Commentary: What a Remarkable Community Effort Looks Like

By Pam Hart

Chair of the Protect Nassau Now or Never PAC

We are thrilled that the Nassau County Conservation Land Bond Referendum passed with 68% voting yes, which shows just how important land conservation is to the citizens of Nassau County. To get this decisive percentage in a period of high inflation and declining stock market values is amazing!

I would like to thank the Protect Nassau Now or Never committee that worked so hard to make this happen. Allison Defoor of North Florida Land Trust and Pegeen Hanrahan of the Trust for Public Land provided immense expertise to our committee, assisted by our savvy campaign consultant Matt Justice of Reliant Florida.

Committee Members Sally Perez, Lyn Pannone and Margaret Kirkland were tireless in their efforts to educate the community and raise funds to pay for the campaign. Pastor Carlton Jones, Cynthia Jones Jackson and Len Pearlstine networked on our behalf. Lee Anderson Louy of North Florida Land Trust provided her expertise and assistance on fundraising.

Our committee was truly a heartening example of how people from both sides of the political spectrum can come together and work toward a common goal. We extend heartfelt thanks to our donors and to the people of this community who voted to pass this bond referendum. I truly believe it will help us preserve our quality of life.

This bond referendum would never have made it to the ballot if not for the leadership of Nassau county manager Taco Pope, his dedicated staff, and the support of the county commisioners.

I applaud CLAM committee members Christopher Hill, Bill Korn, Bill Watson and William Leonard Wood who as volunteers had the arduous work of reviewing more than 750 properties that were submitted for consideration. We also appreciated  the resolution of support by the Fernandina Beach city commissioners.

This has truly been a community effort.