Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
September 9, 2016 1:30 P.M.
Mayor John A. Miller has proclaimed Friday, September 16, 2016 as Arbor Day in the city of Fernandina Beach, FL. In issuing his proclamation at the September 6, 2016 meeting of the Fernandina Beach City Commission, Miller invited the public to attend a tree planting ceremony at 10:00 a.m. that day at the Third Street Rail Yard, where the city is installing screening planting consisting of Southern Red Cedar and American Sweet Gum trees.
Miller said that the city is celebrating its 14th year as a designated Tree City USA community. He presented the proclamation to Reha London of the Bartram Garden Club and the Amelia Tree conservancy.
In accepting the proclamation, London called the recognition “serendipitous.” She recounted her visit to City Hall during which she asked how to beautify the Third Street corridor leading into the city from Gum Street. She credited city Senior Planner Kelly Gibson with the idea of combining Arbor Day commemoration with a planting project that will help screen the railroad and industrial activities from the street.
London also announced that Fernandina Beach now has a federated garden club in the Bartram Garden Club. She invited the public to the club’s first meet-and-greet at the Fernandina Beach Library at 10:00 a.m. this Thursday, September 8, 2016.
Editor’s Note: Suanne Z. Thamm is a native of Chautauqua County, NY, who moved to Fernandina Beach from Alexandria,VA, in 1994. As a long time city resident and city watcher, she provides interesting insight into the many issues that impact our city. We are grateful for Suanne’s many contributions to the Fernandina Observer.