Concerned Friends of Fernandina |
|
|
(A) County Political Archive page Primary 8/26/08 Losers: Wynn Fendig (R) * Click here for issues questionnaire Play Video Marianne Marshall (R) * Click here for issues questionnaire Play Video C.W. (Connie) Johnson (R) Richard King (R) Carlos Slay (R) Michael Franklin (R) Larry Williams (R) Jennifer Kelly-Sheffield (R) Shirley Lear (R)
District 1 Janet Atkins says: ? Meredith Severance says: ? District 3 Muriel Creamer says: ? Jayme Taylor says: ? District 5 Kathy Burns says: ? Ted Combs says: Click here
District 3 Orlando Avila says: Click here Ed Gandy says: ? Keith Sawyer says: ? District 4 (unopposed) Cari Cahil says: ? District 5 (unopposed) Ron Braddock says: ? __________________**____________________
Key issues : The major issues facing the Nassau County Ocean Highway and Port Authority center around three main areas. Developing a plan to keep the port a competitive resource over the next ten years which will require new technology, more specialized cargo handling facilities and work to expanding the Port’s capacity to ensure it can compete in the global economy. It is well known that the cargo handling business will grow tremendously over the next ten years and small ports like The Port of Fernandina will either have to grow and improve or face elimination in the new world market in which we must compete. The second major issue facing the port Authority relates to the problems at the Nassau County Port Authority Tradeplex, this industrial complex that was hailed as a key asset by the Port Authority during the 90's has become an asset that cannot be used because appropriate levels of concurrency were not kept available to handle the ever increasing traffic along A1A. This Tradeplex is one of the few that Nassau County has and is important in attracting new and emerging businesses. Without concurrency the ability of the county to attract new industries or grow small businesses is limited. The County has failed to ensure that concurrency is protected and has not drafted a plan to address the needs of the Tradeplex, this is not only a failure in leadership but is a failure that is costing our county jobs and tax revenue. The final challenge is the impact of traffic along A1A - the port of Fernandina beach contributes greatly to the economic base of the community but it also has an impact on the condition of roads with the traffic that is generated. A new strategic plan to address the traffic and transport needs of cargo must be developed to ensure that the port can grow without creating additional impact on A1A. How I will you address them: In addressing the three top issues facing the port authority ( growing the port to remain competitive, managing the impact of traffic and rescuing the failed tradeplex complex) I would propose, if elected that the port commission work towards attracting funding to prepare a study that would provide the commissioners with a complete market evaluation of the port and the changes that are needed to remain competitive over the next ten years. the development of a strategic plan would also be part of my plan and creating a Nassau county advisory board for the Port Authority would be central to improving public input and involvement in the affairs of the Port Authority. as the world markets become increasingly more competitive the ability of our port to grow is limited therefore it is important that with community involvement a comprehensive plan is drafted and recommendations are made to assess the continued viability of the port and how the port could be most competitive in a changing world. the second issue of managing the traffic or impact of traffic on a1a is a more immediate need and must be part of an overall transportation study. I would propose that the Port Authority and County Commission explore along with the regional planning council and other transportation experts how we can increase cargo handling and reduce traffic along a1a by making better use of rail and the space we have available at the Nassau County Port Authority Tradeplex for storage and transfer opportunities. it is essential that the port authority work closely with county leaders to manage the impact of traffic on a1a and make sure that as we plan for the future we do not adversely affect the quality of life in Nassau County. a plan for correcting concurrency situation at the Tradeplex requires immediate attention as well, it is critical that the Port Authority Commissioners work closely with the County Commissioners to fix the concurrency issues at the Tradeplex so that this industrial complex can realize the promise that was made to the citizens over 15 years ago as a economic and job growth engine. we need to focus on attracting good jobs as part of our plan in managing growth not just more residential homes. It’s jobs that create prosperity and we must be diligent in working towards shaping what our economy will look like in the next ten years. I would propose that the port authority work with the economic development board to create a small business incubator and help promote the development of “start up” small businesses. Its small business that is responsible for the majority of job creation and small business ownership is part of the American Dream. Small business incubators are excellent ways to stimulate job growth in that they offer benefits, guidance and other resources that give these small businesses a chance to grow. Goals: My goals are to restore a sense of urgency to the needs of job creation and planning for the future of the Port. I also plan to make managing the impact of traffic on A1A a central issue and will work towards developing a strategic plan for transportation in our county. The growth and the emerging of role of our Port in the global expansion of cargo handling will make the Tradeplex a priority not just a problem. Finally, I believe we need to include in our strategic plan a comprehensive review of Port security and work with the sheriff and law enforcement officials to ensure that our port remains secured from threats. I plan to promote principles that will encourage government to lower taxes not raise them. I will as an elected official support the repeal of the gas tax and I will if elected work to form a citizen advisory committee to help improve public input and involvement in the affairs of the ocean highway and port authority. Planning for the future and creating a sense of urgency about that future are essential. This, along with the conservative principles I bring will offer the next generation of citizens an opportunity to benefit from one of the most important economic assets we have - our Ocean, Highway and Port Authority.
__________**____________
The main issues in this race are two fold. Full-time
representation and dealing with growth. I can and will provide fulltime
representation. I am a retired educator with over 31 years in Nassau County.
I am able to provide fulltime representation and I will be accessible to
students, teachers and parents. My opponent cannot provide fulltime
representation because she is employed as a full-time teacher in Camden
County Ga. She is simply not available during the school day because of
being obligated to her teaching job. As for the issue of growth, by being
a full time representative I can best deal with growth by serving on the
Planning and Zoning Board. State law
requires a School Board member to serve on this board. As
of present we don't have anyone serving. Two
of the Board members have served in the past but the remaining three members
refuse to serve for various reasons. I will serve on this board whenever
elected. I have some experience in dealing
with developers and builders while I served on the Town Council of Callahan
and served as Council President this past year. I will be there to see
that school concurrency is a priority in any new large scale development.
Some of my other goals are as follows: 1. Stress the teaching of the basics and not so much of just the FCAT. We need more history , government and economics in our upper grades 2. Deal with discipline firmly and fairly. Stress to students that they are responsible for their actions. 3 Seek changes to our school dress code. all surveys taken prove the fact that the better dressed people are behavior is better and the better the education environment. 4. Teachers need a better insurance package than they are getting for their money. They need a package that includes some sort of wellness package that will enable teachers who stay well and claim free can have their premiums reduced by a certain percent.
Once again the main thought I want to leave
you with is the fact that I can and will be your FULL-TIME REPRESENTATIVE
AND BE AVAILABLE WHEN NEEDED. THAT IS A PROMISE!
Back to Top _____________**_______________
I am Vickie Samus and I have announced my candidacy as a Republican for County Commission, District 2. My husband, Joe and I have lived in Nassau County for 18 years. We have raised our two sons, JJ (19) and Jimmy (17) here. This is our home. While on the Commission, I fought for many quality of life issues: Martin’s Island preservation, A1A Overlay, Billboard Ordinance, and removing one of the sunken barges on the north end of Amelia Island, (I was the only commission out picking up foam from that barge), fought the Army Corp of Engineers regarding the spoil sight, supported canopy tree protection, and fought for Recreation Impact Fees. Since I left office, I am Chair of the Recreation Commission; I am Chair of the Micah’s Place Advisory Committee, and I am the Chair of the Nassau County Community Alliance. I am a straight shooter. The voters deserve direct, realistic answers. The Commissioners have one primary job and that is to formulate policy to serve and protect the citizens. I am proud of the things I was able to accomplish as a Commissioner. While one Commissioner’s opinion is not always the ruling decision, I will work for the citizens. Some say that the focus of this election should totally be on the financial outlook of Nassau. Although I agree that our county’s financial situation should be foremost on our minds, there are areas of the County’s business that must be thoroughly addressed. Nearly every decision made by the Commission has a direct bearing on the finances of Nassau. Some of the issues that are currently press this county are:
Every one of these issues effect our budget and our credit rating. We must put a plan in action immediately instead of only reacting. I have experience and knowledge in OUR County to do just that. I will work with my fellow commissioners, the Clerk’s office and the county’s financial advisors to bring this county where it needs to be. I will hit the ground running with a thorough understanding of our county and while protecting the core values we all treasure. Back to Top ________**________
____________**______________ 02 Nov 04 (Political page) Nassau Board of County Commissions........General Election Nov. 2, 2004 District 1 Jim Higginbotham (R) says: Nassau County has a growth management act that was created in the middle 1980's. We need to get back to following these guidelines and quit building without proper concurrency being in place. This prevents the citizens of the county from paying for things that should be the responsibility of the development/developers. Excerpted from J. Higginbotham political advertisement June 2004 District 3 Tom Branan (R) says: I feel with private property rights and the county
ordinances, PUD, DRI and future land use should be considered at every debate
and public hearing. The sum of these parts should be balanced with an overall
concern for the maintenance of the quality of life. Edward McCormick(D) says: No comment
District 5 Gary Larson (D) says:
My position on growth is that the current Commission has themselves in a
serious financial mess and the only way out of it, in their opinion is
continued growth. The best example being, the current amount of Commercial
development along A1A and what is happening to the island with high density
development. Fernandina Beach
included. The same applies to Jacksonville, JEA, paying the County 1.5
million dollars in 2002 for water and sewer rights to the County from I 95
to the St. Marys River. This has severely restricted the Towns of Callahan
and Hilliard from expansion of their utility systems for growth beneficial
to the County, saving the taxpayers excessive tax dollars, and has done
nothing more than delay a needed service, Fire Hydrants, to Nassau County
residents and when it is allowed by Jacksonville, allowing the Commission
to approve the two Towns extending their services, the Towns will have to
pay Jacksonville a fee. Please note, JEA is
8 to 10 years away from extending into the west side but they will still
impact any west side development through franchise fees. The verification
for this is a signed interlocal agreement from the County Commission, 2002,
signed by Ms. Marshall as Chairperson of the Board. In speaking with Clerk
Elect, Mr. Crawford, he has no idea where this 1.5 million dollars went
under the current Commission.
I am a Director of Building and Zoning for St. Augustine Beach and have a
proven track record regarding development. I preserve roughly 40% of each
development as green space. I would utilize a
PUD for development, outlining
lot sizes and setbacks for structures as a means to preserve natural
environment. What you see every day along A1A is non-existent for the
jurisdiction I work for. Every development has a benefit to the taxpayer
whether it be assisting with drainage issues, recreation or providing a
site at no cost to the taxpayer for, in my latest approval, a 6000 square
foot site for a branch library. For reference, a 2 mil tax rate has been
maintained for 3 years while building reserves and funding capital
improvements. Growth is inevitable. As a Florida resident for over 40
years, I have seen the uncontrolled decay of property through growth..
For the future, Staff needs to provide a Growth Management Plan.
The Commission needs the estimated costs and
the funding sources for services brought on by the development. If not
provided, development needs to be put on hold until that time that a
developer puts forth, what is beneficial to the County taxpayer.
By experience, when pushed to the wall, they
will provide benefits.
I know you wished for a short reply but it is impossible. Growth is big
business and the County needs to benefit, not pay. If you have other
questions between now and election day, please contact me. I will provide
info on the landfill, fire services, road and drainage maintenance, etc.
These are all issues that affect your tax dollars and the current growth
patterns will only add additional taxation.
Marianne Marshall (R) says: No comment __________________**_____________________
|
For problems or questions regarding this web contact webmaster@fofgroup.org
"cfof" are residents of Fernandina Beach, Florida.
|
