News
By Michael Hernandez, 11-19-24
FERNANDINA BEACH, FLORIDA— The very first official act of the new Fernandina Beach Commission just sworn in proclaimed “Transgender Day of Remembrance” (Agenda 4.1) at the Nov. 19 meeting joining over 185 cities and more than 20 other countries in observance of this day. Commissioner Joyce M. Tuten presented the proclamation, signed by new mayor James Antun, but not presented by him, which is customary. Vice Mayor Darron Ayscue said he did not support the proclamation “due to its political nature.”
Some 15 years ago, Ms. Gwendolyn Ann Smith, a transgender woman, founded the day to memorialize the murder of fellow transgender woman, Ms. Rita Hester, who was “killed due to anti-transgender hatred and prejudice” read the proclamation.
Four public comments were made on the City Commissioners’ Transgender Day proclamation: three against and one voiced approval:
Janice Knocke: “This is the third straight year a transgender proclamation has been read. This proclamation is gaslighting or spreading false information in our community Transgender people are not being murdered by straight men. The problem is when we normalize this behavior which is running rampant in our schools and colleges. This is a mental health issue. No human can change their sex from birth. Our bodies are wired as man or woman. Enough is enough. No more drag queens in our city parades.”
Alan Hopkins: “I don’t care what consenting adults do at home. What I do care about is the moral fabric of our community. When we refuse to protect the children, we are being false to ourselves. Our city has 14,000 residents, a budget over 150 billion (S.I.C- it’s more like $150 million) dollars and over 200 employees. Yet, this is your first act.”
Kelly Yates: “I’m a concerned Christian. Four years ago, Pride hosted its first event. This is indecent exposure. Public safety is in jeopardy. There are consequences on genital surgeries on transitional youth by this insane woke ideology. It is demonic to act out sexual fetishes in front of children. We are telling children that God made a mistake. Take the puberty blockers. We need to ban this from our children’s parks. This assault does not belong in public, or near children.”
Libby D.: “This is not a mental health issue. The worse thing is to shame people for who they are. You are misnaming it.”
Here is the proclamation:
Approve Work Orders, Grants, Budget Transfers, Purchases of $766,000
The $766,000 of approved work orders, grants, budget transfers and purchases include:
- $343,092 (Agenda 6.3) public transportation grant with the Florida Department of Transportation for rehabilitation of taxiway A at the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport. This is the amount Fernandina Beach is paying.
- $103,830 (Agenda 6.7) budget transfer to Jet VAC Equipment Company, LLC for the purchase of a lateral camera launch, including installation for the Utilities Wastewater Department.
- $79,200 (Agenda 6.1) for a work order for Passero Associates LLC for the T-Hanger and Entrance Road design for the Municipal Airport rehabilitation project.
Fernandina Beach cost: 2 percent; Florida cost: 8 percent; Federal Aviation Administration cost: 90 percent.
- $69,791 (Agenda 6.6) to Hubbard Construction Company for the paving of the west end of Alachua Street and Second Street and will happen in December with signal lights up in March.
- $65,000 (Agenda 6.2) for the grant agreement with the Florida Department of Transportation to rehabilitate the taxi-lane and entrance road at the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport. Fernandina Beach is paying for 8 percent.
- $50,000 (Agenda 6.8) of Nassau County grant funding for new Central Park batting cages within the next three months. The Babe Ruth organization is providing a match for this project covering the remaining $55,000.
- $30,000 (Agenda 6.5) to American Skate Ramp Company for concept design services and construction documents for the Fernandina Beach Poe Pinson Skate Park expansion. Amended from original amount of $90,000.
Ten public comments (including two skateboarders) spoke on this item. All comments were for approval. See three comments below:
- Augusta Hershaw: “I have been at the skatepark with my grandchildren. Older kids are taking care of younger kids. There is comradery among them. More and more children are coming. There is not enough room for all the children. I have seen little kids as young as three-years-old. The older kids are so cautious and nice to the younger ones.”
- Patty Murray: “I started this skate park 27 years ago. It took us four years to raise $80,000 and take it before the city. We were turned down so we raised more money. This was Phase 1 but Phase 2 was supposed to happen.”
- Quinn Johnston (young skateboarder): “Skateboarding has helped me forge many friendships. I skate with nine-year-olds and 27-year-olds. All my friends are pulling for each other to win. We all want to learn the tricks. We become life-friends. It is really inspiring to see what you can do on a little piece of wood on wheels.”
- $25,000 (Agenda 6.4) to the City of Fernandina Beach Land Conservation Trust Fund as a match of a citizens’ outreach contribution which will result in an additional $50,000 donation.
- The Purchasing Policy Manual (Agenda 5.1) was changed to lower the purchase order and quote thresholds from $10,000 to $7,500.
- Public Comments were moved back to the beginning of the meeting.
- Proclamations will no longer be done in City Hall, but out in the community instead. This helps duck some of the controversy at Commission meetings. The reason given was to allow more time for public comments.
- A beach renourishment presentation (Agenda 4.2) was made by city staff and Foth Infrastructure & Environment, LLC (formerly Olsen & Associates) on upcoming beach renourishment projects
(Note: Motions approved unanimously for agenda items.)
- A budget summary was made by Comptroller Pauline Testagrose for October 2024.
- Five projects are under bid currently and 10 more projects will be coming soon.
Public Comments On RYAM:
Cameron Ross: “My first observation on RYAM, there is considerable evidence that the bioethanol plant is not allowed. The city hired a law firm to investigate chemical manufacturing which is not allowed in the city. Put this plant on pause and ask RYAM to pay for an independent review.”
Richard Dean: “I register my opposition to the ethanol plant. The best designed systems fail. Think the Titanic and Columbia Space Shuttle. RYAM has used legal intimidation to get their will. We can expect a multi-million lawsuit if they don’t get their way. Require RYAM to pay for an independent investigation. This would be an important investment.”
Other Public Comments:
Michael Sharp for Marina Advisory Board: “The Marina Advisory Board recommends against a new park being built for parking lots C and D. Hit the pause on this park.”
Fred P. for 2024 Amelia Island Open: “We had 147 teams representing 17 states and 8 countries—the largest Petanque event in the Americas). It doesn’t make sense to move those petanque courts.”
Sheila C.: “I request a formal investigation to look at the matter of David Sturges appearing with local police officers for his campaign advertisement.”
Mac Morris: “We are going to need parking space for Front Steet. We will need all our parking spaces up there. Increasing the grass area does not make sense. This is a waste of tax dollars.”
Pete Stevenson: “Compromise. Let’s see how we’re going to work together. Let’s use ideas for the water front. My moto: Build a bridge not a wall.”
Commissioner Comments: Regular Meeting
- Mayor Antun: “Nov. 29 is Pajama Day. We also have a tree lighting at 4 p.m.
Thank you Mayor Bean, Vice Mayor David Sturges and Commissioner Chip Ross. We appreciate your years of service.”
- Commissioner Minshew: “I’m still learning my way.”
- Commissioner Poynter: “Why are the impact fees lowered during storms? This is effecting people moving in and our future.”
- Commissioner Tuten: “Happy to be here. I am excited about the Land Conservation project. Happy Thanksgiving.”
Regular Meeting Agenda: 4 Pages
https://fernandinabeachfl.portal.civicclerk.com/event/3268/files/agenda/8303
Watch: 2 hours 35 minutes.
https://www.fbfl.us/815/City-Meeting-Videos
Mayor James Antun, Vice Mayor Darron Ayscue, New City Commissioners Sworn Into Office
Some 9,885 ballots cast out of 11,358 registered voters—a voter turnout of 87.03 percent—resulted in the election of Mayor James Antun, Vice Mayor Darron Ayscue and new city commissioners Genece Minshew (former head of local Pride organization), Tim Poynter and Joyce M. Tuten. Minshew won her election over David Sturges by 19 votes (4,635 vs 4,616 votes).
The new Fernandina Beach City Commission was sworn in at its Nov. 19 meeting with presentation of a plaque to Commissioner Chip Ross for his service from Dec. 12, 2017 through Nov. 5, 2024. Plaques will also be given to Mayor Bradley M. Bean (who was at the hospital with his wife giving birth) for his years of service from Dec. 15, 2020 through Nov. 5, 2024 and to Vice Mayor David Sturges (not in attendance) for his service from Dec. 15, 2020 through Nov. 5, 2024.
The Fernandina Beach City Commissioners received the following appointments:
- Amelia Island Tourist Development Council (Agenda 8.1): Commissioner Tim Poynter.
- Nassau County Economic Development Board (Agenda 8.2): Vice Mayor Darron Ayscue.
- Nassau Humane Society (Agenda 8.3): Commissioner Joyce M. Tuten.
- Northeast Florida Regional Council (Agenda 8.4): Commissioner Genece Minshew.
Commissioner Comments (Re-Organization Meeting):
- Poynter: “I promise to work hard for you. Not a great election. It got ugly. We need to bury that. We’re one community”
- Minshew: “I would like to thank everyone who supported me over the last four years. We have a lot of work. I’m ready to get started.”
- Tuten: “I would like to thank everyone—my family and my supporters. I enjoy volunteering and serving as a servant leader. I will serve every resident with open ear. All of us love the city of Fernandina and its future. We share so much.
I strongly believe in research and following data. I thank staff. They work hard day in and day out. I appreciate all of them.”
- Antun: “I look forward to working with every one of you and thank the exiting commissioners.”
Re-Organization Agenda: 2 Pages
https://fernandinabeachfl.portal.civicclerk.com/event/4231/files/agenda/8329
Watch: 20 minutes
https://www.fbfl.us/815/City-Meeting-Videos
Editor’s note: The author asked several people for comments, which we will publish if we receive them. Meanwhile, feel free to make your own, below.
Michael Hernandez, from California, is co-founder of the Citizens Journal—Ventura County’s online news service. He is a former Southern California daily newspaper journalist and religion and news editor. Mr. Hernandez can be contacted at [email protected] and is editor of the weekly “Stories Speak Volumes,” and “Revive America: Make America Great Again.”
