Legendary local: Ron Sapp

Any time a political columnist writes for a newspaper for twenty years is a miracle. One of our favorite miracle workers, Ron Sapp, is a treasured columnist, teacher, city commissioner, and mayor.

Sapp graduated from Fernandina Beach High School in 1965. After graduation, he attended Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, Ga. He was drafted and served in the US Air Force and was stationed in Germany.

After the Air Force, Sapp came back to Fernandina Beach and completed college at the University of North Florida on the G.I Bill. He then worked for Rayonier at its Fernandina mill, later getting into the sign-making business with his father-in-law. He married Kasey Askins, whose parents also ran a grocery at South Sixth and Ash Streets.

Fernandina Beach High School principal Bill Fryar asked Sapp to join the staff in 1987. He agreed. He spent the next 28 years as a social studies teacher until his retirement in 2015. He led the development of the school’s Advance Placement program, teaching U.S. government, economics, and psychology.

“Ron loved teaching and his interaction with his students. My son and daughter were students in Ron’s class and both loved and enjoyed it,” said Foy Maloy, Publisher, Fernandina Beach News-Leader. “He stimulated free thought in his classroom. He was a respected teacher and a staunch defender of the First Amendment and the right of free speech.”

Sapp was a truly revered educator, instructing over 7,000 local students over the course of his twenty-eight-year tenure. But his most influential job in his hometown may have been his involvement with the city commission. He served eight terms as a city commissioner.

“1978 was my first time as city commissioner. The truth is, Walt Disney World was opening. Some people were looking forward to the opening and some were not. I felt the area wasn’t ready for that intensive growth. I could see the same thing potentially happening in Fernandina. I wanted to get involved so any growth would be good growth and positive growth,” said Sapp.

According to Sapp, some of his accomplishments as a city commissioner that he is most proud of include the introduction of the Open Space Bond Issue which was the primary funding source for the Egan’s Creek Greenway, opening and preservation of over forty public beach accesses, establishing construction height limits, eliminating beach front lot consolidation, initiating the Seaside Park and North Beach Park projects, representing the city in negotiations with the Nassau County School Board to purchase the Peck High School property, collaborating with key African American community leaders to secure state and local funding for the Peck Center rehabilitation project, as well as introduction and sponsorship of the Main Beach Revitalization project which resulted in boardwalk construction, new expanded lighting, and landscaping.

“I also proposed both tree protection ordinances in the city. I’m very proud of that,” stated Sapp.

At the March 21, 2023, city commission meeting, a resolution recognized Sapp’s civic service by naming the Egans Creek Greenway the Ron Sapp Egans Creek Greenway:

“Resolution 2023-44 of the city commission of the City of Fernandina Beach, Florida, recognizing Mayor Ron Sapp’s civic service by naming the Egans Creek Greenway the “Ron Sapp Egans Creek Greenway”; and providing for an effective date. Whereas, the city commission wishes to formally recognize Mayor, Vice Mayor, and Commissioner Ronald (Ron) Sapp for his extensive civic service and unwavering commitment to the betterment of the City of Fernandina Beach by naming the Egans Creek Greenway the “Ron Sapp Egans Creek Greenway”; and whereas, a staunch supporter of conservation and controlled development within the City limits, Mayor Sapp’s accomplishments include the introduction of the Open Space Bond Issue which was the primary funding source for purchasing properties along Egan’s Creek to place into conservation. The protected area is comprised of over 300 unspoiled acres located north to south along Egans Creek. The Greenway opened for public use in the summer of 2000 as an undeveloped park for passive recreational use and enjoyment; … and whereas, a lifelong resident, Mayor Sapp’s passion to preserve his hometown led to preserving our quality of life, character, identity, and small island town uniqueness.”

He continued to keep his eye on local politics, most notable through the column he regularly wrote for the News-Leader.

“I started writing when I was term limited in 2003. The editor at the time asked if I would like to start writing for the News-Leader. I was hoping to be elected and this was a great way to keep my name in front of the public,” said Sapp. 

In February 2022, Sapp decided it was time to end his column due to personal reasons and wrote, “I want to thank the News-Leader, particularly Publisher Foy Maloy, the several editors I’ve worked with who encouraged me to write columns in the first place, my wife, Kasey, who’s put up with me spending countless hours staring at a blank computer screen and the many readers who’ve put up with me lo these many years. It’s been sweet!”

“Ron was a loyal and dedicated columnist. He loved writing about Fernandina and its challenges. His knowledge of city government was invaluable,” said Maloy. “I enjoyed looking forward to reading his columns. At times we did not agree, but always maintained deep respect for one another.”

“Oh, my farewell wouldn’t be complete without another modified quote from one of my favorite movies, "Shane." Shane tells Joey, or Little Joe, ‘Tell your mother there are no more guns left in the valley.’ Modified: ‘Tell your mother there are no more liberal columnists left in the News-Leader’s valley.’”