Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
May 2, 2017 7:39 a.m.
Although we have just gone through an election cycle, Fernandina Beach City residents are about to begin one again soon. In 2017, there are two seats up for election: Group 2, currently held by Tim Poynter; and Group 3, currently held by Robin Lentz. While Poynter has filed as a candidate for reelection, Lentz has not yet done so. But the final deadline for filing and qualifying is not until July 14, 2017 at 5:00 p.m.
Those candidates who are elected in either the General Election on November 7, 2017, or the Runoff Election on December 12, will serve 3-year terms. These will be the last 3-year commissioner terms. Henceforth, all city commissioners will be elected to 4-yeaar terms, in keeping with the will of the voters expressed in a 2014 ballot referendum.
There are two ways for a candidate to qualify. A candidate may submit petitions of support signed by 103 Registered Voters of the City of Fernandina Beach. Petitions must be submitted to the Nassau County Supervisor of Elections for verification purposes no later than noon, June 12, 2017. In lieu of petitions, candidates may opt to pay a $360 Filing Fee.
The official “Qualifying Period” is July 10, 2017 from 8:00 a.m. to July 14, 2017 at 5:00 pm. By the final date all fees, including a $120 Election Assessment Fee required of all candidates, must be paid.
Information on all aspects of becoming a candidate—qualifying, campaigning, finances, reporting, signs, etc.– may be found in the 2017 Fernandina Beach City General Election Candidate Handbook, available under the Elections Tab on the city website: fbfl.us. City Clerk Caroline Best, who administers city elections, is every candidate’s best friend when it comes to clarifying or interpreting the complex body of rules governing elections.
As of May 1, 2017, four candidates have filed (not yet qualified) to run:
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.