Tim Poynter Candidate Group 4 – What is the biggest threat facing the city?

 Submitted by

Tim Poynter, Candidate Group 4

Tim Poynter, Candidate Group 4

What do you see as the biggest threat facing the city of Fernandina Beach today and how would you address it?

“In a word, complacency. We are so lucky to be able to live in a place where hometown values are not just a campaign slogan.  We are surrounded by nature’s bounties in our beautiful beaches, river and greenway; we have a rich history reflected in our historic districts.  We have long-term heavy industry with our mills and also a growing tourist industry.  When I ask people why they love Fernandina Beach, they echo these thoughts.  The only changes they really want to see would be actions to make all these assets even better: well-maintained neighborhoods and beaches; an improved riverfront and a diversified economy that will keep us and our children working and thriving into the future.  Who can argue with that?

But what many people don’t appreciate is that all these things cost money.  Just as we invest in our homes and businesses to maintain or increase their values, we must also invest in our city to maintain our community’s value.  While I continue to hear the pro’s and con’s on moving ahead with projects already approved by the City, I remain committed to preserving our community for future generations by responsibly investing public money to provide clean and re-nourished beaches, well-maintained parks and neighborhoods, and a vibrant, historic downtown situated on what will soon be a beautiful waterfront.   We must also pay increased attention to our enterprises business (Marina, Golf Course, Airport and Utilities) so that they can continue to meet the ever-changing needs of current and future customers.  We must increasingly focus on the needs of the future without sacrificing fiscal responsibility and our community values.

We must believe in our future and ourselves by investing to solve problems today.  Too often in the past City Commissions have stopped short of taking bold actions to solve problems like storm water drainage, a deteriorating waterfront, and inadequate investments in street paving and general public maintenance.  Solving these problems takes both public and private investment, which has now come due after years of being kicked down the road. Doing nothing is the threat we can no longer ignore if we truly love our city.”

Editor’s Note:  This is the second in a series of questions posed to candidates for city commission.   The answers come to our readers unedited and in the candidates own words.  We will rotate the order of candidates from week to week.  Ed Boner and incumbent Tim Poynter will seek Group 4, John Campbell Elwell and Pat K Gass will seek  Group 5

September 18, 2012 7:08 a.m.