Retiring Mayor-Commissioner Ed Boner offers thoughts on leaving office

[The Fernandina Observer invited both retiring commissioners Ed Boner and Pat Gass to submit their farewell remarks delivered at the December 15 Reorganizational Meeting to us for publication. We thank both commissioners for their service. Mr. Boner’s statement appears below.]

Over the three years I felt were both too long as I balanced family, work and politics, but too short as I turned the control over to a replacement, I feel lucky for the opportunity to be involved in a number of projects. In 2012, I came into office before the Fernandina Beach Library was underway. The project meant a great deal to the city and I felt it was important for the project to go forward. Seeing this competed before I left and the exceptional people I met with the Friends of the Library, opened my eyes to the importance of non-profits. Non-profits and funding soon became an issue, as funding was cut, even though we often see multiples of 40 to 50 times the dollars committed. Being fiscally conservative is, in my view, using common sense to improve the financial outcome. A multiple so high, if you consider matching money and unpaid volunteer’s time, is difficult to overlook. Three years later, the Council on Aging is a line item and, I think non-profits are a little better understood by the current commission. I hope specific services and the impact if a non-profit were not in existence, is considered when we allocate funding in the future.

I would never take individual credit for a commission decision and I hope remembering commission accomplishments never comes across as an attempt to take any personal credit. It was a privilege to watch the beginning and, in some cases, the completion and I am very pleased to have been a part of the following. These projects all felt like wins and all added, in my opinion, long term improvements to Fernandina and high points for me to be a part of approving.
· Bonhams Auction (never would have happened without Marianna McIntyre’s effort)
· Synthetic Drug Ordinance (thanks to Attorney General Pam Bondi and City Attorney Tammi Bach, both Stetson University Alumni)
· Youth Council (Vice Mayor Robin Lentz and staff deserve all the credit)
· Final Library Approval and Completion (Thanks to FOL and Mr. Bill Flynn)
· Non-Profit Funding and Specifically Council on Aging (Janice Ancrum)
· Recognition of Non-Profit Contributions
· Recognition of Volunteer Boards (importance of thanking for service)
· Purchase approval of Front Street lot
· Approval of location and construction of Terminal Building and FBO tenant w/ match
· SVRA Race (credit to Ralph Thomas)

There were a number of minor “wins”, like funding for non-profits, formally recognizing various people contributing to the city or committing to funding Shrimp Festival garbage pickup, but I’m pretty sure I’ll miss something or you’ll nod off if I don’t get to the end.
I want to thank a number of people for exceptional service to the City of Fernandina. If I forget anyone, please accept my apology in advance. Staff at the city is far more qualified than anyone in the outside world will ever know. While I normally worked with a few people directly, I was particularly impressed repeatedly by the impact and professionalism of the following individuals working at the City of Fernandina.
· Chief James Hurley and his leadership. He is an exceptional leader.
· Mr. Rex Lester keeps the city running, often with far less than he needs.
· Jerimiah Glissen for attitude and creativity in saving money for the city.
· Marshall McCrary and Adrienne Burke, professionalism and knowledge.
· Angie Lester for her kindness and efficiency.
· City Attorney Bach
· City Clerk Caroline Best for dealing with unreasonable people. Great personality for the job.
· Deputy Clerk Kim Briley for professionalism and an exceptional attitude.

Outside city staff, I felt the following people deserve mention and stood out as particularly helpful to the city or were personally willing to help, when asked.
· City Lobbyist Buddy Jacobs does more than anyone knows behind the scenes.
· Brian Teeple of Northeast Florida Regional Council, assisted with facilitation for our goal setting meeting. The result was a far closer commission with a list we partially accomplished.
· Steve Reich the former NCEDB Director and Laura Dibella both assisted whenever possible.
· All members of the various advisory boards, including the frequent flyers you see over and over again.

Two people stood out for me and influenced view of the world, while on the commission. The Honorable Arlene Filcoff’s term extended into my first year as a commissioner. Her humor, intelligence, persistence and patience, made the first year far more pleasant. At her last meeting, she talked about the importance of choosing wise leadership. Leaders interested in accomplishing things are far more likely to succeed than those interested in stopping things. Her words kept coming back to me over the next two years and the more I thought about our political leadership, the more I felt the negative/positive made sense. She influenced my view of the world and was an exceptional Commissioner and Mayor. Mr. Bill Flynn spearheaded the fundraising and acted as spokesperson for the Friends of the Library, during the successful library renovation and expansion project. He showed exceptional restraint, patience, persistence..and raised money to build a library over frequent criticism. I never saw him lose his cool and he made it impossible to say no. He is a true gentleman and an exceptional person in every way. Our community would not be the place it is without the efforts of people like Bill Flynn.
Finally, I hope the commission and public remember the intent, when each commissioner is elected. Political views might differ, but we all want the best for the community and are all serious about making Fernandina a better place. Our disagreements should end when the meeting ends and the vote is cast. We all live here and I hope we are all able to coexist. Industry, residents and tourism work. The unique part of Fernandina is the diversity…just as the views on a commission might not be alike.

You all have my respect for taking the time to give back to your community. Good luck in the coming year.

Kind regards,

The Honorable Ed Boner