July 16, 2020
Editor’s Note: For the 9th straight year, the Fernandina Observer is offering candidates the opportunity to answer questions posed by our executive committee. The goal is to inform and educate the voters of Nassau County. We have disabled comments on this post.
To read initial candidate announcements click on the names below.
What would your approach be to ending the long running dispute between Nassau County and Raydient?
At this current time, it would be premature to present a suggestion of approach regarding the dispute between Nassau County and Raydiant, as the differences are currently in the process of litigation, to be determined by the courts. I do support a reconcilable, win-win resolution, in regards to a mutually acceptable outcome, for the stewardship district of the ENCPA to advance Nassau County and Raydiant forward together.
What would your approach be to ending the long running dispute between Nassau County and Raydient?
As with all solutions, we must begin by defining the problem. The first part of our problem is the question of agreement. The discrepancy should be easy to determine by reading the contract. One side says things were promised, the other side says they weren’t. While we have video of long meetings and various other things; both sides point to specific points of the discussion to make their case. These things serve only as evidence of a process of negotiation. In the end, we are left with the legislation as written. In order to move to the Florida legislature for a vote, the county had to vote for, and sign, a “no objection” letter to create the East Nassau Stewardship District. Three of our incumbent commissioners voted to affirm their “no objection”. The legislation was then approved by the House and the Senate and signed by the Governor.
The language of the law is pretty clear, and as a result Rayonier was awarded summary judgment on the portion of the lawsuit that determined responsibility for park construction and maintenance funding. Did our incumbent commissioners read the bill before affirming it? If they didn’t, perhaps voters should think twice about electing candidates they have endorsed. If these commissioners read the bill and affirmed it, did they think it was a good deal at the time and later decide they wanted more? Or, did they read the bill but fail to understand the difference between the words “shall” and “may”? In my opinion, that is as bad as if they had voted without reading it.
The other part of this problem is bad advice from our county attorney. With his experience, he should have known from the start that the case regarding the parks was a loser. A simple reading of the stewardship act along with the County’s own comprehensive plan makes it clear which party would be responsible. We shouldn’t have spent over $400,000 for outside legal fees and a public relations firm to spin the story. Now, the BOCC is fighting a grudge match with taxpayer money. I seriously doubt they would have taken this course of action if they were personally on the hook for the costs of the losing case.
At this point, it is immaterial what people think of the stewardship act; we don’t have a time machine! There is only one logical approach to ending the dispute – stop throwing good money after bad and begin working to repair the relationship.
I assure you that if I am elected, I will read contracts and legislation before I sign them or vote in their favor. I will make sure that all of my votes are in the best interest of our citizens. Finally, I will hold the county attorney accountable for bad advice. Our sitting commissioners should do the latter before the election.
With the population growth in the county and growth in island tourism, how would you propose solving beach congestion problems such as traffic, and parking?
Beach traffic and parking issues are a result of increased population and tourism. The Nassau County Transit Strategy Working Group study recommends a proposal to identify viable service types, prescribed routes, transfer hubs, park and ride locations (possibly on and off island locations) and commuter transit stops for our various beaches, to reduce traffic congestion and alleviate our parking problems.
Possibilities may exist for private/public partnerships as well.
With the population growth in the county and growth in island tourism, how would you propose solving beach congestion problems such as traffic, and parking?
As our county grows and Amelia Island continues to build its reputation as a top-tier destination, we must have a plan to address these things. I am committed to public beach access and protecting the freedoms that our residents have enjoyed for generations. We will need to provide additional public parking. We should look at creative solutions to provide more public parking. We must also look for ways to have the cost of these solutions subsidized by tourists.
Even though a significant portion of Nassau County property tax revenue comes from Amelia Island, some island residents feel the county is neglecting needs in the unincorporated area of the island, including conservation efforts, to fund projects on the mainland. How do you respond to these concerns?
I support the preservation of open and green space conservation lands on and off island, within Nassau County. Nassau County planned to place a referendum on the 2020 ballot, as to allow the electorate to decide by voting to approve, or disprove, a funding mechanism for conservation lands. Due to the recent negative economic results of the COVI-19 Pandemic, the referendum was postponed by the BOCC.
Even though a significant portion of Nassau County property tax revenue comes from Amelia Island, some island residents feel the county is neglecting needs in the unincorporated area of the island, including conservation efforts, to fund projects on the mainland. How do you respond to these concerns?
The Board IS neglecting needs in the unincorporated area of the island, and they are neglecting needs in other areas of the county as well. I don’t believe that this is an issue of the island versus the rest of the county. If you look at the land-use decisions of the past several years and some of the deals that have been given to specific residential developers, it’s very clear why there isn’t money to address these needs. Our rooftops run-amuck level of development hasn’t paid for itself in terms of infrastructure, and the property taxes lag the resulting marginal expenses. To turn the tide, we need to have a long-term commitment to economic development to broaden and diversify our tax base. A great strategy would be to recruit manufacturers to the Crawford Diamond. If we can do that, our county will have a prosperous future and be able to address many of our current shortfalls.
I want to take this opportunity to provide a little related information and draw distinction between myself and my opponent. Often, people conflate economic development with residential development. Economic development involves bringing a variety of high-wage paying business and industry to the area. I have been involved in these efforts as our workforce development committee chair for the past 8 years. Residential developments are approved by the planning and zoning board and affirmed by the BOCC. My opponent has been a member of the planning and zoning board for a similar tenure. While he does list diversifying the tax base and recruiting high-paying jobs to the area on his mailers and website, our past experiences, affiliations, endorsements, and campaign donors are in clear contrast. Residential developers, homebuilders, and others that supply the homebuilder industry have funded his campaign and the Northeast Florida Builders Association has endorsed him; I have been endorsed by the First Coast Manufacturers and have worked directly with our regional workforce partners. You must judge for yourself who is more likely to and capable of creating a more prosperous future for Nassau County.
Why would you support or oppose a charter form of government, also called Home Rule, for Nassau County?
I support the will of the people, and the rule of law. It is incumbent upon us all as voters to research every candidate, and all of the issues before casting our vote.
Why would you support or oppose a charter form of government, also called Home Rule, for Nassau County?
First, let’s be clear on what Home Rule is. I have spoken with some voters that believe this is some way to take power from the people. A charter (home rule) actually increases the power of the people as the government will have to adhere to what is in the charter. Currently, the BOCC must govern within the guidelines of Florida law. If our citizens were to approve a charter, they would have to govern according to Florida law and also work according to the charter. This charter must be approved by voters and could protect them from specific things that a short-sighted board might approve. Perhaps a charter might include that the same person could NOT be hired as both the County Manager and the County Attorney and paid two salaries. Given the last couple years, that wouldn’t be such a bad thing to have such a provision to avoid this gross conflict of interest from occurring in the future.
As always, the devil is in the details. A charter could include great things, and it could include not-so-great things. Given that ultimately a charter would have to go to the voters for approval, I would support a well-crafted, sensible charter as a long-term goal for our county.
The seat on the Nassau County Board of Commission District 3 will be determined on election day, August 18, when all registered voters can vote.