Submitted by Susan Hardee Steger
A Christmas card sent during the season of giving by the Friends of the Library (FOL) was at the center of County Commissioner Steve Kelley’s comments prior to the Nassau County Commissioner’s 4 -1 vote to approve agreements with the City of Fernandina Beach that will begin the city’s branch library expansion and renovation. Kelley’s remarks prompted no comments from fellow commissioners.
Kelley who cast the dissenting vote expressed his concern over the card message that celebrates the raising of 74% of the 2.4 million dollar project goal. The card encouraged gift giving options to further the FOL efforts. Built into the FOL 2.4 million goal are upgrades to collections, refurbished and new furniture options, an automated self check out option and the addition of a technology center if additional fundraising efforts are successful. According to Kelley, with agreement documentation indicating the project costs are 1.34 million, the figures are “constantly changing as the project goes on.” He described the library project as “emotionally charged and politically driven.”
According to City Manager Joe Gerrity, who will oversee the construction project, the next step is “to execute the contract with the contractor.” Gerrity was given approval to sign the contract at a previous city commission meeting.
Attending the county meeting was former County Commissioner Mike Boyle whose early efforts helped to provide $600,000 for the Fernandina branch library project. Funding for the construction project comes from $600,000 pledged by the county, $600,000 pledged by the City, and $400,000 pledged by the Friends of the Library.
December 10, 2013 6:41 a.m.
I really can’t fathom how Mr. Kelley would find fault with a citizen’s group that has been so successful in raising money and volunteering countless hours of time to provide the community with an adequate public library . . . in this season of giving he comes across as our very own Grinch!
Unbelievable that someone can be so against having an improved library! To me, it speaks volumes about your intelligence level. Clearly Mr. Kelley has not been to our library during Toddler Time or on a busy Saturday? It is one of the most-used resources in our community. Furthermore, he was out-voted 4-1. It passed and he should be focused on other topics. How much longer until his term is up?
The real story is really quite positive … four commissioners voted to proceed and endorsed the project to improve our library. The majority listened to the public, read what was articulated during mission/vision meetings that engaged the community, and saw that there was tremendous volunteer effort to raise a lot of money from individuals. If we want to see that our city and county has this momentum, we need to vote in candidates who want to keep us vibrant and relevant, not those who are closed to possibilities and creative collaboration.