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Index insideon A2 Alachua Pediatrics & Primary Care

(Adults and Children)Dr. Nasir Ahmed, M.D.Dr. Bilal Khodr, M.D.

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City of Hawthorne ProfileGAINESVILLE – An emergency

meeting of the Alachua Board of County Commissioners met Wednesday to reconsider challenging the Hawthorne annexation.

The commission voted previously not to challenge Hawthorne’s actions. However, a number of citizens expressed that they had not had the opportunity to be heard, so the Commission

NEWBERRY – Many people find peace, enjoyment and fun by exploring the natural beauty of the world around them. Now, from the eastern

crossing of the Santa Fe River in the City of High Springs and the southern terminus of Newberry, another opportunity to do so is unfolding.

An abandoned rail corridor approximately

three miles north from the state’s Nature Coast Trail is subject to conversion into a multi-use trail that would contribute to Alachua’s County trail system.

HAWTHORNE – Eastern Alachua County is the least-developed and populated portion of the county, a sanctuary for large segments of natural Florida beauty.

Payne’s Prairie south of Gainesville extends eastward into the Longleaf Flatwoods Preserve and then the Lochloosa Wildlife Conservation Area, encompassing much of the southeastern corner of the county and comprising the vast majority of the county’s conservation land.

The largest community in this section of Alachua County is the City of Hawthorne, for now one of the more isolated towns in the county with East Gainesville 15 miles to the west and Melrose and Waldo over 10 miles north.

“Hawthorne is a small, rural, blue-collar town largely composed of native, multi-generational Floridians,” Mayor Matt Surrency said.

“We are an independent community that doesn’t have a lot, but we are resourceful and innovative, which often results in us building or doing what we need.”

Hawthorne has been

a small settlement since the late 1870s. As with most Alachua County communities, it owes its present location primarily to

the railroad industry.A previous settlement

called Morrison’s Mills had existed near the city’s current boundaries, but the

people shifted in 1879 to gather near a new railroad crossing.

Hawthorne is named HAWTHORNE:

Continued on page A3

County reconfirms decision on annexation

Photos by DAVID S. WISENER/Alachua County TodayHawthorne City Hall, a stucco building dating to the 1920s, is home to local city government.

Trailblazing from High Springs to Newberry

TRAIL:Continued on page A5

High Springs Community Center turns into holiday headquartersBack L-R: The Grinch, elves and a hobo; Ceneter: Cindy Lou Who, Santa Claus, The Girl, Mrs. Claus; Front: The Animals. All got together to perform the Polar Express and the Grinch Who Stole Christmas at the High Springs Museum on Saturday, Dec. 19. Refreshments were served after each performance.

HIGH SPRINGS – The Historic High Springs Elementary School and Community Center, 120 NW Second Avenue, turned into Holiday Headquarters this year as High Springs Historical Museum members welcomed “The Gift Goes On,” Saturday, Dec. 19.

Songs and a reenactment of the birth of Baby Jesus from the Kids on Main Street were the highlight of the show as Sammy Nelson, Jr., Director of the Kids on Main Street project, and Music in the Park Director Michael Loveday looked on.

ANNEXATION:Continued on page A2

By RAINA BARNETTToday Intern

Springs Institute opens in January

HIGH SPRINGS – By the end of January, a new storefront, office space and education center is expected to open up on NW First Avenue. The Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute (FSI) will be making High Springs their new home as they move in and renovate a building to create a new public venue for their non-profit organization.

The group, which has been in existence since 2010, decided to move to High Springs noting that the area is a jumping off point for visitors to all types of springs and water attractions in this part of Florida.

The FSI is named after the late Dr. Howard T. Odum, known as the Father of Springs Ecology. He first called

SPRINGS:Continued on page A5

HOLIDAY:Continued on page A5

By KARA DAVIS Today Reporter


By C.M. WALKERToday Reporter

RAINA BARNETT/Alachua County TodayAn abandoned rail corridor is slated for conversion to a paved multi-use trail.

COMMUNITIES IN PROFILE - A SERIES

L-R: Hawthorne Apartments, the previous site of the Moore Hotel, was built in 1883, and the Berkstresser House, circa 1880s.

By C.M. WALKERToday Reporter

AlachuaCountyTNEWBERRY PARADE PHOTOS A6 MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!

C.M. Walker/Alachua County Today

A2 Alachua County Today LOCAL NEWS Thursday, December 24, 2015

Jesse says,“The things that

come to those who wait may be the

things left by those who got there first. ”

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Many Alachua County citizens enjoy having a decorated Christmas tree merrily twinkling as the centerpiece for holiday parties or that Christmas morning present opening frenzy. However, for those who prefer a live over an artificial tree, please remember that watering is essential.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, dry, neglected Christmas trees cause

approximately 230 fires annually, resulting in an average of six deaths, 22 injuries and more than $18 million in property damage. A tree can be completely ablaze within 3 seconds of ignition and the entire room can be engulfed within 40 seconds, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

Preventing holiday burglaries involves reducing opportunities for criminal activity. If you are

shopping at the last minute, store packages out of sight in the trunk of your car. Once you get home, keep your house and garage secured. Lock sheds so burglars cannot use any tools they may contain to break into your home.

If you are away at a holiday party, make it look like you are really at home by keeping lights on. Leave your curtains drawn. While it may be tempting to show

off that tree through the window, doing so also shows off all those presents under the tree.

After Christmas, do not place all the high dollar item boxes at the curb for the garbage truck. Cut up those boxes and dispose of them in garbage bags so the thieves cannot tell what has been added to your home.

A message from the desk of Sheriff Sadie DarnellHoliday Safety and Crime Prevention

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State shuts down travel scams

met to reconsider adopting a resolution to initiate state conflict resolution procedures with Hawthorne.

After hearing public comment, the Board again voted not to adopt the resolution, with all present commissioners maintaining their original positions.

Attendance was high, despite the short notice given for the meeting. More than 30 citizens spoke, and several outbursts disrupted the process. Some were angry that the meeting had been called at all, because the annexation had already been addressed in a previous vote.

Most who spoke argued that the affected citizens of unincorporated Alachua County had not been properly represented during that vote.

The conflict surrounding the annexation concerned issues of environmental protection, economic growth and provision of public services. Some citizens and officials are hopeful for the job opportunities

that development of the annexed land could provide, while others are concerned about the impact on wetlands and the rural lifestyle of the community.

This division continued during the specially called meeting, but a few speakers argued for a solution that could incorporate both growth and preservation.

A common opinion was that economic growth is important for the Hawthorne area, but the proposed development of the annexation zone would be too intense.

Ultimately, the commissioners seemed divided on the question of how the county should pursue its interests in this situation - if they should threaten legal action to be certain that their concerns would be addressed or choose to work toward resolution with Hawthorne.

“We don’t need a threat of a lawsuit to build a partnership,” responded Hawthorne Mayor Matthew Surrency.

Some commissioners did not trust that anything

less than legal pressure would cause Hawthorne to partner with them, however, and Commissioner Byerly argued that it was the duty of the county to be certain that unincorporated Alachua had a voice.

“Tonight is not about the City of Hawthorne - they have representation,” Byerly said. “It’s about the proposed [land to be annexed] and the area that is out in that part of the countryside that we are supposed to represent.”

C o m m i s s i o n e r Hutchinson attempted to provide a way forward for both parties, saying, “I’m not going to agree to challenge the annexation. But I am going to work as hard as I can to get the City, the landowner and others to adopt a comp plan and zoning requirements that would more match what the county would require.”

# # #Email [email protected]

Parties divided along economic and environmental linesANNEXATIONContinued from page A1

TALLAHASSEE – Attorney General Pam Bondi and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam announced coordinated actions taken to stop Florida travel companies accused of deceiving consumers. According to consumer complaints, the defendants charged for items advertised as free; sold vacation packages that could not be used because of burdensome blackout dates and overly restrictive terms and conditions; refused to provide refunds or allow cancelation of purchases; greatly exaggerated savings; and made unauthorized charges to consumer credit cards.

“People plan and save for years to pay for a family vacation and it is disgraceful that anyone would use deceptive and unfair trade practices to take their money and ruin their plans,” said Attorney General Bondi. “Thanks to this coordinated effort with Commissioner Putnam, we are taking action on behalf of travelers and to protect families from harmful business practices.”

“I thank Attorney General Bondi for her action against these travel companies, which allegedly defrauded consumers. By taking this swift

action, my department and her office have helped protect Florida’s consumers from deceptive business practices,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam.

Attorney General Bondi filed enforcement actions against the companies alleging violations of Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and seeking consumer restitution, civil penalties and injunctive relief. In conjunction with the Attorney General’s litigation, Commissioner Putnam initiated administrative actions seeking to revoke the licenses of two of the same companies.

The coordinated actions are taken against the following companies:

Millennium Travel and Promotions, Inc. allegedly sent millions of misleading mailers promising travel awards but failed to disclose terms and conditions or the total cost of redeeming the awards. Only a small fraction of these consumers were ever able to redeem the promised travel awards.

Grand Incentives, Inc. allegedly failed to fulfill travel requests by citing overly restrictive terms and conditions or blackout travel dates; collected deposits and failed to timely return the funds when the consumer was unable to book

travel; misrepresented the nature of fees charged to consumers; and made unauthorized charges on consumer credit cards.

Attorney General Bondi also filed a complaint against an additional travel company:

Global Connections, Inc. allegedly allowed its Florida distributors to use unscrupulous sales tactics to induce consumers to purchase its vacation club memberships by greatly exaggerating the true savings, nature and value of the memberships. Global allegedly did not honor its cancelation policy and did not make consumers aware of restrictive travel terms and conditions and limited availability of vacation destinations.

Global Connections, Inc. is currently exempt from registration by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Consumers who believe fraud has taken place can contact the department’s consumer protection and information hotline at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or, for Spanish speakers, 1-800-FL-AYUDA (352-9832). For more information about the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, visit www.FreshFromFlorida.com.

# # #Email editor@

alachuatoday.com

Special toAlachua County Today

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A3Alachua County Today COMMUNITY CORNER Thursday, December 24, 2015

Meetings & Events in the Heartlands ■ Dec. 24: First Baptist of

Alachua (14005 NW 146th Ave.) will be having their annual Christmas Eve service at 5:30 p.m. We hope you will join us for this candlelight celebration of Jesus' birth.

■ Dec. 31: Bethesda Outreach Ministries invites the public to their New Years Eve Service at 10 p.m. The location is 13205 NW 157th Avenue, Alachua.

■ Jan. 2: Ichetucknee Springs “Annual Iche Nippy Dip Day.” Participate in an old tradition of starting your New Year by taking a “nippy dip” in the beautiful, clear 72 degree water of the Ichetucknee Springs headspring. The first “dip shift” is at 10 a.m. with the last “dip shift” at 11 a.m. Free giveaways, hot

chocolate and coffee are sponsored by Honda of Gainesville. The headspring is located at the North Entrance, off Elim Church Road (County Road 238), Fort White. For additional information, contact the park at 386-497-4690 or visit www.FloridaStateParks.org.

■ Jan. 9 – 10: Gainesville Camellia Society’s 40th Annual Camellia Show will be held Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 9 and 10 at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, 4700 SW 58th Drive. The show will feature award-winning blooms from growers throughout the Southeastern United States. Growers may enter blooms on Saturday from 6:30 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. Judging will be from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. The public

is invited to view the flowers from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday. Unique camellia plants will be available for sale from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. until all plants are sold.

■ Jan. 15: Introduction to Volunteering at Haven Hospice, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. at Haven Hospice, 4200 NW 90th Blvd., Gainesville. There are many ways in which your skills and your smile can make a difference by volunteering. Explore all the possibilities, including patient support, administrative and volunteering in our resale stores! Call Jayna Mason at352- 692-5130 for more information. To apply online, go to www.HavenHospice.org/volunteer

Changes comingHAWTHORNE:Continued from page A1

#Alachua (City) – Meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. #Alachua County - Meets the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at 9 a.m. at the County Administration Building, 12 SE 1st Street, Room 209, Gainesville. Citizen comments are taken at 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.#Archer - Meets the 2nd Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 16870 SW 134 Ave.#Gainesville - Meets the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month at 1 p.m. at City Commission Chamber, 200 East University Avenue.#Hawthorne - Meets the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.#High Springs – Meets the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in City Hall.#LaCrosse – Meets the 2nd Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.#Micanopy - Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at Town Hall.#Newberry – Meets the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month at 7 p.m. at City Hall#Waldo - Meets the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at Yerkes Center.

PUBLIC MEETINGS

after a large landowner from the time, James Hawthorn, a veteran of the Second Seminole War. For an unknown reason, the post office later added an “e” to the town’s name, accounting for its present spelling.

Hawthorne became a center for the phosphate and citrus industries, but also from its beginnings was a hunter and fisherman’s paradise, as it continues to be today.

“We are a sportsman’s paradise, with our lakes and outdoor amenities, which we take pride in protecting for future generations,” Surrency said.

Recently, though, events may be driving the future of Hawthorne toward a drastic change.

In November, the Hawthorne City Commission annexed a portion of land owned by Plum Creek Timber Company, almost 1,200 acres, in order to begin developing a jobs center by 2017 that would potentially include 800 residences; 150,000 sq. ft. of retail space and 2.85 million sq. ft. of manufacturing space.

This would be just the first part of Plum Creek’s massive development plan for Eastern Alachua County, called Envision Alachua, that could potentially impact 7,000 acres and includes the company promise of creating 30,000

jobs over the next 50 years.The effect this could have on the

small city which has seen its population grow by only 400 people since 1950 can not be overstated.

Despite this potentially massive population and infrastructure impact,

though, Surrency says that Hawthorne will seek to maintain its small-town character.

“We’ll still be that community for a lifetime – where you can be born, raised, educated, work and retire – a leader in responsible growth and environmental

stewardship, and we’ll still be that community ‘Where Everybody Knows Your Name,’” he said.


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DAVID S. WISENER/Alachua County TodayHawthorne's downtown is home to a variety of businesses and government buildings, including a hardware store, bank, post office, city hall, library, and apartments.

TALLAHASSEE — The distinction of “Master Board” was awarded to the Alachua County school district leadership team by the Florida School Boards Association at their 70th Annual Joint Conference, held Dec. 2, 2015 in Tampa.

The Alachua County school district is one of only 17 school districts in Florida to currently hold this prestigious award.

The Master Board Program is a voluntary program which provides opportunities for the leadership team (defined as the superintendent and the school board) to engage in training that enhances its capacity to provide visionary leadership for the school district.

The Master Board Program concentrates on the leadership team’s governance roles for enhancing student achievement, fostering connections and empowering collaboration between schools and the community, and

creating a learning organization to advance excellence in public education.

The leadership team completed 22 hours of learning activities in a statewide forum and onsite trainings to earn this distinction. Members of the leadership team who completed the program are: April M. Griffin, Rob Hyatt, Dr. Leanetta McNealy, Dr. Gunnar Paulson, Eileen Roy, and Dr. Owen Roberts, Superintendent.

# # #Email editor@

alachuatoday.com

Alachua County School Board awarded Master Board Distinction

Special toAlachua County Today

ALACHUA – The Florida Department of Health Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) in Alachua County will be opening a new clinic in City of Alachua.

This is WIC’s fourth clinic in Alachua County and is located in the City of Alachua at the Alachua Elementary School in the Family Service Center Building (13800 NW 152 Place, Alachua).

The clinic will begin providing services on Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 5, 2016. Prospective and current clients may call to inquire about the program or schedule an appointment at the local number, 352-225-4343, or at the toll-free number 1-800-494-2543.

“The continued collaboration between the Florida Department of Health in Alachua County (FDOH-Alachua) WIC Program and the School Board of Alachua County is an excellent partnership that reduces disparities, improves access

to healthcare, provides nutrition education, and enhances educational outcomes to low income families,” stated Diana Duque, Community Program Manager at the FDOH-Alachua. “We are pleased to be able to continue expanding services to those who benefit from WIC.”

“This is going to be so good for our school and community,” said Eva Copeland, principal of Alachua Elementary School. “It will offer our families easier access to a wide array of services,

which ultimately means we’ll be able to better serve the whole child.”

For more information, visit the FDOH-Alachua website.

The mission of FDOH-Alachua is to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, & community efforts.

For more information, contact Diana Duque at 352-225-4355 or [email protected].

# # #Email editor@

alachuatoday.com

New WIC Clinic in City of AlachuaSpecial to

Alachua County Today

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A4 Alachua County Today VOICE OF THE HEARTLANDS Thursday, December 24, 2015

Climate Make-Believe in Paris

Crooks, Demagogues, Liars and Wimps

Saving the planet has never been so easy.

The Paris climate talks concluded in a rousing round of self-congratulation over an agreement that, we are told, is the first step toward keeping Earth habitable. If generating headlines and press releases about making history were the metric for anything, Paris might be as consequential -- if misbegotten -- as advertised.

The fact is that Paris is very meta. The agreement is about the

agreement, never mind what’s in it or what its true legal force is -- namely, nil. Paris is a legally binding agreement not to have legally binding limits on emissions. It might be the most worthless piece of paper since the Kellogg-Briand Pact outlawed war --

about a decade prior to the outbreak of World War II.

The Paris summit operated on the principle of CBDRILONCWRC, or “Common but Differentiated Responsibility in Light of National Circumstances With Respective Capability.” That means nothing was actually mandated on anyone because that proved -- understandably enough, dealing with all the countries in the world -- completely unworkable.

Instead, countries came up with so-called Intended Nationally Determined Contributions. That’s climate bureaucratese for “You make up your emissions target, whatever it is, and we will pretend to take it seriously.” Thus, do the waters recede and Earth is saved from looming climate catastrophe.

President Barack Obama praised 180 countries for coming to Paris “with serious climate targets in hand.” This was ridiculous climate grade inflation. As Oren Cass of the Manhattan Institute points out, Pakistan produced a one-page document promising to “reduce its emissions after reaching peak levels to the extent possible.” For this we needed a headline-grabbing global confab?

No one will mistake Pakistan for an industrial juggernaut. How about China, the world’s largest carbon emitter? It promises to reach peak

emissions around 2030, when one U.S. government study estimates that it would hit peak admissions anyway, Cass notes. The more China promises to confront climate change, the more it stays the same.

India’s assurance that it will make a roughly 30 percent improvement in carbon intensity is, according to Cass, also about where it was projected to be headed anyway. India still wants to double its output of coal by 2020. As The Guardian put it, India “says coal provides the cheapest energy for rapid industrialization that would lift millions out of poverty.” India would be correct.

The agreement’s celebrants believe that by making countries report their progress on cutting carbon emissions and by sending a stern signal against fossil fuels, Paris will catalyze painful cuts in carbon emissions somewhere off

in the future. It speaks to a naive belief in the power of global shame over the sheer economic interest of developing countries in getting rich (and lifting countless millions out of poverty) through exploiting cheap energy -- you know, the way Western countries have done for a couple of centuries.

If this is the best hope of the climate alarmists, their global campaign will be a welcome fizzle. All things considered, it probably is best that they occupy themselves with grand meetings and with the exertions attendant to believing their own PR. Otherwise they could do real damage.

Rich Lowry is editor of the National Review.

(c) 2015 by King Features Synd., Inc.

Alachua County TodayEstablished in 2000

Ellen B. Boukari Bryan Boukari Executive Editor Publisher

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Alachua County Today is dedicated to reporting news and events relevant to all citizens of the Heartland Commu nities. Above all, the staff is dedicated to policies of fairness and objectivity, and to avoiding what is sometimes characterized as "agenda journalism."

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Twenty-four years ago, Democrat Edwin Edwards -- a man who could have come out of central casting as the corrupt politician -- was nevertheless running for another term as the governor of “let the good times roll” Louisiana. The Republicans had managed to go bonkers and choose none other than former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke to run against him. But Duke was too extreme even for the far-right members of the GOP

establishment, so just before Election Day, they distributed a bumper sticker: “Vote for the Crook. It’s Important.” The crook won. Edwards was elected to his fourth term. He later went to prison, but that’s not the point.

The point is that in 2015, the nation’s Republicans have their own grand dragon in Donald Trump. His latest noxious fire-breathing, of course, is his declaration that all Muslims should be prohibited from entering the United States. Even though he has edged backward a teeny bit by clarifying that this wouldn’t apply to U.S. citizens who practice Islam, the Trumpster’s latest pile of bigoted garbage still has brought widespread condemnation.

Jeb Bush called him “unhinged.” Lindsey Graham declared, “Tell Donald Trump he should go to hell.” Even Dick Cheney -- a man whom President George H.W. Bush called a “hard-ass” -- was repudiating The Donald’s announcement: It “goes against everything we stand for and believe in.” Maybe that is

because it didn’t include waterboarding.What we were hearing from none of the

Republicans was a definitive indication that if Trump was their nominee, they’d repudiate him and support the Democrat, presumably Hillary Clinton. Of course, they’ve accused Clinton of all manner of dishonesty, but there were few hints from them that if it was ultimately her versus Trump, they’d put conscience over expedience and create a new bumper sticker: “Vote for the Liar. It’s Important.”

Instead we’ve gotten evasiveness, wishy-washiness, even implied support for Trump. From the new House Speaker Paul Ryan, who is trying to cast himself as an enlightened conservative, we hear “I’m going to support whoever the Republican nominee is” -- even one whose policy is “not what this party stands for, and more importantly, it’s not what this country stands for,” as Ryan put it.

He and the others are being careful to not offend that sizable block of hardliners in

their party who have made Donald Trump the leader among the GOP presidential candidates in most polls. They want to appeal to them if the Trump rocket fizzles, even though it’s starting to look like it may keep flying high. What if he actually is their nominee? Will they support Hillary? That or a Trump independent run, which he always threatens, would mean the Democrats would keep the White House and maybe take over Congress, too. But would they put party over country? Good question.

At least the attraction to Trump’s poison has forced us to face the reality that the United States is one troubled country. The fanatics of ISIS are well-aware of that. They know they can exploit our being consumed by fear and bigotry. Donald Trump is just making their job easier. So are those he intimidates.

(c) 2015 Bob FrankenDistributed by King Features Synd.

Nobody likes to forgive. Few people like to even talk about it.

The meaning of the Christmas season, though, brings it into focus.

It’s a painful topic.People hurt us frequently,

be it emotionally, physically, or both. We also hurt others, often unintentionally, but sometimes on purpose.

There seems to me to be a lot of confusion regarding what forgiveness actually is.

I often hear people talk and act as if to forgive someone means to forget something happened.

That’s not true. Forgiveness does not equate to forgetting.

It does mean that we no longer judge or condemn someone for something they have done: we don’t treat them in accordance with their past actions.

Forgiveness is a state of mind and way of being; it’s

a process, not a one-time thing.

It is refusing to let negative thoughts about someone have a home in your head – when they arise again (as they will), we banish them and affirm again that we are choosing to forgive.

Over and over. For as long as it takes; maybe even forever.

No one truly wants to do that – it’s incredibly hard, and we so often feel justified in our pain. In truth, that justification may be legitimate.

Forgiveness isn’t denying that someone hurt us. It isn’t ignoring the pain. Healing the pain is a separate subject, but it’s also true that choosing to forgive is part of that healing process.

That’s one reason why it’s important to forgive. Refusing to forgive results in your own stunted healing

and emotions, which in turn affects the people you love because it certainly impacts who you are as a person and thus how you interact with people in general.

It’s pretty common for us to agree in principle with forgiveness, but set boundaries: “I’ll forgive people for ‘x,’ but I will never forgive ‘y.’”

That is a statement coming from a hardened heart. Quite likely hardened for good reason, but that doesn’t make the hardening something healthy to hold on to.

The proportion to which we refuse forgiving others demonstrates the level of

d i s c o n n e c t we have with how much hurt we’ve caused, with how much f o r g i v e n e s s we need from other people.

On one hand, I’d say this is a negative result of our cultural hyper-individualism: we’ve lost

a sense of corporate responsibility.

On the other hand, this may be a result of relativizing our personal level of guilt: because we haven’t done “x” (something we believe is incredibly abhorrent), we feel justified in our lack of forgiveness for “y.”

While the type of moral guilt is different in kind between my personal actions and those of a group

to which I belong, there remains nonetheless a true level of guilt applicable to the individual that comes from a collective: guilt by association, if you will.

There are also certainly levels of heinousness associated with specific actions, making particular things more difficult to forgive than others, but that we have all caused grief in the lives of others which would call for someone else to forgive us is undeniable – we’ve all hurt people, and though some may have hurt others more intensely than we have, that doesn’t change the fact that we, too, are responsible for pain.

For the Christian, forgiveness isn’t an option. It’s a clear, direct, and all-inclusive command from God, repeated several times in scripture.

It should be grounds enough for the Christian to

forgive simply because God said to. He didn’t recommend it: He commanded it.

But on top of that, the prayer Jesus modeled explicitly states that God forgives us for our mistakes according to the exact mode in which we forgive others.

Seeing as I am hopeful that God will be abundantly merciful to me, so I must be extravagant in my forgiveness of others.

The path of forgiveness is one of humbleness, humility, and mercy in the face of the worst kinds of evils we can inflict on each other.

May we all remember this Christmas to be gracious and merciful to everyone.


Forgiveness at Christmas


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A5Alachua County Today LOCAL NEWS Thursday, December 24, 2015

TRAIL: Continued from page A1

This corridor would be intended to provide a paved, non-motorized multi-use trail, according to the written project description from the state.

“We’re still working on funding for acquisition,” said Chris Dawson, Senior Transportation Planner for Alachua County. “We anticipate we are perhaps a year or so from acquisition, and then, of course, the time it takes for actual construction to begin and finish.”

Dawson said the estimated cost for acquisition is $3.5 million.

“The biggest concern is where the money will come from, I can’t think of any other real drawbacks,” he said.

Currently, the property

is generally bordered by commercial, agricultural, and some institutional use. The remains of the former railroad are the 50 to 100 foot-wide railroad right-of-way and adjacent lands.

According to the project description, it is classified by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory as Upland Hardwood Forest, which is characterized by a well-developed, closed-canopy forest dominated by deciduous hardwood trees on mesic soils in areas sheltered from fire.

The condition of the area is good, with evidence of some trash dumping and fire suppression, according to the project description.

Lewis Sussman of the Gainesville Cycling Club wrote in an email that he

noticed in April that the High Springs railroad line south was being dismantled, with ties and tracks removed, and the bed covered with fill dirt. He says it would be a great rail trail addition.

The county has begun outreach to local advocacy groups and non-profit organizations, such as Gainesville Citizens for Active Transportation and the Alachua Conservation Trust.

Additionally, the county is working with the Trust for Public Lands to identify additional partners that may be able to aid the County in funding strategies.


Program concluded with cookies and light snacks

Although one show would have been great for Saturday afternoon, a reenactment of the Polar Express Magic Journey along with How the Grinch Stole Christmas was also on tap. Santa and Mrs. Claus

were on hand as well to visit with children and find out what they all wanted for Christmas.

High Springs Historic Museum members served cookies and light snacks following the event to

thank everyone for coming out to the free Christmas performances.

# # #Email Cwalker @alachuatoday.com

HOLIDAY:Continued from page A1

the world’s attention to the majesty and mystery of these unique and complex ecosystems. Dr. Robert L. Knight, FSI’s director, studied under Dr. Odum and has conducted follow-up studies of the ecology of 18 major springs in Florida.

Dr. Knight and Heather Culp, Esq., FSI Associate Director, introduced themselves and their organization to the High Springs City Commission at their Nov. 24 meeting. Knight said he has been studying springs all of his working life, and rather than retire, he thought he might dedicate his time to continuing his studies of springs and their importance and bring awareness to the people who live in an area surrounding so many springs.

“The downstairs public space of the facility will contain

displays and information about area springs,” said Knight. “It will also serve as a classroom location to help educate people about various springs and provide a resource for people to learn more about the significance of the springs in this area.”

Knight says the organization has been working with several groups in this area for some time and is well aware of groups like Save Our Rivers. “We can refer people to various springs locations as well as to the organizations that help monitor them and keep them healthy,” he said. “We hope to be a valuable resource here as there is no other place with the diversity we have in this area.

“Over a million people a year go to area springs,” said Knight. “High Springs is a portal into the heartland of the springs.”

C o m m i s s i o n e r s suggested Knight and Culp become

acquainted with the city’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) and take advantage of whatever help they might be able to provide to help with renovations, said Knight.

Knight is an environmental scientist

and says he has been studying water bodies for more than 40 years. His group will research and preserve what’s left of the springs and work with other organizations

to restore springs, where needed.

According to the FSI website, the organization has “gathered a collection of information about springs ecology so

vast that you will find it necessary to stop by frequently.”


Information sourceSPRINGS: Continued from page A1

This holiday, cook as much, or as little, as you want. We

have the most delicious solutions for you, from main dishes

to side dishes to complete holiday dinners. Simply be sure

to place your dinner orders in advance. You can select à la

carte side dishes at the Deli, no pre-ordering necessary.

Order in-store, or at publix.com/order.

Photo by DOUG ALDERSON/Special to Alachua County TodayDr. Robert L. Knight is an environmental scientist who has been studying water bodies for more than 40 years.

C.M. WALKER/Alachua County TodayThe Kids On Main Street performed “The Gift Goes On” at the High Springs Museum at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 19, with assistance from Kids on Main Street Director Sammy Nelson, Jr. and Music in the Park Director Michael Loveday.

Cost estimated at $3.5 million

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A6 Alachua County Today LOCAL NEWS Thursday, December 24, 2015

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Newberry Christmas Parade ushers in the season

RAINA BARNETT/Alachua County TodayYoungsters catch a ride in the City of Newberry's firetruck as it rolled down the road.

RAINA BARNETT/Alachua County TodayNewberry's Main Street was the gathering place for Christmas elves.

RAINA BARNETT/Alachua County TodayNewberry opened the Christmas parade on Saturday to the sounds of roaring motorcylces laden with brightly wrapped presents.

RAINA BARNETT/Alachua County TodayGift-giving elves handed out sweet treats to parade goers Saturday.

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