GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Christmas trees have been ground into wood chips, and the city’s ornaments have been put back in storage. Still, the spirit of the holidays was rekindled during Tuesday night’s City Council meeting when volunteers were recognized with resolutions.
Core Volunteers representing the Elks Club (Santa’s Workshop), Green Cove Springs Business League (Christmas Parade), Jingle Bell Fun Run (Village Improvement Association) and Michael and James Brandy (Parade of Trees) were honored by the council.
The Elk’s Club gave more than 400 gifts to children and teens. The Jingle Bell Run that kicked off the Christmas Parade attracted 396 runners, followed by a record more than 80 parade entries.
The Parade of Trees attracted tens of thousands of visitors to the city's heart. The XXXX brothers placed artificial trees purchased by nonprofits, organizations, individuals and groups more than a month in advance. The groups decorated trees in advance of the month-long display, and a panel selected the best-decorated tree.
“The city would not look like it would,” said executive assistant Kimberly Thomas. “The city would not enjoy the way it does if it weren't for this core group. So, from my heart. I appreciate you more than you know.”
The council also issued a proclamation to a pair of School Resource Officers – Renay Henderson and XXXXX as part of School Resource Officer Appreciation Day.
In other business:
• The council approved making a $175,000 payment for a $2,171,400 bill to make water treatment plant improvements at Magnolia Point.
• Agreed to spend $97,027.96 to purchase a 200 KW generator and a 2500-amp transfer switch for the City Hall Generator Upgrade Project from the Yanmar-Mastry’s $97,027.96 utilizing the Florida Sheriff’s Association Cooperative Purchasing Program.
• Agreed to spend $97,027.96 for a deep clean of the public pool at Spring Park.
• Agreed to pay Kirby Development $16,101.73 to Kirby Development for improvements to the Julia Street Stormwater Improvement Project.
• Agreed to unfreeze the Utility Plant Operator Trainee position for the rest of the year.
The city council meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
Michael, nanny and now James Brandy
But it's wonderful. We get there early, we get everything set up, and just the joy of being a part, I mean, what the city does with the trees and making the part of the festival the parade and but we get the pleasure of they go see Santa, and then they come over to us, and from infants on up to teenagers. And that's one of our favorite things, as we make sure the teenagers get hits too, and it's just so wonderful that they get to we get to be a part of that. So thank you for including Miss Carol four under 29
who I now have learned is your cohort and partner.
She's at the other these ladies put together the jingle bell Fun Run. And how many kids we had? 396, registered runners. Why not? My green units are out there running down 17. So how many times can you say that just anything ever by star, but we started in front of my star, come down to walnut and turn around and it is exactly one mile. Okay, they start the parade out, so that's an amazing part, and they're going to continue to be with us each year. And them.
Business League, actually, Trish, I'm going to hand you
these folks are the ones that take care of the parade. I wish I really knew how to say exactly what all that means, because how what all that means you're already starting, probably on next year, getting ready for what we're going to do and how things could change. Katie and it is a it is a huge undertaking. I know our law enforcement and our public works can talk about how much work it goes into just supporting y'all in supporting the city by organizing it, taking care of the party. And it is, it is you who do that. So I wish I could say this
mostly Brandon, but he likes to skip these meetings. Yeah, I also have this from last year for him.
So Okay, anything you want to add, anything I'm missing, how many? How many do we have this year.
It's amazing. And you
know, do you hear pretty much?
Well, it's amazing. And I know every year, everybody breathes when it's over, but you're excited to start working on it. And last but not least, these two gentlemen over here. This is, this is the head organizers for the parade of trees, Michael, nanny and now James brandy, who has stepped in to help us as well, in a major role, they are the ones that as you look out there and you see all these trees start to come to life, and you organize everything from the lights to the stakes to the we're going to get the trees up for those decorators and decorators, they are safe. Mike, how long have you been doing it? Now? 21 years he's been he's been managing this and taking care of it from start to finish. James, you've been helping now in a major role. Two, three years, four years, okay? And he stepped right in and you need tell there's a plot you need help. I'm not looking at y'all because I know, but anybody out there who's listening
right a tree. So
we play a big role in what happens at Christmas, obviously, but it would not look like it would not turn out like in the city. would not enjoy it the way they do if it weren't for this core group right here. So from my heart. I appreciate you more than you know.
