Genece Minshew announces candidacy for Fernandina Beach City Commission, Group 1

Genece Minshew
Candidate City Commission – Group 1
Press Release
November 6, 2019

Genece Minshew, Fernandina Beach City Commission Candidate Group 1

Genece Minshew has announced her candidacy for the Fernandina Beach City Commission, Group 1, in the 2020 General Election. “I bring many years of business experience and community activism to the table,” Genece said. “I believe that the next few years will be critical as we work through issues of conservation, preservation and protection of our natural resources. Change is inevitable, but we can do more to manage and control the impact to our community.”

A native Floridian who grew up along the sandy beaches of the Florida east coast, Genece spent her childhood visiting Fernandina Beach to see grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and enjoying beautiful Amelia Island. She said, “The Minshew and the Fullwood families moved to Fernandina Beach in the 1930’s when the newly opened mills brought good jobs and new opportunity to the community. My grandfather, Willis Minshew, is buried at Bosque Bello Cemetery, so my ties to this community run deep.”

Since 1999, Genece and her partner of 35 years, Sue Simpson, have called Fernandina Beach home, first part time and then becoming full time residents in 2008.

Genece worked in the telecommunications industry both as an employee of a major telecommunications company and later as an industry consultant. “The opportunity to work on large, complex projects at Southern Bell, then BellSouth, then ATT and finally as an industry consultant, taught me considerable skills and expertise that can be applied to the many challenges faced by the city today,” she said.

Genece’s lifelong commitment to social justice began in 1975. She became involved in the Women’s Movement, and in the early 1980’s, she became the President of Florida NOW. She also served as a board member and President of Hubbard House in Jacksonville. While living in Decatur, Georgia, she was President of her neighborhood association and spent 6 years on the Decatur City Zoning Board of Appeals. In Fernandina Beach she has volunteered with Barnabas and with the Council on Aging Soup Train program.

Today, Genece spends her time volunteering for several groups. She is the site coordinator for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in Fernandina Beach, serves as the chair of the Economic Vitality Council of Fernandina Beach Main Street, founded and became the first President of Fernandina Beach Pride. And, most recently, was appointed to a seat on the Fernandina Beach Planning Advisory Board.

“We made a conscious decision to make Fernandina Beach our home over 20 years ago, but no matter where I lived, Fernandina Beach was always home to me. I want to use my experience and my commitment to this community to conserve, preserve and protect our beaches, our land, and our community.”

For more information or how to get involved in the campaign, please, please email me at [email protected] or call me at 904 491-0185. And, no matter who you end up supporting, please remember to vote on November 3rd, 2020.

Editor’s Note:  The Group 1 seat is currently held by Mayor Johnny Miller whose service will end in 2020 due to term limits.  At this time, Genece Minshew will face Marian Phillips who also filed as a candidate for the Fernandina Beach City Commission Group I.  The election will be held in November 2020.