Can you think of any time that you, or anybody else for that matter, have walked into a Walmart Store owing $848,184.65, and left the store owing nothing?  Is than an unlikely scenario? 

I witnessed the unlikely today, when Don Bowles, Sue Heath and I entered the Suntrust Bank located in the Walmart Store on Fleming Island.  We entered the store at 1:15 p.m. owing $848.184.65 in City debt.    We presented Tracie Henry a check for $848.184.65.  We left the store at 1:30 p.m. owing nothing. 

Sue, Don and I weren't exactly dressed for the photo op, which I have attached below.  The young man in charge of the bank was doubtful that we were the Assistant City Manager, the City Manager and the Mayor.  When we started taking pictures, he thought that we were casing the joint for a robbery.  OK, maybe we did look a little suspicious.  But, how many bank robbers do you know that would rob a bank while carrying a check for $848,165.84 to pay off the City debt? 

In any event, congratulations to the City of Green Cove Springs.  This is the first time the City has been debt-free since 1904. 

 Mike Kelter, Mayor