Long-standing hazards at Simmons property

After two years of complaints the city has finally posted notice on Steve Simmons' property bounded by 3rd, 4th and Beech Streets — formerly known as the Tringali property. The notice references the sad condition of the property and the necessity to clean it up. This property has had standing water for over two years, is so overgrown that parts of it are covered by underbrush over five feet tall and a hedge along 4th Street that has just melded into the trees. The standing water is exacerbated by the recent rains but persisted even during the long drought we suffered, indicative of some source of water that was not controlled. Why would anyone allow that on property they own?

The infestation of fleas, ticks, mosquitoes and other pests is sickening and, at times, makes it impossible to be outside — dawn and dusk notably. This is a developer who asks for exceptions to codes and ordinances, loses a lawsuit about the permissibility of those variances and then the appeal of that loss and lets the property literally fester, causing a health hazard for the neighbors. One of those neighbors is the Seaside Learning Academy, a local daycare. There is somewhere in the Bible where Jesus reprimands his disciples for keeping the children at bay. We as a society, and as individuals, owe those same children the respect and care that Jesus demanded.

Another biblical reference was made to loving one’s neighbors with the parable of the Samaritan that expended his own money to provide for the care of a stranger. There is certainly no love of neighbor shown by the condition of this property. Don’t think I downplay the City’s complicit behavior in this fiasco — July of 2022 I made the first complaint of the standing water to no avail. Only later did I learn that the City’s outside counsel was using the non-enforcement of the codes and ordinances as a bargaining chip while negotiations with Simmons were ongoing. The inference is clear that both of them — the City and Simmons — were aware of the deplorable conditions that have long existed.

One only need drive by any of the three bordering streets and the condition is overwhelmingly obvious. Two city commissioners have responded to my recent entreaties — Mr. Poynter and Ms. Minshew — while the others have ignored the email I sent all of them. I thank them for their concerns and interest in doing the right thing. The other three, joined by the city administrators that have let this situation percolate, should all be publicly scolded for not doing their jobs or replying to citizen’s concerns, especially those concerning health and safety. This is not leadership but rather some advanced manner of cronyism or wink and nod enforcement that can not be tolerated.

Certainly our little corner of Fernandina is not the only place with problems the city has let grow unchecked. Please stand up and shout from the roof tops in hopes that if we all do the right thing maybe the willfully negligent landowners and city administrators will follow suit and do what is proper in the particular circumstances.

John Cascone
Fernandina Beach