Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
Fernandina Beach Mayor Robin Lentz began the City Commission’s January 17, 2017 Regular Meeting by reading a proclamation recognizing Mark Corbin’s long service to the city. He officially retired from the city on December 31, 2016.
Corbin began his career with the city in 1981 as a Golf Course maintenance worker. Through the years he worked his way up from Automotive Mechanic I to Master Mechanic. Corbin was praised for his having “faithfully, thoroughly and expertly fulfilled his numerous roles and responsibilities for 35 years and 4 months, frequently going above and beyond to ensure needed vehicular repairs to ‘anything the City owns with wheels.” The proclamation went on to state: “He survived the ‘good old days’ of the 1980’s, 35 years’ worth of red tape and the forever dreaded broken down garbage truck … with a container full of waste.”
Afforded an opportunity to speak, Corbin spoke from notes praising his most recent supervisor Jeremiah Glisson and reminding the audience how many advances have occurred during his tenure. “Everything—and I mean everything—has improved,” he said, ‘including working conditions, building, tools, the fleet and even pay.”
He reminisced that when he started, “Three women and one man ran the city with things like a Rolodex, a rotary phone, a typewriter and a filing cabinet. There were no cell phones, computers or email. I don’t know how everyone did so much with so little.” He went on to compliment the Golf Course crew and the Public Works employees for their efforts.
He said that the Public Works garage was a World War I Quonset hut that had previously served as the city’s movie theater. The Wastewater Treatment plant had little automation, so most work was done by hand. “Yes, even your poo was dried and shoveled into a truck by hand,” he said. He also cited the bare minimum in the way of working conditions for Police and Fire Safety staff.
“I wish all city employees could experience the ‘old days’ so they could appreciate what they have now,” he said. “I really don’t think the City Commission understands how much their personal beliefs and/or agenda can affect employees. The actions of the Commission set the tone and morale of employees, affecting the ability of employees to do their best job. Some commissioners leave a wake of destruction that lasts for years. Yet they walk away with no impact on their own lives.”
Corbin spoke to the many employees whom he dubbed “heroes” throughout the city who help city residents every day in many ways.
He concluded his remarks saying, “So let’s all work together and treat each other as we would like to be treated. Let’s be grateful to the city that we have now, and let’s do the best job we can for each other and the city of Fernandina Beach.”
Corbin received a standing ovation from the Commissioners and the audience at the conclusion of his remarks.