Chamber Confusion Confounds County Commission

The local Chamber of Commerce got itself in a pickle with Nassau County’s Board of Commissioners.

The Chamber’s head honcho, Regina Duncan, wrote an opinion editorial in the June 13 News Leader newspaper labeling the county “Not business friendly,” a description that aptly describes the city of Fernandina Beach, not the county.

The City of Fernandina Beach’s hostile business attitude is notorious locally while the county overall has an exemplary reputation with the business community. Ms. Duncan’s missive prompted a sharp and deserved rebuke from the county. The City, delighted to have the county providing cover and taking all the heat, stayed silent.

County Commissioner John Martin immediately took offense and rightfully said so in a comment to the News Leader, saying: “The claims about Nassau County not being business friendly are totally off base.”  Martin emphasized that many members of the chamber’s board of directors told him the chamber’s stance is actually focused on the city of Fernandina Beach.

The News Leader reported that Commissioner Klynt Franer said he also “,,,believed the statement to be directed primarily toward the city government.”

Complaints from businesses about the city government are numerous and mostly anonymous. Many city businesses claim city officials have a reputation for retaliation including delays and “very difficult processes,” that cost them money. As a result businesses in the city are reluctant to publicly express their complaints. They’re held hostage by a vindictive and inept trio of clueless commissioners.

Over the years one the most contentious issues has been the city’s controversial “impact/capacity fee” structure. Paid parking proposal have since taken center stage creating even more anxiety and anger.

Twice courts have declared that Fernandina Beach’s impact/capacity fees do not comply with state law resulting in suits that raked back $3 million in refunds to local businesses and cost tax payers $1 million in legal costs.

Locals Pat Keogh and Glen Stettler have frequently pointed out the illegality in Commission chambers and in area news outlets. Keogh initiated the successful lawsuits against the city.

The city’s major accomplishment appears to be pissing off and extorting its business community. I have never heard a local business owner praise the city for anything.

The chamber needs to officially present its complaints to the city’s leftist commission trio, Genece Minshew, Joyce Tuten and James Antun, a potted plant disguised as mayor. Minshew, Tuten, and Antun, recently voted to raise wastewater/water capacity fees from $2,480 to $7,480 per new residential connection, a $5,000 pop. Vice Mayor Darron Ayscue and Commissioner Tim Poynter opposed the rate fee. These fees financially punish new businesses, builders, and consumers.

The local business community’s knight in shining armor could be the chamber if it could get its act together and bring the issue to the attention of lawmakers in Tallahassee.

For the annual fees it charges its business members would think the chamber could compose a literate statement correctly identifying guilty parties and urging them to take appropriate action. Currently all chamber members receive for their money are poorly composed and misleading statements and a few open houses featuring cheap wine and rubbery cheese cubes.

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Fernandina A National TV Star: HGTV released its list of the “40 Most Charming Small-Town Downtowns in America,” featuring, Fernandina Beach, the only town in Florida to make the list.

The home improvement and real estate network explored the history, culture, attractions, and beauty that make small-town downtowns across America charming.

“Situated in the northeast corner of Florida, Amelia Island is bursting with charm and a distinct character all its own,” HGTV writes. “It’s also home to Fernandina Beach and its delightful 50-block historic district that has something for everyone, particularly along Centre Street where you’ll find antique shops, eclectic boutiques and local favorites like indie bookstore, the Book Loft.”

HGTV also highlights the Hoyt House Bed & Breakfast, where visitors can unwind and dine at Lagniappe, where the chef puts a French spin on Southern cuisine. The story suggests travelers feast at Down Under while watching the sunset and looking for manatees and dolphins from the oversized deck.

A major attraction the network failed to mention was Fernandina’s City Commission sessions that resemble slapstick uproariously funny routines similar to those in a Mel Brooks movie. There’s no cover and no minimum, unless you’re a local business owner, who’ll be fleeced.

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Speaking Of Funny: The last person anyone in Washington, D.C wants to get on the wrong side of is Louisianna Republican Senator John Kennedy who eviscerated New York’s moronic Congresswoman AOC recently saying: “AOC is the reason there are directions on a shampoo bottle.”

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The Muffuletta Massacre: Last week a reader, who self-identified as “A Real Doctor,” commented on this site by surgically and hysterically dissecting my favorite sandwich, the Muffuletta. I was laughing so hard at his hilarious description it was impossible to be offended.

The doctor made his point without being profane and poked good natured fun without slander.

I rarely respond to comments, but the doc’s brutally funny assault of this classic culinary delicacy deserved attention. I couldn’t bring myself to harangue the writer because his critique was witty and skillfully composed. All I was left in response was: “YEH! OH YEH!”

The doctor left me as mute as a local lefty grey-haired granny attempting to explain why she was protesting DOGE, ICE, or ambling aimlessly in circles on Centre Street carrying a “No Kings” sign.

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News Leader Housecleaning Continues: The NL “reporter” with the fortunate name of Julia Roberts has been shown the door by new Publisher Todd Frantz.

Roberts was booted following the departure of far-left Editor Tracy Dishman, who left in a huff after realizing that the no-nonsense Frantz wouldn’t tolerate her attempts to turn the paper into Amelia Island’s version of  “The Jacobin.”

Following Dishman’s exit it was obvious that Roberts, her leftist ally, would soon follow. Dishman’s faithful disciple ignored all the tenets of factual journalism, finally committing professional suicide by publicly chastising her employer for refusing to splash the annual Pride Festival all over the bi-weekly paper. Her whiney complaints were picked up by the  leftist online outlet Fernandina Observer, and pretend reporter and Black Lives Matter activist Mike Lednovich, thereby signaling the end of her checkered News Leader employment.

Instead of being a watch dog for the general public, Ms. Roberts was an ideological enforcer masquerading as a reporter. Imposters like Roberts are the reason that more than two in five Americans say they have little to no trust in the information they get from journalists. It was obvious that she wasn’t attempting to explain what was happening hereabouts, instead serving as a mouthpiece for those she was supposed to be covering.

With Frantz’s guidance, the News Leader is becoming a newspaper that serves the entire community, instead of being an echo chamber for a tiny segment of hardcore downtown leftists. I’m assuming that advertising and circulation numbers will see significant increases with the refreshing editorial changes.

Nassau County’s burgeoning population will be well-served. They also have the BuzzTown Media Group’s print and online weeklies serving Hilliard, Yulee and Callahan and George Miller’s online  https://www.citizensjournal.net offering residents objective, factual reporting. Leftists have the online Fernandina Observer.

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BBQ Bonanza: The same prominent local resident who alerted me to the Muffuletta being served at Oyster Bay Yacht Club also revealed that he’s discovered a recently opened BBQ joint at 9560 Heckscher Drive, named Billy Jack’s.

The culinary sleuth, who prefers to remain anonymous, provided a brief but accurate critique saying: “Excellent food at a good price, at least from our miniscule sampling of a very large menu. We shared a sliced brisket sandwich and a side of southern style green beans. Highly recommend them.”

He had me at “brisket,” and we headed there one recent Sunday afternoon to discover that this BBQ joint just South of the St. John’s Ferry landing was teeming with BBQ seekers. The serving line was long but moved fast with customers quickly placing orders that were delivered to tables both inside and on enclosed and open porches.

We ordered two brisket dinners ($21 each) with sides of baked beans, black eyes peas, corn bread ($4 each) and a smoked hot link ($6), beer and iced tea. We took much home with us.

The server arrived at our porch table with our order within 10 minutes and politely asked if we wanted anything else, popping up frequently to check on us. The spick and span clean tables inside and out, offered a wide angle view of the river. We never felt hurried, just the opposite.

The food was excellent. Neither of us had any complaints. The two brisket dinners we ordered were very good, almost Texas style except lacking whole pickled jalapeno peppers and thick slices of Spanish onion on the side. There were choices of BBQ sauce with my favorite being the spicy, not so sweet one.

Other BBQ menu selections include pork, ribs, and turkey with starters of gator tail and chicken wings. If you don’t like BBQ this isn’t the place for you. Catering menus include a $170 meat sampler with sides that serves 10-12 and a 15-person platter for $285.

We will be returning.

Call them at 904/752-9560 or look them up on Facebook at @billyjacksbbq or at www.billyjacks.com.

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Christian Festival Tomorrow: Saturday, June 28,  Nassau County Christians from a variety of churches will celebrate the Christian Heritage of America with a parade from 10 am to 11 am. Organizers said the group will gather in Central Park, proceed down Ash Street to the water, and then back up Centre Street to Central Park. There will be floats, cars, trucks, and marchers.

Following the parade, from 11am to 1pm the group will host a” Faith Festival”  in Central Park with patriotic speeches, Christian music, games for the kids, 16 Christian vendors, and six food trucks.