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FMEA on Tropical Storm Nate

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Statement By:
Amy Zubaly, Executive Director, Florida Municipal Electric Association
Regarding Tropical Storm Nate

“While there is still much uncertainty surrounding Tropical Storm Nate’s ultimate strength and path, Florida’s municipal electric utilities are watching it closely and are prepared to bring in power restoration resources should this storm system become a threat to Florida’s Panhandle and the public power communities located there.
We have been in communication with our fellow public power utilities in other states that are also in the current path of Tropical Storm Nate. Our crews are ready to go to other Gulf coast states to assist them if needed and if Florida is not impacted.
We continue to be in close communication with Gov. Rick Scott and thank him for being helpful and proactive as we face yet another tropical storm system.”

Matt Caldwell Locks Another Key Endorsement in Bid for Commissioner of Agriculture

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Representative Matt Caldwell announced another major endorsement from the Florida Panhandle. Congressman Matt Gaetz is joining the growing list of conservative leaders endorsing Caldwell.
Congressman Matt Gaetz said, “I support Matt Caldwell because he is a consistent conservative. He has never voted to support things like: Obamacare expansion, the Charlie Crist tax increases, and big brother-style red light cameras. And, he’s the only candidate in this race who has refused to take public tax dollars to finance his campaign.”
Since launching his campaign for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture, Caldwell has been successful traveling the Sunshine State to share his conservative message and build support for the campaign.
Representative Caldwell said, “I am proud to have the support of Congressmen Gaetz. I worked with Matt in the Florida House and he is not only an exceptional leader but a true, principled conservative. With his support and the support of Floridians across the Sunshine State, I hope to serve the people of the great State of Florida as the next Commissioner of Agriculture.”
The Commissioner of Agriculture serves as a member of the Florida Cabinet and is critical to the foundation of Florida’s economy. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services helps the agricultural industry with its daily challenges, promotes Florida’s agricultural commodities, manages state forests, safeguards consumers, implements the school lunch program, and oversees the concealed-weapon license system.

UNF Students Awarded International Computing Honor Society Scholarships

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Upsilon Pi Epsilon, the international honor society for the computing and information disciplines, awarded scholarships for academic excellence in the field of computing totaling $2,500 to two students in the School of Computing at the University of North Florida.
Graduate student Nancy Carrier, who is working on her master’s degree in computer science, was awarded the UPE Academic Achievement Award for $1,500. Undergraduate student Ian Manuel, a senior dual majoring in computer science and physics, was awarded the UPE Scholarship Award for $1,000.
“Receiving such international awards is indicative of the rigorous nature of the programs in the University of North Florida’s School of Computing and shows that we are preparing students for successful careers,” said Dr. Sanjay Ahuja, UNF computing professor and UPE advisor.
Carrier, an East Arlington resident, is a non-traditional student and has re-entered the graduate program at UNF with dedication to her master’s degree in Computer Science, holding a 3.91 GPA. As an undergrad, she was part of the Computer Programming Team and Association of Computing Machinery Club and currently serves as president of the UNF chapter of the UPE. Carrier is a senior data scientist at Bank of America and has worked in the technology industry for over 20 years. She also serves as an active volunteer in the community working with local schools as a tutor and role model as well as helping youth through Boy and Girl Scouts of America.
Manuel, a Southside resident, currently holds a 3.98 GPA within his dual majors. He was the Department of Physics Summer Research Grant recipient in 2016. With the grant, he researched the magnetic and optical properties of graphene. He previously assisted in developing software as a programmer for a UNF robotics group and took part in the 2013 and 2014 FIRST Robotics Competition.
UNF’s School of Computing is dedicated to the promotion of an academically exciting and progressive intellectual climate, characterized by a superior program of instruction, peer-recognized scholarship, effective support services and productive professional community involvement.

Senator Hutson Announces Volusia County Legislative Delegation Meeting

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Notice of Public Meeting

Senator Travis Hutson makes the following announcement regarding the delegation public hearing and deadlines.
The Volusia County Legislative Delegation Meeting will be held on Friday, November 3, 2017, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  The public hearing will take place at the City of Ormond Beach Commission Chamber, 22 South Beach Street, Ormond Beach, Florida, for the purpose of hearing public testimony on general issues, legislation, local bills and appropriations.
To be placed on the agenda to address the Volusia County Legislative Delegation, please contact Danielle Curbow in Senator Hutson’s office prior to October 27, 2017.
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and Chapter 286.26, Florida Statutes, persons in need of special accommodations to participate in the meeting, including agendas, interpreters or assisted listening devices, shall contact the office of Senator Travis Hutson no later than two (2) weeks prior to the meeting so that accommodations can be satisfied.

Gov. Scott: Florida Virtual School to Accept 20,000 Displaced Puerto Rican Students

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Governor Rick Scott today announced that Florida Virtual School (FLVS) will accept 20,000 Puerto Rican students who were impacted by Hurricane Maria to ensure they are able to continue their education. Whether students are still in Puerto Rico or in Florida, they can take advantage of this program.
Governor Scott said, “Families in Puerto Rico have experienced extreme devastation of their homes and communities due to Hurricane Maria. As they work to rebuild their lives, these families should not have to worry about their children falling behind in school. In Florida, our schools offer a world-class education, and I am glad that Florida Virtual School has stepped up to help these families as they rebuild their lives. I encourage Puerto Rican families to take advantage of this opportunity and the State of Florida will continue to do all we can to help them during this challenging time.”
Displaced Puerto Rican families who are interested in signing up for Florida Virtual School should contact Liz Chico at (863) 606-8033.
Additionally, all Florida school districts are prepared to accept displaced K-12 students in local schools, and a number of districts have already begun enrolling displaced students. Families who would like to enroll a student in a local elementary, middle or high school should contact the school district in which they are located. Contact information for each district is posted here.

Signal Outage, Flagging Operations Planned for Railroad Crossings

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Phase 2 South Sections

Motorists are advised to use extra caution at several railroad crossings this weekend while crews switch over the crossing signals to an upgraded system. Flaggers will be used to stop drivers as trains pass from 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, through 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8, at the following crossings:

  • Fairway Woods Boulevard between Orange Avenue and Landstar Boulevard
  • East Wetherbee Road near South Orange Avenue
  • West Taft Vineland Road west of Orange Avenue
  • Fourth Street west of Orange Avenue
  • Pine Street west of Orange Avenue
  • East Landstreet Road west of Orange Avenue

Traffic will only be stopped for routine train traffic. The roads will otherwise remain open. Police officers will assist with traffic control at larger crossings.
The work is occurring to the south of where SunRail trains currently run, and will not affect the last SunRail train of the night, Friday night. Amtrak and CSX trains currently use this southern section, and trains will run at lower speeds at those crossings.
The signal upgrade is part of the 17.2-mile SunRail Phase II expansion project between the Sand Lake Road station and Poinciana. The expansion includes construction of new track, as well as four new SunRail stations. During the signal outage, the new system will be activated and tested.
Please note that schedules may change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Updates can be found at www.cflroads.com, as well as www.sunrail.com.
For construction-related questions, please contact Public Information Coordinator Carolyn Fitzwilliam at 386-740-3566 or [email protected].

Share your bay scallop input with the FWC; workshops scheduled for October

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This summer, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) implemented staggered season start and end dates for bay scallop harvest. The FWC needs your feedback on this staggered season structure before determining how to manage the season in the future.
The FWC will be hosting five public workshops including areas of the state where scallop harvest is allowed as well as in Pasco County, where harvest currently is not allowed. The goal of these workshops will be to gather input on the bay scallop fishery, including whether this year’s staggered season made for a more enjoyable time on the water and whether it had any economic impact on the coastal communities that depend upon this fishery. Input from these workshops will be discussed at a future Commission meeting and will help the FWC determine what the bay scallop season structure should be in future years.
Upcoming in-person workshops are scheduled as follows (scheduled 6 to 8 p.m. local time except for Port St. Joe):

  • Oct. 12: Port St. Joe, Gulf County Board of County Commissioners, Robert M. Moore Administration Building, 1000 Cecil G. Costin Sr. Blvd. (this meeting only is from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. ET).
  • Oct. 16: Steinhatchee, Steinhatchee Landing Resort, 219 NE Highway 51.
  • Oct. 17: Land O’ Lakes, Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, Meeting Rooms 3 & 4, 3032 Collier Parkway.
  • Oct. 18: Crystal River, City Council Chambers, 123 NW Highway 19.
  • Oct. 26: Carrabelle, Franklin County Senior Center, 201 NW Ave. F.

For updates and to learn more about these workshops, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Public Comments/Workshops” and “Workshops.”
Can’t make a meeting? Written comments may be submitted online at MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments.

Mast Statement on Budget Vote

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U.S. Congressman Brian Mast (FL-18) today released the following statement after House passage of the budget:
“Washington’s spending habits are completely out of control, with debt totaling more than $60,000 per person.  Every year, families and small businesses are forced to set and live by a budget.  Unfortunately, today’s vote continues the disastrous trend of passing budgets that don’t really balance by using unrealistic expectations to fake the numbers—something book keepers in any company, anywhere, would be fired for doing.
“After less than a year in Washington, there’s no doubt in my mind that the system is rigged against the vast majority of our country.  We need tax reform that lowers rates while closing loopholes used by rich lobbyists.  The government needs to spend less and empower the American people to do more.  Because this budget doesn’t do nearly enough to end the tax and spend status quo, fails to adequately protect Florida’s seniors and will drive us deeper into debt, I had no choice but to vote no.”

FDOT Hosts Mobility Week for Central Florida

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This year’s theme is “What Moves You?”

What moves you and how do you get from here, to there? The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and its partner agencies are set to celebrate the second annual Mobility Week, October 28 to November 3, 2017. Events are being hosted throughout the duration of Mobility Week within the nine-county Central Florida region – Brevard, Flagler, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Sumter and Volusia counties.
The Mobility Week initiative is a grassroots effort to promote awareness of safe and sustainable transportation choices and how those choices can build stronger communities, reduce traffic congestion and improve community health.
There are many ways to take part in Mobility Week. Agencies can organize an event, activity or training that promotes walking, cycling or transit or implement measures that encourage people to switch from driving alone to ridesharing, teleworking or other options.
Individuals can sign up and take part in the Mix-It-Up challenge, a fun and free online competition where contestants can earn points, badges, and prizes by logging their trips on the website. The challenge is intended to encourage people to mix and match different modes of transport in their daily life and compete for prizes furnished by Mobility Week Partners.
To learn more information about Mobility Week, including a schedule of events, how to enter the Mix-It-Up Challenge and learn about transportation modes available, visit the FDOT Mobility Week website at www.mobilityweekcfl.com.

CFO Patronis Urges Gulf Coast Residents to Plan and Prepare for Tropical Storm Nate

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As Tropical Storm Nate approaches the Gulf of Mexico, Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis is urging Gulf Coast and Big Bend residents to prepare now for the possibility of severe weather in the coming days.
“Floridians should take a proactive approach and stock up on necessary supplies now, days ahead of the storm’s arrival,” said CFO Patronis. “While the storm’s track remains uncertain, all Floridians should closely monitor local weather alerts and be prepared for the possibility of severe weather.”
CFO Patronis reminds Floridians that hurricane preparedness plans should include copies of insurance policies and cards, insurance company contact information and financial account(s) records. The Department’s Insurance Consumer Helpline (1-877-MY-FL-CFO) is available Monday – Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST to answer any insurance-related questions that consumers or business owners may have.
In the days ahead of the storm’s potential impact, homeowners are encouraged to take these simple, specific steps to protect their homes and property:

  • Inventory household items, including receipts, purchase dates, and serial numbers. Photograph or videotape each room of your home. Email the information to yourself to create a digital record.
  • Shore up your structure. Buy materials that can secure your property and minimize your losses. Consider covering your windows with shutters, siding, or plywood. Move vehicles into a garage or carport. Carry outdoor grills and patio furniture inside.
  • Read through your insurance policies and take note of hurricane deductibles. Most policies have a hurricane deductible equivalent to 2, 5 or 10 percent of a home’s insured value. If your property is damaged, you will be responsible for a portion of the repair costs.

To keep all insurance and banking information in one easily-accessible place, consumers can download a copy of the Department’s free Emergency Financial Preparedness Toolkit. The Toolkit serves as a one-stop shop for all finance, emergency and insurance contact information. Download and complete the toolkit today.