BY MELISSA PYLE
Special to the Telegraph
Members of the community voiced their support for revitalizing the recreation building and park on Old Middleburg Road at the Lawtey City Council Meeting April 1.
The building has been left in disrepair for years, and citizens want it to be repaired or replaced. The rebuilding of this public space, they say, is just one step towards a brighter future for Lawtey.
County Commission Chairwoman Carolyn Spooner addressed the council about expanding the Middleburg building, comparing it to the restoration of the RJE Complex in Starke. She said it could be a community project if the community was motivated to help. Grants could be used to fund each stage.
“Lawtey is a viable community and deserves improvement,” Spooner said.
Terricena Kittles said she and others had been trying to get the building repaired for more than 10 years, even setting up a nonprofit to fund the repairs. She said the city would not relinquish the building to the group and wanted to know why there was a hold up.
Kittles and other citizens shared how that building and community center had been a place they utilized as children and teens. They want the city to have the property open again for today’s children to have a place to have activities and feel safe.
Isaac Williams, a retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army, shared his experience working with the private and public sector to build new buildings. He suggested the city start by attacking the problem and not each other.
Williams suggested the city work with Camp Blanding to make an improvement plan. He also urged the council to plan for the future, examine the city’s needs and consider long-term costs and impacts.
The council will have an inspector evaluate the structural integrity of the existing building once they get clear specifications from the county. Councilwoman Emily Hoffman offered to cover an estimated $1,500 charge.
In response to the large showing of concern for the needs of the city and plans for future development, Mayor Jimmie Scott asked for a show of hands of those interested in serving on an economic development council. Several hands went up.
Fire department MOU
Bradford Fire Rescue Chief Ben Carter appeared to discuss a proposed memorandum of understanding between the city and county for fire rescue services and the transfer of city-owned facilities.
City attorney Dan Sikes addressed the topic by explaining the long cost-sharing understanding with the county. Chief Carter stated that the county is already paying for vehicle repairs because the city is typically not able to pay the large bills. The new MOU calls for the county to take ownership of the vehicles, including the cost of maintenance.
Most council members wanted a workshop to discuss the details of the new MOU with the chief before approval, so a workshop was scheduled for April 16.
Councilwoman felt ‘threatened’
Hoffman was unable to attend the last meeting and wanted to take the time to present the council with information about an incident earlier this year that resulted in each member being called to a meeting with the warden at Lawtey Correctional Institution.
Hoffman handed each member a copy of the following: a picture she took of falling trash from a trailer and a transcript of a portion of the February meeting she was accused of interrupting that resulted in a fiery exchange.
Hoffman said she felt a comment made in that meeting by Police Chief Jerry Feltner was a veiled threat to arrest her. She also made a public records request for the report that was sent over to the warden that resulted in “safety and procedural” meeting.
Lawtey Police Maj. Nathan Blom responded to Hoffman saying she felt threatened.
“Chief Feltner never threatened to charge you with anything at the meeting two months ago. … He simply stated that anybody that records, harasses, molests or takes photos of inmate work squads can be charged. He never threatened you.”
In other business:
—new members were appointed to the recreation board, including Williams, who spoke about the Middleburg building.
—the council voted to sell a 2014 Dodge for a minimum bid of $2,000.
—Sikes advised the council to hire a magistrate to hear appeals of citations issued by the city’s traffic camera.
