HIGH SPRINGS ‒ A proposed solar farm in High Springs has raised the ire of some residents. CHW Professional Consultants Executive Vice President and Principal Planner Gerry Dedenbach provided an update on the project to the City Commission at the April 14 meeting. Dorothy Pernu representing Duke Energy was also present.

Dedenbach says the City Commission could expect to receive applications for Land Use and Zoning changes within a month or so. He said that in the next week or so he expected to submit the development plan application to the City. The plan includes all of the specifics about the overall site. If the plan is approved, Dedenbach hopes to have it finalized this June, which means construction could begin in mid-summer this year.

Commissioner Katherine Weitz read two emails from people who were unable to attend the meeting, but asked that their comments be read into the record. The first was from Jennifer and Stephen Davis whose property abuts the property under consideration for the solar array. They noted concerns that the solar panels would damage the ground, reduce the property values of the homes near it and raise the temperature.

Weitz read a second letter by Christina and George Tatum who raised concerns that their property backs up to the City’s wastewater treatment plant and noted medical issues within their family. They said their well was contaminated by e-coli and that two family members had serious folic acid deficiency. They were concerned about the wildlife that would be displaced by this construction and would end up in yards and on the roads.

The Tatums also said that trees were being burned on the property under consideration and they had to buy air purifiers for their home and that their son wasn’t able to stay in his room because of the smoke.

It was noted that because the construction and any smoke arising from the property was not generated by Duke Energy, it was difficult to see how Duke could be responsible for the poor air quality.

Commissioner Ross Ambrose pointed out that a solar array does not leak and that they are not routinely washed so damage to the water supply and wells would be unlikely to occur.

Weitz maintained her contention that Duke and other power agencies have pushed for legislation that would eliminate property owners’ ability to net meter or sell excess power back to the power companies after 2023. She pointed to other legislative actions that also increase dependence on power agencies.

She suggested that Duke place their solar array on any one of four closed landfills in Alachua County rather than on land near homeowners.

Ambrose referenced Duke’s right to place their solar array on the property based on the City’s Comprehensive Plan. He also said he is withholding judgment until he sees the site plan. “We need to hear what they have to say and hold them accountable.”

Ambrose said the solar plant would increase the City’s tax base. “We don’t have to pave more roads. We don’t have to provide infrastructure. We don’t have to increase fire protection. And we will be removing a dairy farm from a sensitive recharge area and preserving that recharge area for at least 35 years.”

Resident Stacy Gay addressed the Commission to say he didn’t think the solar farm was a problem. “It’s not Chernobyl. We need to look farther down the road.”

“They have not submitted their site plan yet,” said City Manager Ashley Stathatos. “We review those very carefully.”

City Attorney Andrea Parker said that Florida Statutes allow solar farms to be permitted by right on Agricultural zoned properties. “However,” she said, “the City can specify buffering and other items.”

In other City business, a site plan for Simed Medical Office, 23741 West U.S. 27 across the street from City Hall was unanimously approved.

A 50/50 match was approved for a Department of Environmental Protection grant totaling $822,000. The City’s match amount of $422,000 was approved using impact fees and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fees. The grant will phase out 22 septic tanks east of the force main that runs down CR 236. A lift station will also be part of that project, which will serve other homes as well.

Assistant City Manager Bruce Gillingham said, “Once this phase is complete, there will be another phase to this project probably next year.”

Stathatos said a facility plan will be on the next agenda. “We will be looking at impact fees, which will likely have to increase to pay for more projects.” Currently, the City has $561,000 in impact fees, which will be reduced by the matching grant funds.

In other City business, the Commission unanimously approved the purchase of a rescue water craft for use by High Springs Fire Department personnel for water rescue. “Since we have owned the Canoe Outpost, we have been called out five times to help rescue people on the water,” said Gillingham. “We already have 90 percent of the equipment we would need for these types of rescues.” A certified boat captain is a member of the fire department and personnel can work under his supervision. The price of the boat is $35,467 and is being purchased from Tailwinds, a High Springs company.

The Commission approved the $155,294 purchase of a brush truck for the High Springs Fire Department. The existing 1997 brush truck has been out of service for 18 months. The City has located a new four-door 2022 Dodge Ram 5500 4X4 chassis purchased by the Federal Forestry Department that was not picked up.

The Commission is renaming part of U.S. 27 from U.S. Highway 441 to High Springs Main Street as 186th Place for E-9 1 1 purposes. Commissioners agreed that having numbers makes it easier for people to locate the addresses.

The next City Commission meeting is scheduled for April 28.

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ This weekend, April 23- 24, High Springs celebrates its beginnings as a rough and tumble railroad and mining town with gunfight reenactments and a Heritage Village that beckons back to the town’s early days.

The High Springs Chamber of Commerce will present the traditional 45th Annual High Springs Pioneer Days. This two-day festival focuses on the life and times in the 1880s to early 1900s. Over the years the event has expanded to a much bigger festival with food vendors, music, historical displays, petting zoo and arts and crafts featuring 110 vendors.

“We are very excited about this year’s event. We have twice the number of vendors as previous years and a lot of activities,” said Chamber of Commerce President Sharon Decker. “The event was canceled due to Covid the past two years, so it’s great to see it come back so strong.”

The two-day event will feature numerous activities besides the art and craft vendors. The High Springs Historical Society and Museum will feature a large display of miniature model trains and a continuing show dedicated to the railroading history of High Springs. The show is designed for children of all ages; for modelers, collectors and enthusiasts, and for the simply curious. Each show features tables of trains, scale models and collectibles as well as the museum's other displays on the history of High Springs. The display will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

Keeping with the historical theme there will also be reenactors portraying lifestyles and occupations at the Heritage Village located adjacent to the museum. One of the big attractions at all the Pioneer Days has been the western cowboy gunfight between lawmen and bank robbers with shows throughout the day on both Saturday and Sunday

Musical entertainment will be provided by The Shepherd Family Band on Saturday from 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. The Shepherd Family Band plays bluegrass, gospel, old-time, and traditional country music. Other bands including Snaky Woods and Whistler's Bluegrass, which will be performing Saturday and Sunday.

As in the past, there will be bounce houses, a petting zoo and pony rides for the children and a number of food vendors to offer a variety of meals and deserts. An added attraction this year will be a group of Border Collie dogs playing soccer.

The weekend starts on Saturday from 10 a.m. through 5 p.m. and concludes Sunday from 10 a.m. through 4 p.m. The action takes place in downtown High Springs near the sink hole, museum and police station.

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ALACHUA ‒ The Easter Bunny made appearances in both High Springs and Alachua over the weekend as children took to grassy fields to find colorful eggs on Saturday, April 16.

In Alachua, the City's Recreation and Culture Department hosted an Easter Egg hunt at the Legacy Park at 10 a.m. Over 220 families filled the Legacy Park Multipurpose Center to have a photo taken with the Easter Bunny and form lines to be taken to four different fields where the plastic eggs were hidden.

“We decided based on past experience to divide it by age groups so that the little kids could have their own area and not get overrun by older kids,” said the City’s Recreation Department Event Coordinator Kimberly Vermillion. “We wanted everyone to have an equal chance.” Groups were divided by age groups of 1-3; 4-6; 7-8 and 9 and up.

“We had over 1,400 eggs that the staff had put either a piece of individually wrapped candy or a ticket inside,” said Vermillion. There were 200 tickets, which entitled the lucky children who found those eggs to a large Easter basket or stuffed animal donated by Dollar General. Vermillion added that Pro Tae KwonDo also provided tickets in eggs as well.

While the planning stage and egg stuffing had taken the staff weeks to organize, the event was over in under 20 minutes after the kids were assembled and rushed out to the fields to pick up every egg.

“We were really pleased with how smoothly the event went and we received a lot of positive comments from the parents,” said Vermillion. “We weren't sure how many would attend due to COVID, which shut us down in 2019 and 2020, but the participation was bigger than expected and nothing was left over after the event.”

An hour later it was High Springs’ turn with an event organized by the Chamber of Commerce. The downtown area along Main Street had several activities going on the same day including the High Springs Art Walk and the first Easter parade and Easter egg hunt in more than 15 years.

Children brought their Easter baskets to go “trick or treating” as the downtown stores on Main Street handed out sweet treats. The chamber led groups of children from the chamber office, located at 23517 N.W. 185^th Road, next to the Farmers Market Pavilion, over to the museum to meet the Easter Bunny and parade back through downtown to the chamber office for an Easter Egg hunt.

“We had to divide them into several groups for the parade due to the high turnout,” said Chamber President Sharon Decker. “We had tried to get an idea of how many were coming by asking for pre-registration so we would know how much eggs and candy to buy.” The chamber purchased over 1,000 eggs, the 1^st Baptist Church donated stuffed animals and the pre-registration numbered 41 families.

But the event turned out to be even more popular and drew over 200 families. “This was a good start on what will be an annual event, but I think we might have to plan bigger next year,” said Decker. She added that next year the chamber is going to require pre-sign-up only so they can have a better idea of how much to buy and make sure that everyone, especially the younger kids, get plenty of candy or prizes.

“The businesses on Main Street were great at helping out and distributing their own treats as well” Decker said.” It was a great success and we look forward to making it an annual event.”

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HIGH SPRINGS ‒ High Springs is known for its natural beauty and its rivers. It is also known for its share of creative artists who are drawn to the area. As home to several art galleries and various craft stores, for a number of years High Springs offered Art Walk, an opportunity for the public to see various artists and crafts makers as they set up outside local shops. Over the last decade, Art Walk has been hosted by various galleries, civic organizations and businesses.

This Saturday, April 16 will be the second Art Walk of 2022 with even more activities and organizations involved. The Art Walk booths will again line the downtown area from 12 to 5 p.m. offering a wide variety of arts and crafts. There will be a host of other activities including a gallery reception for 22 plein air artists and the High Springs Chamber of Commerce Easter Parade and Egg Hunt.

The COVID pandemic in 2020 put a halt to many social activities including the downtown Art Walk, gallery openings and public celebrations. In fall 2021 Art Walk returned, but due to continued health concerns both the crowd and number of artists were smaller. This year on the third Saturday in March Art Walk returned in force as 25 artisans set up along storefronts in the downtown area on Main Street and U.S. Highway 27. Residents and tourists browsed at various booths to view and purchase creations featuring art forms such as painting, woodwork, photography and jewelry.

It was also the rebirth of the Good News Arts gallery that had closed earlier. Owner Jessica Caldas hosted a grand opening combined with Art Walk as one of the featured businesses, complete with a four-piece string band, artist Kim Bossons and an opening show by Brittany M. Watkins.

The Good News Arts Gallery will also feature a book arts class, which will cover all aspects of book making process. This is the beginning of an ongoing Saturday workshop series. Each class is $20 although Caldas says that they encourage folks to reach out if they cannot pay to discuss options. All materials are provided and registration for each class in advance is encouraged. This is one of many projects and educational plans Caldas has for the gallery.

“Good News Arts is a community arts space and gallery that collaborates with artists and community to provide contemporary arts and education that is affordable, accessible, and equitable,” said Caldas. “We are a nonprofit and have shown more than 50 international, regional, and local artists through our exhibitions.”

Caldas says that through sales of artworks, the organization has donated more than $400 to various nonprofits, mutual aid funds, and service organizations. Rather than taking a commission of sales, divesting artist from money earned from their work, artists are encouraged to donate 10 percent of their sales to an organization of their choosing.

Good News Arts also offers classes and workshops, including after school youth arts classes for grades K-8 and a summer arts camp May 6 through July 27. For more information visit goodnewsarts.com or visit the gallery at the Art Walk at 18555 High Springs Main Street.

Tina Corbett of Lanza Gallery and Art Supplies is adding an artist’s reception from 4-7p.m. The Santa Fe Springs Plein Air exhibit features the paintings of 22 artists who spent three days painting landscapes of various local rivers. The exhibit opens at 11 a.m. and closes with the artist’s reception.

The Chamber of Commerce Easter Parade and Egg Hunt kicks off at the High Springs Chamber of Commerce Office/Welcome Center located at 23517 N.W. 185^th Road. At 11 a.m. the parade will proceed to the museum, stopping at stores along the way and return with the Easter Bunny to the Welcome Center for an Easter Egg Hunt from 12:15 to 12:30 p.m. Participating stores may have surprises to fill the baskets, and there will be free hot dogs and lemonade as well. Kids in the parade may wear everyday clothing or an Easter outfit and need to bring an Easter basket. All are welcome to join in the parade and to participate in the Easter Egg Hunt.

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