In sort of a year-end summary, the Nassau County School District received the
highest rating of an "A" as measured by academic achievement -- for the fifth
consecutive year. This is determined by a school accountability report. When a new Florida state bill established a criteria for high performing
districts, Nassau County was one of only eight to earn the designation. This was
from the 67 districts in Florida. The success of local schools is even more impressive when you realize
they do it without excessive spending. READ MORE ABOUT NASSAU COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT'S HIGH MARKS...
Nassau County School District Rated "A"
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Gas Prices Turning Your Stomach?
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Steve's Marketplace
Pulling into your local gas
station, you mutter under your breath as the neon sign above pronounces that
gas prices are nearing $4.00 a gallon. You curse the oil companies and the
gas stations and the various levels of government that all contribute to the
price. They are all turkeys, you tell yourself. They are the culprits. But in a moment of reason, you
think about prices in other parts of the world. In many parts of Europe, a gallon of gas costs near $10. READ MORE FROM STEVE NICKLAS...
Enjoy One-Time Bonus From Uncle Sam
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Most Americans will get a pay raise beginning this month, albeit a
brief, temporary one. Tax-rebate checks from the federal government will be coming to a mailbox near
you as part of the massive economic stimulus package to 130 million U.S.
households. It’s essentially free money. So enjoy the one-time bonus from Uncle Sam. And please spend it
-- for your enjoyment and the country’s benefit.
READ MORE FROM STEVE NICKLAS...
Don’t Be Late To The Dance
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They’re
dancing in the streets in downtown Fernandina Beach these days, with free music and
entertainment and revelry. The imaginative activities are designed to draw tourists and residents alike --
and ideally bring more business to downtown businesses. There will be musicians
and artists and concerts, and a historic reenactment at The Palace Saloon. However, you could say other recent city-related developments are a little late
to the dance. READ MORE FROM STEVE NICKLAS...
Further 25% Florida Property Tax Cut on Nov. Ballot
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Like mole crickets in a lawn, an appointed state commission has quietly
mobilized, hungering to mow down property taxes like blades of grass. Mole
crickets are bad for lawns. In contrast, new initiatives by the
Taxation and Budget Reform Commission would be good -- for the Florida
economy. The initiatives would increase and expand cuts in property
taxes. The commission’s most recent recommendations are for an average
25-percent reduction in property taxes per homeowner, as well as a cap
on taxes for businesses and second/vacation homes.
Traffic Worsens, Dollars Short to Fix A1A
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Steve's Marketplace
Traffic is getting worse in Nassau County, Florida but there are few dollars for new or improved roads -- and even fewer solutions. The dominant topic: the 14-mile stretch of State Highway A1A between Amelia Island and U.S. Interstate 95. A universal agreement is that the county has waited too long to address the needs for bigger and better roads. In hindsight, the stretch of A1A through Yulee should have been widened before demand hit.