Island Issues

Will Fernandina Remain Bedford Falls Or Become Pottersville? City Voters Will Decide December 13

Will Fernandina Remain Bedford Falls Or Become Pottersville? City Voters Will Decide December 13

Fernandina Beach residents have another chance Tuesday, December 13 to prevent their idyllic community going from a classic Norman Rockwell setting to a far left hellscape of cultural demolition and wokeness.

Two of the worst candidates to ever run for elected office in Fernandina Beach – activist left wingers Genece Minshew and Mike Lednovich – are in a December 13 runoff because they thankfully didn’t win 50 percent of the vote this past Tuesday.

There is one more opportunity for residents to vote for chiropractor Dr. James Antun and firefighter Darron Ayscue to keep Fernandina sane, safe, and secure and prevent it from transitioning from Bedford Falls into Pottersville. Ayscue and Antun will cement communal stability instead of undermining its foundations.

In his victory speech Tuesday evening Governor Ron DeSantis said: “Florida is where wokeness goes to die.” Let’s hope that Fernandina candidates Darron Ayscue and Dr. James Antun can bury it in Fernandina Beach by winning the Group 4 and 5 seats on the City Commission.

The red political wave predicted for most of the U.S. didn’t occur last Tuesday. It stopped in Florida, with enough ripples flowing across the rest of the country to give Republicans a majority in the House and keep the Senate out of Democrat control.

Current Fernandina Beach Mayor Lednovich.

We will find out December 13 if  Florida’s red wave made it all the way to Fernandina when voters will decide if they want California transplant Mike Lednovich, a guy who parades around town wearing a Black Lives Matter sandwich board and who won’t answer any questions posed to him by citizens or the media.

Or do Fernandina residents want the other far left candidate, Genece Minshew, who isn’t any better, perhaps even worse?

Minshew scrubbed her social media sites to hide all the LGBTQA+ material including transgender fluidity for minors she normally touts.

Both Minshew and Lednovich were endorsed by the Democrat Club of Amelia Island that also endorsed Charlie Crist and all other far left state candidates. Click on the link below to see who else keeps company with Minshew and Lednovich.

https://www.facebook.com/100003322985569/posts/pfbid0gC8wYDMgyZdjtQqCQngF8gMpz974Knieo4UcK8gqH5u7aLuzotdCaRV7jKLHfyrEl/?app=fbl

Minshew and Lednovich are the only local candidates refusing to answer a County Citizens Defending Freedom (CCDF-Nassau) voter questionnaire survey that asked a range of questions about a variety of local issues.

Both refused to answer any of the questions concerning the use of city restrooms by biological males as well as questions on abortion within the city limits, the removal of the city’s history, city governmental regulations and more. See for yourself all the questions and who answered and who refused by clicking here: Voter Guide for Nassau School Board and Fernandina Council Election- 2022

They both also refused to answer “yes” or “no” to the question: “Would you support Fernandina Beach positioning itself in promotional material as a Gay Vacation Destination?” On December 13 residents have an opportunity to respond to that question.

Minshew in her pride truck.

Minshew is the head of President of Fernandina Beach Pride, an LGBTQA+ advocacy group, and has plenty of experience promoting that agenda, having lived in Decatur, Georgia, and Asheville, North Carolina, two far left cities infested with the radicalization of the educational system and cultural vandalism. Both communities embrace leftist political indoctrination rather than learning; special identity demands, transgender activism, speech codes, assaults on the realities of history, drag queen story times for kids, etc. Minshew has been reported to publicly state numerous times that she wants to make Fernandina Beach a “gay destination.”  She, like Lednovich, has refused to answer a series of questions from citizens and the media on these topics. Both refused to respond to emails or phone calls asking why they won’t answer.

Other than this blog the only other local media outlet to call them out is the new online publication  Citizens Journal Florida . The blind online Observer and timid print News Leader both ignore the story. Why?

Ayscue is president of the local firefighters union and has been a critic of the city’s mismanaged budgeting and advocates a millage reduction.

Dr. Antun and his Chiropractor wife, Jayde, jointly operate a Fernandina chiropractic clinic. Dr. Antun is an articulate public speaker with traditional family values and promotes strict budgetary discipline.

Both Antun and Ayscue answered each question on the CCDF voter questionnaire and have never refused to respond to media questions. Lednovich and Minshew only respond to their supporters’ powder puff questions and ignore all others, hoping no one will notice.

Ayscue has picked up the endorsement of Staci McMonagle the third candidate in the Group 5 race, who has asked her voters to support the local fireman.

As of this posting a poll still running here indicates that 94 percent (103 respondents) said they think all candidates should have responded to the CCDF questionnaire. Only 6 percent ( 7 respondents) said they shouldn’t. The last time Minshew ran for the Commission she only lost by 38 votes so 100 votes on December 13 can send these two outliers packing.

To keep Fernandina going from Rockwell to raunch vote for Dr. James Antun and Darron Ayscue December 13. Voter turnout in this runoff is key!

***

Do residents want drag queens reading to kids in Fernandina Beach classrooms and the library?

Ayscue & Antun Support DeSantis’s Policies: Florida has been in the forefront concerning parental rights in the classroom and Governor DeSantis stood his ground, fighting back against Critical Race Theory, obscene books in libraries pushing transgenderism on kids, and teaching sexually explicit topics to young children. The governor also took a strong stance against COVID lockdowns in schools and across the state. He has fought to give parents the right to decide what is appropriate for their children, not the schools. These are all policies that both Ayscue and Antun agree upon. Minshew and Lednovich won’t tell voters where they stand. Their silence answers for them.

Six Republican school board candidates backed by Governor Ron DeSantis won their races across Florida on Tuesday, claiming his endorsement is “what put us over the edge” and paved the way for them to push for parental rights in classrooms. These two support the same programs the popular governor backs.

***

Two More Years and Then? Following his reelection Governor Ron DeSantis also said that Florida has “maintained law and order” in addition to “protecting the rights of parents” and “respecting our taxpayers.” The victorious governor is being touted as the favorite for the GOP presidential nomination in 2024.

“In Florida, we will not let the far left woke agenda take over our schools and workplaces. There is no place for indoctrination or discrimination in Florida,” he said at the time. DeSantis signed the Parental Rights in Education law in March, which was infamously and incorrectly branded by Democratic opponents as “anti-gay.”

In April, DeSantis signed a bill prohibiting critical race theory from being taught in Florida schools. Earlier this month, the Florida Board of Medicine and the Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine banned puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and transgender surgeries for minors.

“We will not back down to woke corporations and their same tired tactics that are steeped in hypocrisy,” Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez, a Republican, said at the time. “As a mother of three, I am committed to protecting the rights of parents.”

DeSantis also signed a bill revoking Disney World’s special status as an independent special district in what many conservatives saw as a key win against “woke capitalism” after it attacked the Parental Rights in Education law.

In his victory speech Tuesday evening Governor  Ron DeSantis  promised a relentless fight against “woke” indoctrination pledging to make Florida a “citadel of freedom” in the United States.

The governor made it clear that he would continue to deliver on policies and values that have made him a national figure with conservatives and a target of the left, both political feathers in his cap.

DeSantis didn’t pull any punches saying: “We have embraced freedom. We have maintained law and order. We have protected the rights of parents. We have respected our taxpayers. And we reject woke ideology,” drawing loud applause.

“We will never, ever surrender to the woke mob,”  the governor promised. Florida is where woke goes to die!”

The Republican heavyweight’s margin of victory outstripped even the most optimistic projections.

DeSantis won nearly 60 percent of the statewide vote with more than a million-vote win over political has-been Democrat Charlie Crist.

***

OK, Charlie, Stacey & Beto, Now Please Go Away: Governor DeSantis’s victory speech could also be considered Charlie Crist’s political eulogy since that pathetic sap has no more political parties to turn to or offices to run for. Stick a fork in poor ‘ole Charlie, he’s done, his political goose is cooked. Nobody wants him, nobody. He won just five of 67 Florida counties. DeSantis even took heavily Democratic Dade County. Maybe Crist can join up with that silly little dancing monkey, Beto O’Rourke, who was crushed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, and sad sack Georgia gubernatorial candidate, Stacey Abrams, who was soundly defeated by Brian Kemp and join the Washington Generals, the perpetual losers to the Harlem Globetrotters.  The only good thing about this trio of losers is they burned through millions of dollars in Democrat campaign cash and got nothing for it. They now belong out on the curb with the rest of the wretched Democrat rejects including Florida’s pathetic Andrew Gillum (Does anybody remember that pervert?) in the Democrat dumpster.

Based on Tuesday’s election results it appears that before casting their ballots a majority of Florida and Texas voters went grocery shopping, filled their cars with gas, paid their bills, then looked at their 401Ks.

***

Wait! What? Following Tuesday’s election, I’m afraid to drive through Pennsylvania. Any group of people that collectively assembled to vote for an empty grunting husk to represent them in the U.S. Senate have more mental issues than John Fetterman, the vacant vessel they elected. Instead of heading to Washington D.C. this guy should be back at his old day job ringing the bells at Notre Dame in Paris.  

 ***

Drinking, Dining & Dancing: I used to enjoy visiting the Doo Wop Diner for breakfast at 1120 South 14th Street near the now shuttered movie theater. Since the Doo Wop closed the site has had three different tenants including the New Orleans Diner, a short-lived soul food joint called Southern Sisters and most recently Big Al’s Chicken Shack.

I miss sitting at Doo Wop’s old fashioned lunch counter watching reruns of I Love Lucy and listening to 1950s Rock & Roll music while reading the paper and having breakfast. The swivel stools and lunch counter are gone. Big Al, who I’ve never met, isn’t much on décor but makes up for it with his generous, tasty, and economical plates, at least the breakfast ones I’ve enjoyed. I haven’t had lunch there yet, and because they serve breakfast from opening till close, I might never.

Customers order from a breast pocket-size paper menu, or the handwritten specials of the day scribbled on a board next to the cash register then await a server to being them their order at one of the Formica tables left over from the other eateries. There are also a couple of tables sitting on the sidewalk out front.

During my visits I’ve gotten into a rut and order the $8.50 Shack Breakfast. With tax I paid $9.11. For that I got two eggs over easy, a huge bowl of grits, a slice of multigrain toast, a pile of hash brown potatoes, and two sausage patties and two pads of butter. I couldn’t eat it all. I defy you to find a deal like this anywhere else hereabouts. And I don’t mean some sanitized, corporate formula recipe chain like McDonalds or Panera Bread.

My Big Al’s $8.50 breakfast

Big Al’s food is very good, the prices more than reasonable, the service friendly and fast and the atmosphere relaxed. I receive a glass of iced tea for free once and happily paid $2.50 for coffee another time.

There are a variety of other breakfast selections ranging from Chicken and Waffles and Chicken and Pancakes (both $7.50) to Biscuits and Gravy ($6.00) and Biscuit Breakfast Sandwich ($7.50).

Since the joint is labeled a “Chicken Shack”, chicken, as expected, plays a major role coming in sandwiches, buckets, boxes, soups, wraps and a variety of wing selections. The most expensive item I could find on the menu was a bucket of 12 pieces of fried chicken with two sides for $24.95. Sides include collard greens, mac and cheese, coleslaw, mashed potatoes and more.. A hamburger, short rib and a brisket burger are also listed for $10.50. There are also a variety of salads and desserts.

Oh, as far as I know it is the only place on the island or nearby that serves the Canadian favorite, Poutine, a pile of fries topped with cheese curds and gravy. There is also a $7.50 fried chicken liver or fried chicken gizzard box with two sides.

Big Al’s  is open every day except Sunday from 9 am until 9 pm. You can order online at BigAlsChickenShack.com or call them at 904/775-5195.

American Legion Post 54 is hosting this year’s Veterans Day Parade  today, Friday, November 11, which will wind through downtown beginning at 11 am. Following the parade, the Post will host lunch with the Island Vibe Band entertaining from 1 pm – 4 pm.

Thanks to a generous and patriotic donation from local residents, James and Carla Houchins, tonight , Friday 11, the Post will feature the popular local Honey Badgers band from 7-10 pm.

It’s all open to the public and food and a full bar are available.

The Legion is located at the corner of South 3rd Street and Gum. Stop by today, salute a veteran, enjoy the music, and buy Jim and Carla a drink.

22 Comments

Vicky B Easton - 14. Nov, 2022 -

Is the voting on Dec. 13 restricted only to the City Residence of Fernandina Beach or can the unincorporated residence, on the Island, vote too?

Harold J - 15. Nov, 2022 -

I’m thinking if you’re asking this question that you should probably stay home and enjoy the day.

Jeffrey McDowell - 12. Nov, 2022 -

Hey Dave, your blog is informative and shines a light on both the strengths and weaknesses of the candidates. I appreciated it. I’m not sure why some of your readers are so quick to accuse you of being hateful and a bigot. It’s ridiculous. You’re opinions are your own. Regarding Minshew and Lednovich, I think it’s a huge character flaw to refuse to answer certain questions regarding their affiliations. It’s obviously a tactic to hide their real politics. So much for PRIDE…
I think it’s doubly interesting that a supposed conservative voter takes such umbrage with your efforts to cast a harsh light on these shadowy candidates. Keep up the good work, Dave, we don’t need a Fetterman in Fernandina. Unlike this poor candidate in PA, who can’t form a coherent sentence, these two CHOOSE not to speak about their affiliations. Dr. Antun is the clear winning choice. You’re a lot of things, but a bigot isn’t one of them

Chris Boelkes - 13. Nov, 2022 -

Well said. I don’t live in the city so have no dog in the fight, but I appreciate well reasoned thought, well articulated.

Duke Lebold - 12. Nov, 2022 -

Dear President Trump:
Please stay out of the current election proceedings. Anything you say will seriously HURT THE RUN OFF situation. Your incredible contribution to changing the way America thinks will endure forever. Your efforts started a renaissance that will continue. Back off. Become a “Churchill” like statesman. You can do so much behind the scenes. The media cannot drag you down if you avoid the footlights. Please consider taking a mentor’s position in politics. Your very presence evokes extreme emotions that prevent logical decision-making. The media and DNC have created so much hatred for you and MAGA. Don’t allow them to win. Sometimes fighting from a trench is more effective than a suicidal frontal assault. We need you like we needed Eisenhower and Patton in previous wars. Be a leader, and let your troops win the battles with your leadership. Work smart, not hard. Please. Stop taking bullets from your enemies. Take cover and lead us into the future. Thank you.

CoCoNUT Harry - 11. Nov, 2022 -

Another great blog, Dave – I also liked the comments by your readers. As they say, elections have consequences. Vote for reason and sanity, after all it’s the world we’ll have to live in.

Glen Stettler - 11. Nov, 2022 -

For Dave Laredo,
The only thing David Scott called Minshew is a “activist left winger”. If that offends you then please continue to be offended. Pause here and re-read the blog. I personally don’t care if she is gay or not. I’m very of accepting of whatever people want to be…. But there is a significant difference between acceptance and advocacy. I’m not going to advocate for a group unless it’s our veterans. If she is honest in her beliefs them come on out and make her case in the sunlight.

What I don’t like is that our commissioners, to potentially include Minshew, don’t understand the basic tenants Public Service. They serve to fulfill their own vision of what the city should become or needs, NOT the needs of the citizens. In that light, I would never vote for anyone who serves their own interests. This includes Lednovich and Minshew, and others currently in office.

George Miller - 11. Nov, 2022 -

Looks like the politics of the CITY of FB beach differ from unincorporated FB and certainly from overall Nassau County.

I personally could tolerate a “gay” (homosexual) Commissioner, but not a BLM supporter. Lots of clueless people, unaware that it was a Communist front, supported BLM, but a knowledgeable official should not. I do, however, have a problem with a “gay” official who is a radical promotor of the gay/woke ideology and aggressively attempts to force it down our throats. That, Mr. Laredo, isn’t “hate.”

Hopefully, the voters will understand what the candidates actually stand for. If the CCDF candidate questionnaire didn’t point that out to them, maybe it’s too late for the City. Wait- the “news” media other than the Scott blog and Citizens Journal Florida didn’t publish that, won’t write about it and the candidate forum sponsors all studiously ignored it. That tells you a lot.

Fred - 11. Nov, 2022 -

I can’t even begin to express my disgust at the citizens of Fernandina Beach!! Elections have consequences and you just gave Lednovich and Minschew a big ol’ atta boy, girl, whatever from you!

VINCENT CAVALLO - 11. Nov, 2022 -

I support Trump’s views on immigration, globull warming, taxes, and against woke policies. I voted for him on those issues. I think losing the election, stolen from him, has destroyed his mind. That or he is going for the insane defense for any coming legal actions. DeSantis stellar record stands on its own. Trump is doing himself a disservice demeaning Ron. To compound that, today he took up the Virginia governor for criticism. He should reemphasize what is wrong with places like NY, California and Illinois rather than picking ridicules fights with those who are fighting the left.

As far as the local politics goes, I cannot believe how far down the rat hole Fernandina Beach may be heading. We do not need FB to become the Key West at the other end of the state IMO.

Michaelene Gon - 11. Nov, 2022 -

Thank you! Trump ….his own brand of Trump Derangement! I supported him…until he began his Trump Toddler Temper Tantrum! Going on since day post election 2020. He is not good for our country now. Devisive and adolescent behavior such as labels and name calling. I’ve moved on. DeSantis is all and more than Trump ever was!

David Laredo - 11. Nov, 2022 -

So if the far left candidates win the run off, will you admit that no one cares about your hateful opinions? I am a conservative voter but have no patience for the hate that people like you spew daily. I thought you might learn from your king that you shouldn’t be such a jerk. It is possible to make points without childish name calling and insults. Grow up and more people might actually take your seriously. Or keep writing this political parody blog where you show your true colors as a hateful bigot

Fred - 11. Nov, 2022 -

Soooo, you’re a conservative, but support lies and silence over truth and open discussion? Sounds oddly familiar, but not to real conservatives. Sounds like you are stuck in a cult of personality to me…

David Laredo - 11. Nov, 2022 -

I’m actually trying to avoid the lies. I also never said I voted for any democrats. If you could comprehend what you read, you’d realize that I was pointing out that Dave spews bigotry and hate every week. He acts like he’s speaking for the people, but the people are not listening. Could it be that some of us are tired of the hate? To be so open about hating gay and lesbian people is disgusting. You don’t have to vote for Minshew, but why call her names?

Fred - 14. Nov, 2022 -

Sounds pretty hypocritical to me. You calling someone a hateful bigot for expressing their observations. Right out of the liberal playbook… Don’t like Dave’s opinion? Don’t read it… simple solution.

Pat Keogh - 11. Nov, 2022 -

I don’t see any “hate” in what Dave Scott wrote. He sees the two candidates as far left and explains why also saying they refuse to answer questions. You, on the other hand, engage in an unwarranted ad hominem attack calling Scott nasty names. “Hateful bigot”? Go back and read the blog. You need to get over yourself.

Christine Corso - 11. Nov, 2022 -

Paramount plus, a CBS affiliated streaming service, has a lawyer drama entitled the “The Good Fight”. The Thursday night finale featured a plot line in which a flamboyant, gay provocateur claims he was sexually assaulted by Gov. DeSantis who forced him to have oral sex at a CPAC conference. The accuser eventually confesses it was all a lie, but the dialogue up to that point leaves little to the imagination. All very tawdry. Is what we can expect over the next two from the liberal media and democrat progressive socialist left?

peter john edgette - 11. Nov, 2022 -

Dave,thanks for the info on Al”s Chicken Shack,we will be returning to Fernandina Beach for three months in Jan., and since the Marina restaurant closed,i need to find a chicken liver lunch,which i enjoy. As a commuity service,would you order the chicken livers at Al’s,and report your assessment. I will gladly pay for your next visit to the Cardiologist. thanks for all the news.

Peg Dickinson - 11. Nov, 2022 -

Dave, let me start by saying I voted for DeSantis, that said before everyone jumps on me, here’s my question, and maybe you can help in a future column. It’s a given DeSantis will make a run for President so since we will then have his running mate as governor I think it’s about time everyone at least learns her name if not more about her. This should have been an election including her since we will get her by default in two years….

Art Rox - 11. Nov, 2022 -

I like many of conservatives everywhere
are very disappointed in this election.
The Red Wave turned into a Pink Ripple.
Mostly I am tired of Donald Trumps ego
crazed posturing and childish name calling.His verbal attacks on Gov.Desantis
are uncalled for and remind me of a little
boy that his family thought everything he
said or did was perfectly fine.I too voted
for him twice but he showed his true
character and outright dangerous behavior
on Jan.6th.He should never be allowed to
hold any national office again.I know he
did some great things for America but he
threw
that under the bus in his last 60 days in office.He alone cost the GOP two
Senate seats in Georgia by pouting about
his defeat and not endorsing the two GOP
candidates.

Martha Millen - 11. Nov, 2022 -

Dave, you missed the PA state representative that was re-elected posthumously.

Charles Brown - 11. Nov, 2022 -

The voters of the city have allowed a queer woman and a California nutcase into a runoff. I cannot understand this with liberals trying so hard to destroy our nation. We were told for months the red wave was coming. Little did the Republicans understand the votes coming from the baby killing gangs. This election just makes me sick to my stomach. And the way Donald Trump has acted will ensure he will never get a vote from me again. His attacks on our great Gov. Ron DeSantis tells me he is a madman that never deserves to hold political office again. I believe he is as crooked as Washington believes.