Concerned Friends of Fernandina |
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City Political View page: This page is reserved for invitation of any and all political candidates and/or incumbents to post their views, ideas and vision for City growth management....... Voter Registration info: http://www.votenassau.com
Group 4 Group 5 47 % Harold Perry says: Click here * 29% Bruce Malcolm says: Click here 53% Ron Sapp says: Click here 8% Christine Raysor says: Click here 14% George Stewart says: Click here 24% Patricia Thompson says: Click here * 25% Marilyn Williamson says: Click here * = run off next month, stay tuned Mayoral Straw Vote: 23% Joe Gerrity [ ] 54% Bill Leeper [ ] 24% Ken Walker [ ] Ballot Referendum :
61% Yes 39% No
I believe that there are two essential, or broad issues in this campaign: 1) How do we protect and preserve our unique identity, character and quality of life, and 2) restoring an atmosphere of leadership and competence within the commission itself and concerning commission decisions. I believe that my leadership experience ( 21 years a city commissioner, 6 terms as Mayor) gives me the best chance of building consensus within the commission, and the community, when it comes to addressing those issues. I feel that I have demonstrated consensus-building skills and effective leadership skills by sponsoring, or playing a significant role in the following: Opening 50 public beach accesses, creating Seaside and North Beach Parks, re-vitalizing Main Beach, the $6 million dollar Open Space bond issue, developing the Greenway, acquiring and construction the Peck Center, the Beach Overlay district, the Coastal Uplands Protection Zone, putting together a Comp plan that protects densities and residential zoning, two tree protection ordinances, the short-term rental ordinance, removing over 90% of the R-3, or multifamily (high rise) zoning from our oceanfront in our first comp plan in 1980, protecting Old Town and the Historic District from port expansion, and many other land use, or growth management legislation. Concerning issue 1: 1) Adhere to the comprehensive plan regarding densities, NEVER voting to increase densities, and whenever possible, passionately advocating reducing them. 2) Develop a waterfront plan that is public centered - re-visit the CRA, improve parking lot "C," re-commit to the ATM plan regarding Phases II and III, resurface, landscape and light Front Street, have FPU install improved, underground electric lines along Front Street, create a unique zone along the waterfront that allows mixed use, EXCLUDING RESIDENTIAL, except for apartments above stores - similar to Centre St. That's my waterfront plan. 3) Continue opposing, vehemently, the development of Crane Island, 4) Insist that the original Coastal Uplands Protection Zone be put back in the LDR's. 5) Insist that the Beach Overlay District be codified within the Comp Plan and the LDR's. Protect our oceanfront - at all costs - from high rise development. Insist that the tree protection ordinances be strictly adhered to, and many other preservation opportunities and ideas that I have advocated, consistently, since 1972. Concerning issue 2: 1) Soon after the election, I will suggest that the commission meet in workshop session to reach consensus on three to five things, or projects, that the city WILL, not hope to, or might, but will accomplish during the upcoming fiscal year. 2) Treat each other with respect. 3) Work to accomplish things; be leaders. 4) Work to re-establish an atmosphere of trust between the commission, staff, employees and the people of Fernandina Beach. I view this as a leadership opportunity. An opportunity to lead, to build consensus on what our city will look like, be like in the future. There are MANY more issues that need discussing during the upcoming election. If any citizens would like to comment on them, please call me at home (261-4534), or e-mail me at Harvesthome67@aol.com.
My involvement in our community's issues spans the beach to the waterfront, downtown to Old Town and the neighborhoods in between. Failure to prepare has created unbridled growth and the problems we now face. To preserve our way of life, we must manage today's growth with smart planning. My respect for the beauty of our hometown has been proven by my willingness to stand firm when needed, compromise when necessary and maintain a vision that will protect the unique traits for which we all love about Fernandina Beach. I will accept the responsibility of service to all, reverence for our past and sheparding our future.
Christine Raysor says: no comment
The Marina is the most important issue we
face. Funding to complete is in place. I would request the Commission
finalize all aspects of this project using one clear and concise plan.
Immediately begin to complete and never again take 10 years to finish a
project so important to our unique character, our citizens, our visitors
and the economy of Fernandina Beach.
I would like to see the Greenway expand as planned, density issues addressed and smart controlled growth. Keep millage at the rollback rate and lower taxes whenever possible through good financial planning during the Budget Process. Our quality of life is facing many challenges and must be met head on with careful and intelligent planning. I would like the City to investigate the pros and cons of continuing as a City Manager form of government or consider a Strong Mayor form of government. A former Secretary of State once said and I quote, "If you do not know where you are going…….every road will get you nowhere." I believe in strong decisive leadership and will thoroughly study the issues we face and always provide for the wellbeing of our citizens through careful study and preparation on each issue. You will always know where I am going and why.
Patricia Thompson says: no comment
When I read a recent letter to the
editor describing Fernandina Beach in 1967 I was moved and I
remember everything that was referred to and more. I remember
when Fred’s was a new and modern grocery store with air
conditioning. I bought my first eye shadow, blue of course, at
the drugstore at main beach. I remember the fishing pier on the
beach and the glass teepee that was the waterway welcome center.
Over the years I have lived in other places. I worked for
Inland Steel as a manager of their HUD properties, I taught
Sociology at Ohio State, my late husband and I owned a small
construction company, and the whole time I missed my home town
of Fernandina Beach. The city needs to encourage economic
development, not just more houses, so our children don’t have to
leave home to earn a living. I have maintained a home here since
1982 and in 1995 I was finally able to retire and come home.
My family first came to Florida in 1906. My great uncle, Blake Hart, was the fire chief in Daytona for 34 years, and was active in the Florida Fire College that was headquartered there for many years. I am proud that Fernandina has a professional fire department and I understand the difference. I am proud of all the men and women in the police department who have given years of dedicated service to the community and sorry that you have had to go through the recent events. I am not saying that to get votes because I understand that many officers can’t even afford to live in the city limits, therefore are not eligible to vote in this election. We need affordable housing. Many of our city’s employees can not afford to live where they work. I understand that the increased density of development and the added areas of annexation are straining the capabilities of both these departments. The continued growth of Fernandina will require additional fire and police resources. I am proud to be a member of the Planning Advisory Board, which is a group of unpaid citizens who work hard to represent the best interests of the citizens. It is the perfect training ground for a future city commissioner. The PAB assists in writing the land development code, the comprehensive plan, reviews amendments and makes recommendations to the commission. I have developed the skills necessary to be an effective city commissioner, and I am ready to move from making recommendations to a leadership position. Everyone is frustrated at the start-stop-start-stop approach that has resulted in no real progress in the redevelopment of downtown and the waterfront. Each time the commission changed they threw out whatever progress had been made and started over, wasting both time and money. We need long range planning. The CRA has been established, we have professional recommendations, but we do NOT have a master plan, design guidelines, plans for drainage or traffic flow. The CRA document is gathering dust. It is time for action. I support development agreements- not developer’s agreements-as they are not owned by developers. This is an important tool we have when simple zoning is not enough. The agreement should be subject to the same rules as any land use or zoning change and be reviewed by the public and the PAB before it goes to the commission. Development agreements enable the city to enforce the promises applicants make when seeking zoning changes. The citizens have said they want a mix of homes and businesses in the central business district, parks, walkways, view corridors and increased access to the waterfront. The commission correctly voted to not use eminent domain. Development agreements will allow the needed cooperation between the public and the private sectors to accomplish these goals. I was concerned when we lost the Environmental Advisory Board and the Human Relations Board. Along with other PAB members, I voted to keep the Board of Adjustments. I believe that citizen boards, participation at meetings, writing letters to the editor and voting is what keeps democracy alive. I want to keep Fernandina Beach a town that we are all proud to call home. I offer integrity, experience, and hard work. I will ask questions, carefully study the issues, and listen to you. I will never forget that I am there to represent the citizens. Anyone who has comments or questions please call me at home, 277-3274 or email me at mw1954@bellsouth.net
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"cfof" are residents of Fernandina Beach, Florida.
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