AB’s City Government Week aims to inform, engage residents

The City of Atlantic Beach is joining communities throughout the state in celebrating Florida City Government Week Oct. 17-23 with a variety of initiatives to bring awareness to the role local government plays in residents’ lives.

Next week, the City will celebrate and honor its workforce with an Employee Appreciation Celebration.

The Florida League of Cities, which has provided a united voice for the state’s municipal governments for more than 100 years, is sponsoring the weeklong campaign as part of its ongoing effort to promote and foster civics education and engagement. “Local government is the one closest to the people and the one that has a direct impact on the daily lives of their residents and businesses,” said FLC President and Port St. Lucie Vice Mayor Jolien Caraballo. “Particularly during times of crisis or disasters, cities are there each day helping residents recover, repair and reconnect to each other. Florida City Government Week is an opportunity to recognize not only what cities do in difficult times, but also the many wonderful things they do to make Florida’s cities great places to live, work and play.” FLC notes that, in the wake of Hurricane Ian’s widespread destruction, cities are demonstrating their ability to assist residents and businesses with restoration and recovery. The Florida City Government Week’s annual theme, “My City: I’m Part of It, I’m Proud of It,” encourages cities to celebrate what makes their individual city, town, or village great. 

 Cities provide a higher level of service than most governments and generally receive higher approval ratings than other levels of government. Yet, many residents are unaware of how city services impact their lives. Through Florida City Government Week, Florida cities hope to bring awareness to city governments’ role in enhancing the quality of life in communities. 

The City of Atlantic Beach’s City Government Week activities to foster civic education, collaboration, volunteerism, and more include:

• Adopting a mayoral proclamation.
• Posting employee and volunteer spotlights on Facebook.
• Promoting the City’s Government 101 Speaker’s Bureau, a program that makes city leaders available to speak to school classrooms, student government associations, civic organizations, and other groups upon request.
• Promoting the City's “Stay In the Know” campaign encouraging residents to stay informed about and engaged with their city government.
• Growing the City e-newsletter subscription list,  Cultural Arts and Recreation Department e-newsletter subscription list, City Facebook following, and other social media follows.
• Promoting the City’s Priorities, Vision, Mission Statement, and Values Statement.
• Educate the public on the City's FY 2022-23 budget.
• “Did Ya Know, AB?” social media posts.
• Sharing educational videos for people of all ages from animated ones for children and how-to-get-involved videos for grown-ups.
• North Beaches Art Walk is being held at Beaches Town Center from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20.
• Hosting an artist reception featuring the work of Mary Joan Hinson from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, at Adele Grage Cultural Center, 716 Ocean Blvd.
• Holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Selva Preserve, a newly acquired natural oasis in the heart of the City, at 9:15 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22.   
• Holding a Town Hall meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, at Jordan Community Center, 1671 Francis Ave.
• Hosting the City's annual Family Fun Day and Campout at Russell Park, featuring a Movie Under the Stars, beginning at 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22. 
• Hosting Acoustic Night in Bull Park outside of Adele Grage Cultural Center from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 23.

 For information, visit www.coab.us/citygovernmentweek; email info@coab.us; or call (904) 247-5804.