October 8, 2014 6:00 a.m.

Editor’s Note: The Fernandina Observer submitted four questions to five candidates vying for the office of Fernandina Beach City Commissioner. This is the third in a series of four questions.  As in the past, comments placed on our website will be removed. We do not endorse candidates.

City Commission Group 2

Roy G. Smith, Jr.

As you reach out to the voters of Fernandina Beach, tell us what you are hearing.

As I speak with the voters of Fernandina Beach, I find a variety of opinions. The following is a list of some of them

• The city is not business friendly.

• The city commission needs to make decisions on issues and stop ” kicking the can down the road”.

• The city commission needs to decide what initiatives should be pursued. The voters want the commissioners to do the job they were elected to do and not place issues on a straw pole and  expect the voters to tell them what should be undertaken.

• Storm drainage improvements need to be installed in numerous parts of the city.

• The 8th Street corridor needs to be improved and beautified.

• The city business enterprises must operate and succeed without the city moving large sums of money from the general funds to cover their deficits.

• Long standing issues need to be moved to the forefront and resolved.

• Taxes are too high because the commissioners and city government are not good stewards of taxpayer’s money.

Candidate Timothy M. Poynter

As you reach out to the voters of Fernandina Beach, tell us what you are hearing.

 “I hear most often that we need to get Fernandina Beach moving again.  During my tenure as commissioner we made significant progress on a number of fronts. I’m proud of my record.  Financing and plans were put in place for the library expansion, Main Beach boardwalk, professional management of the city golf course and marina and an upgraded Front Street and riverfront.

I also hear people say they want an end to petty politics. This pettiness stands in the way of our ability to confront  serious issues that face our community: the proposed expansion of the port, the improvement of 8^th Street, cleaning up Front Street and the riverfront, funding for beach renourishment and street flooding to name a few.”

Incumbent Charlie Corbet

As you reach out to the voters of Fernandina Beach, tell us what you are hearing.

“That the city is being run very effectively and existing projects are being completed in an efficient manner. (i.e.. the Library expansion and the new       Nassau Humane Society Building.  New projects are being started toward building a better Fernandina Beach (i.e. the deck at the Downtown Welcome Station and the Water Front Park at Parking Lot B.)

City Commission Candidates Group 3

Robin C. Lentz

As you reach out to the voters of Fernandina Beach, tell us what you are hearing.

“Many of the voters I hear from have expressed their concerns over the need for revitalization in certain areas such as the water front and other commercial corridors, such as 8^th Street and Sadler Road.  Citizens are concerned about what is being done for storm water management on the north end of the Island.  Many folks I’ve spoken to want to ensure that nonprofits receive their funding within the city’s budget.  They also want to see the city continuing to be more “business-friendly” and addressing the impact fees issues, especially for small businesses.”

Incumbent Sarah L. Pelican

As you reach out to the voters of Fernandina Beach, tell us what you are hearing.

“Of late, I am hearing two quite differing things:  The City has never run so smoothly and, generally, people are happy with the current City Commission and the way things are being handled.  The other side:  The City Commission has failed miserably by not completing the waterfront project and doing more to improve the 8th Street corridor.  This upcoming election will show which voices truly reflect the will of the community.”