Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter-News Analyst
At the beginning of each Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) meeting, the commission takes time to recognize important events and actions. At the May 21 meeting four proclamations were issued, and one individual made a presentation seeking city support.
Fernandina Beach Mayor Sarah Pelican proclaimed the month of May 2013 as “American Wetlands Month.” John Carr, an ombudsman for the Egan’s Creek Greenway accepted the proclamation and provided the FBCC with a brief update on the Greenway restoration project. Carr reminded commissioners and the public that the Greenway wetlands act as a stormwater treatment system for the city. He said that replanting has been completed with trees that are suitable to the soil type. The biggest problem seems to be to find a way to protect the new trees from the deer and wild hogs that roam the Greenway. Progress is being made in attacking the invasive plants with the city’s help. The salt water intrusion problem has been solved. He reported that out of what had been 700 “snags” in the course of the project, less than 100 remain needing attention. Mayor Pelican suggested the use of Irish Spring soap to ward off the deer.
Active cyclist Sallie McDonald was joined by other local bike enthusiasts to accept the city proclamation from Mayor Pelican declaring May 2013 as “Bike Month.” McDonald said that Fernandina Beach should be very proud of itself for all the improvements that have been instituted over the past few years with the building of bike lanes and trails. She emphasized that the recent designation of the city as a bronze level bicycle community was a significant distinction. Only the cities Gainesville and Venice outrank Fernandina Beach in Florida. She invited the public to join the biking community at Main Beach for the award ceremony on Thursday, May 30 at 5:30 p.m. She introduced Kevin Pryor, President of the North Florida Bike Club, who also thanked the city for the proclamation and said that in addition to the other benefits of bicycling, riding bicycles takes us back to days of childhood when we used our bikes for paper routes and fun activities with our friends.
Mayor Pelican proclaimed the week of May 19-25, 2013, as “Fernandina Beach Fire Fighter Appreciation Week.” In addition to recognizing the traditional work of fire fighters, this proclamation afforded special recognition to the department for its work on behalf of the Muscular Dystrophy Association in collecting contributions through the “Fill the Boot” campaign. Paramedic and MDA Coordinator Chett Lyncker and Lieutenant Lloyd Anderson accepted on behalf of the city. MDA representative Meredith Picray, who also thanked the FBCC for their support and recognition, joined them.
Former city commissioner John Crowe accepted the city proclamation from Mayor Pelican declaring May 27, 2013 as “Memorial Day.” Citizens were reminded that the city will honor its veterans at a ceremony at 11:00 a.m. that day at the Veterans Memorial at the foot of Centre Street.
Presentation
Peter Martinez, founder and CEO of SunCycles, provided a brief slide presentation to the FBCC regarding the Bike Share Program. This program, which has been implemented in several cities in Florida and around the country, allows riders to pick up and drop off a bike for a fee from one of several locations in a city. He suggested that the city start up a pilot project, similar to one tried in Anaheim, CA, to see how such a program could work in Fernandina Beach. In response to commissioners’ questions he said that he had not yet talked to any current bike rental vendors in the city because he wanted to present the idea to the FBCC first. He indicated that he was looking for a local sponsor, and Commissioner Arlene Filkoff pointed him to the bicyclists in the chamber who had just received a proclamation. Deputy City Manager McCrary responded to a commissioner’s question by reporting that no ordinance would need to be changed if the activity occurred on private property. For more information on the program, Martinez advised those interested to visit his website: www.suncycles.org.
May 24, 2013 12:18 a.m.