Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
December 20, 2017 2:35 p.m.
The Fernandina Beach City Commission met in special session before its last regular meeting of the year on December 19, 2017 to swear in newly elected commissioners, elect a mayor and vice mayor, and assign standing committee responsibilities. Many supporters and family members joined the new commissioners to take part in their formal installation.
As expected, Commissioner John Miller was elected mayor for the 2018 term, in keeping with public preference expressed in a straw poll conducted during the November general election. Commissioner Len Kreger was reelected to the position of vice mayor by his peers.
Mayor John Miller appointed commissioners with their consent to the following assignments:
- Philip Chapman: Parks and Recreation Committee liaison
- Len Kreger: Nassau Alcohol Crime Drug Abatement Coalition (NACDAC); Northeast Florida Regional Council; Airport Advisory Commission (AAC) liaison; Nassau County School District liaison
- John Miller: Humane Society; Golf Course Advisory Board
- Chip Ross: Tourist Development Council; Nassau County Economic Development Board (NCEDB); CRA Advisory Board (CRAAB); Fernandina Beach Main Street; Ocean Highway and Port Authority (OHPA) liaison
- Roy Smith: Tourist Development Council; Planning Advisory Board (PAB) liaison.
The commission also approved the new commissioners’ PAB appointments: Frank Santry (Chapman) and Greg Roland (Ross).
FBCC meetings will continue to be held at 6:00 p.m. on the first and third Tuesdays of each month with the exception of the first meeting of November, which will be held on the first Wednesday to avoid conflict with the General Election.
Chapman and Ross are the last two commissioners to be elected to 3-year terms in the city of Fernandina Beach. Beginning in 2018, all terms will be 4 years, as decided during a voter referendum on changes to the City Charter. City voters will elect two commissioners in 2018 and three in 2020.
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.
Chip as the OPHA liaison….that will certainly make the OPHA meetings more lively.