Rest In Peace - Forward Fernandina

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm

Reporter-News Analyst

Fernandina Beach City Hall - Photo courtesy of John C. "Charlie" Hutchins

On a 3-2 vote in a packed City Hall Commission chamber tonight the Fernandina Beach City Commission directed that all money borrowed as part of the Forward Fernandina strategic plan be returned EXCEPT for the unspent portion of the $600K pledge to support library expansion.  This means that roughly a million dollars not yet spent will be sent back to the lender, despite calls from members of the public and the business community to take some time to workshop current needs for capital improvements first.  Only 2 of the 14 speakers advocated returning the funds, but Mayor Sarah Pelican stated that the vote is about “needs, not wants.”

Check the Fernandina Observer tomorrow for a fuller account of the meeting.

February 19, 2013 9:26 p.m.