Weekly comments from Dale Martin

Dale Martin
City Manager
Fernandina Beach
June 28, 2019 12:00 a.m.

With several issues (notably development and beach issues) raising the enthusiasm of area residents, let me offer a spirited defense of the City Commission.

The five gentlemen on the City Commission stepped forward and were duly elected by the electors of the City of Fernandina Beach. Admittedly, voter turnout for local elections is always somewhat low and disappointing (the December, 2018, runoff election drew approximately twenty percent of registered city voters). Since the city limits do not include all of Amelia Island, the City Commissioners do not represent the entirety of the Island (and absolutely nowhere off the Island) despite the Fernandina Beach mailing address that does encompass areas outside of the city limits.

The City Commissioners may often consider a regional perspective in their thinking, but, in the words of several Commissioners, they listen first and foremost to those who can vote for them. This does not necessarily mean that a gulf of disparity exists between the opinions of City residents and non-City residents: in most of the issues, both groups demonstrate similar and strongly held opinions.

On every issue, though, differences exist. Rarely (actually, never) does an issue have unanimous support or opposition. In my opinion, though, the ideal goal of perfect unanimity is what has hindered City action on several issues over the course of the past decades. No matter what decision the City Commission makes, some people will disagree and be disappointed. Realize that when a plea is made to Commissioners that “You were elected to represent me so do what I want you to do!” another resident may be articulating the same plea but for a different outcome. Such is the simple fact of our representative government at the local, state, and federal levels (and why government is paralyzed at those levels, too).

Another factor that exacerbates the divisions is the desire of people (not only in this area) to associate with like-minded people. That’s natural, of course. The challenge in the political arena is that when people gravitate to those groups where everyone surprisingly thinks alike, the belief is that that group represents a majority- if everyone in our group thinks this way, ergo, everyone in the community thinks this way. In that scenario, if two groups with divergent opinions each think that they reflect the majority, then what drives either group to a compromise solution? Nothing. And the result is more heated rhetoric by the group(s) not satisfied, which in some cases may be everyone.

Welcome to the glorious and wonderful world of being the prime decision-maker of the community as a City Commissioner. The Commissioners, I am sure, are placed on high pedestals and honored throughout the community. The perks that the Commissioners get for this high office are immeasurable, of course. They get paid the princely sum of $1,000 per month and, the only other apparent perk is that they are guaranteed a seat in a crowded Commission Chambers.

Other perks, however, include weekly hours reviewing issues, responding to messages, and meeting with City staff and others with issues to come before them. It is not a bad thing for City Commissioners to meet with applicants and developers in order to examine and explore issues and projects. Another perk of being a City Commissioner is that they (and their families) get to receive personal attacks from those who disagree.

Let me be very clear: the Commissioners that you have elected are unimpeachably ethical. To read and hear complaints that Commissioners are recipients of favors or gifts from those to come before the Commission represents an overwhelming sense of ignorance of the morals and efforts of Mayor Johnny Miller, Vice Mayor Len Kreger, and Commissioners Philip Chapman, Mike Lednovich, and Chip Ross. I unequivocally stand by these gentlemen.

The personal attacks sometimes extend to others with differing views. Sadly, this type of behavior simply emulates that of the highest elected officer in the land, but does that make it acceptable in our community? Please be courteous and respectful of differing opinions. We talk endlessly of acceptance and tolerance, but why don’t we practice it?
The phrase of the day in management theory is “servant leadership.” I have had the privilege and honor of being a public servant for over twenty years. This community has many other dedicated public servants under the leadership of the City Commission. Please continue to share your comments with the City Commissioners in a respectful manner and let them do their jobs to the best of their ability to represent an incredibly diverse community.