Concerned Friends of Fernandina        

                 Concerned Friends of Fernandina is a grassroots citizens group formed to inform and involve  residents wanting to

                 preserve the small town  identity of Fernandina Beach and its natural beauty.

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City Political View page:

These pages are reserved for invitation of any and all political candidates and/or incumbents to post their views, ideas and vision for the City or County growth management.......

Voter Registration info:   http://www.votenassau.com

City Election info: City

Send your thoughts to: comment

                                                 City  Election Run-off :   May 11, 2010               

Neil Blalock    33% --------------------------------Run-off  

101 N. 15^th Street

Fernandina Beach  32034

Phone: 904/261-5124

Email: neilblalock@comcast.net         

Ed Coop  13%

2119 Belvedere Avenue

Fernandina Beach  32034

Phone: 904/753-4300

Email: edcoop2007@aol.com

Arlene Filkoff   31% -----------------------------Run-off

845 Tarpon Avenue

Fernandina Beach, FL  32034

Phone:  904/491-8629

Email:  arlenefilkoff@bellsouth.net    

Chuck Hall  23%

315 Calhoun Street

Fernandina Beach, FL  32034

Phone:  904/607-3121

Email:  netthall@hotmail.com 

City Charter  Changes       click here

Charter vote results   click here

Questions from the Forum audience that were not asked due to time constraint :  See candidate answers by clicking on the Candidate's name below.

Neil Blalock says: Click here

Ed Coop says: Click here

Arlene Filkoff says:  Click here

Chuck Hall says: Click here

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Neil says:  (pending)

Ed says:   (pending)

Arlene says:

answers to audience questions from Concerned Friends of Fernandina Forum

 1.     There was an incident with a police officer not enforcing our public nuisance ordinance, due to a conflict of interest.  The police chief didn’t required the officer to do his job, the Chief then got indignant when the Sheriff enforced the law.  The City Commission response was a multiple page noise ordinance, with no decimeter requirement.  Now the same police officer can give the business owner a $250 fine at his discretion if someone complains.  What would you do about this?

 ·        I realize that there is disagreement regarding the drivers of our current noise ordinance as well as whether it is necessary or not.  I believe that there is more to every story than what we read and also different interpretations to what we hear.  I’ve done some informal research on the use of decimeters and find that the experiences are both bad and good, not as definitive as anyone might like them to be.  We had to have an enforceable ordinance and now we have one.  I believe that time and experience will tell whether it is working or whether it needs once again to be modified.  Having recently talked with several of our local Police officers and their superiors, my sense is that we have an honorable Police force and management which takes personnel action when it is necessary.

 2.     In the HDC + CRA area a LDC has been proposed depriving some, but not all property owners of the right to receive notices to attend public hearings in some cases affecting their properties.  Would you consider this acceptable?  If so, why?  If not, why?

 ·        If I understand this question, it refers to the proposed matrix to be used for some types of changes to historic properties and the matrix includes those which could go forward with staff approval.  I do approve of the use of a matrix for the types of changes suggested that could be approved by staff.  My rationale is that while we say we care about our historic assets, our current city processes seem very burdensome to individuals who are trying to keep their properties maintained.  If the issue is a lack of trust in the city to do the right thing, then we should address that issue versus penalizing property owners who want to maintain their properties.

 3.     What is your current employment?

 ·        I am currently focused on running for City Commissioner.  I am in partnership with my husband in a consulting firm and I have done project/process management work through that firm.  I have also given my services pro bono to several non-profit organizations to assist them with strategic planning, customer service surveys, needs analysis, etc.  I believe that if I were to become a City Commissioner in Fernandina, it would make sense for me to focus solely on that job in order to give the citizens of the City the type of service they deserve.

 4.     The City incurs expenses for the maintenance and utilities of its various sports facilities.  If sports teams using those facilities have out-of-city participants, should there be incremental fees paid to the City for such participants?  Why or why not?

 ·        It might be time to look at this differently.  Either the City can charge fees to cover expenses for facilities usage or the facilities can’t be provided.  We cannot have it both ways – free use of facilities and no increase in taxes or fees.  Something has to give.  I have heard it suggested that we might go with a flat fee for usage and offer City residents a discount.  Might be worth an exploration.

 5.     Your views on storm water fee increases.

 ·        I would like to understand the issue of storm water management better than I do today.  I believe, based on what things look like around my house when we have a hard rain, that there is a problem.  I need to get more information on the plan to address it and what those costs are as well as our options for funding.

6.     Your views on the noise and flag ordinances.

 ·        Please see my answer to question number one on the noise ordinance.  I believe that the intent of the flag ordinance was good.  I believe that the intent was to ensure that we do not detract from the beauty of the City with too many attention getting or sales type banners in small places.   I believe that sometimes we get so specific that we end up spending way too much time trying to itemize events that are not likely to happen. 

 7.     We talked earlier about increased density in the downtown area.  What other issues do you see must be addressed in order to accomplish the overall goal of reinvigorating the downtown business district?

 ·        I believe that the idea of the City government operating in an isolated manner apart from the business organizations is non-productive.  I believe that rejuvenation of downtown should be seen in its entirety – not just an infrastructure issue and not just a business issue.  There needs to be a cross business/City forum which allows for the exchange of ideas and definition of solutions which can be acted upon.

 8.     Currently the LDC treats all properties the same as far as extending a development order.  A new LDC proposes to change the process to a non-transparent staff decision in the Historic Districts and CRA only.  Do you agree?  If so, why?  If not, why?

 ·        I am not certain that I understand this question.  Is it the same as number 2?

9.     There have been complaints in the newspaper and in City meetings about the “difficulty” people experience in dealing with City Hall – particularly in securing permits/approvals and the dollar cost of such approvals.  Please give us your assessment of “customer service and fee levels” in the City and how you would suggest improving.

 ·        As a volunteer with process improvement background, I had the opportunity to study the permitting process from a bird’s eye view in the past year.  This means I didn’t get into a lot of detail, but I did get access to the staff and was able to ask lots of questions and get a feel for what goes on there.  First, I discovered that there are almost as many definitions of permitting as the number of people you ask.  And the Building Official is only a small piece of the puzzle.  Much of the process has its roots in the various boards and committees involved.  The Commission is starting what should be a productive process to review them all and have a better understanding of what they do and whether they need to do what they do.  This is a vital exercise to improving this process.  There are other opportunities for improvement around definition of customer, documentation and training.  Fees must be examined within the context of the budget and where our opportunities lie.  Some of the fees I’ve been quoted do seem high.

 10.     What is your vision for the Greenway?

 ·        I would like for the Greenway to be a healthy habitat which is respected and nurtured by the City and its residents as well as those who visit here. 

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Chuck says: 

2.  In the HDC + CRA area a LDC has been proposed depriving some, but not all property owners of the right to receive notices to attend public hearings in some cases affecting their properties.  Would you consider this acceptable?  If so, why? If not, why?

• I am not familiar with such a proposal that would deny notification. However, let's look at the spirit of this question: Currently, all property owners within 400 ft of any property being considered for rezoning must be notified by mail. I would certainly be in favor of continuing this minimum notification with any change to the LDC.

3.  What is your current employment?

• I own a consulting firm called Web Marketing of North Florida. I build web solutions for marketing business over the Internet. I also am a landlord for lower-income housing. In other words, I'm semi-retired!   :-)

4.  The City incurs expenses for the maintenance and utilities of its various sports facilities. If sports teams using those facilities have out-of-city participants, should there be incremental fees paid to the City for such participants? Why or why not?

• Let's try not make this real complicated. If the budget requires that we obtain more revenue, then we must look at all our expenses for providing services. A small and reasonable team fee for long-term ball field use seems fair, but let's not get userous with the fee. After all, if our residents are paying some taxes for the basic services, right?

5.  Your views on storm water fee increases.

• Sadly, we are in throws of our ancient sewer system failing. Together with the needed wastewater plant improvements, we are spending serious money. Storm water is a totally different animal. There are places where we don't even have the modern storm water lines that we should have. What are we to do? State and Federal laws strictly prohibit allowing the storm water to enter the river untreated, so now we must capture, contain, transport, treat, and dispose of the rain water. It's the law, and we as a city are bound to the law. If we need to make improvements, now is the right time, as contractor costs have fallen sharply across the State. We can't just avoid this issue.....it's here. Any new development simply will have to contain it's own rainwater.

6.  Your views on the noise and flag ordinances.

• Since I have already spoken about the noise ordinance, let me address the flags. There was talk of the City denying our residents of flying the 8 Flags at their homes. That failed, of course, it was too restricting to the citizenry. However, let's use some common sense. Do we want SOME SORT of restriction on the number of flags displayed? Or no law at all? Sadly, there are those that might want to take advantage of no restrictions at all....Thus, the rest of us get a restricting law, or a messy community.  My experience has been that we are smart to prepare ahead of time (with reasonable limits) for seriously excessive advertising blight at businesses locations.

7.  We talked earlier about increased density in the downtown area. What other issues do you see must be addressed in order to accomplish the overall goal of reinvigorating the downtown business district?

•  I want to see fewer permitting hoops to jump through. I want to see businesses keep more of the money they earn. These successful business owners will reinvigorate our downtown. I'd like to see somewhat higher density along the CRA area, (no, NOT triple density). I'd like to see the downtown sidewalk sales be allowed to be more frequent. Sidewalk signs should be reasonably allowed, not confiscated. Our businesses can survive if we allow them a bit more leeway.

8.  Currently the LDC treats all properties the same as far as extending a development order.  A new LDC proposes to change the process to a non-transparent staff decision in the Historic Districts and CRA only.  Do you agree?  If so, why?  If not, why?

• As before, I should think that any change of use, rezoning, or LDC change would be notified publicly, in the newspaper. A letter to the affected owners within a minimum of 400 ft. should be sent prior to any such change. Makes sense to me.

9.  There have been complaints in the newspaper and in City meetings about the "difficulty" people experience in dealing with City Hall - particularly in securing permits / approvals and the dollar cost of such approvals. Please give us your assessment of "customer service and fee levels" in the City and how you would suggest improving.

• This is an easy one. I get along great with the staff, and believe me....things used to be a LOT worse downtown. They have made huge strides of late. What I WOULD like to see, is having an assigned staff person to each application. Good idea, eh? You'd always get the same person to interact with on your file. They would know where you are in the process, and what to do next, who to see, what to expect.....I know it would help me !

10.  What is your vision for the Greenway?

• The only thing the Greenway needs, is to be given some more access points (parking), and then left alone! It won't be a Greenway if we mess with it too much. And, it just costs more money. Leave  it be. I hope that we have learned our lesson with that huge loss of fresh water wetland at Jasmine?

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"cfof" are residents of Fernandina Beach, Florida.

 
Last updated: June 28, 2010.