BY MARK J. CRAWFORD
The Rotary Club of Starke will provide shelter at Santa Fe Boat Ramp as one of its projects for the coming year.
Starke Rotary President John Williams asked and received the county commission’s blessing to move forward.
“It’s something that’s very needed,” Williams said of providing a covered pavilion for the boat ramp located off C.R. 21B.
The club will be reaching out to its district foundation as well as the Clay Electric Foundation. The estimated cost is less than $25,000, and the goal is to complete project between September 2025 and February 2026.
Williams is also director of The Arc of Bradford County and said the organization would donate two picnic tables for the pavilion.
County Commission Chairman Danny Riddick said the pavilion is something he has been trying to do for years.
“For the fishing tournaments and stuff like that, or people that just come down there to eat lunch or whatever, it will be a nice place to actually look out over the lake,” he said. “I just thank you so much. I’m excited about this.”
“We’re excited about this project,” Williams said. “We think it’s going to benefit the county, benefit everyone who utilizes that space out there.”
Rotary Club of Starke members are part of an organization that has been serving the community for 88 years.
In other business:
—the commission approved a previously discussed five-year Capital Improvement Plan, after adding $170,000 to purchase upgraded election tabulation equipment for Supervisor of Elections Amanda Seyfang. Seyfang said she doesn’t intend to spend that much and is reducing the number of tabulators to cut recurring costs. Server upgrades are also required. The purchase would be made from her next budget, so approving a higher amount helps ensure there are no surprise budget amendments due to price increases.
