When I was in school, one of my favorite subjects was science. I distinctly remember studying icebergs and being taught the most important fact about them: The biggest part of an iceberg is the part beneath the surface that cannot be seen. The tip of the iceberg is merely that, the tip of something much, much bigger. In a sense we are launching our own iceberg here in Nassau County.

A little over a month ago, Nassau County commissioners voted to partner with the Amelia Island-Fernandina Beach-Yulee Chamber of Commerce in moving forward with a county visioning plan. According to the chamber, citizens and county officials would participate in a yearlong project to frame a vision for the county’s future.

The visioning process would be accomplished with the assistance of an outside consulting firm. This consulting firm will hold workshops and conduct interviews with public officials and private citizens throughout the county, soliciting ideas, viewpoints and suggestions on what the future of Nassau County should look like, and how best to get there. Now, here’s where the iceberg comes in.

The chamber officials estimate the vision process will cost approximately $150,000. The chamber is agreeing to pay $75,000 if Nassau County pays the other $75,000. Believe it or not, the cost of the study is really just the tip of the iceberg, but don’t forget the tip of an iceberg is still pretty big. For Nassau County, $75,000 is a big deal.

During a June meeting, Commissioner Mike Boyle pointed out that Nassau County had just taken one of the hardest hits from the Legislature’s mandated reduction of property taxes . Not only did the county have to roll back taxes to 2006 levels, the county had to cut an additional 9 percent after that. That additional cut later was adjusted to 5 percent.

Commissioner Boyle’s contention was that the Legislature had essentially pulled the rug out from under the county, and authorizing the spending of $75,000 at this particular time might not be the prudent thing to do. Despite his argument, commissioners voted 3-1 to approve the funding and move the project forward.

That’s the tip; now let’s talk about the part of the iceberg beneath the surface. This visioning project is for all of Nassau County, not just a small segment.

It’s no secret the western side of the county has, at times, felt like the red-headed stepchild to its neighbors to the east. The western side has not seen the growth and development to the same degree as the east, and consequently has not seen the benefits and attention that go along with substantial growth.
My friends on the west side, your ship has come in.

For those folks in Callahan, Hilliard, Bryceville, Kings Ferry, Boulogne, and parts west, now is your chance to step up to the plate and state your case. You will not have a better opportunity than this to get your issues on the table and be a player in determining the future of all of Nassau County. If you don’t take time to participate in the workshops or participate in the interviews, you will only let the views from the eastern side dominate the vision, and dominate the future.

Your ship may have come in, but if you don’t get on board, you will not only miss the cruise, you can rest assured there won’t be another ship for a very long time.