Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
March 16, 2016 9:58 a.m.
Giving full credit to local legislators and lobbyists, Fernandina Beach Commissioner Tim Poynter last night announced that Fernandina Beach will receive $900K from the state to fix stormwater drainage problems in the city. The stormwater project was the only Nassau County project recommended during the recent Legislative Session to avoid Governor Rick Scott’s veto pen. Last year Scott vetoed this project.
Poynter thanked both Senator Aaron Bean and State Representative Janet Adkins for their support, as well as the lobbying efforts of the city’s lobbyists, Jacobs & Scholz. Poynter said, “We are potentially going to be able to use those [state] dollars as leverage in seeking federal funds.” Commissioner Roy Smith joined Poynter in also thanking Governor Scott for not vetoing the project.
Among the local projects that Governor Scott did veto:
- Starting Point Behavioral Healthcare – $250,000
- Widening Old Dixie Highway – $1M
- Nassau County Courthouse maintenance – $300,000
During remarks at the end of the March 15, 2016 Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) meeting, Mayor Johnny Miller also extended appreciation to Bean and Adkins for their efforts on behalf of the city to secure these funds. He echoed Poynter’s appreciation for the work of the city’s lobbyists, whose information package, complete with photos of stormwater flooding on Front Street, helped underscore the seriousness of the city’s problems.
Miller indicated that he and city manager Dale Martin had been on a conference call that afternoon to verify that the project had not been vetoed.
Following the meeting, Commissioner Len Kreger, a longstanding advocate for fixing the city’s stormwater problems, expressed his hope that by the time the state money becomes available in July, the city will have “shovel ready” projects lined up for an immediate start to solving the problems that have for so long plagued city property owners.
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.