Identifying Local Opportunities

1. House defense budget would fund relocation of airport St. Marys Airport poses security risks to nearby Kings Bay Naval Base

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CFEA5A42D1E898?p=AWNB

The current location of St. Mary's airport is too close in proximity to Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base, potentially posing a threat. Navy officials have been writing the city because they cannot tolerate planes into their prohibited air space. The city wants to move the airport, but it is a matter of sufficient funds required to do so which means the House needs to come into play.

Problem: The funds required to relocate the airport and reimbursing the FAA along with a new location for the airport

Who has the Problem: This is a problem for the city, for they should not have approved the site for the airport within close proximity to a naval base. Because of this, they are now looking to the Defense Department to bear some of the costs.  This is also a problem for the Naval Base, for they consider themselves threatened with an airport that close to them.  This also means the city needs to be actively looking for another approved location.


2. Tests show fewer Duval 3rd-graders will face retention Results for most First Coast districts showed uptick in reading scores

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CFEA5B2B777100?p=AWNB

With the release of results for third grade reading scores, overall the state of Florida showed an increase.  Duval county schools did show an increase, but rank the lowest among the Big Seven. The purpose of the scores being released was to identify which students would have to be held back and which would have to do summer school. Overall Duval is satisfied with their increase, but they are determined to close the gap even more with the Big Seven.

Problem: Duval county schools rank the lowest among the Big Seven districts in Florida with regards to third grade reading scores

Who has the Problem: The school district, as the student's parents will likely complain that the curriculum is not up to par with other local schools.  The student's have a problem, for they are not at the reading level necessary to "pass" the third grade.

3. 5-month-old found dead at unlicensed day care

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CFEA5BEF11D5D0?p=AWNB

An unnamed adult was running an unlicensed day care out of her own home.  On May 20 she had a house full of at least 8 children when she had stepped out to go buy some soda.  Upon her departure an unnamed 17 yr old went to check on the 5 month old who was found unconscious.  The five month old died at St. Vincent's Medical Center.  While there had been suspicions that she ran a daycare, nothing was reported

Problem: Not only is a woman running an unlicensed day care, but it resulted in the death of a 5 month old

Who has the Problem: The unnamed adult as she started running an unlicensed day care which will get her into loads of legal trouble and not to mention the death of a 5 month old was on her watch.  The 5 month old's parents will also hit a road block when lawyers come into play since they were willingly bringing their child to an unlicensed day care. All of the other parents who rely on bringing their kids there will also face issues.

4. Condo defects cost DR Horton $9.6M Jury sides with Heron's Landing association

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CFEA5C99F47478?p=AWNB

After countless complaints that Beach Boulevard structures violate Florida building ode that resulted in damages of $9 million, DR Horton denied the claim.  They blamed it on the owner association that failed to maintain the buildings, resulting in the current condition.  Dozens of people attended the closing arguments which is very rare regarding structural defects.  In the end the problems with the condo cost DR Horton $9 million.

Problem: Beach Boulevard structural defects

Who has the Problem: DR Horton, the nation's largest home builder, has the problem as they are now being questioned that all of their buildings do not meet Florida building code.  This is a problem for their home owners who have been paying to live in sub par living conditions which is now resulting in DR Horton having to pay $38,000 per condo to renovate Beach Boulevard.

5. Red snapper won't have open season this year Federal regulators say species has been overfished; anglers disagree

http://infoweb.newsbank.com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/resources/doc/nb/news/15CFEA5AEC370BC8?p=AWNB

Federal fish regulators announced that Red Snapper will be closed to harvesting in order to increase the species abundance. Local fishermen are questioning the validity of this regulation, claiming that there is enough red snapper for an open season because of how frequently they catch the fish. NOAA claims that the number of red snapper being killed after being caught exceeded the fish limit by more than double.

Problem: Not enough red snapper for an open season

Who has the problem: Fishermen who rely on catching red snapper each year will no longer be able to.  If fishermen bend the rules, which often is done, red snapper will be very scarce.  This would then result in a problem with the Federal fish regulators and NOAA.