Lentz and Poynter join Fernandina Beach City Commission

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
December 17, 2014 3:22 p.m.

Last night at their annual Reorganization Meeting, the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) rang out the old year and rang in the new, as Robin Lentz and Tim Poynter were sworn in as new city commissioners, replacing Sarah Pelican and Charlie Corbett. While commissioners re-elected sitting mayor Ed Boner to continue in that role for 2015, in keeping with the wishes of the electorate as expressed in the straw poll conducted during the November General Election. Commissioner Johnny Miller was elected to the position of Vice Mayor, following his nomination by Commissioner Pat Gass.

Lentz, who ran against incumbent commissioner and vice mayor Sarah Pelican, won her Group 3 seat by a significant majority (2,979 to 2,292) in the November 4, 2014 General Election. Because no General Election candidate for the Group 2 seat received a majority of votes cast, Poynter, who garnered 2,189 votes to incumbent commissioner Charlie Corbett’s 2,440 in the General Election, once again faced Corbett in a run-off election on December 9. Poynter won the run-off election with 1,448 votes to Corbett’s 1,225.

In somewhat of a surprise during the meeting, Commissioner Pat Gass, who received 1,888 votes for mayor in the November 4 mayoral straw poll to Ed Boner’s 3,172 votes, pulled herself out of the running for the position of Vice Mayor. Gass claimed that she had ”done a little research” and discovered that Vice Mayor Pelican had stood in for Mayor Boner 59 times over the past year. She thanked Pelican for her service and said, “I can’t be that industrious and that dedicated as you have been. You will be a hard act to follow for somebody. Good luck in the coming year.”

Later in the meeting, Gass nominated Commissioner Johnny Miller to serve as Vice Mayor. Miller, who was clearly taken by surprise with the action, said, “This is unexpected. You [Gass] were clearly the second choice for mayor [in the straw poll]. It’s your gavel, your position, if you want it.” Gass quickly responded, “No, thank you.” Miller then said, “If she doesn’t take it, then I guess I’m taking it. Thank you very much; I appreciate it.”

Both Boner and Miller were elected to their offices with unanimous votes of the commission.

Mayor Boner earlier in the meeting presented Commissioner and Vice Mayor Sarah Pelican with a plaque in recognition of her service for the past 3 years as commissioner, mayor and vice mayor. Pelican expressed her gratitude to her family for their support and understanding during her term in office. “They have tolerated the last 3 years,” she said, “putting up with phone calls in the middle of dinner, and have sat and eaten cold dinners with me many a time.” Pelican went on to thank the charter officers for being “a phenomenal team.” Of the department heads and city employees, she said, “You are what makes the city great.”

Commissioner Charlie Corbett had opted out of receiving a city plaque for his 3 years of service, but Pelican used part of her recognition time to honor  Charlie Corbett with a personal presentation. She presented Corbett with a framed copy of English writer Rudyard Kipling’s poem “If.” She asked Corbett to join her and Mayor Boner at the podium and asked Boner to read the poem. “You’re good at reading proclamations,” Corbett said. Corbett and Pelican stood in silence as Boner read the poem. The audience applauded at the end, and Corbett addressed the audience. Corbett said, “It was an honor and a privilege to serve the people of Fernandina, and I appreciate everything people have done for me.”

To a final round of applause and following Pelican’s remark that she thought there were “a couple of cold Yuenglings waiting for us,” the two former commissioners and a group of supporters exited the chamber, with Corbett carrying his framed poem and Pelican balancing her plaque along with a bouquet of flowers.

The only remaining item of business for the Reorganizational Meeting was the appointment of commissioners to serve as city members of regional committees and liaisons to city boards and committees. Mayor Boner made the following appointments, with the consent of commissioners:

• Mayor Ed Boner: Nassau County Economic Development Board, Northeast Florida Regional Planning Council
• Vice Mayor Johnny Miller: Airport Advisory Commission, Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee
• Commissioner Pat Gass: Tourist Development Council, Nassau Humane Society
• Commissioner Robin Lentz: Nassau Alcohol, Crime, Drug Abatement Coalition, Community Redevelopment Area Advisory Board
• Commissioner Tim Poynter: Tourist Development Council, Greens and Oversight Committee

The commission chamber was filled with supporters of both incoming and outgoing city commissioners. The mood was festive, and Mayor Boner remarked that it was an honor to be selected once again as mayor. He expressed his hope that in the coming year commissioners would be civil to each other. “Even when we disagree,” he said, “we are here to do the same thing: to make the city better. I hope we’ll all remember to listen to those who agree with us as well as those who disagree with us.” He added with a twinkle in his eye, “And remember Commissioner Filkoff when we speak about civility and how much it means to her.”

The meeting adjourned after a half hour, The commissioners used the half hour between the Reorganizational Meeting and the Regular Meeting to greet family and audience members who wished the new commissioners well.

Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.