Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
December 6, 2018 6:25 a.m.
Christmas came early to the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) during their Regular Meeting on December 4, 2018 when the FBCC formally accepted three donations of land for conservation, one from a private couple and two from Rayonier Performance Fibers.
Thomas E. Ray and Ann V. Shuman donated approximately 1.0 acre of land to the City of Fernandina Beach for public conservation. Their only conditions were that the City must keep the property in a vegetated state and remove overgrowth into Robert Oliver Avenue (private road). The City will also remove overgrowth from the grantors’ lot 1 (retained by grantors for their home) when it poses a safety threat into Robert Oliver Avenue.
Mayor John Miller invited Mr. Ray to address the FBCC. Ray told commissioners that he and his wife had moved here from Chattanooga TN following his 2015 retirement and “quickly realized what a great, idyllic place [Fernandina Beach] would be.” He and his wife bought the property along Robert Oliver Avenue this spring and wondered what they would do with it. He said that the property is loaded with wildlife (which goes along with the donation) and that it is appraised for $44,000.
“We are pleased to have the opportunity to donate this to the city,” Ray said, “and give back to the city something we think would be helpful [to the city’s conservation efforts].”
Mayor Miller thanked Ray and noted that he had responded to the city’s requests for private donations to conservation efforts. He advised that a more formal recognition would follow. Ray left the podium to a round of audience applause.
Immediately following this action, the FBCC also accepted donation of two parcels from Rayonier Performance Fibers for conservation and recreation. One of the parcels, located on Indigo Street between South 10thand South 11thStreets, is currently occupied by a basketball court being used by a non-profit organization; the other is the site of a former pipeline that once ran from the Greenway almost all the way to the ocean. The total value of the properties according to the Property Appraiser is around $45,000.
City Attorney Tammi Bach said the city very much appreciated the donation. Miller added that along with the Ray donation, “It looks like Christmas has come early to the city. Rayonier has just given us a basketball court and a really nice trail.”
C.A. McDonald, Rayonier Advanced Materials (RAM) plant manager, came to the podium at the Mayor’s invitation. Miller told McDonald what a vital asset his plant is to the community, noting the many ways RAM helps local residents and organizations. He said that as in the previous donation, formal recognition would follow. McDonald thanked the mayor. He said, “The land donated has no value to us but much greater value to the community.”
McDonald also received a round of applause from the audience.
“Anybody else want to give up their land while we are at it?” Miller asked to a chuckling audience.
At the end of the meeting City Attorney Tammi Bach called out Commissioner Chip Ross for special recognition for his efforts in securing the Rayonier donation.
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.
Land donated for conservation makes sense and gives the donor a possible tax break…a win-win as they say.