A handful of cities across northeast Florida and southeast Georgia as well as Glynn County, Ga., held elections Tuesday,
In Fernandina Beach, residents voted to amend the city charter to allow city commissioners to serve four year terms instead of three year terms. The ballot question was approved with a 55 percent to 45 percent vote. City elections will now be held every two years, in conjunction with county, state and federal elections.
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Fernandina Beach voters also faced choices for city commission and mayor. In Group 4, Pat Gass and Roy Smith will face off in a Dec. 8 runoff, since none of the four candidates in the race earned more than 50 percent of the vote. In Group 5, Leonard Kreger defeated Clinch Kavanaugh, 54 percent to 46 percent. Johnny Miller defeated Robin Lentz in a straw ballot for mayor, 54 percent to 46 percent.
Glynn County voters also approved a sales tax for school funding, 53 percent to 47 percent. The one percent sales tax will raise up to 130 million dollars for several school projects, including a new Burroughs-Molette Elementary School, a new Altama Elementary School, an additional elementary school, and renovations to Glynn Academy and Brunswick High School.
Voters in Glynn County had previously approved similar taxes in 2007 and 2009. This tax will be in place for no more than 5 years.
In the city of Brunswick, two incumbent city commissioners retained their seats. John Cason defeated Zack Lyde in the North Ward, and Julie Martin defeated Linda Mincey and Valerie Scriven in the South Ward.
Brunswick voters also approved the Redevelopment Powers Act, by a 69 to 31 percent vote. The act authorizes the City of Brunswick to exercise redevelopment powers under the Redevelopment Powers Law.
In Crescent City, elections were held for three seats on the city commission. Joseph Santa defeated Emanuiel Roberts, Jr. for the mayor/commissioner seat, 185 votes to 117 votes. In the race for City Commissioner Group 3, Marcus Hardy defeated two other candidates, Brett Peterson and Jeff Haston. Hazel Banks was elected City Commissioner for Group 4, defeating Diane Sykes.
The town of Interlachen, in Putnam County, elected three council members Tuesday night. Voters chose from a pool of five candidates, and Beverly Bakker, Carolyn Bennett, and Carolyn Meadows were elected to the council.