If April showers bring May flowers, then we are going to be knee deep this year. Enough already. I did see an interesting Youtube video about verticle water drainage. Instead of the traditional french drain that drains horizontally, you dig a hole with a post hold digger about a foot across and a two feet deep in the affected area with landscaping fabric and fill it with rough stone. Fold the fabric over at the top and replace the grass plug. Place as many "drains" as you feel is necessary in the affected area. I don't know if this will work in our area with the ground water so high, but I may give it a try. I'll let you know if I do.
Sewing update. My (mother's) singer 306W machine is at the repair shop and should be coming back today. Beyond Fabric in Kingsland (across from the Publics Grocery) holds sewing classes at Amelia Island and there is a repairman there who works on machines. They transported my machine there and are bringing it back which is an excellent service. Hopefully, by tomorrow I will be back in the game and working on recovering my cushions. Pictures will follow.
I have included an interesting article on a Flood Insurance law suit at the bottom of this email. This is a frustrating subject for all of us coastal dwellers.
If you are lookin for Fun Things Going On this week:
Event by Crooked River State Park
6222 Charlie Smith Sr. Hwy, 31558
Discover and marvel at the different species of birds we have here at our park!
Meeting at the Nature Center.
This program is free!
Event by Camden PSA
1050 Wildcat Dr., Kingsland, GA, United States, Georgia 31548
Bring the family out for an educational and interactive experience, Magication with Magic Marc! Magic Marc has performed all over the world, has made appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show, Sesame Street, and had his own TV show for over 10 years. He's excited to make a special trip to Camden!
Kids will be selected to participate in the Magic Show! Children 3& under are free! Join Magic Marc for a monumental family-friendly experience!
Event by Crooked River State Park
6222 Charlie Smith Sr. Hwy 31558 Friday 6-6:45PM
Enjoy a leisurely bike ride with a ranger as we explore our park, and end our adventure with a beautiful sunset
This program is free!
Space is limited. Please call or visit the main office to register before the above time
Event by Fernandina Beach Main Street, A1A Cidery and 2 others
First Love Brewing
Fernandina Beach Main Street, in partnership with First Love Brewing, is thrilled to announce a new event, the 8th Street Mutt Madness Tail Trail. Sponsored by IQ Fiber and First Port City Bank, with JW Frame Gallery as the Print Sponsor, this event promises a month-long celebration of community spirit and furry companionship.
The 8th Street Mutt Madness Tail Trail will run throughout the month of March, culminating in the Mutt Madness After Party on April 7th from 2-4PM at First Love Brewing.
Shoppers are invited to participate by picking up cards at participating locations along the 8th Street business corridor. Upon making a minimum purchase of $10, shoppers will have their cards marked by the respective businesses. The more blocks you complete, the more chances you'll have to win exciting prizes!
Event by NineTwelve Car Culture
Historic Downtown Kingsland
Last month we cruised down to The Firefly for lunch. We plan to pick a new location to cruise to for lunch and if you want to join us feel free to! If you want to stay in the parking lot till 12pm you will have that option as well!
See you guys next month!
Event by Coastal Camden Art League
2006 Osborne Rd, St. Marys, GA
Join us for a Sip & Paint-Larkspur Flowers at Sunset. All supplies included for $30. To register call Terry at 912-464-4146.
Event by Amelia Island Opera
Amelia Island Museum of History
Tickets
app.showslinger.com/e/SONGS-OF-THE-SEA-FRI
Amelia Island Opera presents: Songs of the Sea
Friday, April 5, 2024 | 5PM
Saturday, April 6, 2024 | 5PM
Amelia Island Museum of History | 233 S 3rd St, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
$35 Tickets
As the city of Fernandina Beach gears up to commemorate its upcoming bicentennial on January 1, 2025, we're thrilled to be part of the festivities with Songs of the Sea.
Anchored in history and melodies, this concert will delve into the heart of Fernandina's vibrant pirate history! Set sail with the Galway Girls, a multi-instrumental band known for their harmonies and memorable arrangements as they perform enthralling renditions of pirate songs, sea shanties, and even a sprinkling of opera! Sharing the stage is local historian Dr. Jonathan Bryant, who will spin tales of captivating pirate lore, bringing to life the legends that have shaped this coastal community.
Be part of Fernandina Beach’s bicentennial celebration and join us at the history museum for Songs of the Sea!
Event by Carquest of Kingsland
925 East King Ave., Kingsland, GA
Friday April 5 will be our demo day for Exmark, Echo and Shindaiwa. Representatives from all manufacturers will be here. We will have a few Exmark mowers you can try out. We will also have hamburgers and hotdogs for lunch. Come by to see us and get you new power equipment. These items will have great sales going on and we will have much more. We hope to see you then.
Ops Pizza Kingsland
Hey y'all, it's that time of the week again—Trivia Night is back and ready to kick off at 7pm every Thursday!
Round up your crew, get those wits sharp, and gear up to win some fantastic prizes while jumpstartin' your weekend at OPS.
It's gonna be a hoot, so don't miss out on the fun! Time to show off those smarts and have a blast!
Event by Captain Seagles Saloon
105 Osborne Street, St. Marys, GA 11am - 4pm
This is a Family friendly event! We will have a DJ spinning jams with that Island vibe, tropical drink Specials & frozen treats & of course games and activities for all ages! come out to the tiki dressed in your Hawaiian shirts and flip flops and get ready for a day filled with fun in the sun, cause Seagles is kicking off summer early!
April 2, 2024
Judge Rejects Blocking Flood Insurance Changes
By Jim Saunders
Local and state government attorneys say the financial impact from the program changes have “crippling effects.” FEMA says the cost increases have been exaggerated.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A federal judge has rejected a request by Florida and other states for a preliminary injunction to block changes to the National Flood Insurance Program that have led to higher premiums for many property owners – though he ruled that a broader legal battle can continue.
U.S. District Judge Darrel James Papillion, who is based in New Orleans, issued a 56-page ruling last week that pointed to potential problems if he issued an injunction against a risk-rating system that began taking effect in 2021 and was fully in place in April 2023. The lawsuit, led by Louisiana and including Florida and eight other states, was filed in June 2023.
“The court … finds that, in light of the particular claims in this case and to the extent plaintiffs are likely to succeed on any of them, any interest the public has in the need for federal agencies to follow the law is outweighed by the public’s interest in the stability of the administration of the National Flood Insurance Program, which would be greatly disrupted if this court were to issue a preliminary injunction restraining defendants from enforcing the rating methodology that was fully implemented prior to plaintiffs’ filing of this lawsuit,” Papillion wrote.
But Papillion also ruled that the states and three local governments in Louisiana can continue pursuing the lawsuit, rejecting federal arguments that the case should be dismissed because of a lack of legal standing. In part, he said the states have shown they could face higher rebuilding costs after floods if property owners drop National Flood Insurance Program policies because of increased costs.
“To the extent plaintiffs’ allegation that the increased premiums will lead to fewer policies in force is conclusory, the court also finds that Plaintiffs have plausibly substantiated this allegation in a manner sufficient to carry their burden at the motion to dismiss stage,” the judge wrote Thursday.
The lawsuit, filed in the federal Eastern District of Louisiana, centers on changes known as “Risk Rating 2.0: Equity in Action.” Federal officials contend that the changes were designed to make the flood-insurance program actuarially sound and reflect the risks of each property.
But the lawsuit alleges, in part, that federal officials violated a law known as the Administrative Procedure Act by making changes that were “arbitrary and capricious.”
The National Flood Insurance Program plays a key role in states like Florida and Louisiana, as many homeowners with mortgages are required to carry flood insurance. Typical property-insurance policies do not include flood insurance, forcing homeowners to buy additional coverage.
A document in the lawsuit said the National Flood Insurance Program included about 1.391 million Florida policies, with total coverage of nearly $367 billion. The lawsuit is playing out as homeowners across Florida also face higher costs for property-insurance policies that cover risks such as wind and fire damage.
Along with Florida and Louisiana, other states in the case are Idaho, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas and Virginia. The defendants include the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
In a document filed last year seeking dismissal of the case, U.S. Department of Justice attorneys argued the plaintiffs had exaggerated “skyrocketing costs” after the change in the risk-rating system. The document said 19% of premiums decreased and 70% increased by less than $10 a month.
“These changes all reflect best practices in the insurance industry, which is precisely what Congress charged FEMA (the Federal Emergency Management Agency) to do under the NFIA (National Flood Insurance Act),” Justice Department attorneys wrote. “Furthermore, the geographical distribution of premium payments has been stark: Under the legacy (previous) rating approach, taxpayers and policyholders in landlocked states were covering the cost of flood risk in a few coastal states. Risk Rating 2.0 charges every policyholder their fair share based on their property’s true flood risk and thus accomplishes the stated purpose of the NFIA.”
But attorneys for the states and local governments in Louisiana pointed to “crippling effects” of changes in the program.
“Plaintiffs do not dispute that, under the legacy rating system, many individuals experienced slight annual increases as permitted under (a federal law),” the plaintiffs’ attorneys wrote in a document last year. “But policyholders have never seen rate increases like the ones they are seeing” under the changes.
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