Chamber of Commerce president retiring
FLEMING ISLAND – After serving four and a half years with the Clay County Chamber of Commerce, and the last nine months as president, Tresa Calfee will retire next month.
Calfee said she is “looking forward to spending more time with my family and friends.” She intends to spend more time with her daughter, who is finishing her last year of high school and her grandchildren, who “are growing up quickly.”
She is also looking forward to spending more time with her husband, who also recently retired.
During her tenure, Calfee helped expand the Leadership Clay program, spearheaded the launch of the Clay Women’s Empowerment and Oakleaf Councils and oversaw moving the Chamber offices from Kingsley Avenue to Fleming Island.
Calfee also developed a partnership with the Tourist Development Council to provide a space in the Chamber where visitors and members can receive information and purchase tickets for events such as the Scottish Games.
“Overall, I have done a lot of work and we have accomplished a lot of things here at the Chamber, but it is time for me to focus on my family. I will continue to be involved in the Chamber as a member. I’m passionate about small business and will always be available to members and friends who need help with their business plans,” Calfee said.
She said the Chamber is well-positioned for the future.
Calfee’s official last day as president will be Jan. 7. The Chamber’s board plans to launch a national search in January to secure a replacement for Calfee.

Drake to serve on international board of directors
KANSAS CITY – Tracy S. Drake, Clay County assistant property appraiser, will serve a three-year term on the board of directors of the International Association of Assessing Officers. Drake will represent Region 3 which consists of 15 states, the Bahamas, Barbados, Grenada and the Virgin Islands.
Headquartered in Kansas City, the nonprofit IAAO provides its 8,000 members with ongoing educational opportunities about innovations and excellence in property appraisal, property tax policy and administration.
Drake, an IAAO since 1998, has received the 2018 Professional Designee of the Year Award and was named Member of the Year Award in 2016. He has served on various IAAO committees since 2013.

Juvenile arrests in Florida drop to 43-year low
TALLAHASSEE – The Florida Department of Juvenile Justice announced Nov. 27 that the number of juvenile arrests continued to decline in 2017-2018, according to the latest delinquency report released by the agency.
Juvenile felony arrests dropped 10 percent over the last fiscal year and overall juvenile arrests declined eight percent in the same time frame. These declines continue the multi-year trend of fewer arrests, with a five-year decline of 24 percent, resulting in the lowest number of juvenile arrests in 43 years.
“The decreases we are seeing in juvenile arrests are due to the collaborative efforts of our dedicated DJJ staff, law enforcement partners, and community stakeholders. Helping young people turn around their lives for the better is what we all strive for every day, and we remain focused on investing in our youth and helping them achieve a brighter future,” said Timothy Niermann, DJJ interim secretary.
The current report, covering a five-year period, also shows a 13 percent decrease in armed robbery, a 20 percent decrease in burglary arrests, and a 42 percent decrease in stolen property arrests. Overall misdemeanor offenses also decreased by nine percent during the last fiscal year.
The Department of Juvenile Justice has worked to transform the juvenile justice system in Florida by implementing comprehensive, data-driven reforms.

Helmer earns prestigious certification
TALLAHASSEE – A residential appraiser with the Clay County Property Appraiser’s recently earned a prestigious certification from the Florida Department of Revenue.
Joshua Helmer is Clay County’s newest Certified Florida Evaluator after completing training with DOR.
Assessment personnel who take part in the CFE Program must complete a minimum of 120 hours of approved courses and pass monitored written examinations. The 120 hours is divided into four, 30-hour courses. Assessment personnel must also have a minimum of two-year’s experience with a Florida property appraiser’s office, or with the DOR.
“These are not easy courses. I am very proud of the dedication and commitment to excellence exemplified by Josh”, said Tracy Drake, assistant property appraiser.

Scott makes appointments to SJR State board
TALLAHASSEE – Gov. Rick Scott announced the appointments of Leslie Dougher, James Reid, and Rev. Bobby Crum and the reappointment of Sam Garrison to the St. Johns River State College District Board of Trustees.
Dougher, 55, a Clay County resident, is a realtor with Coldwell Banker Vanguard Realty. She received her bachelor’s degree from Columbia College. Dougher succeeds Denise Bramlitt and is appointed for a term beginning Dec. 6 and ending May 31, 2022.
Reid, 59, of Palatka, is a certified public accountant in private practice. He received his bachelor’s degree from Florida State University. Reid succeeds Glenda Lagasse and is appointed for a term beginning Dec. 6 and ending May 31, 2019.
Crum, 48, of St. Augustine, is a pastor of Anastasia Baptist Church. He received his bachelor’s degree from Radford University and his master’s from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Reverend Crum fills a vacant seat and is appointed for a term beginning Dec. 6 and ending May 31, 2021.
Garrison, 41, of Fleming Island, is a partner at Kopelousos, Bradley, Garrison, and Komando P.A. He received his bachelor’s degree from Samford University and his juris doctorate from the University of Illinois College of Law. Garrison is reappointed for a term beginning Dec. 6 and ending May 31, 2022.
The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

Property tax exemption in March
GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The deadline to apply for property tax exemptions is March 1, according to Clay County Property Appraiser Roger A. Suggs.
Homestead exemption applicants must have legal or equitable title to the property as of Jan. 1 to qualify. They must provide two documents to establish proof of residency, such as a driver’s license or ID, voter registration card or utility bill, and provide the Social Security numbers of all applicants. Mobile home owners should also bring the title(s) or registration(s) to the mobile home.
Applications may be filed at either the Appraiser’s Green Cove Springs office on the second floor of the County Administration Building or the Orange Park office at 1518 Park Ave. or at one of our remote locations listed on their website.
Once the initial application has been filed and granted, the exemption will be automatically renewed each January and a renewal notice will be mailed. Resident who remain in the exempted home and qualify for the exemption require no action new required. Instead, they get to keep the renewal notice as a receipt and continue to receive the benefits of lower taxes.
For more information, visit ccpao.com, or call (904) 269-6305.

Students inducted into Phi Kappa Phi
BATON ROUGE, La. – Seven college students have been initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.
Eric Acosta of Green Cove Springs, Harrison Clark of Orange Park, Carley Weyland of Middleburg, Alexandra Damirkasan Rivera of Middleburg, Jazelle Hall of Orange Park and Jason Spon of Orange Park were initiated at Jacksonville University, while Andrew Zeolla of Orange Park was initiated at the University of Florida.
These residents are among approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni to be initiated into Phi Kappa Phi each year. Membership is by invitation only and requires nomination and approval by a chapter. Only the top 10 percent of seniors and 7.5 percent of juniors are eligible for membership. Graduate students in the top 10 percent of the number of candidates for graduate degrees may also qualify, as do faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction.

Clay Eye celebrates retirement of John D. Wilcox, M.D.
ORANGE PARK – Forty-one years ago, John D. Wilcox teamed up with C.M. Harris to found Clay Eye Physicians and Surgeons. Now, the group is celebrating Wilcox’s retirement.
“Dr. Wilcox is the consummate ambassador for ophthalmology: caring, compassionate and always willing to lead by example-both in and out of the office. Dr. Wilcox has always been known for his listening ear and ability to relate to his patients, invaluable qualities in medicine and in life. People have trusted Dr. Wilcox, and that trust has been earned,” Harris said.
Prior to his Clay Eye career, Wilcox served as a Navy Captain in the Medical Corps as a Flight Surgeon/Ophthalmologist and retired in 2002 after 33 years of service.
“Over the past 40+ years, Clay Eye has experienced tremendous growth and I am proud of the practice that we’ve built. While some things have changed, the focus on patient care never has. I’m incredibly blessed to have a wonderful, supportive family coupled with an amazing career. I am leaving my patients in competent hands with my incredible colleagues. As I reflect on my career, it’s heartwarming to know that I have cared for multi-generational families – from grandparents to grandbabies, and for that I feed humbled and privileged,” Wilcox said.
Clay Eye offers comprehensive specialty eye care for glaucoma surgery, diabetic eye disease and macular degeneration, laser cataract surgery, cornea surgery, medical retina, Lasik surgery, cosmetic eye procedures, pediatric ophthalmology, and pediatric eye exams. in addition, they offer routine eye exams, contact lenses, and boutique eyewear.
Clay Eye was established in 1977 and is now a 12-physician group. They currently have offices in Orange Park, Fleming Island, Mandarin and Riverside.

County Fair wins awards
LAS VEGAS – The Clay County Agricultural Fair continues to win awards – this time for two brand new features introduced in 2018.
The International Association of Fairs and Expositions awarded the county fair with first place for its Unlimited Opportunities Goat Show and third place for the Goat Yoga Experience at its conference in Las Vegas held Nov. 25-29.
“I am especially proud of our Unlimited Goat Show award, being able to offer an event for children with all abilities is something near and dear to my heart. The young ladies who worked incredibly hard on organizing the goat show gives me great hope for our future leaders, they did such a fantastic job from beginning to end and I am incredibly proud of them,” said Tasha Hyder, general manager.
“We are so honored to have been recognized on a national level for our hard work in the agriculture industry. Our staff and board strive to be ambassadors in the agriculture industry,” said Sheryl Hartzog, Marketing & Sponsorship director.
The Clay County Agricultural Fair will run April 4-13, 2019.