Property Appraiser Roger Suggs announces retirement
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – On Feb. 19, Clay County Property Appraiser Roger A. Suggs announced he will retire and not seek re-election to office in 2020.
“It has been an honor and privilege to serve the citizens as Clay County’s elected property appraiser. Over the past decade, Florida’s property tax system has become increasingly complex and property appraisers have been charged with the responsibility of implementing and administering constant legislative changes. I contribute the office’s success to my professional staff,” Suggs said.
During the past 10 years as the elected official and as the Assistant Property Appraiser for 18 years prior, Clay County’s annual assessment rolls were approved by the Florida Department of Revenue without any issues. Also, during Suggs’ tenure, office technology has been continuously updated to maximize efficiency, transparency and provide taxpayers with greater access to the information they need.
Under Suggs’ leadership, the office has worked hard to create a culture of professionalism and exceptional customer service.
Suggs holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration and is a State-Certified General Real Estate Appraiser. He has been awarded the Certified Florida Appraiser certification from the Florida Department of Revenue, the Assessment Administration Specialist designation from the International Association of Assessing Officers and the Certified Cadastralist of Florida certification from the Florida Association of Cadastral Mappers.
Suggs is a past-president of the Florida Chapter of the International Association of Assessing Officers and the Florida Association of Property Appraisers. In 2011, the office received significant recognition by receiving the Certificate of Excellence in Assessment Administration from the International Association of Assessing Officers.
Clay County was only the eleventh jurisdiction nationwide to receive this prestigious certification.
After more than 38 years in the property tax profession, Suggs said that while he still enjoys the work and the relationships, it’s time to retire and give someone else an opportunity to lead the office.

Poster contest kicks off for Concert on the Green
ORANGE PARK – Students with an eye for art are invited to participate in the annual Concert on the Green Poster Art Competition for a chance at a scholarship and to have their art used in advertising for the Concert on the Green scholarship programs.
The Poster Art Competition is an opportunity for students to shine. Winning students not only receive a scholarship award, they receive recognition in the community. In addition, the Clay
County school whose student wins the competition will receive a program grant.
The theme for the 2019 Concert on the Green Poster Art Competition is “A Symphonic Celebration of the Arts.” The purpose of the contest is to encourage students to seek out and learn more about the visual arts and music, especially instrumental symphonic music. Concert on the Green will award 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in Senior High; and 1st place in Junior High and Elementary divisions; but additional scholarships may also be awarded.
A scholarship may also potentially be awarded to a student who incorporates honoring our military in the poster art that is submitted. All Clay County students in grades 4-12 from public, private and home schools are encouraged to enter.
An online application must be submitted. Final entries must be delivered to Orange Park Town Hall, to the office of Emily Dockery on or before March 15. Full Contest rules and requirements
can be found at www.concertonthegreen.com/Contests.
A 32-year tradition in Clay County, Concert on the Green has awarded over $350,000 in scholarships to Clay County students and county schools since its inception.
For more information and to apply online, go to concertonthegreen.com

Sun Tire becomes Mavis Discount Tire
JACKSONVILLE – Two Orange Park locations of Sun Tire have a new name and new owners.
Sun Tire Founder Dick Erickson sold the two stores in Orange Park, five in Jacksonville and two in Tallahassee to Millwood, New York-based Mavis Discount Tire last March.
Last week, the iconic Sun Tire signs came down at 706 Park Ave. and 346 Blanding Blvd. in the Orange Park area and were replaced with Mavis Discount Tire signs.
In January 2018, Mavis purchased Kauffman Tire Inc.’s retail business, which included 57 stores in Georgia and 12 in Florida. Mavis also purchased two Jacksonville-area AutoSpot Tire Pros stores and rebranded them as well.
For the past year, Mavis has been merging with Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers, which will result in more than 870 locations in 24 states on the East Coast, the South and Midwest.
In 1981, Erickson founded Sun Tire and built the business to 11 stores using the business model of “you can depend on us.”

Road construction job fair
JACKSONVILLE – The Florida Department of Transportation OnBoard4Jobs Construction Careers Program, in partnership with Florida Safety Contractors is hosting a job fair on Feb. 21 from 3-6 p.m. at the Florida Safety Contractors offices at 14770 Normandy Blvd.
An interview workshop will be held by FDOT Roads to Jobs Life Skills for Construction Careers from 3-3:30 p.m.
Job seekers, age 18 and older, are invited to attend and speak with superintendents and managers who are hiring for Florida Safety Contractors. Interviews will take place on site. This event is free to the public.
For more information send an email to OnBoard4Jobs@QCAusa.com or call 1-866-662-6273 ext. 3

AARP offering free tax help
CLAY COUNTY – Since Feb. 1, AARP Tax-Aide has been offering free, appointment-only tax services for Clay County residents.
All AARP volunteer tax preparers are trained in the new tax laws for 2018 and go through a rigorous IRS-sponsored training, testing and certification process.
As in the past, this free, individualized tax preparation service (not designed for businesses) does not require membership in AARP.
Set your appointment today by calling the location most convenient to you that is listed below. Volunteers can also tell you what additional information you will need to bring to your appointment.
Volunteers are based at Clay County Headquarters Library, 1895 Town Center Blvd., Fleming Island. Call (904) 278-3720 for an appointment; Council on Aging Green Cove Springs, 604 Walnut St., Green Cove Springs. Call (904) 284-3134 for an appointment; and Orange Park Library, 2054 Plainfield Ave., Orange Park. Call (904) 278-4750 for an appointment.
Last year 4,250 AARP Tax Aide volunteers worked at 286 sites across the state of Florida helping tax payers accurately complete, and e-file their Federal Income Taxes.

Orange Park Chorale to hold spring concerts
ORANGE PARK – The Orange Park Chorale presents two free concerts at the conclusion of the fall and spring semesters. The concerts, free and open to the public, showcase the talent, hard work, and diversity of selection for which the Chorale is known. Through its varied repertoire and impassioned performances, the Chorale strives to express its core values: musical excellence, fellowship, mutual respect, character, and dedication.
This year, the Chorale is celebrating its 25th anniversary with the theme, “With Grateful Hearts, We Sing.”
Concerts are open to the public and always free-of-charge. The first concert is March 22 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 3976 Hendricks Ave., in Jacksonville. Two days later, the Chorale performs on March 24 at 3 p.m. at Orange Park Presbyterian Church, 1905 Park Ave., in Orange Park, with a complimentary reception to follow.
And save the date to take part in a showcase of local community choirs on March 31 with the 2019 Choral Music Festival. The music begins at 3 p.m. at Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church,
4001 Hendricks Ave., in Jacksonville.

Clay County Cruzers accepting scholarship applications
CLAY COUNTY – Students who are graduating this spring from the Clay County School District can apply for a $1,500 scholarship from the Clay County Cruzers.
Students are eligible if they are going to attend any post-secondary program of study including colleges, universities or vocational/technical schools.
Applicants are requested to write an essay of approximately 150 words and complete a short application form. Scholarship applications must be received by Clay County Cruzers on or before the application deadline of March 31.
The scholarship documents will be provided to each high school guidance office. The instructions and application form provide all relevant information a student needs to apply. These forms are also available on the Clay County Cruzers website at claycountycruzers.com.
Selected candidates will be asked to attend a Clay County Cruzer meeting to introduce themselves and describe their plans. Applications and essays should be mailed to Clay County Cruzers, P.O. Box 65010-9998, Orange Park, FL 32065-9998.
Each applicant will be notified once their application is received. Winners will be announced in April 2019.

Church hosts Roar training event
PENNEY FARMS – An upcoming Vacation Bible school training and networking event called VBS FunShop is being hosted at First Black Creek Baptist Church, 3904 State Rd 16 W., Penney Farms, on March 9 from 8:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Area churches that are planning to present Group Publishing’s Roar VBS this summer will receive hands-on training from a Group VBS expert to maximize the impact of their VBS program.
In addition to tons of fun and helpful info, participants can network and share ideas. For more information and to register, contact Debbie Ebersole at VBS@firstblackcreekbaptist.com.

Art Guild accepting scholarship applications
ORANGE PARK – The Art Guild of Orange Park plans to award its annual $2,000 Courtenay Hunt Scholarship to a qualified 12th grade student who resides in Clay County.
The student should be planning to major in the Visual Fine Arts or Art Education while attending college in the 2019-2020 school year. An application is available on the AGOP website www.artguildoforangepark.org.
Along with submitting a completed application, the students will be requested to present a portfolio of their work at an interview with the Art Guild Scholarship committee. Other considerations are academic record, extracurricular activities, employment, community service and recommendations.
Scholarship applications must be submitted by the April 10 deadline. The interview and portfolio presentation will take place two weeks later. Scholarships will be presented at the May 7 Art Guild meeting at The Lion’s Club in Orange Park.

BASCA has new board chair
ORANGE PARK – An Orange Park-based nonprofit that provides housing and employability opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities recently elected a new board chair and other officers.
Retired UNF professor Bettie Adams is the new chairman of the board of BASCA Inc. She follows former board chair Marvin Younger.
“We are deeply grateful for Marvin’s leadership and delighted that he will remain involved by serving on various committees,” said Beth Clark, CEO of BASCA.
Adams has been a BASCA board member since 2013. She taught accounting and finance for 33 years at the University of North Florida. While at UNF, she also served as director of the Advising Center for the Coggin College of Business for over 20 years. She won several outstanding teaching awards and was honored by the Florida Institute of Certified Public Accountants as an “Outstanding Educator in Accounting.”
Adams has served on the board of directors of Community First Credit Union for 14 years and is an active member of Orange Park United Methodist Church.
Retired United Methodist Minister Luanne Kemper was also elected to the board.
BASCA board officers for the 2019-20 term will be Robert Holliday is the vice chair. Craig Wagener, O.D., Ph.D. is treasurer and former Clay County School Superintendent Ben Wortham is secretary.
“I am extremely pleased with the diversity of talent and the strength of commitment on our board,” said Clark, “It is a skilled and thoughtful group, that will provide great leadership as we look to secure the future for the individuals who depend on us.”