Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
January 22, 2021
Local resident Jack Knocke, president of Common Sense, a group of individuals who advocate a balanced, common sense approach to local government spending, called for a no confidence vote on the performance of City Manager Dale Martin at the January 19, 2021 Regular Meeting of the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC). He had previously emailed his bill of particulars to Commissioners and also published them in an opinion piece published in the January 6, 2021 edition of the News Leader.
Knocke said that while he had no issues with Martin as a person, his dissatisfaction with Martin’s job performance prompted his call for a no confidence vote. Claiming that his points reflected input from many people who were unhappy with Martin’s policies and treatment of citizens. He cited examples that included the city’s dealings with FEMA over the marina repairs, contract management with marina and golf course operators, and software expenses in the Building Department.
He claimed that many of the matters were “invented emergencies that could have been avoided.”
Vice Mayor Len Kreger acknowledged reading Knocke’s list of issues, but said he wanted to point out a couple of things. He agreed that there may have been some bad decisions at times, but that Commissioners had addressed the Manager’s full performance publicly in November. “Any Commissioner at any time can evaluate the City Manager,” Kreger said. “I don’t presume to speak for our new City Commissioners, but this is only their third meeting. We have a lot going on at this time. When I feel it’s appropriate, I will call for a special evaluation. I do not think the time is now.”
Mayor Mike Lednovich addressed his comments to Knocke. “As you know, I have given the City Manager two written evaluations. Does he do his job perfectly? No. None of us do. But does he do it better than the errors, and in my evaluation I believe he does. He has one of the most difficult positions I can think of. He has five bosses. My evaluations are public record.”
Lednovich turned to the other Commissioners and asked, “Is there any interest in having the City Manager’s performance placed on a future agenda or to hear a vote of confidence motion?”
Commissioner Bradley Bean replied that he currently agrees with Vice Mayor Kreger. “Being my third meeting here, it is too soon for me to jump on such a motion. I feel that we need continuity. Now is not the time, but we will be on the watch. I don’t want to look retroactively from my term.”
Commissioner David Sturges agreed with Bean. “I don’t have any current or past paperwork to evaluate his decisions. I am starting [my evaluation] from scratch.”
Commissioner Ross made no comment.
Mayor Lednovich stated that there was no consensus to move forward on a vote of confidence.
Knocke continued to plead his case, indicating that there is plenty of history to support his position backed up by details.
Mayor Lednovich thanked him for his comments.
Knocke always seems to pick and complain, touting “vision”, veiled in a “common sense” cloak, that actually bootstraps on itself. Never a plan, but rather just attack what has actually worked and let the dog’s out to run wild. Buzzwords, after the fact supposition, second guessing, and sidewalk superintendent stuff. We have a city government that functions at a very high level, qualified officials and leadership to run it, and a community that works mostly together on behalf of it’s many varied interests. Nothing is perfect, but for me , the City provides good value for my tax dollars.
I’ve been living in Fernandina Beach for a couple of years and from what I’ve seen in that short period of time, I have to agree with Mr. Knocke. The tax and spend mentality is driving many towns and cities into bankruptcy. With thousands of people out of work and businesses closing down, now is not the time to spend money the city doesn’t have. Has anyone accessed the tax records to see how many people are delinquent on payments? Without the tourist industry the city will have to rely on property taxes to pay for over priced consultants, etc. If the tourists don’t return and our businesses close, there won’t be an alternative way to pay for Martin’s agenda. I’m sure that if asked many solutions can be found, yet no one asks. Or if they do, they are discarded. For one solution, why is city residential trash picked up twice a week? How much can be saved if it is picked up only once? It’s a start.
It is my strong opinion that Dale Martin has done an excellent job as our City Manager for all the years he has been in this office.
His job duties are basically mandated by the Commissioners. Would we like to make judgments on their decisions?
His evaluations by the Commissioners have consistently been positive.
Let us continue to support Dale Martin in his job that is so full of challenges.
I used to live in historic Old Town Alexandria Virginia where they also “improved” the waterfront by eminent domain. Like FB, it is listed on the National Historic Register with cobblestone streets dating from the 1700’s. Now they have a ferry boat that brings hundreds of tourists from the casino across in river in Maryland on an hourly basis. The main street, King Street, is full of chain stores and restaurants that sent local businesses packing. Taxes and rents became so high only chains could pay them. So what is next for us?? Ferris wheels and roller coasters?? Be careful what you ask for, you might get it.
Well…
Old Town Alexandria is definitely a lot more crowded and expensive than it used to be, but there are many factors to consider.
5 miles from Reagan airport, 6.5 miles from the Pentagon and 8 miles commute to the White House might have something to do with the high real estate prices (and taxes) in Old Town. And, of course, Amazon’s recent headquarters move won’t drive down the prices either.
Yeah, I know it’s loaded with tourists, and parking is a problem for sure, but every time I visit, I have no trouble finding good “local” restaurants. Hank’s Pasta Bar is one of my favorites. (Try the grilled octopus appetizer. It’s fantastic.)
You’re right about the Ferris wheels, etc. We’ve already got TopGolf at the golf course and it wouldn’t surprise me if they built a water park at the marina to defray the losses. Better yet, they could set up a Mud Bogging course in the perpetually useless south end of the marina.