January 1, 2014 by Mark

From the moment I moved to Neptune Beach, I looked for ways to serve our community. I have always been a "helper". My first instinct upon arriving at someone's house is to ask, "What can I do to help?" This is one of the many reasons I have gladly devoted much of my time to volunteering and public service in Neptune Beach.

When we first discovered the hidden gem of Neptune Beach, over 20 years ago, my wife and I were amazed by the variety and beauty it had to offer. From the pristine coastline to the rich marsh life, and all the different neighborhoods in-between, we knew this was a place that deserved to be protected and nurtured. I had initially come to Florida for work and family reasons, but I stayed because of my love for Neptune Beach.

I earned a Bachelors from Cornell University and a Masters in Architecture from Columbia University before coming to Florida, where I gained a variety of work experience from numerous years at Defense and Federal contractors, as well as with private industry.

The blend of skills gained from this diverse educational and work background enabled me to contribute greatly to both governmental and civic bodies in Neptune Beach for more than 20 years, culminating in my current position as the Vice Mayor of Neptune Beach.

For the community of Neptune Beach, I participated in civic groups such as Beaches Watch, Save the Ferry, the Ish Brandt Beautification Committee, and the Beaches Town Center Agency. As some of you already know, I freely contributed my graphic and web design expertise to these organizations in addition to volunteering at event activities. The most visible of these contributions include the design of our Welcome Signs. Meanwhile, “behind-the-scenes” I have also supported our Town Center and its merchants since 2003 by volunteering for the Buy-a-Brick program, Dancin’ in the Streets, Web.com, Coastal Carnivale, and Tour of Homes.

For the City of Neptune Beach, I served on the Planning Board (from 2003 to 2010) and the Community Development Board (from 2011 to 2017). During my time on the Planning Board, we deliberated over major proposals like Walmart which I voted against, and I ended my tenure as their elected Chairman. Then on the newly-formed Community Development Board, my fellow board members elected me to continue my Chairmanship for both terms. My service on these boards gave me invaluable insight into how our city works and all the vital people who keep it running soundly. It also provided experience in the complexity of navigating both the Land Use Code and the Comprehensive Plan. I understand the delicate balance needed in making zoning decisions that respect our residents and our city’s unique charm, while protecting us from out-of-scale development.

But most importantly however, working closely in several local election campaigns has introduced me to neighbors from many different areas in our city. It enabled me to hear your needs and concerns over the years, including where we’ve done well and where we could improve. We are all protective of our unique charm and quality of life, and I am dedicated to helping Neptune Beach move forward while still retaining the sense of community that we all appreciate.

Serving on our city’s boards showed me that sometimes you have to make hard decisions for the good of the community, but sometimes you also get to guide policies that respond to the needs and hopes of all our residents. I want nothing more than to be a good public servant for our community and ensure a strong, vibrant future for every one of us.

Thank you for your consideration, and hopefully, your support!