Alachua County Today

Alachua County Official Candidate Qualifying Period to Run Between Noon, June 13 and Noon, June 17

ALACHUA COUNTY — The official candidate qualifying period for 2022 runs between noon on Monday, June 13 and noon on Friday, June 17. To qualify for county office and have their name appear on the ballot, candidates must file complete qualifying paperwork with the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Office during this period. Candidates may pre-qualify by submitting their paperwork up to two weeks prior to the start of the qualifying period.

The following local offices are up for election in Alachua County:

Alachua County Commission – Districts 1, 2, and 4 (District 1 will be on the ballot this year due to the resignation of Commissioner Mary Alford. The person elected to this position will fill the unexpired portion of the term).

Alachua County School Board – Districts 1, 2, 3, and 5 (District 2 will be on the ballot this year due to a declared vacancy by the Governor last year. The person elected to this position will fill the unexpired portion of the term).

Soil and Water Conservation Supervisor – Group 1, 3, and 5 (Senate Bill 1078 requires all soil and water conservation seats to be on the ballot this year. This bill has not yet been signed into law by the Governor. An update will be provided if there are any changes).

For information about running for county offices, contact the Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Office at 352-374-5252 or visit VoteAlachua.gov.

The candidate qualifying period for City of Gainesville offices will also take place between noon on Monday, June 13 and noon on Friday, June 17. For City of Gainesville offices, complete qualifying paperwork must be submitted to the City of Gainesville Clerk’s Office.

The following local offices are up for election in the City of Gainesville:

Gainesville Mayor At Large Commission Seat

District 2, 3, and 4 Commission Seats

For more information about the candidate qualifying period for the City of Gainesville, contact Gainesville City Clerk Omichele Gainey at 352-334-5015.

The candidate qualifying period for judicial candidates was held during an earlier qualifying period. All county judicial candidates went unopposed. Candidates for federal, state, and multicounty offices will qualify with the Florida Division of Elections. For information on those candidates, visit dos.myflorida.com/elections.

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Register Now for 2022 4-H Summer Day Camps

ALACHUA COUNTY - The UF/IFAS Extension Alachua County Office has announced the 2022 4-H Summer Day Camps. These camps are being offered by Mary Lee Sale, 4-H Youth Development Agent, at the Alachua County Ag Auditorium (22716 W. Newberry Road, Newberry) unless otherwise indicated.

Food Challenge Day Camp – June 14 – 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Youth between the ages of 11-18 years old (ages are as of September 1, 2021), who are interested in cooking and food preparation, can attend this day camp to learn more about food safety and best practices in the kitchen. Campers must wear closed-toe shoes and tie back long hair.

At the end of this camp, youth teams will compete in a Food Challenge using a provided pantry and one mystery ingredient.

Camp registration fee is $200.00 (includes lunch). Limited to 20 campers.

Wilderness Survival Day Camp – June 28 – 29, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Poe Springs Park (28800 N.W. 182 Avenue, High Springs)

Youth between the ages of 8-12 years old (ages are as of September 1, 2021) and are interested in learning how to survive in nature should attend this day camp. Campers will learn how to start fires, navigation, building shelters, edible plants, and more. This camp will take place at Poe Springs Park, and youth will be outdoors practicing the skills they learn. All campers should wear closed-toed shoes, long pants, and bug spray. Each camper should bring a bagged lunch and refillable water bottle.

Camp registration fee is $100.00. This program is limited to 16 campers.

Aqua Adventures Day Camp – July 12 – 13, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Youth between the ages of 8-12 years old (ages are as of September 1, 2021), who are interested in learning more about water from the springs to the inner city should attend this day camp. The focus of the camp will be on water and the environment. Youth will have the opportunity to follow water through Gainesville, visit a local spring, learn about pollution and conservation, and more. Each camper should pack their swimsuits, towels, and a bagged lunch with a refillable water bottle.

Camp registration fee is $150.00. This program is limited to 16 campers.

Registration must be completed through 4-H Online in conjunction with paying through Eventbrite. Both 4-H Online and Eventbrite must be completed for campers to be fully registered. Visit v2.4honline.com to create a member profile and join the “Alachua County 4-H Day Camps” club. 4-H Online profiles will need to be approved prior to camp registration, and this approval can take up to three business days. Participants will receive an Eventbrite payment link after their registration has been submitted.

For more information regarding these summer day camps, visit the 4-H website or contact Mary Lee Sale, 4-H Youth Development Agent, at msale@ufl.edu or call 352-955-2402. These camps are opened to all youth. Visit Extension Office website for additional programs offered by the Extension Office.

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Supervisor of Elections Kim A. Barton and Assistant Supervisor of Elections Tim Williams Become Florida Certified Election Professionals

Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Kim A. Barton (third from left) and Assistant Supervisor of Elections Tim Williams (second from right) receive their Florida Certified Election Professionals plaques at the 2022 Florida Supervisors of Elections Conference.

ALACHUA COUNTY — Alachua County Supervisor of Elections Kim A. Barton and Assistant Supervisor of Elections Tim Williams completed the required coursework and training to become Florida Certified Election Professionals. They were recognized at the Florida Supervisors of Elections (FSE) Conference in Destin alongside other election officials in the state.

The FCEP program curriculum consists of more than 30 core courses concerning election law, leadership, and best practices. In 2015 the program was awarded the Professional Practices Award by The Elections Center, a national organization of election officials and administrators.

Supervisor Barton and Assistant Supervisor Williams were recognized for their achievement by election officials from across the state and representatives from the Florida Department of State, including Secretary of State Cord Byrd. They began the process of becoming certified in 2007.

Barton will continue serving on the Florida Supervisors of Elections Board of Directors, representing district four of the association, which includes Marion, Putnam, Levy, Dixie, Gilchrist, Columbia and Alachua counties. She is the past chair of the association's scholarship committee.

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Safety Around Pools and Waterways Reminders

ALACHUA COUNTY - With summer quickly approaching, Alachua County Fire Rescue (ACFR) reminds parents and other community members to be safe when children are enjoying their time in and around pools or Alachua County’s waterways.

Drowning is the leading cause of death for children one to four years old, and although children are more prone to drowning, anyone can drown. About 3,400 people drown each year in the United States. These events happen quickly and silently. Fortunately, drowning is preventable.

Before the splashing begins, teach children about pool and water safety. Children should learn how to swim before jumping into the water and should also be taught to stay away from drains and other outlets.

Families with a pool at home should install alarms and a four-sided fence surrounding the pool. These devices can limit a child’s access and will notify parents if anyone is in the pool. Life jackets also reduce the risk of drowning, and children should wear one if needed. Additionally, make sure that a first aid kit and other rescue equipment are easily accessible. To take extra precautions, parents should take CPR classes to be prepared in case of an emergency.

Parents and guardians should always supervise children in or near water and never leave them unattended.

Learn more about pool safety and drowning prevention.

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Local Students Awarded Scholarships to Santa Fe College

L-R: Grant Dougherty, Thomas Goss, Brianne Kilpatrick, Taylor Roberts and Erika Wells were awarded scholarships from the Alachua Business League

Article updated June 3, 2022

ALACHUA ‒ The Alachua Business League (ABL) has presented five students from Santa Fe High School $1,000 scholarships to Santa Fe College. The ABL has been awarding scholarships through the Education Foundation of Alachua County since 2006.

The recipients this year were Grant Dougherty, Thomas Goss, Brianne Kilpatrick, Taylor Roberts and Erika Wells, who were selected from 32 qualified applicants.

The Alachua Business League's mission is to promote business-to-business support by being involved in the community and providing networking events for local businesses. The ABL also organizes the Alachua Main Street festival in the fall, which is scheduled for Nov. 13, 2022.

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Alachua County Library District Celebrates Juneteenth with Story Times, Read-Ins, Guest Speakers

GAINESVILLE– Celebrate Juneteenth with special programs across the Alachua County Library District throughout June.

All branches will host programs in June to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans in 1865. Events include read-ins at the Alachua and Hawthorne branches, craft programs at Archer, Micanopy, and Waldo branches, and a podcast by the Library Partnership Branch featuring Dr. David Canton, director of the African American Studies Program at the University of Florida.

“We are proud to celebrate Juneteenth with a variety of programs for children, teens, and adults. We hope these events provide an opportunity for patrons to learn more about the holiday and celebrate the date,” said Library Director Shaney T. Livingston.

All events are free and open to the public. Registration is required for some programs and seats can be reserved at www.aclib.us/events or by calling your preferred branch. The full schedule of programs is as follows:

From Emancipated to Entrepreneur, June 5, 3 p.m., Newberry Branch, all ages, registration required
Antoinette Chanel, author and founder of Feathered Press Indie Publisher, will reflect on the importance of Juneteenth, and how its meaning informs her work as an author, an artist, and an advocate.

Juneteenth Celebration Read-In, June 12, 2:30 p.m., Alachua Branch, all ages
This mini festival will feature readings by Alachua County Poet Laureate E. Stanley Richardson and Carol Velasques Richardson, song performance by a local youth group, and speakers including Alachua Mayor Gib Coerper. Meet local author Tabitha Jenkins, visit the craft tent, and enjoy refreshments.

Creativity for Change, June 14, 3 p.m., Archer Branch, ages 12-18
Make buttons and discuss how we can positively create change in our communities.

Story Time on the Green programs, 10:30 a.m., ages infant-5
Gather for songs and stories, including readings of Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper and similar books.

June 15 at Headquarters Library, Archer and High Springs branches, and Hawthorne Recreation Park with the Hawthorne Branch team
June 16 at Waldo Branch and Veterans Memorial Park playground with the Tower Road Branch team

Juneteenth ArtSpace, June 15, 3 p.m. Waldo Branch, all ages
Celebrate Juneteenth with an art project inspired by Kente cloth from Ghana and discover the rich symbolism of colors and designs.

Teen/Tween Book Club, June 15, 4 p.m. Headquarters Branch, ages 12-18, registration required

Discuss the book Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes.

Patrons and Partners Podcast featuring Dr. David Canton, director of the African American Studies Program at the University of Florida, posting June 16 by the Library Partnership Branch
Dr. David Canton is an associate professor of history at the University of Florida. He teaches courses on civil rights, hip hop music and culture, and introduction to African American Studies.

Juneteenth Story Time, June 16, 10:30 a.m., ages infant-5, registration required
Share songs of jubilee, Juneteenth themed books, and a coloring craft.

Depot Park Story Time, June 16, 10:30 a.m. Depot Park, ages infant-five
Gather for songs and stories, including a reading of Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper.

Juneteenth Book Talk, June 16, 3 p.m., Zoom and Facebook, ages 5-11
Check out fiction and nonfiction reads for children to celebrate Juneteenth and Black history.

Juneteenth: Celebration of Freedom, June 16, 3 p.m., Millhopper Branch, ages 12-18, registration preferred
Learn about the history and importance of Juneteenth, and then explore what freedom means to you through a papercraft.

Freedom Collages, June 17, 3 p.m., Micanopy Branch, all ages
Explore what it means to be free by learning about the history of Juneteenth and creating your picture of freedom using images and words from magazines, paint, glue, markers, and more.

Juneteenth Celebration, 3:30 p.m., June 17, Cone Park Branch, ages infant-5
Come for story time and a craft to celebrate Juneteenth, plus contribute to a group mural.

Harriet – Juneteenth Movie, June 18, 12 p.m., Library Partnership Branch, adults
Watch the award-winning biopic, Harriet, starring Cynthia Erivo, Leslie Odom Jr., Janelle Monae, and Joe Alwyn.

Juneteenth Read-In @ HAW, June 25, 2:30 p.m., Hawthorne Branch
Come for a program rich in African American history and culture and celebrate works by African American authors and artists.

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Paint the Night Benefit Gala, Arts Programs Get Boost from Fundraiser

HIGH SPRINGS ‒ Area small businesses, artists and local organizations have teamed up to help raise funds for children’s art programs in High Springs. The “Paint the Night Benefit Gala” raised funds for the Good News Arts Gallery programs focused on children. The gallery, founded and owned by Jessica Caldas, provides space for local, regional, and national artists to show challenging and engaging work tied to relevant contemporary issues.

When Caldas opened the gallery in 2020, she also envisioned an open space for community members to present work via additional exhibitions, musical performances, spoken word, events, and whatever else served the community’s needs as well as teaching classes in different arts for both adults and children.

The non-profit gallery does not take a commission on artists’ sales but does pay teachers and buys supplies for all classes and camps. Good News Arts also offers after-school art classes for kids for $5 per student and a seven-week summer camp with only a $20 registration fee, which provides free snacks, lunch and art supplies for all students. Costs associated with the camps are supplemented by donors and volunteer staff. The gallery also works with several agencies that sponsor the summer camp including the City of High Springs Parks and Recreation Department, the Children’s Trust of Alachua County, and private donors.

The May 21gala was held at the High Springs Woman's Club to raise funds to support these programs through the $40 entry fee donation. The evening was a community effort, with numerous local and regional artists offering their works for auction. Various organizations donated food, drink and entertainment adding to the lively ambiance of the evening. Wine was supplied by Specialty Wines while local breweries First Magnitude Brewing Company, Swamphead Brewery and Cypress and Grove supplied craft beers.

Miami Chef Joe Richard supplied all the southern fare food and Gainesville Event DJ's supplied music for dancing. Local artisit Kimberly Bossons provided a live painting experience at a side table while guests wandered aroung the tables featuring art for auction and enjoyed the food, drink and dancing. Over 90 people attended the event to support the gallery and raise money for its programs.

“It was a wonderful night that helped us raise close to $5,000 to keep the programs going,” said Caldas. “The money we raised will go toward supporting our programming, especially our free and low-cost arts education for all ages and our youth programming, which includes a free Summer Arts Camp for youth. We are extremely grateful for the support of the community to keep these programs alive."

More information on the classes, after school program and summer camp can be found by emailing goodnewsarts@goodnewsarts.com, visiting https://www.goodnewsarts.com or visiting the gallery to see the current exhibit by Paul Shortt. Shortt, called “Farewell to Adulthood” at 18555 Main Street in High Springs.

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