Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
July 23, 2017 3:00 p.m.
The Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) issued three proclamations and were presented with two checks during their July 18, 2017 Regular Meeting.
Recognition of Janet Harris upon her retirement
City Accounting Supervisor Janet Harris retired on May 31, 2017 following almost 20 years of dedicated service in the Finance Department. She began her career with the city as an Accounting Clerk and rose to the positions of Accountant and Accounting Supervisor. During her tenure she also served as Interim Finance Controller and Interim Finance Manager.
During her career she was continuously recognized as a highly capable, competent and efficient employee. In delivering the proclamation, Mayor Robin Lentz noted, “The sincere and conscientious efforts [Ms. Harris] demonstrated on the job have dramatically benefitted the residents and visitors of Fernandina Beach, but none more so than the members of the Finance Department.”
In accepting the proclamation, Harris thanked city Comptroller Patti Clifford and the staff of the Finance Department as well as other city staff for their help and assistance throughout her years of service. “I’ve been very fortunate to live and work in Fernandina Beach,” she said, “and I look forward to the next chapter here enjoying my retirement.”
Appreciation for Securing Stormwater Project Funding
On behalf of the city commission, Mayor Lentz expressed the city’s appreciation to State Senator Aaron Bean, State Representative Cord Byrd and city lobbyist Arthur I. “Buddy” Jacobs for their determined and persistent efforts that resulted in the city’s acquisition of an additional $500,000 in state funding for critical stormwater improvements in Fernandina Beach and Nassau County.
Representative Byrd expressed appreciation to the FBCC for the recognition and to Mr. Jacobs for his persistent lobbying efforts in Tallahassee, adding, “And when I was back home, Vice Mayor Kreger was always on me. It was an honor and privilege to secure state funding for such a worthy cause.”
Senator Bean was not able to attend the presentation, but his staff member Austin Nicklas spoke on his behalf, expressing appreciation for the city’s recognition. “The City Commission is a great partner,” he said, “and we are really looking forward to working with them this next session.”
City proclaims July 29-August 6, 2017 as Gullah/Geechee Nation Appreciation Week
On behalf of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, Queen Quet accepted the city’s proclamation and recognition of the role of her people in the cultural development and diversity of the coastal southeast United States.
Gullah/Geechee people were unique groups of African-Americans who were separated from the mainland by creeks, rivers, and marshes. Because of their geographic protection from outsiders and strong sense of family and community, Gullah/Geechee people maintained a separate creole language and developed distinct cultural patterns in the Sea Islands off the Southeastern United States. Their isolation, which began in colonial times in response to tropical fevers, later became an isolation of choice. Within their rural, isolated communities, the Gullah/Geechee people were able to maintain their cultural heritage, distinctive language, cooking styles, music, arts & crafts, and religious beliefs that connected them to their West African ancestry.
Queen Quet thanked the commission for their proclamation, first in the language of her people and then in English. She paid tribute to the late MaVynee Betsch, also known as “The Beach Lady,” for promoting Gullah/Geechee history and culture on Amelia Island. Queen Quet said of Betsch, “She held up the culture and helped educate people here. Everybody’s culture isn’t the same, but that doesn’t make it wrong. We don’t have to gate off from one another. We do better when we join together.”
She presented the Mayor with a flag of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, expressing a hope that Amelia Island can be known in the future as the “Isle of 9 Flags.” Mayor Lentz asked if the city could keep the flag, and Queen Quet assured her she could, because “As the Queen, I have a source.” This generated chuckles from the audience.
Queen Quet invited people to celebrate Gullah/Geechee culture with her at the International Music and Movement Festival on St. Helena Island, three hours north of Amelia Island the first weekend of August. For more information, visit https://gullahgeecheenation.com.
Presentation of ceremonial check – Saint Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD)
Geoffrey Sample of SJRWMD presented a ceremonial check to the city of Fernandina Beach for the recently awarded Area-1 cost-share stormwater project on North 15th Street. Mayor Robin Lentz and Stormwater manager Andre Desilet accepted on behalf of the city.
Sample acknowledged and recognized the city staff work that has gone into this project. He explained that all the requests for funding throughout the 18 counties of the district go through a competitive ranking process. Because Nassau County is a small rural county, SJRWMD funded the entire cost of the project: $251,283.
Presentation of annual PILOT check – Ocean Highway and Port Authority (OHPA)
OHPA Chair Adam Salzburg presented Mayor Lentz with OHPA’s annual Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) check in the amount of $50,000. “It’s not a big fancy check,” Salzburg said, referencing the SJRWMD presentation, “but you can actually cash it.”
“I look forward to working with the city on future projects,” he said. “I know that there are some things going forward with the marina. We are here to help.”
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.