Submitted by
Susan Hardee Steger
Allegations of impropriety regarding impact fees and the opening of Timoti’s restaurant proved to be unfounded, according to a memo sent to commissioners by city manager Joe Gerrity. A News Leader Viewpoint written by local attorney John Cascone charged that Commissioner Tim Poynter, owner of the restaurant, had “bilked the city,” and that Poynter was “treated as a ‘super-citizen'” and not “required to follow all the rules everyone else is required to follow. ”
Because of the allegation that the city of Fernandina Beach acted inappropriately and waived impact fees for Poynter, Mayor Arlene Filkoff asked Gerrity to investigate. Gerrity’s memo states, “to my knowledge, Timoti’s was not treated any differently than other carry-out restaurants in the City and has paid all fees required by the City. Other carryout restaurants that were treated similarly to Timoti’s include, Tasty’s, Toppings and Little Ceasar’s Pizza.”
Discussion at the Technical Review Committee meeting indicated, “Timoti’s is considered a carryout establishment which did not pay impact fees because there was a credit due based upon a retail use previously.”
July 24th, 10:40 a.m.