Mike Lednovich Fernandina Observer

06/02/2026

Property Controversy: Fernandina Beach Board of Adjustment will weigh a variance after a property owner demolished a house and barn with staff approval — then the city reversed course. Read the full story about the Stanley Drive parcel, the confusing approvals, and what’s next for the neighborhood: https://wix.to/UGcRsg1

Board to consider variance after owner demolished his house and barn with staff approval then City had to reverse the decisionBy Mike Lednovich/EditorFERNANDINA BEACH – The Fernandina Beach Board of Adjustment on Wednesday will consider a variance request that would allow a property owner to divid...

05/22/2026

More than 100 kayakers will paddle seven miles across state lines to raise awareness for veteran su***de and PTSD — and support veterans in need. The 8th annual Paddle for Veterans returns to Fernandina Beach on June 13 with a new finish line at the Dee… Read the full story: https://wix.to/tGiYheb

FERNANDINA BEACH — More than 100 kayakers are expected to paddle seven miles across state lines next month as part of an annual effort to raise awareness about veteran su***de and post-traumatic stress disorder while supporting veterans in need.The 8th annual Paddle for Veterans, organized by the ...

05/21/2026

Mediation between the City of Fernandina Beach and Rayonier Advanced Materials (RYAM) over the proposed bioethanol plant has ended in an impasse — litigation will resume. Read the latest developments and what’s next in this high-stakes legal battle. https://wix.to/OKY5p1j

By Mike Lednovich/EditorFERNANDINA BEACH — Court-ordered mediation between the City of Fernandina Beach and Rayonier Advanced Materials (RYAM) over the company’s proposed bioethanol plant has ended without a settlement, sending the high-stakes legal fight back to court.A mediator’s report file...

05/21/2026

36 hours after city officials vowed to crack down on early-morning airport noise, training planes were back over Fernandina Beach at 7:15 a.m., conducting touch-and-go landings. Read the latest from Mike Lednovich on the community reaction and what officials say next: https://wix.to/UVnLdzg

By Mike Lednovich/EditorFERNANDINA BEACH — Just 36 hours after City Manager Sarah Campbell told city commissioners that Fernandina Beach was stepping up efforts to curb aircraft noise from Jacksonville-based flight schools, two training aircraft from one of the schools residents complain about mos...

05/20/2026

Fernandina Beach moves to rein in e-bikes after growing safety concerns — unanimous approval of an ordinance sets speed limits, riding rules and gives police new enforcement authority. Read the full story and what it means for riders, pedestrians and families in the community: https://wix.to/uJB8nzl

By Mike Lednovich/EditorFERNANDINA BEACH - The City Commission voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a sweeping new ordinance regulating e-bikes and other personal mobility devices, citing growing safety concerns over speeding riders, reckless behavior and near misses involving children on city stree...

05/19/2026

You can oppose paid parking without destroying a person’s life. Read Mike Lednovich’s commentary on how debate turned ugly and what civil opposition should look like: https://wix.to/CAoEfid

Join the conversation — civility matters.

COMMENTARYBy Mike Lednovich/EditorFor months, downtown businessman and City Commissioner Tim Poynter has been publicly flogged for one thing: paid parking.His businesses have been targeted for boycotts. Social media has turned him into a caricature of greed and arrogance. The anger has become person...

05/18/2026

E-bike safety is heading to the Fernandina Beach City Commission this Tuesday. Proposed rules would slow down e-bikes and other personal mobility devices after rising complaints about speeding and unsafe riding downtown and on recreational paths. Read the article for details and what could change for riders and pedestrians: https://wix.to/KQC8N4Q

By Mike Lednovich/EditorFERNANDINA BEACH - Electric bicycles speeding through downtown sidewalks, weaving around pedestrians and racing along recreational paths have become an increasingly familiar sight in Fernandina Beach — and city commissioners are now poised to act.The Fernandina Beach City C...

05/17/2026

The Political Culture of Fear — a new commentary by Mike Lednovich on how an uncontested Fernandina Beach City Commission seat should concern every resident. No debate. No choice. Read the full piece and join the conversation: https://wix.to/z8XJhJi

COMMENTARYBy Mike Lednovich/EditorFERNANDINA BEACH - City Commission candidate qualifying closed Friday.And without a single challenger stepping forward, Vice Mayor Darron Ayscue has been re-elected to the Fernandina Beach City Commission — unopposed.No campaign. No public debate. No competing vis...

05/15/2026

New proposal for downtown Fernandina: Tim Poynter’s “City Market” would replace the Nana Teresa’s Bake Shop building on N. Third Street with a market-style retail complex. City staff reviewed the concept this week as the plan moves through initial review. Read the full story by Mike Lednovich for details and renderings: https://wix.to/GAKTRA9

05/14/2026

Big news for Fernandina Beach: the Port has approved bringing a rocket recovery vessel to the city docks — a major step for local maritime activity and aerospace support. Read the full story and what this could mean for the community: https://wix.to/ZGeJLaT