FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2008 NEWS News-Leader MAYPORT Continued from LA mine if it would be physically and operationally feasible to put a ter- minal in Mayport, and Jaxport needs a 20-year commitment from a cruise line. "We needed three stars to align," he said. But there is currently not a cruise line willing to sign a 20- year contract, so Ferrin said the study is at a "standstill." "It does not appear we are going to get a commitment from the cruise line anytime soon," he said. He also said'that Jaxport has not purchased and has no cur- rent plans to purchase any prop- erty in the area. Many of the residents in atten- dance said their primary con- cerns are whether commercial shrimp boats were in jeopardy. Ferrin emphasize that if plans move forward, the community, and especially shrimpers, will be involved in the process. "Shrimpers will be taken into consideration at every junction of the plan," he said. "Shrimp boats are important to us because it is one of the things that makes Mayport attractive." Holt added that if the terminal proposal comes to fruition, he will "putthe full force of his office in place" to ensure that shrimpers are taken into account. Potential use of eminent domain was another key concern for property owners, who said they fear that they will beforced out of their homes. When asked if eminent domain will be used if the cruise terminal is built, Ferrin replied. "At this point in time we have no idea. I cannot tell you no. I will not tell you yes, either." Ferrin did assure residents that the recreational boat ramp in the village would not be shut down. He also said that Jaxport, which recently took over St. Johns River ferry operations, did not do so as a "ruse" to attain property for a cruise terminal. SCHOOLS Continued from 1A develop the tests, James Rodeffer, director of secondary education, said. But the school district would need "better support" from the state to implement a merit pay' plan. "We need some help here with this," Ruis said. "It's been a real hassle with DQE,',he said, aotingitlhe depart*i-,, ment had not approved the. dis- '- trict's plan. . "We really have no direction from them. So I don't know how we can proceed," board member Gail Cook said. MAP "has a lot of holes," Assistant Schools Superintendent Edward Turvey said. 'The things they think up in Tallahassee can't be equally implemented" within every district. "We want it to work," Ruis said. "We want it to be fair and equitable and reflect what's being taught." gjenkins@fbnewsleadercom County sets meetings for public involvement 3 hearings on proposed tree ordinance Nassau County has set three meetings for residents to learn about a proposed a tree protection and lan'd-clearing ordinance for application throughout the unin- corporated county. Nassau County Commission- ers will take public comment on the proposal: Feb. 4,7 p.m., Callahan Multi- Purpose Facility, 543350 US 1, Callahan Feb. 7, 7 p.m., Peck Center, 516 S. 10th St., Fernandina Beach Feb. 21,7 p.m.,James S. Page Governmental Complex, 96131 Nassau Place, Yulee Anyone interested is invited to be present and heard at all meet- ings. Comments also can be phoned to 491-3613 or e-mailed to county Planning Director Walter Fufidio at wfufidio@nassaucoun tyfl.com. Nassau County Commission- ers have temporarily postponed consideration of amendments to the current tree protection ordi- nance that is only applicable to Amelia Island. A draftirig team worked over six months with the development community, environ- mental activists and the general public and achieved consensus on many issues. Two major issues remain for resolution, according to Fufidio: 'The maintenance of a viable tim- ber industry without the inadver- tent creation of a free pass for developers; and post-development protection after property has been conveyed to an individual home- owner." Much of the public*support for the tree law ktems from the clearcutting of trees, which often occurs when a timberland owner harvests trees before selling the property for residential or com- mercial development. Much of the public opposition to the proposed law comes from individual homeowners who object to government regulation of their ability to cut trees on their prop- erty. 8 hearings set on Vision 2032 proposal There will be eight public hear- ings this year to solicit comment on the "Nassau County Vision 2032" plan approved by Nassau County Commissioners at the behest of the Amelia island- Fernandina Beach-Yulee Chamber of Commerce. At a meeting in Callahan on Jan. 16, members of the steering committee for Nassau County Vision 2032 volunteered their own time and material support to the upcoming public workshops and got to work on final organization- al details. The first four meetings are set for: 7 p.m. Feb. 18, Yulee High School, 85375 Miner Road, Yulee 7 p.m. Feb. 19, Hilliard Middle-Senior High School, 1 Flashes Ave., Hilliard 7 p.m. March 18, Fernandina Beach High School, 435 Citrona Drive, Fernandina Beach 7 p.m. April 21, Bryceville Community Center, 7280 Motes Road, Bryceville 7 p.m. April 22, West Nassau High School, 1 Warrior Drive, Callahan 'These public input sessions are vital to the success of this *process," said Regina Duncan, president of the Amelia Island- Fernandina Beach-Yulee Chamber of Commerce. "Citizen involve- ment will provide a solid founda- tion for identifying the values and priorities of the Nassau County community." Steering committee members will facilitate each of the first three meetings, which will, be interac- tive. This will be an opportunity for any and all citizens of Nassau County to off6r input on the future of the county. 'This group is working dili- Presents... !"BubbCy Bash'! please join us in sampling some of the world's finest small vineyard Sparkng8 Wines & armyagne astin8 .SAUR-DAY, JANUARY 26th 6 pm- 9 pm Music by the Karl Davis Band 904.277.5269 North 3rd Street www.CafeKaribo.com It's Time For The FOREVER FIT CHALLENGE BEFORE AFTER Stop by the Club to enter or go to our website for application Weigh-ins held January 30'h & 31s'. Contest begins February 1'. THIS COULD BE YOUR YEAR! Visit us at www.club14fitness.com Your Fitness Family WOODED SECLUSION OCEANVIEW POOL HOME GREAT LOCATION Wonderful 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath home on 1.45 On double lot. Spacious 3BR/2.5BA bath beach house Beaches area, open and spacious 4BR/3BA home wooded acres. Immaculate condition with soaring offering hardwood floors, livrm, famrm, full basement, w/ office/den/play rm, ftp, rg master suite and eilings in living area, fp, open kitchen, bay windows in rg screened porch/pool and courtyard. Perfect for lanai overlooking Egans Creek Preserve anust dining/breakfast rooms and spacious front & back entertaining/weekly rentals permitted. Great porches. Very convenient location near beaches /Kings ner ngeeky rentals perm ed steps to the beach! $559500 Bay / lax. $399,950 investment. 759,900 stes to the beach WUNUIRFUL I KtEEi I:RNANDINA HISTORIC DISTRICT! OCEANFRONT VILLA surround this cute 3 bedroom, 1.5 bath home in Lovely restored 3 br 2 ba homew/hardwoods fire- Great Pricel Offered at less than most recent good location convenient to downtown, beach- sales Great time to buy your retreat on Amelia es and area schools. All new appliances, carpet place & rg porch Plus a 1BR/1BA rental/guest Islandl 2 br, 2 ba, completely and beautifully granite& screened porch. $213,000 houseonal100'x100'lot.AMustSee! $475,000 furnished villa's. Covered parking. pool, good rental / 2nd home. $499,500 & $499,900 gently to make these public input meetings a success," said Walter Fufidio, Nassau County's planning director and member of the Vision 2032 Steering Committee. "We've got everything we need except you." . Subsequent meetings are set for May 12 in Yulee, May 13 in Boulougne and May 20 in Fernandina Beach. Those unable to attend any of the meetings can also send their ideas and comments by e-mail or by taking an online survey at www.nassaucountyvision.com. For more information, contact the chamber at 261-3248. Barnabas Center, Inc. The Food Pantry needs Donations o non-perishable food items all year round. pi t For more information call: 904.261.7000 South 11th Street -: Fernondina Beach. FL IRAM Continued from 1A 'That's what we ask, that people just pray for him," said Taylor's aunt, Lynann Mullis, a travel agent who was helping her sister with her accommodations in Washington. It's been a steady topic of con- versation at T-Ray's Burger Station .on Eighth Street, where Lisa's brother, T Ray Mullis, and his wife Laura own the restaurant inside the gasoline station owned and operat- ed for years by Taylor's grandfa- ther, Ray Mullis. Taylor's 9-year-old brother, grandmother and local artist Georganna Mullis, other family and friends and Lisa's co-workers at La Bodega and As You Like It anx- iously await more news. Taylor's father is traveling to see his son from his home in Fort Lauderdale. Taylor Harter, a 2005 graduate of Fernandina Beach High School, was inducted into the U.S. Army in December that year and was deployed six months ago to serve with combat engineers in Iraq. Morrell told the Associated Press the MRAP hit a "very.large, deep-buried IED (improvised explo- sive device)" and the "force of the explosion blew the MRAP into the air and, caused it to overturn." Despite the size of the explosion, he said, the crew compartment "was not compromised" and the three soldiers inside escaped with cuts and broken bones. "I think everybody is still amazed at the fact that, despite the S4melia Island Plantatione FLORIDA'S PREMIER ISLAND RESORT" 6800 First Coast Hwy. (A1A) *Amelia Island, FL 32034 *Buy one entree and get a 2nd entr6e of equal or lesser value at no charge. Not to be combined with any other offer or discount. Valid Sunday. January 27. 2008 through Thursday. January 31. 2008 only at The Verandah. Not valid on TO GO orders. Must present this coupon at time of purchase. Offer must be used at time of 1st entree purchase. -- -- -- - --- -- -- -- --- -- - size of this bomb, these vehicles are proving to be every bit as strong and as life- saving as we hoped they would be," Mor- rell was quoted Lisa Harter by the AE __boRoadside bombs have been the single deadliest weapon used against American forces in Iraq, the New York Times reported. According to the Times, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates'holiday message to the troops said, 'To ensure that troops have the best protection available on the battle- field, MRAPs became the military's highest acquisition priority, and thousands of these vehicles are in production and en route to theater" The vehicles have distinctive, armored V-shaped hulls that are designed to deflect the force of the explosion from roadside bombs out and away from the vehicle, sparing the occupants inside, according to the Times. The vehicles are much bigger than Humvees, standing 12 feet high and weighing up to 18 tons. Associated Press reported there now are more than 2,225 of the vehicles in service in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the Pentagon is working to buy as many as 12,000 more. MRAPs cost between $500,000 and $1 million, depend- ing on their size and how they are equipped. Your LOCAL news source on-line when you're away from home. www.fbnewsleader.com S 6/ c c. eiwit andr'fnu oe ze... NOW OPEN!! You are invited for GRAND OPENING & RIBBON CUTTING: Please come in on January 28, 2008 at 5:30 till 8:30 (Ribbon will be cut at 6:00 pm) Stay after ribbon cutting for finger food, Door Prizes and a gift for everyone! Yulee Winn Dixie Shopping Center with Bubbles Yulee, FL 225-5138 I i I i ,I Stenosis? Herniated Disc? Sciatica? Spondylosis? Degenerative Disc Disease? Failed Open Back Surgery? Start FindingANSWERS. On the left is a photo taken during an actual Bonati Procedure. This minimally- invasive arthroscopic spinal surgery is performed as an outpatient procedure. 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