From Wi-Fi Hotspots To Language Learning, Alachua County Library District Serves Community During Pandemic
By Aurora Martínez
April 29, 2021
For about seven months in 2020, Radha Selvester couldn’t talk. She had lost her vocal cord nerve, her thyroid and 50 lymph nodes to multiple surgeries and treatment for cancer. During that time, books from the Alachua Branch Library kept the 62-year-old company.
“One of my coping strategies for the stress and anxiety of the pandemic was reading,” Selvester said.
When the coronavirus pandemic first hit, Selvester checked out 14 books from the Alachua Branch Library. By the end of July, she sent some back with a note for the librarians explaining she was recovering from a surgery and needed more books to read. Librarians selected a few more based on her preferences, which she was able to obtain by the library’s curbside pickup service, she said.
Incumbent Gail Johnson, newcomer Desmon Duncan-Walker elected to city commission
Voter turnout fell to about 11%, the lowest in Gainesville city elections since 1997 March 17, 2021 | 7:15am EDT
Desmon Duncan-Walker, the District 1 Gainesville City Commissioner-elect, talks to reporters after her win at Cypress & Grove Brewing Co. on March 16, 2021. Photo by Julia Coin | The Independent Florida Alligator
Gainesville residents voted Tuesday to re-elect one city commissioner who saw them through a year of the COVID-19 pandemic, but voted out the other incumbent in favor of a local activist.
In the tight race that some East Gainesville residents followed closely, Desmon Duncan-Walker replaced incumbent Gigi Simmons, who was elected in 2
Meet the candidates for the Gainesville Regular Election - The Independent Florida Alligator alligator.org - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from alligator.org Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Voting precinct changes for the Gainesville Regular Election
Precinct 27 voters will cast their ballots at a temporary location this year city commission new graphic Photo by Shannon Ahern | The Independent Florida Alligator
About a week ahead of the Gainesville Regular Election, the county reminded voters of a polling place change.
The Alachua County Supervisor of Elections sent an email Wednesday reminding voters of polling place changes for the election on March 16.
Voters within the affected Precinct 27, Gainesville’s Duckpond neighborhood near Waldo road, were mailed letters notifying them of a change at the end of February, according to the email. Voters can find their precinct number online or on their Voter ID.
One northeast Gainesville polling station is temporarily being relocated for the city’s upcoming election on March 16.
Voters living in Precinct 27, who are assigned to vote at the Thelma Boltin Center, will instead vote Tuesday at the Thomas Center, 302 NE Sixth Ave. Voters within the affected precinct were mailed letters notifying them of the change at the end of February.
The Thelma Boltin Center is undergoing renovations, and Precinct 27 will return to that location following this election.
In addition to the temporary polling place for Precinct 27, several precincts are combined during City of Gainesville elections. They are as follows:
Precinct 30 voters residing in Gainesville city limits will vote at Precinct 13 (Mt. Carmel Baptist Church, 2505 NE Eighth Ave.)