Opinion
By Steve Nicklas, 1-12-24
Inside the Fernandina Beach city government, the financial and political losses from the Rosses are mounting like the sawdust pile at the Rayonier Advanced Materials plant.
And now another disruptive incident is heaped onto the pile – the biggest yet. An unfounded ethics complaint against Vice Mayor David Sturges from a fellow commissioner’s wife has been dismissed by the state. As widely suspected, the complaint was filed by Faith Ross, the wife of controversial Commissioner Chip Ross.
“It’s a disgrace,” Sturges says about Ross and his relationship with the complainant. “It is a political stunt – just because they didn’t like a political outcome.”
Ross has loudly called to shut down Brett’s Waterway Cafe, claiming the pier beneath it is faulty. He teamed with former commissioner Mike Lednovich and then-city manager Dale Martin in his efforts, before both lost their positions.
Sturges has been steadfast in defending Brett’s, an iconic business here. So Ross and his supporters contended Sturges had an inside interest in Brett’s business. “He kept trying to tie me to this Brett’s thing,” Sturges said.
Meanwhile, a lawsuit over Brett’s operation was tied up in court for several years, costing the city time and money. Then Ross’ wife got involved and filed the ethics complaint.
“It is my full belief that Chip put this whole thing together,” Sturges says. “It’s my opinion that he wrote it and had her sign it. It’s silly to think that a sitting commissioner’s spouse would file a complaint. If I were to have a legitimate complaint against another official, I would handle it myself and not cower in the shadows – and certainly not involve my wife.”
Ross is familiar with lawsuits, filing them with abandon here and where he used to live in Maryland. He has sued people, businesses and municipalities. He represents himself, while the defendants must use costly attorneys.
He sued the Ocean Highway and Port Authority, apparently because he doesn’t like the Port of Fernandina being near his house. Overall, the city has incurred costs of roughly $20,000 (primarily in insurance deductibles) from lawsuits he has brought.
The decision by the Florida Ethics Commission came out last month. Not ironically, Ross has been on his best behavior the last couple meetings. Ross had recused himself from earlier decisions over the anonymous ethics charge, saying he had a conflict; he never specified what it was.
“He’s been quiet the last two meetings, and in my opinion – that’s why,” Sturges says about Ross. “He already knew that the Ethics Commission tossed out the unfounded accusation. We had both received the letter indicating the outcome.”
Sturges is eager to proclaim his innocence. He plans to read the findings from the Florida Ethics Commission into the record at the meeting on Jan. 16.
He may even “run the biggest flier you’ve ever seen, and it’ll be in everybody’s mailbox,” Sturges says. “I have to get the word out – they’re full of crap.”
Though unrelated, the tenure of another Ross ended abruptly. City manager Ty Ross lasted only a month before taking an infamous bicycle ride through town.
“On paper he looked great,” Sturges says about Ty Ross. “Then when he got here, he wasn’t great.” This other Ross will receive a hefty severance package of more than $50,000. It is another cost from another Ross, financially and politically.
Chip Ross has caused political problems with his peers. He led former city commissioners into a Nassau County Commission meeting and essentially demanded $500,000 for recreation equipment. The county rejected the city’s demand, but it chilled their relationship.
Ross obviously caused problems with the port authority, tying them up legally. He has also been unusually disruptive in city commission meetings since he lost devout
followers Lednovich and Martin – and his political power.
Ross has called every year for more spending and hiring, feeding a bloated city government. He pushed for higher tax rates, even though inflows grew on their own due to rising property values here.
Just as Mrs. Ross was rumored to be responsible for the fictitious ethics violation, she is also mentioned as a possible replacement for her husband. Chip Ross’ term ends in November. Many feel it couldn’t come soon enough.
The ethics claim clearly appears retaliatory. “They thought they’d throw mud at me, and they thought something was going to stick,” Sturges says. “There’s zero legitimacy to their political attacks.”
Sturges also says that Ross/Lednovich/Martin allegedly wanted to evict Brett’s and give the space to the current marina managers, Oasis. Then Oasis would build a new restaurant and pay a higher rental fee to the city.
In addition, Ross has continually over-stepped his boundaries as a commissioner. He frequently stops by City Hall and interrupts employees and operations. He rides his bike there.
“His kind of politics is one of the worst things that’s ever happened to our city,” Sturges says. “Him, and his acolyte Lednovich. They get angry and vindictive when they don’t get their way.”
Steve Nicklas is the managing partner of Nicklas Wealth Management in Fernandina Beach. He is also an award-winning columnist. His columns regularly appear in weekly newspapers in Northeast Florida and in Southeast Georgia, and on his website at www.SteveNicklasMarketplace.com. He has published a book, “All About Money,” of his favorite columns from the past 20 years. The book is available on Amazon. He has also done financial reports for area radio stations and for National Public Radio in Jacksonville. He can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at 904-753-0236.
The views expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Citizens Journal Florida.
