Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
June 4, 2021
On behalf of the City of Fernandina Beach and its City Commission, Mayor Mike Lednovich delivered a Proclamation at the June 1, 2021 Regular Meeting of the Fernandina Beach City Commission expressing the City’s gratitude to local legislators who promoted bills and projects on behalf of the City and local residents. Representative Cord Byrd was not in attendance, due to pending legislative duties. State Senator Aaron Bean accepted the Proclamation, which read:
WHEREAS, the Florida Senate and the Florida House of Representatives together, are the Florida Legislature, which convenes in Session each year for sixty consecutive days. In 2021, Florida State Senator Mr. Aaron Bean and Florida House of Representative Mr. Cord Byrd petitioned extensively for the City of Fernandina Beach’s legislative priorities; and
WHEREAS, during a particularly challenging Session due to the Covid-19 global pandemic, Senator Bean and Representative Byrd arduously lobbied on behalf of the City of Fernandina Beach for grant funding in support of needed repairs to preserve the historic Peck Center and to clarify the responsibilities and obligations of the Nassau County Ocean, Highway and Port Authority (OHPA); and
WHEREAS, without the unwavering support and dogged determination of Senator Bean and Representative Byrd, these vital priorities would not have gained Legislative approval; and
WHEREAS, the City of Fernandina Beach residents and City Commission genuinely appreciate Senator Bean’s and Representative Byrd’s continuous commitment and readiness to take on local challenges at the State level in order to ensure the City maintains its charm, character, and sense of place.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Michael A. Lednovich, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the City of Fernandina Beach, Florida, do hereby express sincere gratitude and appreciation to:
FLORIDA STATE SENATOR AARON BEAN
and
FLORIDA STATE REPRESENTATIVE CORD BYRD
for their support, leadership, and assistance in preserving the tangible aspects of the heritage that has shaped us as a community and for safeguarding the City’s safety, health, and financial stability.
In accepting the Proclamation, Senator Bean reminded City Commissioners and the audience that he had begun his political career as Commissioner and Mayor-Commissioner in Fernandina Beach. He said “[The local] level is one of the most difficult levels in serving the public, because you are there in the middle of things, so I salute you.”
Bean noted that Governor DeSantis has not yet signed the recently submitted budget, so that it would be premature to announce the approval of any projects for the City.
Bean said that the legislative session, which just ended, was an odd session. Due to covid there were no visitors in the State Capitol, so legislators missed their accustomed interaction with constituents.