Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
For any of the 200 or so people who attended the official groundbreaking ceremony for the Fernandina Beach library expansion on February 27, 2014, there was no doubting the identity of the happiest guy in town. A smiling Bill Flynn, president of the Friends of the Library (FOL), emceed the upbeat event to celebrate the culmination of years of hard work as county and city commissioners joined him in a symbolic groundbreaking with shovels spray-painted gold.
Working from prepared remarks, Flynn was generous in praising the efforts of elected officials, FOL stalwarts, private contributors and the library user community in advocating and supporting library improvements. He singled out Donna Paz Kaufman, who preceded him as FOL president, and Dee Torre Kaufman, who has headed up fundraising efforts. He thanked former elected officials as well for their support in securing funding and endorsing the project: District 2 County Commissioner Mike Boyle, City Commissioners Jeffrey Bunch, Arlene Filkoff and Tim Poynter.
Students from Emma Love Hardee School sang two songs for the audience, animating Flynn even more. The singers of the Peck Ensemble generated even more enthusiasm from an engaged audience with their song, “This Old Building.”
Both Barry Holloway, Nassau County Board of County Commissioners Chair, and Ed Boner, Fernandina Beach Mayor, delivered brief congratulatory remarks. Nassau County Library Services Director Dawn Bostwick also spoke, stressing the improvements that library users will enjoy upon completion of the project.
In addition to Barry Holloway, District 4 County Commissioner and current board chair, Danny Leeper, District 1 County Commissioner attended. Leeper and former City Commissioner Jeffrey Bunch served on the initial project-planning group. Also looking on was Former District 2 Commissioner Mike Boyle, who along with Leeper and Holloway supported county funding for the project. The Fernandina Beach City Commission was well represented by Mayor Ed Boner, Vice Mayor Sarah Pelican, Commissioners Charlie Corbett and Johnny Miller. Former Mayor-Commissioner Arlene Filkoff also attended. Other elected officials joining in the celebration included School Board Chair and District 1 Member Donna Martin and Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper.
Following the ceremony, donors attended a celebratory reception at Café Karibo.
While the initial work for library expansion has been completed, more work remains before the ribbon cutting ribbon cutting next year. Individuals seeking ways to help the expansion effort should contact FOL at [email protected] or stop by the library, which will remain open during construction, at 25 North 4th Street, Fernandina Beach.
–Winston Churchill
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.
February 28, 2014 10:36 a.m.
A groundbreaking day in a lot of ways. Again, congratulations to everyone for their determination to see this worthwhile project begin. Looked like good weather albeit a bit cool.
Great job by all! The City, County, and Friends of the Library, and the Staff deserve all the credit for approving and working hard to see that this will be the BEST. Bill Flynn and his group stood out in this major undertaking and he continues to set the pace for more fund raising to meet his goal. Hats Off to all for their effort!
After so many disappointments and set backs, the shovel hit the dirt! Congratulations to the boards, current and former, whose members toiled to make this possible; to all the committes and fundraisers and chairs.
Congratulations to Bill Flynn who never lost faith or determination to see Fernandina have an expanded, modern library worthy of all those who need and want it.
Congratulations to the County and City Commissioners who forged an agreement with the Friends of the Library to construct the building.
The expanded Fernandina Library will be a center of knowledge available to all who seek to explore, enjoy reading, or improve themselves and learn about the world they live in. It’s potential for influencing lives? No telling.