I did miss saying hello to one of my favorite action writers though. David Morell was one of the featured writers. He is most famous for his Rambo character, but the funny thing….I picked up at least 8 or 9 other Morell books over the years….just never read that one.  My favorite was actually something called "The Fraternity of the Stone". http://www.davidmorrell.net/ You can read more here, but I applaud Mr. Morell for choosing Amelia Island and for being such a welcome addition.  

Well, according to www.Wikipedia.com , consensus is the community resolution when opposing parties set aside their differences and agree on a statement that is agreeable to all, even if only barely.  Now, I know Wikipedia gets the raised eyebrow when used as a newspaper source, but I want to point something out.  This is a blog and everything you see here is all about opinion….or even opinions of opinions.    When I see this definition, the word takes on a completely different tone.  I think of this as a compromise.  Compromise, by definition, is an imperfect solution.

In my view, solutions to problems like which failing street to repave or whether you add on to a library or repair a boardwalk first, lend themselves to “consensus”.  When you think of optional projects paid for by the pubic, I think referendum (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/referendum) , the principle or practice of submitting to popular vote a measure passed on or proposed by a legislative body or by popular initiative per Merriam-Webster,  is a far more appropriate solution.  The danger is in pushing a project when the solution is a compromise, the majority of the pubic does not want to pay and in some cases when the cost is still uncertain.  

I see the taxpayer and voter as a consumer of government service.   Every consumer should have the freedom to choose how much….if only by voting.   The taxpayer should have the right to choose which services they want and should have the right to refuse to buy the optional “credit life”. 

Does the “buck” actually stop anywhere?   A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal.  In the end, every politician should remember, the buck does stop with the voter.  Cutting out the small things that make this a great town, like kid’s sports, free parking at the beach, or even lighting on side streets does not solve the problem or save money in the end.  In a reply to a person "not to be named", I made my view clear after understanding they did not feel funding should be extended because some of the children might not live inside city limits.   My reply or a portion is below. If taking sides is poor strategy for a politician, I must be a terrible politician…..but I do care and I do think there is a better way to run the city, while preserving the small things that make this a great place to live.  I’m tired of feeling I’m being nickeled and dimed to death to "save money", all while relatively big expenses are ignored completely.

My reply, minus the statement from the former elected official is below.  I stand by the comments. The F2 project and loan should have been on a ballot.  Buying a bank on Centre would have been a colossal mistake and far more costly as a way to expand the library, IMHO. The lawsuits over impact fees and the airport…as well as allowing lease payments to fall behind so far….are all examples of extreme waste or incompetence…again, in my opinion.  Reducing funding for youth sports based on some children playing who might live outside the city limits….is a silly argument.   The former elected official, out of touch in my view, voted to dim lights, reduce youth sports funding and repeatedly brought up parking meters…..and paid beach parking.   Again, my reply is below.

"A lot more fair than borrowing money for F2….or buying a bank building on Centre to renovate at a loss of tax revenue, high renovation cost and high initial purchase…..and a lot more fair than paying for the airport or impact fee lawsuits….I didn’t choose…..or the loss of rents.
If concerned that some kids are county…..we always charged a different rate for county vs. city residents….but the program as a whole benefits the Fernandina Beach community….familiar speaker btw." Ed Boner

Save a dime borrow a dollar seems to be the way of things more often than not.  Common sense should rule the day in local government.  Let the small things we enjoy….like well lit streets and open beach accesses without meters remain…but at the same time, resolve the big items intelligently. 

Then we could consider the other cloud darkening the sky over Fernandina.  http://jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/021707/nen_7979225.shtml  McGill Aviation….take a look at the story linked for more information.  More than $1,000,000 in fees so far.  What happens if we lose….?  "It is quite amazing," McGill Vice President Sean McGill said "Both sides have paid $1.1 million to date and we paid $500,000 for the business. My dad is selling other properties to pay for this." Credit for quote to www.jacksonville.com . 

When I consider borrowing or spending much of anything as you consider the impact of even these two suits and the potential financial crisis, combined with the recent borrowing for a waterfront park, I am stunned by the one dimensional views.  Raising a debt ceiling nationally, bailing out yet another business or ignoring the possibility of a looming financial crisis….does hurt the future of the town.  If you consider the drastic actions in some of the recent commission meetings and track the responsibility, I think you might think “it all depends on whether you’re buying or selling” as well. 

A group of local homeowners and business owners has brought a class-action lawsuit against the city for recovery of what are called illegal impact fees totaling at least $1.6 million.

Fernandina Beach, FL, News-Leader newspaper. The local news source for Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach, FL

The above is all opinion, with a few links to relevant articles.  I hope everyone becomes a little more aware of how and where local government spends your tax dollar.

Congratulations Dave…!

Americans may not mind borrowing money, but when someone else does the borrowing…and signs your name?  Our tiny local version of the same issue is found in F2.  While we may like parts of the project, the voter not only deserves a choice, they demand a choice.  Can you imagine ordering dinner only to find the neighboring table’s drinks were added to your bill?  Would you just nod quietly and pay? 

$6,000,000 goes a long way as well.  You might spend the money on roads, water and sewer to encourage incorporation of more of Amelia Island into city limits….in turn generating tax revenue.  Youth sports could be funded fully.  Lights could burn on main streets AND in neighborhoods deemed less necessary to light.  We could upgrade the library.  My view is that by the time the estimate based on incomplete plans at 30% completion are finished, the money for the library might evaporate in the confusion.  We could pay off the pending impact fee settlement/suit…at present an unknown number looming over Fernandina.  We might want to consider the airport lawsuit as well…something else I did not choose as a local taxpayer and voter.  

We don’t live in a perfect world!  We can plan for this, but borrowing our way out of debt…is not the way. 

U.S. National Debt Clock : Real Time

Commissioner Bunch and Corbett both raised the issue of soil testing before approving the purchase of the land.  As a real estate broker with experience selling or working with potentially contaminated land, they did the right thing.  Soil testing is inexpensive in the grand scheme of things and purchasing any commercial property with a mixed or unknown history is foolish without a Phase 1 or soil testing as needed. 

The greenway alternatives for restoration were also discussed.  Essentially, the options were 1) cut dead trees and let nature take it’s course 2) cut dead trees and plant for cosmetic reasons along paths and roadways or 3) Restore it all fully.  I know many of you may disagree, but any restoration might be temporary.  In even a small category 1 hurricane, the entire basin may flood, creating another tree kill and high soil salinity.  I’d prefer cutting trees and letting this naturally recover, but put the cost difference into some other greenway improvement…assuming DOT would buy this transfer of improvement.  The consultant’s recommendation was to do aesthetic planting.  See more here…. http://www.eganscreek.org/EgansCreek/project/ProjectInformation.aspx  I disagreed entirely with a full replanting.  That option simply seemed to be a waste of public money. 

Next, the loan for F2 was discussed at length along with a few key aspects of the plan.  Audience members talked about splitting the project, separating it into component parts…with referendum….at length.  I personally, believe the voter should come first.  I still feel the majority of the voters did not want the entire project or want the debt to move forward…only weeks before two new commissioners were seated.  The final push to begin the project and borrow money created or added to the division of the commission along F2 lines and even, in my opinion, added to the feeling that a change of administration was necessary to move forward. http://www.fbfl.us/DocumentView.aspx?DID=6116  Public comments are on the CoFB website here and a summary is http://www.fbfl.us/DocumentView.aspx?DID=6124 at the second link.  The majority of the feedback did not support F2.  I believe it is a mistake to move forward with a project like this without a referendum and it should have been “paused” until a new commission was in place.  Much of the tension, IMHO, was unnecessary and was a result of a move forward “in spite of the voter”. 

Regardless, what is past is past and now we must all move ahead as a community, hopefully listening carefully to the voter. 

Finally, the city attorney’s employment was discussed.  At least two commission members wanted to replace the attorney until it became apparent, she was under a perpetual/rollover contract.  I personally think it was far better to keep her in place.  Losing two key staff members at the same time would have created more confusion…in my opinion.   In the end she will remain and indicated she wanted to work with all the commissioners. 

My wishes for the city commission in the coming year?

1. Referendum for optional projects like components of F2 and leaving the loan and approval up to the voters.
2. Smaller gavels.
3. Requirement to obtain approval for change of agenda if an item is placed on the agenda by two commission members and then later pulled.
4. Mandatory call to be sure all commission members are contacted prior to a special meeting.  It was unclear if this happened last Friday.
5. No interruption of a commissioner with the floor by staff or scolding by staff. 
6. Move forward in a professional manner, putting the voter and fiscal responsibility first. 
7. Put the voter first!
8. Put the voter first!
9. Put the voter first!

We live in one of the most beautiful towns in America…and after all, we all want a better future, just disagree on how to get there.

My first thought would be….did any of the commissioners have plans and did anyone check the commissioner’s availability before the meeting?  Holding a meeting with little notice might create a problem or change results if one or more commissioners is unavailable.  I also wonder if the Friday meeting will be taped or on public access.  Unless I’m sick, I will make a point of attending, just to see what happens first-hand. 

Nassau Business Today – Commissioners to consider releasing city manager at special meeting tomorrow

Update……

After much discussion of how to end the employment of the City Manager, a resignation was negotiated effective a week from today.   The meeting was filled with tension, both in the audience and among the officials.   This blog is all about opinion, so take this all as opinion.  We need to eliminate the tension in city government.   A great deal of the issue stems from a failure to place Forward Fernandina on a ballot.  As one former mayor said, the project lost the chance at legitimacy when it passed without a referendum.  Well intentioned or not, the moves forward by an outgoing commission, in my opinion, before two newly elected commissioners were seated, hastened the action tonight.   The entire election became about hearing the voter ask for a voice or moving forward with good intentions…..in spite of the voter.

I would like to see two changes after watching tonight’s meeting.  Any item added to an commission agenda should be removed only after notice and assent by the commissioners adding the item.  The meeting tonight was, apparently, held after an agenda item on Tuesdays meeting was moved to tonight.  I don’t think either commissioner originally adding the item were notified or called prior to the scheduling of the special meeting.  With 24 hours notice, this becomes a little unreasonable.   We should clarify the way an item is added or removed from a meeting agenda and no one should remove an agenda item or change a date without consent.  I also think all commissioners should be contacted and indicate they are available for this kind of meeting.  Two commissioners stated they were not contacted before the change of agenda and scheduling of a meeting tonight. 

Life goes on and I’m sure Fernandina will survive.  

When, at last count, 13 states have banned the sale and in Florida, it appears to be illegal because it appears to be designed to circumvent the law, I think you would agree there is a problem. 

Take a moment to look at a google search for “Deaths and K2”.  If you have children….please consider discussing this sooner, not later. 

These studies suggest that synthetic cannabinoid intoxication is associated with acute psychosis, worsening of previously stable psychotic disorders, and also may have the ability to trigger a chronic (long-term) psychotic disorder among vulnerable individuals such as those with a family history of mental illness

Synthetic cannabis – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia