Fernandina Beach City Commission Candidate Forum: Differences Emerge

Submitted by Adam Kaufman
Legal Analyst
Filling in for Suanne Z. Thamm

October 19, 2014 12:30 a.m.

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Incumbent Charlie Corbett, Tim Poynter, Robin Lentz, Roy G. Smith, and Incumbent Sarah Pelican.

The candidates for the two seats on the City Commission to be filled this November appeared in City Hall Chambers at the invitation of the Fernandina Observer on October 16, 2014.

During the 90 minute forum incumbent Sarah Pelican and her opponent Robin Lentz and incumbent Charlie Corbett and his opponents Tim Poynter and Roy G. Smith addressed questions formulated by the Observer. It is the third consecutive year the Observer has hosted a City Commission candidate forum.

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Larry Myers, Moderator

Fundamental differences in direction and approach to maintaining a viable City were clearly evident as the incumbents and challengers responded to the questions posed by Larry Myers, the moderator. Myers is a former Fernandina Beach City Manager, interim County Administrator and legislative aide to state legislator Aaron Bean.

Absent from the questions and the candidates’ responses were discussion of the role of a Commissioner and the City Manager in Fernandina Beach’s City Manager/Commission form of government. The City Manager serves as chief advisor to the Commission. While the City Commission sets broad policy and has power to pass ordinances and adopt regulations Commission members are to rely on the City Manager to provide them with professional advice before they take action on a specific issue. At a prior candidate forum Poynter and Lentz indicated they would seek that input before making a decision.

The candidates did not address, except for one passing reference, the supposed expertise of and/or expected reliance upon a professional City Manager with regard to managing the City golf course, dealing with infrastructure and storm water issues, beach re-nourishment, the City’s Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA), financing and operating the City and developing and overseeing the annual budget.

The candidates differed significantly when faced with the question of how to stimulate and invest in sustainable growth of the City and how to ensure its future quality of life. Smith, Poynter and Lentz called into question the fiscal prudence and the advisability of Corbett’s and Pelican’s vote to return over $1,000,000 in discretionary funds secured by a historically low interest rate loan. That source of funding it was proposed could have been used to pay this Commission’s obligation to the Nassau Humane Society for a new building with a fifty year life span for which one half million dollars was allocated from the City’s current expense budget. Those funds, it was suggested during the forum, could have also been used to complete the Main Beach boardwalk or improve infrastructure or the harbor waterfront or in support of the CRA.

Poynter observed that it was inexplicable that Corbett and Pelican are now taking credit for the Fernandina Library expansion project and the renovation of the Centre Street RR Depot that were funded in part by the proceeds of the loan they found so abhorrent.

Corbett maintained that he was a fiscal conservative and presumably opposed to borrowing of any kind. Pelican however stated she would support a 17 million dollar bond obligation, subject to approval of the voters, for infrastructure “before looking at any other projects.” Here Smith Lentz and Poynter, to varying degree, argued that this is a complex City with multiple facilities and capital improvement needs and the City  cannot simply do one thing at the expense of all others. Lentz, Poytner and Smith argued that the current 12,000 City residents should not bear the sole burden for long term capital improvements and that judicious borrowing can be appropriate. Poynter and Lentz also suggested during the forum that they were open to exploring fees, payments or taxes applied to non- City residents who use City beaches or other amenities. Lentz suggested discussing with the Tourist Development Commission the “bed tax” as a source of that revenue.

The candidates had opportunities to address why they were seeking office and to correct “any misinformation about you or your positions.”

DSCN3353Charlie Corbett stated that as a life-long resident of the City he wished to continue the legacy of his uncle and father who both served on the City Commission and listed as his accomplishments the Fernandina Library addition and improvements to the Main Beach boardwalk. What troubled Corbett are the times during this campaign that he has been characterized as inept and skewered by local blogger Dave Scott. Corbett believes that some of it was “in jest” but he was “not sure.”

DSCN3375Tim Poynter believes he can “pick-up where we left off” when he last served on the Commission during 2009 – 2012 and continue his commitment to leave the City a better place than when he first arrived in this community. He maintained he would be a voice on the Commission that “would say things that need to be said but that no one else is willing to say.” Poynter explained his statement made during his tenure as a Commissioner “that if you can’t afford to live here you should think about moving” as inartful but as an attempt to underscore that those who simply want their taxes continually cut ultimately will destabilize the City. To “protect” the City and maintain its amenities, said Poynter, requires investment and planning and “it is going to cost.” Poynter stated that contrary to rumor he has paid all of his mandated impact fees for his businesses downtown.

DSCN3379Roy G. Smith emphasized his experience in the construction industry in Florida and suggested that he “knew infrastructure” and that knowledge would fill a void on the City Commission and help the City move forward. The current Commission “cannot decide anything” he said and long term issues, like the City’s “F” rated pension plan, must be addressed and he believes he has the skills to accomplish that. What troubles Smith so far during this campaign is that he has been criticized for being a newcomer and a resident for only a year and a half. “You cannot keep the City the way it was in the 1960’s,” he said. “I can see what is wrong without living here since 1940. What is important is what you know and can bring to the table.”

DSCN3364Robin Lentz emphasized that she is running to make Fernandina Beach the best it can be and to address its long term concerns. As the working mother of a five year old and a fifteen month old she declared that she would also be a “voice for working families with children,” a voice not currently heard on the Commission. A school counselor at Fernandina Beach Middle School she suggested that her professional skills would stand her in good stead as a representative of all the citizens of the City. While she recognized that there would be times when she would disagree with some constituents she committed to “listen to all sides,” be “relentless” in effecting change and vote in the interests of the City as whole.

Lentz responding to the issue of “misinformation” revealed that she has been the subject of the fraudulent creation of an e-mail address and communications that are attributed to her and are designed to distort her positions or embarrass her. Further, Lentz indicated that an e-mail she had sent only to the members of the City Commission in 2012 recommending areas or City functions to review during budget development, including recreation, has now surfaced in certain neighborhoods. Lentz stated she does not support the closing the MLK Recreation Center and questioned how her 2012 e-mail to Commissioners now has gained such public distribution.

DSCN3366Incumbent Sarah Pelican suggested “we (the City) were in the ‘hurt locker’” three years ago and “that you need to be involved in your community” so she “rolled-up her sleeves” and ran for office. She asserted that “we,” the current Commission, did “heavy lifting” and have “accomplished a lot” and the City is now in a better place fiscally. This she said was due, in part, to City Manager Joe Gerrity, “leading by example.” In partial explanation of the return of the proceeds of the low interest loan the City had acquired Pelican explained that “the public was disturbed” by how the loan was obtained. As to the issue of misinformation, Pelican recounted inquiry in to her status as a United States citizen, claims that her “excellent coverage” in the News-Leader was the result of her son working at that newspaper, and a rumor that she worked at the Boston Globe. Ultimately, Pelican discounted it all stating “that is what happens in a small town… it is small town politics.”

The candidates addressed the management and operation of the city owned golf course.

Golf Course 035Poynter and Lentz supported the continuation of management of the golf course by the Billy Casper Corporation and would have extended its contract with the City this year and accepted the offer by Casper in return to invest $50,000 in course improvements. Both considered professional management a must and view the continued operation of the public golf course as a benefit and an investment in the community as a whole that transcends just those who golf. For Poynter it is a ”wonderful asset.” For Lentz it is a community use facility noting that the high school golf team uses the course as well as her cross country team.

Smith “does not see what we are getting” that justifies the City subsidizing the golf course. He would consider reducing the number of holes by nine and making a park out of that land; he would raise greens fees and not renew the Casper contract when it expires next year.

Corbett did not support the contract extension for another five years even with the Casper commitment to invest in the course. Casper is not “exemplary” he said and Corbett would seek “another group or renegotiate with Casper to get a better deal.” Corbett also suggested making nine holes a par 3 course and questioned why the course facilities are not used more for weddings and other functions.

Pelican would not speak to “the issue,” presumably the Casper contract, because of “political concerns” that resulted from other Commission members being in attendance at the forum and the prospect of voting on that contract. She indicated support, however, for keeping the golf course a City facility and maintaining the City’s entire recreational space.

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Candidates mingle prior to the beginning of the forum.

Responding to questions regarding the financing City government all the candidates were in favor of public/private partnerships and seeking grant and outside funding for City projects. Smith, in addition, specifically would consider bonding of projects. Lentz would study a special “fire district fee,” study consolidation of services with the County, and seek efficiencies within City departments. Pelican was also open to addressing the issues of the special fire district fee and consolidation of island-wide services. Poynter argued that the long term economic health of the City requires City investment to make development by the private sector a viable option. Poynter maintained that the City’s current 12,000 residents should not be forced to bear the brunt of all the costs. Bonding and charges to non-city residents are alternatives that should be considered, he said.

Forum 2 (2)Taking a different approach, incumbent Charlie Corbett proposed creating the position of City “inspector general” to root out waste and fraud in City government and, in addition, he proposed  that the City should aggressively seek to annex property to expand its tax base.

Smith and Pelican suggested revisiting the CRA expansion for 8th Street revitalization. Lentz noted that the current Commission put CRA expansion on the ballot but never campaigned for its passage, giving it nothing more than lip service. With regard to the current CRA, Smith suggested that development is unlikely until the City invests in and causes development or revitalization on the west side of Front Street. Poynter saw the CRA as an opportunity to work with private property owners but that the quid pro quo is that the City will need to invest in development. Lentz also directed attention to the fact that the current Commission turned a deaf ear to the request of a property owner who owned over 30% of the property within the CRA that the City Commission delay the return of the $1,000,000 loan proceeds so that they might engage in a dialogue as to its use as part of a public/private development project.

Corbett saw no prospect of CRA development in the foreseeable future since “there is no money in the CRA.”

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Egans Creek Park

For Sarah Pelican drainage and storm water infrastructure issues are “the number one priority.” It is time to grab the “bull by the horns.” For her a voter approved infrastructure bond issue is not out of the question and infrastructure and storm water remediation should be accomplished before looking at other projects. Poynter congratulated the current Commission on establishing the $4.00 storm water fee, but with $260,000 in hand, he questioned why was there nothing being done. Lentz similarly expressed concern and indicated the possibility of considering raising that fee. Smith again called attention to his construction experience and decried the fact that with pressing needs the current Commission returned the $1,000,000 proceeds of the low interest loan. Poynter, Smith and Lentz during the forum pointed out that the City’s taxpayers have not seen any reduction in fees used to support the loan as a result of returning the $1,000,000.

Corbett, in the course of the forum, stated that “we gave the money back because there was no use for that money.” With regard to storm water he recognized the need to “take care of that” but suggested it “requires money to do that.”

There was general unanimity concerning the botched proposed Port Master Plan and Kinder Morgan proposal to increase the amount of coal transported through the City. There was some speculation as to how and why it occurred. All would support a return to Port profitability at 2010 -2011 levels but any future increase in development as suggested in the Port Plan, it was agreed, would “jeopardize the City’s quality of life.” Smith did point to the fact that the current Commission was “inactive” when initially faced with the issue.

erosion 1 There was accord on the need to press the County government to fulfill its commitment to funding its share of the cost of beach re-nourishment. Beach re-nourishment is now scheduled for 2017 and is approximately 80% funded by the federal government. Corbett maintained, as he has before, that the TDC would have sufficient money to contribute to ensure the completion of the project. Some suggested that after this political season the County will “come to the table.”

The Forum is available on Comcast Channel 264 and can be streamed on the City’s web-site. (Click here.)

The election is November 4, 2014. Early voting begins October 21, 2014 through November 1, 2014.

Adam Kaufman UnSeenImages.Com Stephan R. Leimberg
Adam Kaufman
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Stephan R. Leimberg

Adam Kaufman is a semi-retired mediator and attorney. A graduate of Northwestern University School of Law, he was born and raised in the Bronx, NY. and attended NYC public schools, including Stuyvesant High School. He still serves on the American Arbitration Association Labor Panel. From 1994 – 2005, he was Regional Director for the New York State Public Employment Relations Board

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Sam Lane
Sam Lane(@samlaneaol-com)
9 years ago

Good job, Adam. Thank you.

Mary Ann Howat
Mary Ann Howat (@guest_22701)
9 years ago

Was glad to read this article as it clarified very well the differences among the candidates and two incumbents. Very well written. Thank you.

Dave Lott
Dave Lott(@dave-l)
9 years ago

Nice write-up Adam and thanks to the FO for putting the event together. It is difficult to conceive that there is a level of “fraud and waste” to justify Charlie’s advocay of an inspector general. If he has concerns about a certain area he could always have an outside audit firm come in and take a look.