Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
July 20, 2018 11:00 a.m.
Fernandina Beach City Clerk Caroline Best has advised that of the three eligible candidates for 2019 city mayor, only one has expressed interest. Current Mayor John Miller will likely continue to serve as Mayor for 2019, assuming his co-commissioners give him a vote of confidence at the city’s annual Reorganization Meeting in December.
In an email to media this morning, Best wrote:
“Mayor Miller, Commissioner Ross and Commissioner Chapman are eligible to have their names placed on the 2018 General Election straw ballot for mayor.
“Commissioner Chapman and Commissioner Ross requested their names not be placed on the straw ballot for mayor. In accordance with Section 34-9(f): on the occasion that all eligible candidates but one should withdraw from the straw ballot election, there shall be no straw ballot election and the one remaining candidate shall be considered the primary candidate for the position of mayor at the organizational meeting.”
Commissioner Roy Smith and Vice Mayor Len Kreger are not eligible for consideration in the straw poll because they are standing for reelection in November.