Thank you for registering for the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners District 2 newsletter. Inside you will find an update regarding projects and events in District 2 and timely information about St. Johns County programs, services, and initiatives.

St. Johns County District 2 Update

"I do solemnly affirm that I will support, protect, and defend the Constitution and Government of the United States and the State of Florida; that I am duly qualified to hold office under the Constitution of the State, and that I will faithfully perform the duties of the Board of County Commissioners of St. Johns County on which I am about to enter, so help me God."

This oath, or a close semblance of it, is taken by each County Commissioner that serves our community. Similar vows are delivered and recorded by elected federal, state, and local officials as well as the men and women serving in the Armed Forces. Our founding fathers felt it was imperative for the United States Constitution to be protected from foreign and domestic foe.

They did not pledge their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor with the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, to defend a particular sect of humanity or a parcel of land. The penmen and signers of the Declaration of Independence were willing to forsake all for the establishment of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness later outlined within the Constitution. It is true that most of these enterprising forerunners gave their lives to support the efforts to establish a nation upon utopian ideas of liberty and freedom.

These men sacrificed all. They anticipated their progeny and the future leaders of our nation to do the same. This document is the precious lifeline to the success or failure of our representative republic. It possesses the guarantees of a unique government that will rightfully navigate our nation through turbulent challenges and maintain freedom for its citizens. The people and the land of the United States are not the object of the sacrifice of service and life to this nation. It is the ideology, philosophy, and directives defined within the composition of this unique creation that affords the American citizen the freedoms and liberties he or she enjoys.

As we celebrate the Fourth of July this year, I hope that you will take a moment and read the Constitution of the United States for you and your family. It takes a little time, but I promise you it is time well spent. We live in a special place. We enjoy the benefits of tremendous prudence and forethought. We are the benefactors of unique government. I believe we must understand it so we can protect it. If we are frivolous with this premise, if the foundation is eroded, the structure cannot stand or survive. It is compulsory that we be familiar with the history and establishment of our government that each of us may defend her. And thereby protect her people and the land we love.

Have a blessed Fourth of July!

Your servant,

Jeb S. Smith

St. Johns County Commission, District 2

St. Johns County Recycling Program Upgraded

St. Johns County residents will receive a free upgrade in recycling services this summer with the introduction of new 95-gallon recycling carts with lids. The blue carts will replace the recycling bins currently utilized by residential customers.

The County's two solid waste contractors, Advanced Disposal and Republic Services, will begin delivering the new recycling carts to homes in June. Customers are asked to continue utilizing the bins to recycle through the month of June and then begin using the carts the week of July 6, 2015. Beginning the week of July 6, residents can set the recycling bins curbside on their regularly scheduled collection day for pick up by the contractor.

For additional information, please visit www.recyclestjohns.com or www.advanceddisposal.com. Residents who live in Southeast and Southwest St. Johns County can call Advanced Disposal at 904.827.1005 or click here for more information, and residents who live in Northeast and Northwest St. Johns County may call Republic Services at 904.825.0991 or click here for more information.

Governor's Veterans Service Award Ceremony

The Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs and St. Johns County Veterans' Council invites all military veteran St. Johns County residents, retired or honorably discharged, to participate in the Governor's Veterans Service Award ceremony. Registration begins at noon on Thursday, June 25, with the ceremony commencing at 1 p.m. at the Florida National Guard Armory, 2305 SR 207. Governor Rick Scott will honor all veterans for their service with a medal during the ceremony. Veterans must provide a single form of identification, including a DD-214, VA ID card, retirement ID, military ID, etc., that validates their veteran status. Immediate family members are also welcome to attend. Veterans wishing to attend are encouraged to RSVP online using RSVP code 062515. For questions or more information, please call 727.518.3202, ext. 5594, or 850.487.1533.

St. Johns County Named Healthiest County in Florida for Fourth Consecutive Year

For the fourth year in a row, St. Johns County has been named the healthiest county in Florida by the University of Wisconsin and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. St. Johns County ranked number one in Florida in Health Outcomes, measures of today's health, and number one in Health Factors, measures of tomorrow's health, in the organization's sixth annual County Health Rankings and Roadmaps Report. Community health factors considered in the report include physical environment, social and economic factors, health behaviors, and clinical care. For additional information or to read the report, please visit www.rwjf.org. To review data utilized to rank the counties, please visit the Florida Department of Health at www.floridacharts.com.

Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County Receives Governor's Sterling Award

I want to congratulate Dr. Allicock and her staff at the Florida Department of Health in St. Johns County for winning the Governor's Sterling Award. They graciously took ownership of this prestigious recognition during a ceremony on Friday, June 5 at the J. W. Marriott in Orlando.

The Governor's Sterling Award assessment process is rigorous. It consists of an organizational profile and a formal 50-page application responding to the Sterling Criteria for Performance Excellence. Highly trained examiners review and evaluate the application and visit the site to clarify and verify the requirements. They complete a feedback report that goes to the applicant and a panel of judges for final determination of organizational performance excellence role model status for the State of Florida.

It is not an accident that St. Johns County is identified as the healthiest County in the State. The efforts of Dr. Allicock and her staff are tremendous contributors to our community and its well being. The Governor's Sterling Award is reflective of their effectual labor. Congratulations!

4-H Club Mock Legislative Session Provides Unique Experience

St. Johns County's District VI 4-H Club recently hosted a mock legislative session for regional youth to enjoy the unique experience of participating in the legislative process. Participants proposed legislation, debated the merits, practiced the parliamentary process, and ultimately voted on a bill. Senator Travis Hutson participated in the event and provided first-hand knowledge of Florida's legislative process.

Hurricane Hunters visit St. Johns County

NOAA Hurricane and weather experts recently visited St. Augustine's Northeast Florida Regional Airport, aboard a U.S. Air Force Reserve WC-130J Hurricane Hunter aircraft and a NOAA G-IV aircraft, both of which are used in hurricane forecasting. Students from the St. Johns County School District and the public toured the aircraft and met the pilots and meteorologists.

St. Johns County Libraries Launch New E-Newsletter

The St. Johns County Public Library System recently launched CONNECT @ SJCPLS, a new monthly e-newsletter for St. Johns County residents to learn about the many services the libraries offer. Each CONNECT @ SJCPLS e-newsletter will feature different library programs, including events for kids, technology features, and information about new publications based on an individual's reading preferences. To subscribe to CONNECT @ SJCPLS or any of the library's additional e-newsletters, visit www.sjcpls.org. For more information, call 904.827.6920.

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