Pat K. Gass enters commission race – Group 5

Pat Gass qualified to seek election to the Fernandina Beach City Commission as one of two challengers for the Group 5 seat of Commissioner Jeff Bunch, who is not seeking reelection.

Pat, a native Floridian, came to Fernandina Beach in 1966 when her father, the late Rev. Ralph E. (Pop) Kelley, became the Priest in charge of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church where she is a parishioner.

She is married, for 37 years, to Billy Gass and is the mother of four adult children, Michael, Kelley, Martha, and Ross and is also the grandmother of five; Brett, Abbie, Gretchen, Lydia, and Patrick.

Pat is a graduate of Fernandina Beach High School Class of 1973. She attended Berea College in Berea, Kentucky and the City Colleges of Chicago, where she earned her associates degree.
Her work experience includes ITT Rayonier as a settlement clerk; St. Peter’s Episcopal Church as parish secretary; Nassau County School Board as a substitute teacher; Nassau Terminals (presently Kinder-Morgan) as office manager of Operations Department (Stevedore Office); as Warrant Officer for John M. Drew, Nassau County Tax Collector. Presently Pat is the Bookkeeper and Manager of the family restaurant Kelley’s Courtyard Café on South 3rd Street.

Pat’s community involvement and volunteer experience through the years includes: Volunteer Coordinator for Southside School, Fernandina Beach Optimist Club, Duncan Lamont Clinch Historical Society, Fernandina Beach Restoration Foundation, American Legion Auxiliary Post #54, Board member of the Friends of the Library, and member of AIFBY Chamber of Commerce.

For the past 19 years Pat has served on the Fernandina Beach Board of Adjustments presently serving as Chairman.

Pat K. Gass will be a true representative of the people. She believes that “Together we can and Together we will” meet the needs and challenges facing our community.
Contact her at 277-7987 or [email protected]

Election policy:  The Fernandina Observer will not post readers’ comments in response to candidate press releases or during the weeks ahead when candidates respond to questions submitted by Fernandina Observer.  Our goal is to offer candidates a platform to deliver their message and to inform and educate our readership. The Fernandina Observer will not endorse candidates.

September 4, 2012 5:23 a.m.