City commission seats up for grabs in upcoming runoff election

In less than a week, voters in the city of Fernandina Beach will have to opportunity to choose two city commissioners in a runoff election, which is necessary due to the results of the Nov. 6 election.

The city commission seats up for grabs are seats 4 and 5, which were not won by a 50% plus one vote margin and so will go to a runoff election Dec. 13. The top two vote-getters for each seat will be on the runoff ballot.

Genece Minshew won 41.3% of the votes for seat 5, while Darron Ayscue garnered 32%. Current Mayor Mike Lednovich got 44.7% of the vote and James Antun received 33.6% in the race for seat 4.

Two of those candidates have sent mailers informing voters they belong to the Republican party, although city commission seats are nonpartisan.The flyers say Antun and Ayscue are “the only Republican candidates on your ballot.” In an email to the News-Leader, Ayscue said he has been endorsed by the Republican party.

“I look forward to bringing conservative values of controlling budget spending, keeping Fernandina Beach safe and family-friendly for its citizens and guests, opposing paid parking and preserving our beaches and beach driving; all of the things that make Fernandina Beach the unique place it is to live, work and play,” Ayscue said.

His opponent, Genece Minshew, made no mention of political party in her comments but spoke of local issues, including plans for the city-owned Atlantic Seafood building and proposed townhouses in the downtown.

“After hearing from lots of engaged city voters, it is clear that my plans to ‘Do Better’ for Fernandina are right on track,” Minshew said. “People want a city government that is responsive, makes decisions based on factual data, especially around the budget, and is focused on maintaining our small town charm. There are two land development projects that will test our city commission, the replatting of the Tringali property and the new lease for the Atlantic Seafood building. Both of these projects will have major impacts on our downtown community and require a detailed review and analysis before any decisions should be made by the commission. I want to also take just a moment to thank all my supporters who have been on this journey with me. Their support has kept me motivated over this long campaign season. Let’s remember to vote on Dec. 13.”

In the seat 4 race, Antun made no mention of the Republican party in his comments to the News-Leader. He spoke at length about his background as a chiropractor, saying he is a business owner who has created five jobs on Amelia Island.

“I feel these are pertinent background details to share, since they serve testament to the workload I am accustomed to and the critical thinking skills my background in science paired with my business experience brings to the table for the job at hand,” Antun’s email said.

He said he has attended city commission meetings in order to understand city issues and build relationships within city government and the community. He said he plans to use those relationships to make progress on what he calls “the three big tasks in front of us, including the sea wall project, repair and maintenance of downtown streets, lighting, etc. and repairing, relocating and/or rebuilding city hall,” as well as to improve the relationship between the city and Nassau County, “whereas my opponent has sadly done the opposite.”

“As your city commissioner, I promise to serve as a prudent steward of city finances, a protector of your property rights without sacrificing our natural resources, a champion for our children’s future and a facilitator of progress when it comes to fostering stronger public-private partnerships to offset our spending deficits, rather than simply raising taxes,” Antun said.

He commented on the assignment of the city’s lease on Atlantic Seafood to local businessman Ernie Saltmarsh. Antun said the lease gave Saltmarsh the right to increase the size of the building, and that while that “may not be a popular choice,” the city should honor its commitment in the lease.

“If lease agreements can be violated on a whim, then at what point do we contest the very integrity of entering lease agreements with the city of Fernandina Beach?” Antun said.

Mayor Mike Lednovich is up for reelection and said the contest should stay nonpartisan.

“Voters, please remember that the city commission races are non-partisan,” Lednovich said. “Ugly partisan politics have no place in our local elections. Consider what each candidate stands for and what you want to see in our city. I stand for saving our tree canopy, wildlife habitat, beach dunes and environmentally sensitive lands. For saving our unique neighborhoods from becoming row after row of cookie-cutter townhouses. For saving our historic downtown, parks and sports fields, streets and public facilities from crumbling because of neglect. For protecting our quality of life.”

Polls will be open for the runoff election from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. on Dec. 13.