MarkPettus's blog

Related: read more | login or register to post comments

This morning I deleted a comment which contained language that is inappropriate for this community Web site. I apologize for not spotting it and removing it earlier.

My staff and I don't have time to constantly monitor the blogs and comments posted on MyStJohnsSun.com. Because of that, I'll ask that anyone who sees content posted here that appears to violate the terms of service notify us immediately.

We also don't have time to edit posts. I have done so in the past, when a long comment contained only one or two words that were inappropriate, but from this point forward i will likely simply delete the entire comment.

Related: read more | login or register to post comments | Tags: video | video blog

From the St. Johns River Water Management District

PALATKA, Fla., April 25, 2008 ¾ A prescribed fire on approximately 90 acres of the Julington-Durbin Preserve is scheduled for today beginning at 9:30 a.m.

The burn is part of ongoing restoration and maintenance of St. Johns River Water Management District-owned land. District land managers strive to restore and preserve ecosystems and habitats on land acquired by the District and to provide public recreational opportunities that are compatible with District goals.

Prescribed fire — carefully planned fires purposefully set under stringent conditions to control its effects — is used to reduce the possibility of destructive wildfires, while enhancing land’s biological values and perpetuating fire-adapted plants and animals. Prescribed fire helps prevent wildfires by burning off fuels that naturally build up over time, while also helping to control the growth of woody shrubs. It also helps control tree diseases and opens scenic vistas.

Related: read more | login or register to post comments | Tags: mark pettus | video | video blog

The St. Johns County School District recently announced it would alter the start times for all the county's schools beginning in August. Middle schools will begin at 7:50 a.m., elementary schools at 8:30 a.m. and high schools at 9:15 a.m., and all schools will be released early on Wednesdays.

District leaders say the changes make scheduling more cost efficient and will save the district $1 million during the next school year on transportation. They also say that having the same early release day for all grade levels helps families.

What do you think of the new schedules? Do they fit your family's schedule? Will they cause you a a hardship? Or, do the cost savings justify making the changes?

My St. Johns Sun is looking for young writers to tell the story of what it's like to be a teen in northwest St. Johns County.

No experience is needed. You don't need to be an A student, but you must be able to meet deadlines and it wouldn't hurt if you could both speak and write conversational English.

What would you write about, you ask?

How about: What's going on at school? What are you and your friends into? What's important to people your age? What do you do for fun? Is there anything fun to do in St. Johns?

If you are — or you know — a young writer who would like to report on young people's issues for the Sun, please contact us.

In the wake of Barack Obama's speech yesterday in which he called for a new dialogue on race in the United States, we'd like to hear from you. 

Tell us about an experience that made you feel uncomfortable about race.

The Times-Union will publish the best answers later this week. For your answers to make the paper, we'll need to know a bit more about you than just your username — details like your age, race and gender, and contact info. Rather than post all that information on line, you can just send it in an e-mail to mark.pettus@jacksonville.com.  

St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners
Office of Public Affairs
4020 Lewis Speedway
St. Augustine, FL 32084

MEDIA ADVISORY – March 14, 2008

St. Johns County is currently accepting applications for the following Board and Committee vacancies.

Planning and Zoning Agency - One (1) Vacancy
Qualifications: Must be a registered voter in St Johns County. Members must file financial disclosure.
Meeting schedule: Meets on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month at 1:30 p.m. in the County Auditorium, 4020 Lewis Speedway.