Candidate Press Release
Ronald “Chip” Ross
Phone 410-394-0220
[email protected]
September 20, 2017 1:00 a.m.
WHY I AM RUNNING FOR CITY COMMISSIONER
I lived for 30 years in Calvert County Maryland on the Chesapeake Bay known for its “Tranquil Living at Tidewater”. In less than 15 years the population grew from 25,000 to over 70,000. The developers and real estate interests prospered. Life for the rest of us became anything but tranquil. My wife and I chose to live in Fernandina Beach because of what it is, not what the current City Commission apparently wants the City to become.
Our beaches, historic district, residential districts, and local businesses need to be preserved, protected and nurtured. I am running for City Commissioner to preserve the town in which we all chose to live.
The current leadership is guiding the City down a path that threatens to destroy the small-town qualities that make our community such a desirable place to live and visit. We must do better.
We need leadership that values our classic beach town – with its historic buildings, businesses and neighborhoods — not one that favors untenable development. Amelia Island is barely 4 miles wide and 13 miles long. We need to transition from models that pursue prosperity through expansion. Instead we need to build a sustainable future, compatible with the carrying capacity of this small island.
Tourism is an important engine of our economy. I advocate tourism that promotes the quality of the life for those that live here, preserves Amelia Island’s natural beauty while creating an employment and tax base that is sustainable. We need to focus on quality, not quantity.
My budget priorities are:
1. Public Safety [Fire, Rescue and Police to keep us safe];
2. Improving infrastructure [sewer and water, roads, stormwater, sidewalks, street lights];
3. Pay the debt and fund pension obligations;
4. Improve the existing Parks and City owned facilities;
5. Conserve wild Amelia;
6. Maintain our pristine beaches.
I support residential development that:
1. maintains the historic character of downtown and preserves the integrity of all our neighborhoods;
2. allows higher density for buildings that maintain, in perpetuity,commercial first floor uses with residential development on the second and third floors;
3. awards higher density for projects that guarantee work force housing in perpetuity for a significant portion of the project’s units
4. maintains, renovates and preserves historic residential structures;
5. maintains and enforces the current height restrictions.
The Marina should be up and running. The City needs to execute a cost effective plan to have all the slips in the marina that are legally allowed to be rentable to be functional. At present more than 60% or more of the marina is not usable and fuel cannot be sold. Instead of spending money on consultants and plans to close Center Street, the Commission needs to focus on returning the marina to an operational status.
I believe that before any City Commissioner takes any action, the Commissioner must first determine how the action will improve the quality of the lives of the citizens of the City. Prior to taking action the Commission must obtain the data and analysis to determine how the action will impact – either positively or negatively – the character and environment of the City and the daily lives of the residents. Finally the Commission must determine what the action will really cost and the benefit of that cost.
My wife and I live 3 blocks north of Center Street in the historic district. We bought a 100 plus year old house which we renovated. Preservation of neighborhoods is important to us.
I continue to practice Emergency Medicine on the island. My experiences in the Emergency Department have made me acutely aware of the health and social challenges that confront our City.
The remainder of my time is consumed by advocating for quality of life issues, playing Petanque, cooking and most importantly being with my wife Faith.
Website: votechipross.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 410-394-0220
Campaign Manager: Ron Sapp Treasurer: Faith Ross
Editor’s Note: Editor’s Note: Ronald “Chip” Ross will face challengers Orlando Avila and Medardo Monzon in the Group 3 race for Fernandina Beach City Commissioner. Mayor Robin Lentz now serving in Group 3, will not be seeking reelection. .
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