Cason Zylinski
Candidate City Commission
Group 5
September 20, 2018 1:00 p.m.
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Zylinski is seeking a seat on the Fernandina Beach City Commission, Group 5. She faces Incumbent Len Kreger in the Nov 6 general election.
Bio: I believe there is something incredibly powerful that connects us to our hometown. Especially this one. From childhood memories of catching fiddler crabs in Egans Creek to now raising a child of my own 30 years later, I am driven now more than ever to take on a more active role in the direction of our community. I am running for this seat to offer my community representation of a native, working class parent. That is, if the goal is, to preserve our small town cultural balance of family values. We’ve all read the famous quote “Unless you’ve walked a mile in my shoes..”
My intention is to contribute to the operation of our city as a liaison for the working/middle class & local businesses whose livelihood depend on the direction and core values of local government. The leadership of our community should include real hometowners with who can identify with the treasured culture we are trying to preserve.
•Parks & Rec
•Development of a welcoming snacks & refreshments area during Marina construction
•Establishment and implementation of more community events engaging a broader demographic. Examining the current budget and layout to shift some emphasis and resources towards off-season events.
•Protection of our beach rights
Nassau County Ocean Rescue for 4 Years
Commercial Music Business Degree Belmont University, Nashville TN
Permitting from Administration to Execution
Thorough Understanding of Budget Reports Including Analysis/Profit & Loss Performance Composition
Passionately Invested in a Life of Service Work Responsible for Over $100,000 Raised For Local Charities
Most importantly I know how to connect with people and breath life into vision. I look forward to continue serving my community and bridging the gap for a more diversified voice.
After completion of Fernandina’s Municipal Airport terminal and repairs to the Marina, where should the city concentrate its capital improvement projects?
I believe we are way overdo for a centralized community events area. I feel like it’s the heartbeat we are missing in Fernandina. This area would include a permanent multi-use stage at Main Beach to establish social engagement and strengthened relationships. Other communities hold events such as weekly movie night, dance lessons, youth performances and musical performance from their stage. The burden stage and production rental, management and lawn repairs from transporting and assembly currently not worth the effort. I also would like to see an open aqua mat fountain park put in next to the main beach park. These are both realistic goals vs the fantasy project of replacing the Atlantic Rec into a 3million dollar aquacenter and lazy river, published in the Parks and Rec Masterplan from 2014
Which of the following 3 city projects would have your highest priority, if elected to the City Commission? How would you pay for it?
Improving the Amelia Riverfront and adding a waterfront park; Purchasing land for conservation; Rehabilitating or replacing aging city facilities such as firehouses, or recreational facilities.
The Atlantic Rec Center hasn’t changed since my 5th birthday party. Youth and Rec facilities continue to crumble while we draft plans for another enhancement for tourists when we need to repair what we have. I see a huge financial burden taken on by the city during recession when the county decided they were no longer interested in dealing with Ocean Rescue & the islands southern beaches including Peters Point, Scott Road, Burney Park and American Beach. City entered into an agreement in which the city would commit to take on those beaches for $125k/year. I worked for Nassau County Ocean Rescue for 5 years prior to this contract and can promise you, even back then, $125k doesn’t touch what it costs us to take on those jurisdictions and massive responsibility which by the way include 40% of total emergencies in which the city ends up absorbing. I suggest we reconsider this contract and stop picking up the bill for everything.
Why did you decide to challenge an incumbent in this race?
I am more so pursuing an opportunity to serve my community rather than challenge an incumbent but I just feel like we need the perspective of a lifelong native who has lived, schooled, worked, been a kid and now raising a kid here in Fernandina Beach. Little progress can be made within a divided community. My intention is to represent and help engage a broader community vision if we are to preserve social and economic stability necessary for the longhaul. Conservation and Preservation of the island’s history is also intended protect actual human beings and cultural balance.