As of February 1st, Historic City News learned that Airbnb, one of the world’s largest marketplaces for unique, authentic places to stay and things to do, had entered into agreements to collect and remit local bed taxes on behalf of its hosts in Volusia and Clay counties. St Johns County Tax Collector Dennis Hollingsworth represents one of a minority of counties who refuse to sign.
Vicky Oakes, St Johns County Supervisor of Elections and friend to Historic City News, informs our readers to be prepared for the first deadline in the 2020 Election cycle. Eligible voters must register to vote or change party affiliation not later than February 18th to receive a ballot in the Presidential Preference Primary Election on March 17, 2020.
The Florida Bar, the state’s guardian for the integrity of the legal profession, announced to Historic City News reporters that the Florida Supreme Court disciplined 13 attorneys in recent court orders; disbarring two, revoking the licenses of two, reprimanding one and suspending eight. One attorney was also put on probation. Attorneys suspended for periods of 91 days and longer must undergo a rigorous process to regain their law licenses including proving rehabilitation. Disciplinary revocation is tantamount to disbarment.
A funeral is scheduled at Craig Funeral Home for Michael Dennis Hiers; at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 4th with a reception to follow at the St. Augustine Shrine Club. Mike, who was 61-years-old, died peacefully on January 28, 2020 at home after a long battle with cancer.
Historic City News was notified by Florida Department of Transportation Public Information Officer, Allen Nelson, that traffic will be impacted at the following St Augustine and St Johns County locations where roadwork is being conducted.
Be alert to lane closures and temporary detours, as well as increased congestion in these areas. FDOT employees and contractors will be working on the roadways and need your full attention.
Patrician Price reported to Historic City News that two Guana-Tolomato-Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve volunteers have been honored with a Daily Point of Light Award. Ruben Allen and Jeff Finnan were recognized for their outstanding community service.
Historic City News’ long advocated position that state law unreasonably protected a monopoly in the area of publishing public notices is finally gathering support in Tallahassee; finding that this could be the year governments are no longer required to post public notices in newspapers.
St Johns County Property Appraiser Eddie Creamer reported this week that his office now has another intelligent tool to protect local taxpayers from homestead exemption fraud through a new partnership with the private data-mining company, The Exemption Project.
