During a Tuesday workshop, the Virginia-based company Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) presented a plan for the city to implement a Smart Grid, which would bring improvements to the city’s operations and increase energy efficiency.

According to the United States Department of Energy, “Much in the way that a ‘smart’ phone these days means a phone with a computer in it, smart grid means ‘computerizing’ the electric utility grid. It includes adding two-way digital communication technology to devices associated with the grid.”

If the city agrees to the company’s plan, SAIC would cover the initial costs of deploying Smart Grid technology to Alachua’s nearly 8,000 electric and water meters located throughout the city. For SAIC, this means replacing nearly 80 percent of the current meters and updating the remainder. The company would also be responsible for managing and gathering the data that the new meters would produce.

The process of considering a move to smart grid technology is still in the preliminary stages at the city. SAIC will provide a business plan for city staff to examine, and the plan would have to be approved by the Alachua City Commission. Once approved, SAIC said it would take about four months for the company to deploy the Smart Grid infrastructure, and the city to see benefits.

The city would be responsible for paying SAIC either through a five-year or a seven-year plan. Steve Root of SAIC said the Smart Grid would cost the city an estimated $3.3 million. If the city chooses to continue with the SAIC management and security after the initial contract expires, the city would pay an annual fee.

Mike New, the Public Services director, said that the plan intends to be implemented without passing any costs to consumers and without firing any current employees.

SAIC installed a Smart Grid in Lakeland, Fla., and the city experienced an estimated 14,000 ton carbon footprint savings. It is also estimated that the grid technology could save the city an estimated $400,000 a year. SAIC also provided the Smart Grid technology to four Alaskan villages, including Kipnuk.

The Smart Grid increases meter accuracy, remotely connects and disconnects electric accounts and remotely reads water and electric meters. The technology will allow the city to deploy fewer servicemen to houses for meter-related needs. Smart Grid technology provides hourly updates so a utility company can be ready to bill a customer on a day-to-day basis, unlike current systems in Alachua that require a 10- to 15- day window.

With the system, the city will be able to see instantly the moment an outage occurs. Currently, the public service department waits until a call is received to find out that an outage has happened. With the Smart Grid, cities can be proactive instead of reactive, said David Smith of SAIC. The city would also receive tilt alerts if the meter was tampered with or moved. Tilt alerts can be triggered by a person attempting to tinker with the system or a tree falling on the meter.

Concerns were raised by the City Commission about security issues. SAIC said that the security provided was top of the line, that they work with the Department of Defense and Department of Energy and employees work to ensure that no one can hack into the system. The Smart Grid system requires three forms of identification to access the program.

“I’m excited as can be because I’m a technology guy,” Mayor Gib Coerper said.

He said he firmly believes that giving the consumers the ability to go online and manage their own electricity and water usage would be a good tool to have in the community.

The Smart Grid system allows customers to access their own website that would provide hourly, daily and monthly electricity use. From this site, customers can see how different energy-saving ideas, such as cutting off all the lights or keeping the AC off, can lower daily energy use and save them money.

SAIC was established in 1969 by Dr. J. Robert Beyster and a group of scientists. The company now employs more than 40,000 people and works with the federal government and the military to create innovative solutions to a wide range of questions. SAIC is working to find cures for cancer, set up advance tsunami warning systems and build next-generation robotics that will help protect and support military troops abroad. The company aims to improve national security, health, cybersecurity and energy usage and environmental protection.

The new truck would become the department’s primary engine.  The department currently uses a 1991 model year engine as its primary truck while a model year 1985 truck is secondary.  After delivery later this year, the new truck would become the primary engine with the 1991model year truck serving as a secondary.  The department would decommission the 1985 model year truck.

The first annual payment on the truck would not come until 2013.  It would be financed over several years.

For Irby Elementary School’s Jump Rope for Heart event, Caleb wanted to raise $100. Showing remarkable patience and business skills, Caleb sat outside his apartment for six hours, said Casey Ludlam, Caleb’s mother. When a particular location slowed down, Caleb would want to move.

He went through an entire container of Country Time Lemonade, but he raised $10. When he ran out of lemonade, Ludlam said Caleb asked if he could sell water.

In total, Caleb raised $140 for the cause.

But he was just one student among many at the elementary school trying to help those with sick hearts for the Jump Rope for Heart event that occurred on Feb. 15.  Overall, the school is working toward a goal of $8,000, although an actual total was unavailable as of press time. Last year, the school raised $8,787. The goal had been $7,000.

The school will honor the top individual in each grade with lunch at Moe’s with Ray Crone, Irby’s physical education teacher. The top class will be awarded a Planet Smoothie party. If the school meets its goal, the top five students from each grade will get a chance to dunk Coach Crone by throwing balls at a target.

The Jump Rope for Heart event is sponsored by the American Heart Association (AHA). The AHA mission is to build healthier lives, free of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Since Irby started participating in the fundraising event, the school has raised over $100,000. For every $2,000 the school raises, Crone said the school gets $100 in physical education equipment. Lately, he said the school has been averaging $400 worth of equipment.

This year, the school has gained significant online support, said Aimee Pricher, Behavior Resource Teacher. Jump Rope for Heart has always had an online element, but this year’s superhero e-card increased internet donations, she said. Children were given a chance to place their face on the body of a superhero in the e-card for the theme “Be a Heart Hero” and then e-mail the card to long-distance relatives and friends.

“We’re extremely proud of our students for any amount that they contribute to the American Heart Association,” Pricher said. “The envelopes that are just 38 cents are important because that means the student went into his or her piggy bank or allowance.”

Irby Elementary students were joined by University of Florida cheerleaders and Albert and Alberta to help raise funds for the American Heart Association’s annual Jump Rope for Heart held at the school Wednesday.

ALACHUA – Facing a mid-life crisis, Gainesville Police Department Sergeant Donald Geelhoed left the fancy new convertible at the dealership and challenged himself to run a marathon.

He didn’t make it. Instead, he had heart surgery for a genetic defect in his aorta valve.

Geelhoed was just one of the many service men and women honored at Irby Elementary School’s Jump Rope for Heart on Feb. 15 where the theme was “Be a Heart Hero.” The American Heart Association coordinates the event every year.

“I’m honored and I’m humbled,” he said. “But I think the real heroes on that stage are the military veterans.”

While Geelhoed trained for his marathon, he experienced shortness of breath and numbness. After his surgery in October 2005, he accomplished his pre-surgery goal by running two marathons – the Marine Corps Marathon and the Gainesville Five Points of Life.

He shared his story with Irby students during morning announcements and donned a gold medal during the Jump Rope for Heart event, which labeled him the Heart Ambassador.

In addition to Geelhoed, military personnel, city officials and law enforcement officers representing the Gainesville Police Department and the Alachua Police Department were recognized as heroes.

Physical Education teacher Ray Crone, who organized the day’s events, was inspired to bring the service men to Jump Rope for Heart during a recent trip. While waiting at a Dallas, Texas, airport gate, he noticed military men and women boarding a plane. The people waiting at the gate started to clap for them.

“So I decided to bring that to Jump Rope for Heart to teach our students to appreciate service people,” he said.

Irby has a long history with Jump Rope for Heart, Crone said. Since starting the program, the school has raised over $100,000. This year, a new Internet e-card was available online for children to send to long-distance relatives or friends. The e-card pictured a superhero with a space for the children to place their face on the superhero. The school’s Internet fundraising increased donations from approximately $400 a year to about $1500 for this year’s event.

Megan Weinstein, representative from the American Heart Association, said the Jump Rope for Heart program has been going on for 35 years.

Using a jump rope is an excellent cardiovascular exercise, and it encourages children to see that exercise can be fun, she said.

“This school goes above and beyond in everything they do,” Weinstein said. “They put a lot of heart behind it – pun intended.”

The University of Florida’s Albert and Alberta joined in the fun, along with Gator cheerleaders and Gator Dazzlers. Jessica Prentiss was given an award for her volunteer work. Michele Faulk, Santa Fe High School’s athletic driector, was also given an award to recognize her contributions. Faulk’s Interact Club, a service organization at Santa Fe High School, participates every year in the Irby Jump Rope for Heart by helping teachers entertain the children.

First and second grade students competed in a jump-rope contest to see who could last the longest. The American Heart Association provided prizes to the first, second, third and fourth-place winners. Prizes included a sports water bottle, a speed rope and a soccer ball.

For the first-grade class, Amari Ray took first place. Nathan Kemph came in second, followed by Everett Melvin and Joanna Scott in third place. Fourth Place was awarded to Tristan Rivera.

For the second-grade class, Serenity Carrodus won first place. Anthony Rollins came in second, and Raynard Robinson won third place. Savannah Terrell won fourth place.

Crone imparts three lessons to the students of Irby during Jump Rope for Heart. First, help yourself by exercising. Second, help others by fundraising. Last, help your school. For every $2000, Irby gets $100 in P.E. equipment.

“Kids get so excited for this event,” Crone said. “What’s really rewarding is when a high school senior told me a week ago that the Irby Jump Rope for Heart event was one of her favorite memories of going to this school.”