Submitted by Samuel Jefferson Kennard
June 16, 2016 1:15 p.m.
Living amongst us are some latter-day carpetbaggers and environmental alarmist who, the public record clearly shows, are against the Port of Fernandina, the mills, economic development in any form, demographic diversity, etc. These people never stand for anything positive and they apparently dislike the status quo.
Their vocal negative advocacy is characterized by a compulsive, if not pathological, cognitive dissonance. Their negative advocacy tools include fear tactics, including the threat of litigation, speculative and exaggerated assumptions and so called research that would not stand up to critical peer review.
These are obviously not the same local citizens who initiated positive changes to our community such as: Amelia Island Chamber Music Festival, Micah’s Place, Downtown Farmers Market, Amelia Island Book Festival, to mention just a few.
No, these habitual naysayers want to set the clock back and refuse to accept the inconvenient truth that the port is a rich part of the Fernandina Beach historical legacy and the mills are our neighbors. We should find ways to co exist with the port and mills, allowing progress, which does not compromise health, safety and preservation.
Fortunately, such negative advocates are a small-marginalized minority and their strident public voices and tiresome messaging is loosing credibility and falling on deaf ears.
Editor’s Note: Samuel Jefferson Kennard’s Florida roots go back to the early nineteenth century. His pioneer ancestor signed the Territory of Florida’s First Constitution in 1838 and others have lived continuously on Amelia Island for 150 years. The great grandson of a Cumberland Sound pilot family, Kennard continues a proud tradition of advocacy for a viable Port of Fernandina. Kennard stated, “Nassau County, and Fernandina Beach need a working port. It’s part of our rich heritage and who we are.”
Kennard is founding chairman of Stand for Amelia Island, Inc., a not for profit State of Florida Corporation dedicated to advocating solutions for important issues affecting the general public welfare of Fernandina Beach, Amelia Island and Nassau County.
Kennard was graduated from the University of Georgia and attended Harvard Business School executive development programs. Kennard is married and he and his wife, Karin live on Amelia Island.
Wow, I am not sure where to start in responding to this rant. If Mr. Kennard believes that this group of ner-do-wells is such a minority why take the time to address them? I, like most people I believe, want the port and the mills to be viable businesses like any other business operated in an ethical and moral way; but not at any cost. If OPHA and Kinder Morgan had not displayed their arrogance and secretive ways a year ago, I suspect that most of the events that later transpired would have never taken place. It all started with the Port and somehow the mills got involved as they felt they were being threatened when, in fact, there was nothing being said about them. Unfortunately, those actions created a level of distrust among a significant portion of residents in our community that continues.
Certainly litigation can be threatened when there is no real basis for such, but interesting that Mr. Kennard voices no concern about OPHA’s threat of litigation and the use of eminent domain.
Having varying perspectives is what makes this country so rich, and as long as the discussion is kept at a civil manner with no name calling and focused on the issues, it is a healthy debate.
Where are Mr. Kennard’s “healthy solutions” as I search his placeholder website and find nothing there. If you aren’t advocating solutions, you are part of the problem is what I believe.
Dave,
The opinion above clearly stated … “allowing progress, which does not compromise health, safety and preservation”. Although the opinion did not reference OHPA, my critical position pertinent to the current OHPA Commissioners, its Charter and Kinder Morgan relationship, including recommendations for “healthy solutions”, are clearly documented in numerous newspaper articles and public speeches dating back to 2013.
Samuel,
Thanks for the clarification. Perhaps you would consider republishing those articles and speech texts on your website to provide a central point of information and education. Just a thought!
If we are talking about a rich history with the Port, where is the $7 million per year the Port was promised? I agree with Dave, I would love to see a more balanced, solution driven, economic development policy in the County. The island does not need to accept everything at all costs. ALL of the major employers are located on Amelia Island according to the NC Economic Development Board. If the island goes down in a hurricane almost everyone will be out of work for quite some time. Not one major employer except for the school system is on the mainland. You can’t say Amelia Island is anti-development when we generate 63% of the tax revenue for Nassau County, yet we are only 3% of the Nassau County land mass (latest Property Appraiser figures). Where is the economic development in Nassau County??? Asking the rest of Nassau County to step up to the plate in providing jobs is not being anti-development. We already learned a bad lesson from the Port. The City doesn’t get paid the fees for services any more, we finance them with taxpayer dollars (grants), they tell us they don’t have to follow our ordinances, and they can take our property. That was a great economic development project? Citizens for a better Nassau says that once again the City is going to provide the services and the roads and forego tax revenue. When is Nassau County going to step up to the plate and share in the pain of economic development?
The comments above, while interesting, do not address the criticism of “Habitual Naysayers” expressed in the opinion.
Clearly, all of the major employers and a concentration of high average property values are on Amelia Island. These facts are a consequence of economic history. This is why most of Nassau County tax revenue continues to be generated on Amelia Island. The citizens of Amelia Island defray more than their fair share of county expenses. This being said, I agree that the burden of future economic development should come from the county, outside of Amelia Island. The free ride has persisted far too long.
Please, no more hurricane hysteria!
We have a great hotel coming to Fernandina!
See, no Nay-sayer here!
The reason why Amelia Island generates a “disproportionate” share of employment and tax revenue is very simple: the port attracts industry & trade, the beach attracts tourists. The same goes for many counties (even countries) that border an ocean. That’s life. The term “port” comes from the Latin word “portus”: a “door” to the ocean, and thus the world. It’s always busier at the front door than in the backyard. Though both are precious.
Our island’s population has historically enjoyed an eclectic, safe ànd prosperous mix of international trade, industry, tourism and services. Not even talking about tax base, but about lifestyle: for àll age groups, professions and trades. Authentic, small town America, well before retirement- , or bedroom communities came about. A true microcosm. I strongly feel we should preserve that diversity, ànd support its future, just like we need to preserve old trees or buildings, protect turtles, dunes, etc…
In that context, I truly welcome a project like LignoTech. They will MAKE something new, that will also be exported. Our little positive contribution towards our ever worsening trade deficit. Rayonier’s mill has been here since 1937. Borregaard’s first plant in Norway dates back to 1891. We all know that in Scandinavia they don’t joke about pollution, in whatever shape or form.
As to hurricanes: I lived through two Cat 5 ones – Allen in Jamaica in 1980, and Andrew in Miami in 1992. They suck, big time. But again, … that’s life. Pray and hope for the best is all you can do. Worrying about what possibly, maybe, one day, could happen, does not help. Or should we also picture the scenario of a nuclear submarine from Kings Bay (only 9 miles), with ballistic missiles, landing on Front Street, due to 190 mph winds … ? 😉
Let’s all shake hands, and together preserve our heritage, ànd the future of this vibrant microcosm. Which we owe, in no small part, to our legendary southern hospitality. Door, open, welcome, …. back to my first paragraph. 🙂
Legendary southern hospitality is something we all strive for. However, Southerners are also known for being smart about making the most of what they have. Most take great pride in hard work, and they do care about the vibrant microcosm of the island immensely along with Nassau County’s economic health. They also worry about keeping their jobs. Placing jobs in locations that ensure their future is important to them. And getting the most out of Nassau County’s resources to meet the future needs of workers requires using our resources wisely. The Port of Fernandina is sadly out of step with the needs of our children and job seekers today. It has never lowered anyone’s taxes, it costs taxpayers money to maintain, and pays no taxes. And ports are becoming almost completely automated today to meet the demands of shipping. Jobs are being lost in the shipping industry rather than gained. Giving opportunity to people who want jobs is true southern hospitality. Giving them a job that will be there tomorrow and in the years to come is the desire of all.
One should be cautious when stating that their family goes back that far on the island as a source of pride. As we all know, many privateers, aka pirates, lived here back then. (My family has roots in mainland Nassau County going back over a hundred years. No pirates though. 😉 )
On a more serious note, The Port has shown serious disregard to the citizens of this island. Its tenant, to whom it owes millions of dollars, is in the energy business. Clean and dirty, safe and unsafe energy business. Most welcomes clean, eco-friendly business to go through the Port in a responsible manner, that respects the quality of life of the residents around the Port and on the rest of the transport corridors used by the Port.
We have some old fashioned carpetbaggers in Old Town…who think they know the history of Old Fernandina and have foisted their opinions on the old-times and long-time residents. Most recently, they led an ill-fated drive not to get White Street resurfaced.