Beaches Watch

Jacksonville Beach Candidate Forum
2024-10-16 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual Meeting, FL, United States
Jacksonville Beach Candidate Forum Rescheduled to October 16
Due to Hurricane Milton, the Jacksonville Beach Candidate Forum scheduled for Wednesday, October 9, 2024 is being rescheduled to Wednesday, October 16 at 7pm via Zoom. The forum is open to the public.
Register in advance to attend this candidate forum via Zoom: REGISTER HERE
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
As a service to Jacksonville Beach voters, Beaches Watch is sponsoring a candidate forum for the Jacksonville Beach candidates on the General Election ballot. The Jacksonville Beach candidate forum will give voters the opportunity to learn about the candidates as well as their platforms and positions on Jacksonville Beach issues before the November 5 general election.
Candidates on the general election ballot for Jacksonville Beach Mayor are Georgette Dumont and Chris Hoffman. Candidates for Council Seat 1, At-Large are Fernando Meza and Bruce Wouters. Candidates for Council Seat 2, At-Large are Dan Janson and B. Duke Lewis. Candidates for Council Seat 3, At-Large are Jennifer Ashley and Greg Sutton. More information about the candidates can be found at www.BeachesWatch.com.
The general election will be held on Tuesday November 5, 2024 and early voting will be held October 21 through November 3 at the Beaches Branch Library from 10am to 6pm.
“Beaches Watch promotes citizen education on local issues and participation in local government,” said Beaches Watch president Maria Mark. “The election of our city officials is one of the most important ways citizens can participate in their local government. Through this forum, voters can learn more about the candidates and make an informed decision when they vote.”
The Beaches Watch organization does not endorse candidates and has been sponsoring non-partisan candidate forums for Atlantic Beach, Jacksonville Beach and Neptune Beach since 2004.
Beaches Watch is a non-profit, non-partisan civic organization whose mission is to promote and facilitate educated and productive citizen involvement in local and state government decisions that affect the future of our northeast Florida beaches communities. Beaches Watch achieves this by raising, monitoring and researching issues; providing factual issue information to the general public and government officials; encouraging citizen participation in the solutions to beaches growth and quality of life issues and organizing citizens for action.
For more information about the candidate forum or Beaches Watch, contact 904-878-0435, email info@beacheswatch.com or visit the Beaches Watch website at www.beacheswatch.com.

Atlantic Beach Candidate Forum
2024-10-19 14:00 - 15:30 | Community Presbyterian Church, 150 Sherry Drive, Atlantic Beach, FL, 32233, United States
Atlantic Beach Candidate Forum Rescheduled to Saturday, October 19
As a service to Atlantic Beach voters, Beaches Watch is sponsoring a candidate forum for the Atlantic Beach candidates on the General Election ballot. Due to Hurricane Milton, the candidate forum that was scheduled for Thursday, October 10, 2024 has been rescheduled to Saturday, October 19 at 2pm at the Community Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, 150 Sherry Drive, Atlantic Beach.
The Atlantic Beach candidate forum will be open to the public and will give voters the opportunity to learn about the candidates as well as their platforms and positions on Atlantic Beach issues before the November 5 general election. Candidates on the general election ballot for Atlantic Beach Commissioner Seat 3 are Mark Gabrynowicz and Thomas Grant. More information about the candidates can be found at www.BeachesWatch.com.
The general election will be held on Tuesday November 5, 2024 and early voting will be held October 21 through November 3 at the Beaches Branch Library from 10am to 6pm.
“Beaches Watch promotes citizen education on local issues and participation in local government,” said Beaches Watch president Maria Mark. “The election of our city officials is one of the most important ways citizens can participate in their local government. Through this forum, voters can learn more about the candidates and make an informed decision when they vote.”
The Beaches Watch organization does not endorse candidates and has been sponsoring non-partisan candidate forums for Atlantic Beach, Jacksonville Beach and Neptune Beach since 2004.
Beaches Watch is a non-profit, non-partisan civic organization whose mission is to promote and facilitate educated and productive citizen involvement in local and state government decisions that affect the future of our northeast Florida beaches communities. Beaches Watch achieves this by raising, monitoring and researching issues; providing factual issue information to the general public and government officials; encouraging citizen participation in the solutions to beaches growth and quality of life issues and organizing citizens for action.
For more information about the candidate forum or Beaches Watch, contact 904-878-0435, email info@beacheswatch.com or visit the Beaches Watch website at www.beacheswatch.com.

Beaches Watch Monthly Meeting
2024-12-04 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-01-01 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-02-05 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-03-05 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-07-09 19:00 - 20:00, 2025-09-03 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-04-01 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-05-06 19:00 - 20:00 and 8 more dates | Beaches Branch Library, Community Room, 600 3rd St., Neptune Beach, FL, 32266, United States

Beaches Watch Monthly Meeting
2025-03-05 19:00 - 20:00 | Beaches Branch Library, Community Room, 600 3rd St., Neptune Beach, FL, 32266, United States
Topic: Beaches Town Hall with Jacksonville City Council Members
Guests:
Matt Carlucci, At-Large City Council Member
Nick Howland, At-Large City Council Member
Chris Miller, At-Large City Council Member
Ron Salem, At-Large City Council Member
Rory Diamond, District 13 City Council Member

Beaches Watch Monthly Meeting
2025-04-02 19:00 - 20:00 | Beaches Branch Library, Community Room, 600 3rd St., Neptune Beach, FL, 32266, United States
Topic: State of our Schools
Guests:
Dr. Christopher Bernier, Duval Schools Superintendent
April Carney, District 2 School Board Member

Beaches Watch Monthly Meeting
2025-05-07 19:00 - 20:00 | Beaches Branch Library, Community Room, 600 3rd St., Neptune Beach, FL, 32266, United States
Topic: Beaches Interlocal Agreements with Jacksonville: The History of Conflict and Compromise
Guests:
Bill Gulliford, former Atlantic Beach Mayor and Jacksonville City Council
George Forbes, former Jacksonville Beach City Manager
For many years, the beaches have been questioning whether we are receiving the services agreed upon within the Interlocal Agreements for the amount of taxes we pay to Jacksonville. To better understand the agreements that govern these services, join us for a history lesson about the interlocal agreements. Topics will include the impact of consolidation on the beaches, the legal action taken by the City of Atlantic Beach against the City of Jacksonville over double taxation, the Ocean County movement, and the negotiations with Jacksonville that resulted in the amendments to the original flawed interlocal agreement and ended the pending Atlantic Beach lawsuit.
Guest speakers will be Bill Gulliford and George Forbes. Mr. Gulliford is the former mayor of Atlantic Beach, Chairman of the Ocean County Committee to create a separate beaches county, and later a Jacksonville City Councilman representing the beaches. Mr. Forbes was the Jacksonville Beach City Manager when the interlocal agreement amendments were negotiated.
“Beaches Watch promotes educated citizen involvement in state and local issues that impact our quality of life. This important meeting will educate and engage beaches citizens about the history of the of the interlocal agreements that govern the county services we receive,” said Beaches Watch President, Maria Mark.

Beaches Watch Monthly Meeting
2025-06-04 19:00 - 20:00 | Beaches Branch Library, Community Room, 600 3rd St., Neptune Beach, FL, 32266, United States
Topic: The Good and the Bad of the 2025 Legislative Session
Guests:
Mike Staffopoulos, Jacksonville Beach City Manager
Bill Killingsworth, Atlantic Beach City Manager
After 60 days of legislative meetings, what did the 2025 Florida legislature accomplish, and how will its actions affect our beach communities? For the answers to these questions, join us for this important recap of the 2025 Legislative Session. The meeting is open to the public.

Mike Staffopoulos (Jacksonville Beach City Manager) and Bill Killingsworth (Atlantic Beach City Manager) will help the audience understand the impact legislative action during the 2025 Legislative Session will have on their lives. Expected topics include affordable housing, property taxes, local government land regulation, utility relocation, recovery residences and more. There will also be discussion about bills that didn’t pass and are expected to come back in the 2026 Legislative Session. There will be an opportunity for the audience to ask questions.

Beaches Watch Monthly Meeting
2025-08-07 19:00 - 20:00 | Beaches Branch Library, Community Room, 600 3rd St., Neptune Beach, FL, 32266, United States
Topic: Town Hall with Senator Yarborough and Representative Michael
Our state legislators have been elected to represent our beaches communities in Tallahassee. So, it’s important that you have an opportunity to interface with them. In this meeting, our state representatives will be providing an update on the 2025 Legislative Session bills that impact our beaches and they’ll be discussing their priorities for the next legislative session. You’ll also have an opportunity to ask them questions and let them know the issues that are important to you.

Beaches Watch Monthly Meeting
2025-09-03 19:00 - 20:00 | Beaches Branch Library, Community Room, 600 3rd St., Neptune Beach, FL, 32266, United States
Topic: Learn about the NEW Beaches Go Green 2.0
After 7 years of fighting pollution, raising awareness about plastic waste, and protecting our beaches, Beaches Go Green is deepening their mission to expose and eliminate the everyday environmental toxins that harm our Earth and impact our bodies. Anne Marie Moquin, the founder of Beaches Go Green, will be the guest speaker to discuss their new mission: Beaches Go Green 2.0 connects personal health to planet health – empowering cleaner choices, reducing plastics and toxins, and inspiring action for a healthier future. You’ll also hear from students from the 17 Beaches Go Green student clubs, including Fletcher’s Beaches Go Green Club, to learn about what their clubs will be doing in the coming year. There will also be an opportunity for the audience to ask questions.

Beaches Watch Monthly Meeting
2025-10-01 19:00 - 20:00 | Beaches Museum Chapel, 505 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, 32250, United States
Topic: Learn How Our City Attorneys Protect Our Cities
Guest speakers:
• Jason Gabriel, Atlantic Beach City Attorney
• David Migut, Jacksonville Beach City Attorney
• Paul Waters, Neptune Beach City Attorney
Have you ever wondered what the City Attorneys do for our cities? Come to this meeting to hear from our City Attorneys, learn more about the work they are doing for our cities, and their legal opinions regarding the impact on our communities of state legislation that has passed recently.

Beaches Watch Monthly Meeting
2025-11-05 19:00 - 20:00 | Beaches Museum Chapel, 505 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, 32250, United States
Topic: Sharks, Turtles and OCEARCH, Oh My! Learn about our neighbors of the sea.
Speakers:

Dr. Bryan Franks, Executive Director, Marine Science Research Institute

Lucas Meers, Director, Sea Turtle Program at Jacksonville University

Dr. Franks will be discussing shark research by OCEARCH (based at Mayport Fishing Village) and Jacksonville University (JU). Dr. Franks will also discuss a paper that was recently published with both entities, as well as additional local shark research that is being conducted by JU students.
Lucas Meers will be speaking about the new JU Sea Turtle Program and he’ll provide an update on the results of the 2025 sea turtle nesting season along our northeast Florida beaches. There will also be an opportunity for the audience to ask questions.
PLEASE NOTE THE NEW LOCATION: The meeting will be held at the Beaches Museum Chapel, 505 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville Beach, Florida

Beaches Watch Monthly Meeting
2025-12-03 19:00 - 20:00 | Beaches Branch Library, Community Room, 600 3rd St., Neptune Beach, FL, 32266, United States
Topic: 2025 Give Back Award Presentation
Guests:

Here Tomorrow representative, 2025 Give Back Award recipients
Beaches Habitat representative, 2024 Give Back Award recipient

Beaches Watch is proud to present its 2025 Give Back Award to Here Tomorrow, whose mission is to transform lives by building a community where suicide prevention is accessible without barriers. Here Tomorrow was opened in Neptune Beach in 2021 after founder Joe Kenney lost his son Gary to suicide in Jacksonville Beach.
Here Tomorrow removes the most critical barriers to mental health care – accessibility and affordability – by providing no-cost, no-wait, year-long support from suicide prevention specialists. With 17 specialists, Here Tomorrow helps individuals experiencing hopelessness or suicidal ideation, as well as their loved ones, find their path to recovery and take their new confidence and skills out into the world. Here Tomorrow also coordinates licensed mental health therapy for those in need, paying in full for 12-24 sessions with a therapist specializing in their area of concern.
The Give Back award will be used to fund more than 20 hours of a suicide prevention specialist’s salary. Each hour can make a difference in the life of someone in crisis.
The Give Back Award will be presented on Wednesday, December 3 at 7:00 p.m. at the Beaches Branch Library. Representatives from Here Tomorrow will be at the meeting to accept the award and provide a presentation about the work being done by their organization. This meeting is open to the public and all are invited to come learn more about the important work being done by Here Tomorrow.
“As we approach the season of giving, Beaches Watch is proud to present our ‘Give Back Award’ to Here Tomorrow to support the lifesaving work being done in our beaches community by its staff and volunteers,” said Beaches Watch President Maria Mark.
Also attending the December 3 meeting will be representatives from 2024 Give Back Award recipient, Beaches Habitat for Humanity, to provide an update on how last year’s award was used to support their work.

Beaches Watch Monthly Meeting
2026-01-07 19:00 - 20:30 | Beaches Branch Library, Community Room, 600 3rd St., Neptune Beach, FL, 32266, United States
Topic: 2026 State of the Beaches
Guests:

Curtis Ford, Atlantic Beach Mayor
Chris Hoffman, Jacksonville Beach Mayor
Cori Bylund, Neptune Beach Mayor

This annual meeting gives residents an opportunity to hear about issues that impact their quality of life at the beaches. Each of the beach mayors will talk about the state of their cities, addressing 2025 accomplishments and challenges, plans for 2026, and the 2026 legislative session issues that are expected to impact their respective communities.
Beaches Watch president Maria Mark said, “We are so excited to kick off the New Year with our beaches mayors as they share their reports about the state of their beach city. This popular annual meeting always enlightens, energizes, and educates us about substantive quality of life issues in our beach communities. We are grateful for this opportunity to hear from our beaches mayors.”

Beaches Watch Monthly Meeting
2026-02-04 19:00 - 20:00 | Beaches Branch Library, Community Room, 600 3rd St., Neptune Beach, FL, 32266, United States
Topic: Defunding Our Cities: How Proposed Property Tax Cuts Threaten Local Services You Depend On
Guest Speakers:

Kevin Hogencamp, Interim Atlantic Beach City Manager
Mike Staffopoulos, Jacksonville Beach City Manager
Ricky Pike, Neptune Beach City Manager

The 2026 Legislative Session has started and the most important issue being debated by legislators is the elimination of property taxes. While the elimination of property taxes is touted as a measure that will provide homeowners with financial relief, do you really know what the elimination of your property tax means and how it will impact the services you receive from your city? The three beaches City Managers will be discussing this important issue including: how much their cities receive from property taxes and how the money is used. If the legislature approves a property tax cut, a measure will be placed on the ballot for voters to decide on. You don’t want to miss this meeting to learn about the real cost of the proposed property tax cuts.
Beaches Watch president Maria Mark said, “there’s a lot of misinformation and disinformation buzzing about the future of our property taxes. Our city managers will give us their perspective on how potentially tampering with our property taxes could adversely affect the quality and quantity of city services we’ve come to expect as beaches’ citizens.”

Beaches Watch Monthly Meeting
2026-03-04 19:00 - 20:00 | Beaches Branch Library, Community Room, 600 3rd St., Neptune Beach, FL, 32266, United States
Topic: The State of the St. Johns River
Guest Speaker: Lisa Rinaman, St. Johns Riverkeeper
IMPORTANT: Enter through the NORTH Library entrance ONLY. The south entrance will be locked. Parking is available in the north parking lot.

Lisa Rinaman, the St. Johns Riverkeeper, will discuss the eighteenth annual State of the River Report, which provides a comprehensive analysis of the health of the Lower St. Johns River Basin. The report evaluates four key indicators of river health: water quality, fisheries, aquatic life, and contaminants. This year’s findings reveal widespread and growing concerns, underscoring the urgent need for action to protect this vital waterway.

Currently, 65 percent of Northeast Florida river tributaries remain unsafe for swimming and fishing. Ongoing challenges include persistent sewage pollution, increasing salinity, recurring algae blooms, and the presence of pharmaceuticals in the water—each posing serious risks to ecosystems, public health, and quality of life in the region. The State of the River Meeting will provide critical insight into these issues and highlight why the condition of the St. Johns River matters to everyone who lives, works, and recreates in Northeast Florida.

Beaches Watch President Maria Mark said, “We are grateful to have Lisa Rinaman speak about the health of our St. Johns River. The river is one of our most precious resources and essential to supporting our lives and livelihoods.”
