By Cindy Jackson
Reporter
June 20, 2019 9:30 a.m.
In a two-hour session, the Beach Community Working Group met at Commission Chambers on Wednesday, June 19, 2019. Unlike other meetings of this group which found the room filled to capacity, there were fewer than twenty people in attendance yet a camera crew was on hand to record proceedings.
Committee members present were Michael Mullin, County Attorney/County Manager.); Taco Pope, Assistant County Manager; Butch Osborne, Nassau County Sheriff’s Office; Douglas Podiak, Facilities Maintenance; Gil Langley, Amelia Island Tourist Development Council; and Mac Morris and Lowell Hall, Ex-Officio members. Morris and Hall are well known for their work with the organization known as Citizens for the Preservation of Public Beaches.
Chaired by Gil Langley, he began the meeting by noting that over 500 comments have been received thus far in the process and underscored the importance of the public input.
The meeting could be described as a virtual Strategic Planning Session as led by Taco Pope, Assistant County Manager (and former director of Nassau County Planning & Economic Opportunity). Mr. Pope led the group through a presentation discussing topics akin to such a process – specifically an examination and outline of Guiding Principles, Assets and Issues, Goals, Objectives, Strategies and Action Items.
Progress was made as the group did agree on a list of goals which can be summarized this way:
• Prioritize public safety on the beach
• Ensure public access to beaches
• Preserve local heritage/culture
• Protect environmental and natural assets of the beach
• Explore funding opportunities for beach management
The group now takes another step forward. In so doing, “homework” was assigned and is due at the next meeting. It calls for committee members to outline (at least three) objectives for each of the five major goals.
In addition to agreeing to a list of goals, the committee was tasked with scheduling a few more public meetings the dates of which are:
July 15, 2019
July 24, 2019 and
August 4, 2019
All meetings will commence at 5:30pm and take place in Commission Chambers located at the James S. Page Governmental Complex, 96135 Nassau Place in Yulee.
Editor’s Note: Born in Hagerstown, Maryland, Cindy received her BA in Political Science from Dickinson College. Upon graduation, Cindy began her career on Capitol Hill working as a legislative aide and director. She later became a part of the public relations and lobbying team of the American Iron and Steel Institute and served as director of the office of state legislative affairs for the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA). Cindy was involved in economic development with the state of Maryland, and served as executive director of Leadership Washington County. As a community volunteer, Cindy participates in numerous volunteer activities serving as a member of Sunrise Rotary, and as board member of Cummer Amelia Board of Directors.
Kudos to County Manager Mullin and Nassau County staff for these beach meetings and their other “listening” meetings. I’ve attended a few – on the island and other places in the county. This is a very good way to make government accessible. There are distinct needs from east county to west county. And, there are very important common issues. This is an excellent way to suss them out, and prioritize.