Get to meet your next city commissioners!

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm, Reporter-News Analyst

October 12, 2015 11:52 a.m.

WHAT:  Fernandina Beach City Candidates Forum

WHEN:  Thursday, October 15, 2015, 7:00 p.m.

WHERE:  Fernandina Beach City Hall Commission Chambers, 204 Ash Street, Fernandina Beach

For the fourth consecutive year, the Fernandina Observer will hold a candidates forum to educate voters on the positions of candidates for the Fernandina Beach City Commission in the November 3, 2015 General Election.

Larry Myers preparing to moderate the 2014 Fernandina Observer Candidates Forum

Larry Myers will once again moderate this forum, as he has in all previous years. Myers is a former Fernandina Beach City Manager, interim County Administrator and legislative aide to state legislator Aaron Bean. Myers will ask a series of questions submitted by Fernandina Observer staff. Candidates will not have seen the questions in advance.

The candidates have already answered another set of questions in posts last week in the Fernandina Observer, where their press releases are also available.

Our readers are welcomed to submit questions for candidates. Please email your questions to susan@fernandinaobserver.com

There are six candidates contesting two seats.

Four candidates are seeking election to Group 4, currently held by Mayor-Commissioner Ed Boner, who is not seeking re-election:

• Pat Gass, currently Group 5 commissioner, is seeking a second term in Group 4;
• Jim B. Higginbotham, former Nassau County Commissioner and former Public Works director for the city of Fernandina Beach;
• Jennifer Schriver, a health care worker and newcomer to city politics;
• Roy G. Smith, Jr., who currently serves on the city’s Historic District Council.

Two candidates are seeking to replace Gass in Group 5:

• Clinch Kavanaugh, a local attorney;
• Leonard A. “Len” Kreger, current Director of Keep Nassau Beautiful who has also served as Chair of the city’s Planning Advisory Board.

The event will be live-streamed on the city’s website www.fbfl.us and broadcast on Comcast channel 264.

Candidates will be available to talk with voters before and after the forum. There will also be campaign materials available.