Commentary: A Voice of Reason from Suanne Thamm

Dear Readers: Some of you may remember that before I wrote for the Fernandina Observer, I occasionally mailed out opinion pieces that I entitled THAMM-O-GRAMMS. Not sure whether I will resume at the pace and level that I once wrote, but I thought that the issue raised at last night’s meeting was important enough to dust off the old keyboard and issue ...

THAMM-O-GRAMM

February 8, 2023

For us, it starts with One Rule: Use Good Judgment In All Situations. ~Nordstrom Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, nordstrom.com

Almost 2 hours into the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC) meeting on February 7, 2023, Vice Mayor David Sturges moved to terminate City Manager Dale Martin “without cause.” Sturges then proceeded to list his reasons, which are well laid out in Mike Lednovich’s article in today’s Fernandina Observer (https://fernandinaobserver.com/city-news/late-commission-news-a-move-to-fire-the-city-manager/).

Sturges’ list of complaints included some of Martin’s personnel decisions, communications issues, the Brett’s controversy, and what Sturges perceived as Martin’s over reliance on Commissioner Chip Ross. (The latter was reminiscent of the old Smothers Brothers routine in which Tommy always charged that their mother loved Dickie best.) What was almost most surprising was that despite the item’s not appearing on the agenda, the other commissioners did not seem surprised by Sturges’ announcement. It was also clear that Martin had been blindsided; he asked for Sturges’ list so that he could respond, which he did. Also responding was Commissioner Chip Ross, who declared that Sturges’ concerns were really about him, not City Manager Martin.

The entire discussion may be seen on the city website: https://fernandinabeachfl.new.swagit.com/videos/207177

The item was not on the agenda, but raised by Vice Mayor Sturges under Item 10: City Manager Reports (time marker 1:52.56).

A few things struck me as I watched the discussion play out. Firstly, as mentioned above, was what appeared to be a lack of surprise from other commissioners at Sturges’ motion. It was almost as if the matter had been discussed prior to the meeting, whether as part of the recent political campaigns that led to the seating of two new commissioners in December (Mr. James Antun and Mr. Darron Ayscue) or through some other means. I then wondered why two new commissioners, who had been in office barely 2 months, would be willing to move on an action as momentous as this for the city. Only those of us who have lived through what at one time had seemed to be a never-ending cycle of hiring/firing city managers can truly understand how this cycle adversely impacts the city cost-wise and in the eyes of the citizens and city employees as well as making Fernandina Beach the butt of jokes at the Florida League of Cities.

Dale Martin has served as Fernandina Beach City Manager for almost 8 years, a modern record for our city. He has hired exemplary department heads who under his general direction have addressed longstanding problems: poor planning, stormwater and drainage problems, poor wage structure that limits recruitment efforts and retention of valuable employees, and a general lack of maintenance of city facilities. His determined efforts to get FEMA to own up to its promises to fund marina repairs caused by Hurricane Matthew paid off to the tune of millions of dollars. A new fire station is under construction near our new airport terminal that was build under his watch. Beach walkovers are being repaired or replaced.

Additionally, Martin writes a weekly column published in the News Leader and the Fernandina Observer to provide readers with updates on city projects or other items of local interest. Residents have gotten to know him through these columns, as well as through his work with local non profits. He initiated a Citizens Academy to help interested residents learn how and why the city does what it does. Citizen surveys that he has commissioned every 2 years indicate that Fernandinians are satisfied with the level of service provided by city departments under his leadership.

So, where’s the beef? Has he made mistakes, sure. But do his mistakes rise to the level of a need to terminate his employment? I would say not at this point. Some say that pushback on Martin has come from pro-development people who bristle against the enforcement of building and land development codes. Others resent any tax increase, even if it is to provide better or increased services to the public. Then there are those single issue people who hold grudges when their issue is not resolved to their satisfaction. And let’s not rule out the role social media plays to spread unfounded rumors and gossip.

Commissioners have the opportunity to meet with the city manager and the city attorney weekly to discuss concerns or seek clarification. Many questions can be addressed during those meetings and resolutions can be arrived at without a lot of drama. But we seem to be in an era where results are not as important as drama played out in public.

The upshot of the discussion about firing the city manager was to postpone the question to the next meeting, which will take place on Feb. 21 at 6 p.m. in City Hall. Mayor Bradley Bean expressed a desire to hear from citizens on this matter. I hope that citizens who value continuity in local government and who respect the job City Manager Martin is doing will show up and let their voices be heard.

Contact information for Mayor Bean and Commissioners:

Mayor Bradley Bean

Email  BBean@fbfl.org

Phone: (904) 415-5181

Vice Mayor David Sturges

Email  DSturges@fbfl.org

Phone: (904)753-2445

Commissioner Chip Ross

Email cross@fbfl.org

Phone: (410) 394-0220

Commissioner James Antun

Email JAntun@fbfl.org

Phone: (516) 547-5309

Commissioner Darron Ayscue

Email DAyscue@fbfl.org

Phone: (904) 780-4480

Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it wrongly, and applying unsuitable remedies. ~Ernest John Pickstone Benn, c. 1930