Opinions, News, Real Estate, Dining, Politics and Local Perspective
I don’t think I need to fit in a prom dress or own another golden retriever, but this is an entertaining read on my way to or from my favorite local coffee shop. Outside Cafe Karibo, travel, love, pets and great achievements….
How many of you dreamed of living in a beach town with great dining, great beaches, great neighbors and raise children in a place like Fernandina? I have a lot on my bucket list, but a surprising number of those things are here in Fernandina.
Our hearts go out to our neighbors in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia and any other states impacted by Florence. The storm is showing signs of a possible turn to the south and hurricanes are notoriously unpredictable. I tend to go to two sites for updates. I use NOAA and Mike’s Weather Page for collected links to “MANY” sources of information. “Mike’s” is the easiest place I’ve been able to find for a collection of spaghetti models, if you love watching the least likely and most likely predicted storm paths.
I would urge everyone to take this as as a warning and purchase basic supplies. Be sure your vehicle is filled, have food for time in a car and supplies in the event of an extended stay out of the area. I’m going to share a link and image for a 5 day forecast, as well as an image of the current path projected for Florence. The 5 day image shows the potential storm areas and areas of formation. This is a busy season and potentially difficult year for Florida. With luck, we won’t see a landfall in Florida this year, but Irma and Matthew should have been warning enough for locals. Storms are unpredictable and preparing for evacuation is important each year.
Thinking of our coastline and past storms, it can be easy to become complacent. I’m told the Carnegie family chose to build on Cumberland Island based on the lower probability of a hurricane strike. That said, our two most recent storms were really near misses, even though we lost significant property and a significant period of time without a fully functional marina.
When you take a few minutes to look around, it isn’t hard to find things to love!
My oldest son registered to vote for the first time and I started to think a little about how elections and politics must look to a new voter. I still remember 
voting in my first year of college and how important I felt it was to be a part of the system. Feeling entitled to have a voice and feeling the obligation to make good choices meant a lot to me, even then.
Elections (Primary) are about choice, but having a voice endorsing candidates can mean a lot as well. Be sure to check the links to Municipal Candidates, if you live inside Fernandina Beach city limits.
In the city races, I feel both commissions in office, Roy Smith and Len Kreger, are the most qualified to continue to represent the City of Fernandina.
Roy Smith (City Commissioner) has been willing to take unpopular stances and willing to ask questions, when needed. His recent opinion on sales tax revenue was good. We need to think about funding maintenance for streets and sustainability. Roy has my vote and I appreciate his service.
Len Kreger (City Commissioner) also has my support. He has been diligent, active as both a commissioner and in support of a number of local causes. He was chair of the PAB for a long time and involved with causes like sustainability, smart development, stormwater planning and beaches. He is a true advocate and tirelessly works to make Fernandina a better place. He is also one of the best prepared commissioners I’ve ever known.
I also support two candidates, in particular, for other local races.
Aaron Bell is running for County Commission. He has been involved for years with Nassau County Economic Development and a part of local politics for the entire time I’ve known him. Well-educated, articulate and prepared, he would be an excellent full-time commissioner and, I feel, would be an advocate for jobs and the local economy.
Mike Cole, I know personally, and respect. We were on a board together in 2014 and/or 15 and I was consistently impressed with his preparation and intelligence. He is running for the OHPA District 5 seat.
Finally, I prefer several names in the bigger races.
Joe Zimmerman, I’ve known for years. He has been extremely helpful to me, when he worked with Janet Adkin’s office and I know his level of knowledge puts him far ahead of other candidates. I felt disappointed in the changes with a negative impact for Nassau and a negative impact to beach access. In this race, I feel we would do well with a change of representation. By the way, his website is one of the best I’ve seen. If organization means anything….my hat is off to Joe.
Aaron Bean is running for re-election. While we don’t always agree, I’ve known him for many years and he has been diligent in representing the county. The general election is some time away and I also think representation is important. Aaron has a better chance to work for our interests and is developing into a better representative each year.
Finally, I like Rick Scott. As governor, he was proactive in reaching out to our local representatives. I was pleasantly surprised to hear from him, personally, as a City Commissioner and Mayor. I also witnessed, first hand, his handling of disasters and efforts to improve Florida’s economy. He was and is a great governor. He has my vote and endorsement in the primary and general election as our new United States Senator. I was involved in local politics when Crawford Diamond held an inauguaral groundbreaking event attended by Governor Scott and watched him eventually approve funding for a drainage project here on the island, saving millions for local government. He tends to remember people and does, in my opinion, care.
We were out of town for a week on vacation and I can honestly say I missed the food and coffee. Several stops with salads or something near Timoti’s poke bowl were sad by comparison and the coffee at Hola Cafe is better than anything we found on our trip.
No offense to any other barista, but Chris at Hola makes the best Cortaditos. I watch and still can’t tell if the sugar, how much espresso, temperature or the order makes the change, but it is truly addictive.
August is the “rain every afternoon” season. It usually doesn’t last, but being aware of the weather is important near the end of summer. We learned last week, when our plans to do almost anything within a 6 hour drive, involved rain and heavy thunderstorms.
Riding a zip line, fantastic coffee, a new favorite stop for pizza, visits to world-class universities and swimming with the manatees salvaged the week in style. Fernandina is driving distance for stay-cation day trips or a fantastic place, if your plans change with the weather.
Some of the highlights were a stop at the Alachua County library to renew an electronic card and see what’s changed. We also enjoyed a fantastic meal at V Pizza in Jacksonville, something a little different and only about 45 minutes from the island. I normally focus on the island, but knowing so much is within driving distance, the island makes a great place to play or just use as a base for trips to most of Florida. We live here and tend to forget to do the things tourists sometimes find. Coffee was fantastic at several stops, including a place we found in Ocala….with some unique artwork.
I’ve seen an increasing willingness to eliminate freedom of speech. Earlier today, several posts on a discussion board were removed, ironically, based on a non-existent violation. Given the nature of the internet and sometimes litigious nature of people, I won’t use the name of the forum, other than to say it was not Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. The big three have actually been pretty kind to me over the years and I have yet to experience real censorship.
Regardless, I was disappointed to bring up the subject of free speech on a forum as a discussion item. I wanted to know whether people, in general, felt free speech should be protected. Lately, it seems free speech is only protected if the listeners find it agreeable. I don’t want to protect hate speech, but there are many shades of opinion between “Good Morning” and something everyone would see as communication encouraging violence. Opinions never offend me, but it does offend me when I feel someone or some idea is being suppressed, simply because the listeners don’t like a message.
Think a little about rules for discussion. Adding “difficult to meet” requirements to speak or limiting time is all a kind of censorship/control, in my opinion. When is this unreasonable? Recognizing something might mean suppressing public input or suppressing an idea entirely, is important. If I can tell someone they have a right, but create an unreasonable requirement, the result is the same. In my opinion, discussion rules should improve order and encourage sharing of ideas in a civil fashion. If it takes a little longer to listen…well, this is what moderators or those elected to represent are expected to do.
In Fernandina, the following is a “proposed” change to the way commissioners are allowed to present information and prior submission of any material used. Personally, have some experience sitting and was on the commission when the first version of this passed. Rules for submission are worth considering, but what is the purpose? Any meeting should be a place to encourage information. Logistically, it is difficult to hand information to a City Clerk, just prior to a meeting. Agendas are usually finalized the week prior, so adding more is inconsiderate, but making it impossible, is a mistake as well. 14 days prior is unrealistic. Running a poll on a local group, consensus appeared to center on 4 days prior to a meeting or a Thursday or Friday submission of information. A cutoff of 3PM on either day would be a realistic cutoff to submit something for a Tuesday meeting, but I can also see commissioners with added information available and a logic to allowing additions after the cutoff time. So, instead of making the cutoff firm, make it about consideration for staff and understand giving short notice might have an impact on the effectiveness of a presentation or acceptance by other commission members or public unable to review. As for the time limit, I’m not in favor of limiting time presentation other than allowing a Mayor to have discretion to cut it short if a presentation runs over 10 minutes. The Mayor keeps a meeting moving forward and should have the ability to move discussion forward if no new points are being made….or simply at the Mayor’s discretion.
Scheduled for discussion August 7th, 2018…
RESOLUTION 2018-112
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FERNANDINA BEACH, FLORIDA AMENDING RULES OF PROCEDURE FOR THE CITY COMMISSION BY PROVIDING FOR RESTRICTIONS ON ADDING AGENDA ITEMS WITH SHORT NOTICE; PROVIDING FOR DEADLINES FOR INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY COMMISSIONERS FOR REVIEW AT COMMISSION MEETINGS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, on May 1, 2012, the City Commission adopted Resolution 2012-70 establishing Rules of Procedure for the City Commission; and
WHEREAS, the City Commission wishes to amend its Rules of Procedure by providing restrictions on adding agenda items with short notice and providing deadlines for Commissioners to provide information for discussion at Commission meetings.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF FERNANDINA BEACH, FLORIDA, THAT:
SECTION 1. It is hereby proposed that Section 6.3 of the City Commission Rules of Procedure, be amended to read as follows:
6.3 Agenda. All discussion items (not resolutions or ordinances) and presentations shall be added to Commission agendas through the City Manager’s Office in accordance with deadlines for submission approved by the City Manager. Only discussion items related to health, safety and welfare may be added to a Commission agenda with short notice. Presentations shall be limited to ten (10) minutes unless the City Manager or a majority of the City Commission waives or alters the time limit.
SECTION 2. It is hereby proposed that the City Commission Rules of Procedure, be amended to add a new section 6.4 which shall read as follows:
6.4 Information Provided by Commissioners. Any and all documents, information, memoranda, research materials and agenda item backup materials must be submitted to the City Manager and/or City Clerk no later than fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the City Commission meeting date at which the particular issue will be discussed or considered by the City Commission.
SECTION 3. This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon passage.
ADOPTED this 7th day of August, 2018.
The irony (?) of restoring a building, only partially used, is the rapid pace of deterioration as common areas are overlooked. Restoration, if we hope to avoid waste, requires an identified use for the property. This building is in danger of deteriorating and the restoration stopped short in many areas. Landscaping and exterior finish seems nearly negligible, considering the total cost to renovate. Re-using old plants, never installing or freshening a sprinkler system, paint or coatings over deteriorating areas….allowing what you see above a short time later?
Transferring this property to an entity willing to fully use it and properly maintain the exterior, or properly finish the restoration, makes a lot of sense, but it needs to happen before the exterior deteriorates again.
Historic Fernandina Beach Post Office Building Gets State Award For Rehab Project | WJCT NEWS:
“Finally, we kicked the Post Office Department in the shins enough that they went in there and they have done a beautiful rehab job,” Nelson said.
Now he sees a different future for the building: He wants the Postal Service to sell or give it to the city of Fernandina Beach.
“They can use it as their City Hall, and the old federal court room, that’s a perfect place for the meeting for the City Council,” Nelson said.
No, or I should say few, other topics generate so many diverse opinions. We need parking, but the City of Fernandina’s parking requirements change from season to season. Beach accesses in July appear to be scarce. In January, they appear far too numerous. Regardless, downtown parking and beach parking are very separate issues, with different seasons.
Beach parking comes with the right to use recreational spaces. We have some areas with less access points and a perception of nearly private beach space. Other areas are squeezed by surrounding commercial development and more on the way. Does it make sense to consider paid parking? I read one variation with a certain logic and, in my opinion, those opposing any paid parking will agree when actual public access becomes an issue. Sadler and Atlantic areas will be the first to see some form of paid parking, given the surrounding commercial uses requiring added parking to access. 
Downtown parking is an entirely different issue and other considerations, like the marina, waterfront, street openings and traffic, all make the issue far more complex. The season is becoming an “all year” season in the Historic District and a scarcity of parking for dining or shopping during peak times is becoming apparent to anyone with a business. I’m able to find a space before 11:30, but after lunch, I’m often searching or walking. This isn’t improved as I see some merchants located on Centre using space in front of side street storefronts for “All Day” parking. Yes, I think we’re spoiled and are going through a period of adjustment, but we also need to be proactive to preserve the high level of access to business and a tourist attraction. 
If you doubt the attention given to the subject, see the link below. The conversation comes up over and over, with repeated, but slightly different studies over the years.
City of Fernandina “Parking” Search Results
We are currently awaiting response to a Request for Proposal fro a traffic consultant to reevaluate a prior study by Zev Cohen, with updates. The only suggestion I would have is to consider whether you want the same consultant to update or would prefer to make a point of using a second consultant to validate findings and recommendations. Hopefully, we will be able to move forward on recommendations after paying for advice. In an election year, note the timing. The response will be after November and may mean two new commission members. This election will, again, be about parking, the waterfront, street openings and I hope not about “kicking the can down the road”.
A portion of the CoFB request for bids to re-evaluate a previously completed study by Zev Cohen. Source: www.fbfl.us 7/20/18
SCOPE OF WORK
The purpose of this project is to review, reconsider, and re-evaluate, a previously completed, but now dated, document: Waterfront CRA Master Plan Traffic Circulation and Parking Study (Zev Cohen & Associates; 2009).
The review effort should focus upon the same Primary and Secondary Study Areas, described on Page 6 of the original report. Within those areas, pedestrian and vehicular activity has markedly increased due to population trends and commercial activity.
The City has struggled for many years to achieve political consensus regarding waterfront redevelopment. The challenges have included railroad crossings, parking facilities and capacity, parks, and related infrastructure. The City’s Marina, severely damaged during Hurricane Matthew, is scheduled to be rebuilt within the next twelve months. The results of this Traffic Circulation and Parking Study will be utilized to determine key facets of future waterfront and downtown redevelopment.
Primary stakeholders of this project include officials and staff from the City of Fernandina Beach, the City of Fernandina Beach Main Street organization, the Ocean Highway and Port Authority, the State of Florida Department of Transportation, and the Genesee and Wyoming Railroad officials. Each of these agencies should be engaged as part of this project.
The goal is to complete this review by December, 2018, including a presentation to the City Commission of the study’s findings no later than December 18, 2018.
After seeing an engine light earlier, noting my daytime running light sensor was having a problem, I just assumed the worst. Cars seem to have sensors for things I never considered, like telling me if the sun is shining. I don’t use reading glasses, so the difference between day and night is something I can manage without a special feature. Anyway, the owner’s manual shows warnings to keep the surface of the sensor clean and avoid paper over the sensor….avoid spraying excessive chemicals on the sensor…and warnings all leading me to believe the special light on my dash meant an expensive part of my vehicle might requiring replacement by the dealer. One Google search later, I realized one bulb was failing and I needed directions to reach the area behind the front bumper. Youtube has videos for everything, including replacement of a DRL,and another 30 seconds later, my learning curve improved a little more. Advance Auto Parts on 8th Street was truly helpful, including a tip not to buy the more expensive “best” quality replacement, unless I planned to replace both bulbs. Lights shown as replacements aren’t all the same brightness or color…good to know!
My point is taking a little longer to make than intended, but staying on the island saved gas, a trip to the dealer with a little internet effort and the time to replace a second bulb or mismatch the color and intensity of the light. A shop owner took the time to help, the trip to buy a part took 10 minutes and it made my day to avoid having the DRL sensor checked or replaced. It sure would be nice if the manufacturer just changed the message to read….”Your right front light burned out! Please replace.“, directions and perhaps a replacement part # suggested. Considering the time, money and effort I nearly wasted by trusting the dash display…. #SMH
Earlier today, my youngest son and I were talking about local delivery services like Uber Eats. Small places like the island offer some unusual possibilities for work, like delivery, ride sharing and odd jobs you wouldn’t ordinarily consider. Things have changed, but using technology to put people together is making the island a much more convenient place to live. Buying local can mean you don’t even need to leave the house.
Thinking of technology, our second and longer conversation was about the change to using Apple devices. My youngest son doesn’t always see the reason to save time and effort, but I made a change to almost all Apple or iOS devices last year. The time savings is at least 30 minutes each day and everything “ALWAYS” works. I’m typing now on a MacBook, considering the time I saved by switching. Using windows systems or pre-windows systems, I was loyal from the late 80’s until last year, but the complexity of updating or forcing compatibility went a little too far in 2017. Making the change, I paid much more for the system, but the dollars in time savings is covering my cost every 60 days. 
The end of both conversations moved back to efficient use of time. The cost of the tool or cost to live somewhere means much less than the time you save or efficiency. We can’t replace time. Living here on the island, I spend more for housing or, nothing to do with the island, a computer system I choose to use, but the time has value. Think about it another way. My time in my 50’s is worth much more to me than time in my 70’s, I might never see. That came across as a little depressing, but time today is always worth more than an uncertain time tomorrow. Spending money to live in a premium location or buy better tools usually makes sense. That was the lesson I wanted my son to learn. #AmeliaIslnd #IslandLiving #Smalltownwisdom
We all think about seizing the day or living well. Just think about the place you live and saving time, not money. Sure, we all need enough to live, but the things you begin to see here all mean you have more time and living, assuming you live, work and play on the island. Even if a commute is part of your life, checking the live and play boxes makes a big difference.