Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
January 9, 2019 9:00 p.m.
With the sudden passing of city Building Official James J. Allen on January 2, the city will reopen its search for a new building official.
City Manager Dale Martin wrote in an email, “We have an interim in place for at least this month (if not longer, as needed). We have reached out to other candidates from the search that resulted in the hiring of Mr. Allen and will likely schedule additional interviews with interested candidates.”
Allen, who was known to his friends and coworkers as Jud, began work with the city of Fernandina Beach on September 17, 2018. He had extensive previous experience in the construction and building code field at the City of Quincy, Florida State University, and Leon County. During his brief tenure with the city Allen had earned the friendship and respect of his staff and coworkers.