GREEN COVE SPRINGS - The county recognized October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month at Tuesday night’s meeting. 

Representatives from the Quigley House, the Clay County Sheriff's Office, the Orange Park Police Department, the State Attorney’s Office and the Clerk of Court and the Comptroller’s Office were present to accept the official proclamation. 

Domestic violence is an issue that affects more than 12 million men and women in the U.S. each year. In Clay alone, the fiscal year of 2023 to 2024 saw more than 1,300 cases of domestic violence reported to CCSO.

Clerk of Court and Comptroller Tara Green said the clerk’s office assists with an average of about 900 protection injunctions annually. 

During a speech, Quigley Chief Executive Officer Julia Edwards said today’s cases range from physical to emotional, sexual, financial and spiritual abuse. The shelter has done much work to help provide survivors with the resources and education they need to live a life free of violence. 

“A safe place to live should not come at the cost of a life,” Edwards said.

In other business, the meeting also updated the FCC Environmental Service’s controversial garbage run in the county. Their presentation noted that more than 73,000 households were served, and more than 74,000 carts were delivered during the first week of the transition. 

There were 771 missed pick-up reports, less than 1% of the services provided. The county noted that "missed pickups" also included residents with the wrong collection day. 

Commissioners were not shy in addressing resident concerns, although they applauded FCC for its diligence in ensuring garbage was picked up.  FCC worked Saturday to collect trash from anyone missed during the week.

“Yes, there were quite a few misses,” said District 5 Commissioner Kristen Burke. “But, my gosh, under 1% the first week, I am impressed.”