Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
March 19, 2016 9:30 a.m.
According to information found on the Nassau County Supervisor of Elections website, two familiar names in local politics have filed to run for offices this fall that that they have not previously held.
Nassau County District 5 Commissioner Walter “Junior” Boatright, who had initially filed to run for reelection to his current office and then withdrew, has now filed to run for the constitutional office of Clerk of Courts. That position is currently held by John Crawford, who has also filed seeking reelection.
Former Fernandina Beach City Commissioner Pat Gass, who was defeated in her bid for reelection this past November, has now filed to run for the office of Ocean Highway and Port Commission District 1. She is the only candidate in this race at this time.
Both of these races are partisan in nature. Boatright and Gass have both filed to run as Republicans.
wait…. isn’t district one the seat held by Fullwood?
OHPA District 1 seat is currently held by Robert Bruce, who has not yet filed to run for reelection.
OH HO! Gass Again, she will not fade into the sunset. She is the last person that should be allowed to run for the office of Ocean Highway and Port Commission District 1.
She is 100% port anything, she has deep ties with the mills and fought diligently to try and pass as many regulations in their favor and fight against anything that would dare upset the mills.
She is the last person we want near anything related to the mills and pot.
She appears to keep trying to get back into politics because of the recent uproar and rallying around a greener island, and it is bugging her to no end anyone dare say anything bad about the mills. This is like letting the wolf in charge of the sheep, VOTE anyone but GASS!
Mr. Russo, Copy that! Another “GASS Explosion” let’s not forget while as a city commissioner she was in complete denial of retaliation issues in the fire department due to mismanagement and her support of the previous fire chief(s) and city manager which in the end cost the city taxpayers several hundred thousand dollars to settle Robin Marley’s lawsuit!
Readers are reminded that as a City Commissioner, Pat Gass was the only Commissioner who opposed the resolution to strongly oppose any and all attempts by Kinder Morgan and/or the OHPA [Ocean Highway and Port Authority] to obtain an environmental permit for a coal transfer facility at the Port. The resolution passed on a 4-1 vote.
Similarly, as City Commissioner, Pat Gass also opposed the resolution to curb OHPA powers within city limits. The resolution passed on a 3-2 vote.
Can this community really expect Pat Gass to be a representative of the voice people in the OHPA Board?
The residents if this community better wake up. Gass is still FUMMING she didn’t get the vote to sit on the board another 3 years and block every attempt of stopping Kinder and Rayonier from destroying this island.
Just look at her resume as posted on her Facebook page.
Pat Gass work experience includes ITT Rayonier as a settlement clerk; Nassau Terminals (presently Kinder-Morgan) as office manager of Operations Department.
She had deep roots WORKING for Rayoneir and Kinder-Morgan!!!!!!!
How can she even be considered for that position?????????
She wants the position of Ocean Highway and Port Commission District 1 for one reason, to make certain everything those companies want they get. Her horrific displays in the meetings should be enough to scare most, but she has this loyal zombie following of Rayonier and Kinder workers and families that support every move she makes.
We need to make certain she is not allowed to let those two companies continue to push the boundaries. Gass would be the absolute WORST thing that could happen if she is allowed to control that department.
I had the pleasure of working with Junior Boatright on the Nassau BOCC, and am pleased to see that he will be staying involved in local county issues. Challenging Clerk of Court John Crawford will be a major adventure, but we need someone with Junior’s background and experience in that position. Someone whose primary responsibility is serving the citizens not nursing his own ego.The time has come. Let the games begin.
Is Boatright not running for re-election as a county commissioner because of his health? Would Clerk of the Court not be even more stressful? Boatright voted with leeper and Edwards to get rid of Volunteer Fire Departments, a move that is costing tax payers millions. Nassau County Fire and Rescue is down to about 30% efficiency. And as for Boyle, he is another disgrace to county tax payers. Tried every hook and crook to get re-elected as county commissioner. Is there any truth in these two? John Crawford is one of only a few honest county officials. To Boyle this is GAME and Boatright was never about serving the citizens. It was all about Terra Point, and other special interest. Take a look at his donors. Boatright voted to change the name of the judicial center to robert foster injustice center.