dreams of politicians. If they want the museum that bad, they’re going to have to build it themselves & find a way to fund it. It’s going to be a new era of lean times for the USA. I’m not onboard for throwing money at yet another museum of history. Just me, when I saw that it had been awarded & approved, that WGC Exit ramp was the last place I was going to spend money & time to wander around for a few hours/day. Heck, don’t even go to Matanzas or downtown historical district of St A anymore for the money & time bandit it is. Reading about the gridlock, why would I or anyone else bother to stop off I-95 for that ? That’s one expensive tank of gasoline for a refuel. We can have that much fun over at BJ’s at Alfin World on SR-100.
Atwp says
We all have wish lists. We don’t always get everything we want. Will be interesting to see what the state will do about funds for the African American Museum. With the Republican anti African Studies, I believe little to no funds will be allocated for the Museum. As an older African American Man, why waste voting for people who are trying to take away any studies of our contributions to the country, and taking away our right to vote.