Chet Spellman of Jacksonville was among 71 Vietnam War veterans to receive the Veterans Service Award from Gov. Rick Scott on Tuesday.
The veterans were honored during a meeting of the Cabinet, which proclaimed March 30 as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day. March 30 marks 41 years since the last U.S. combat forces left Vietnam. Spellman served in Vietnam from August 1968-October 1969. He was stationed in Da Nang and Chu Lai, South Vietnam, while in the U.S. Naval Support Activity Detachment. He was a storekeeper at the fuel depot in Chu Lai.
“I accept this medal for the young men that I served with, for one that did not make it home and my best friend that died recently of his scars from Vietnam,” Spellman said.
He has worked for Florida Blue for 16 years. From 2005-11, he led the company’s Treat-a-Troop program, which made contributions to troops overseas during the holidays.
Traffic citations will be collected sooner
The Duval County Clerk of Courts and judiciary will be enforcing collections on civil traffic citations more quickly starting Monday.
Drivers who receive the violations — such as speeding or running a stop sign — will be required to respond within 30 days, according to state law. The current compliance doesn’t begin until after 90 days of non-response.
During the 30-day window, ticketed drivers still have the option of paying the ticket, requesting a payment plan, setting a court date, choosing driving school or requesting an extension. More information is available by calling the clerk’s traffic department at (904) 255-2300.
Six named to Baptist Health Foundation board
The board of directors for the Baptist Health Foundation has six new members:
• Martha Frye Baker is an active community volunteer, including serving on the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens executive committee and the boards of The Community Foundation of Northeast Florida, The Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens and the Christ Episcopal Church Foundation.
• Poppy Clements, who lives in Ortega, serves on the City Year Jacksonville Board and is immediate past Florida Forum chair for the Women’s Board of Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Over the years, the Jacksonville native has served on many nonprofit boards.
• Dr. Jefferson R. Edwards III is a surgeon with North Florida Surgeons and a member of the American Society of Breast Surgeons. He is past president of the Jacksonville Chapter of the American College of Surgeons, an active member of the Mandarin Rotary and volunteers with the American Cancer Society.
• Art Graham, a former Jacksonville City Council member, was appointed to the Florida Public Service Commission by two governors — Charlie Crist and Rick Scott. He is also past chair of the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization and vice president of the Northeast Florida Regional Council.
• Dr. Pamela Rama is a cardiologist with Baptist Heart Specialists and is a former chief of staff at Baptist Medical Center Beaches. She is the medical director of the Baptist HeartWise Prevention Program and the Baptist Beaches Cardiac Rehabilitation Program.
• Kent Stermon, of Jacksonville Beach, is chief operating officer of Total Military Management.He serves on the Business Advisory Council of the University of North Florida’s Coggin College of Business and is a former board member of the Boys & Girls Club of Northeast Florida and Dreams Come True.
Mayor Alvin Brown named to park advisory board
Mayor Alvin Brown last week was appointed to the Urban Committee of the National Park Service Advisory Board, a newly formed group that will help the board expand its reach in metropolitan areas.
The park service is seeking to enhance its role in city environments and become a larger, more relevant part of urban life. Jacksonville is home to the largest urban park system in the U.S.
RAP receives grant for restoration
Riverside Avondale Preservation will begin the restoration of its 100-year-old headquarters, the Buckland House, with the assistance of a $103,000 state historic preservation grant.
The group has committed more than $51,000 toward the project through cash, in-kind materials and volunteer services.
Built in 1914, the 1,844-square-foot home at 2623 Herschel St. is named after George and Grace Buckland and their two daughters, Mary and Charlotte. It also has undergone a foundation restoration with the help of the state.
Ben Smith reappointed to state electrical contractors board
Gov. Rick Scott has reappointed Ben Smith to the state electrical contractors licensing board. Smith, of Jacksonville, is president of Marco Heating and Air Inc.
He’s reappointed for a term that ends Oct. 31, 2017.
The board is responsible for licensing and regulating electrical contractors while setting rules for the industry.