Submitted by
(2nd from right)
Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter-News Analyst
When City Clerk Mary Mercer provided the Fernandina Beach City Commision an update on qualified candidates for the November 6 City Commission election at the end of the August 7 commission meeting, she indicated that 4 candidates including one incumbent had qualified: Tim Poynter (incumbent) and Ed Boner for Group 4; Pat Gass and John Elwell for Group 5.
Following Mercer’s report, Mayor Arlene Filkoff turned toward Vice Mayor Jeffrey Bunch, who currently holds the Group 5 seat and is eligible by City Charter to run for a second term. Bunch responded to her unspoken question with a firm, “No, I am not!” Although Bunch has been privately telling people that he would not be a candidate for re-election, this was his first public declaration of intent.
It has been widely rumored that other potential candidates were waiting for Bunch’s declaration before making a decision to enter the race. For additional information on how to qualify, contact City Clerk, Mary Mercer at ([email protected] or 277-7305). The deadline for final qualification is Friday, August 10, at 5 pm.
August 8, 2012 1:20 p.m.