Our Mission
From November 1, 2019, to November 3, 2020, I ran for an open seat on the Fernandina Beach City Commission. My slogan was “Save Our Small Town Vibe,” and I ran on three issues: environmental conservation, historic preservation, and fiscal restraint. Many (2,307 voters exactly) responded to my appeal for municipal sustainability. Yet with other good candidates on the ballot, I lost fair and square; I have no regrets. For others who wish to run on a green platform, the following words from my old website may help you craft your own. Here is what I wrote:
“Do we want to preserve the unique identity of our City against endless gentrification? Do we want stronger environmental policies and enforcement for our barrier island while preserving traditional beach access rights? Do we want our Commission to insist on cost cuts so we can keep our marina, airport, and golf course running sustainably without raising taxes? If so, the City will have an ALLY in me, Alexandra Reed Lajoux, candidate for Group 2, Fernandina Beach City Commission. Scroll down below or click above (“Press”) to read my values and viewpoints, which are based on what citizens have told me.” Remember: Alex Lajoux Listens to You
Working Together
Citizens running for office on a conservation and preservation platform, might consider the following as a message. I wrote this for my 2020 campaign in Fernandina Beach, Florida:
The City of Fernandina Beach as we have known it is quietly eroding - from our maritime forest to our small town culture. We know what the issues are: financial strains, overdevelopment, and government leadership that does not always reflect the values of our citizens. Fortunately, we have the solution right here in our good people. Republicans and Democrats, First Fernandinans and newcomers, young and old, black and white, workers and retired, we can work together to preserve and honor our unique heritage.
You, the citizens, are the key. And I know that you can deliver. I have seen you at meetings of the City Commission and key committees, as well as in one-on-one meetings. You are ready, willing, and able to generate new solutions. I can be your ally as a candidate for Group 2, Fernandina Beach City Commission.
Let’s save Fernandina before it’s too late.
30+
YEARS IN GOVERNANCE
Alex spent three decades working for a nonprofit educational organization devoted to the development of corporate directors in all aspects of their work, including governance, finance, strategy, and emerging issues such as sustainability.
40+
Years Serving communities
From T-ball coach and foster care mentor in Virginia, to 7th grade catechist and HOA board member here in Florida, Alex has always served her local community.
3x
NUMBER OF LAJOUX GENERATIONS HERE
Alex loves Fernandina so much that she invited her son and grandson here!
Platform
My 2020 platform made three main promises. Here is what I said:
If I am elected to serve the people of the City of Fernandina Beach, I will work with my fellow Commissioners to find solutions to our issues. In addition, I pledge to foster:
Environmental sustainability: Consulting with City staff and activist citizens from Amelia Tree Conservancy and Conserve Amelia Now as well as the North Florida Land Trust and Amelia Forever to strengthen our environmental policies and enforcement.
Financial sustainability: Working with the City Manager and volunteers from our local Chamber of Commerce and the newly formed citizen group Common Sense to find cost savings and foster long-term planning, with a goal of freezing taxes and supporting independent small businesses.
Cultural sustainability: Spending meaningful time with our diverse born-and-raised residents—many here for generations—who remember how it was; preserving and restoring the Fernandina way of life—including traditional beach access rights.
OUR TREES and dunes
Trees, dunes, and wildlife cannot speak and act on their own behalf so we must. This is the single most critical issue facing our City. Despite years of deforestation under the watch of the current and past City Commissions, the City of Fernandina Beach still has some mature trees in its possession or under its control. Our beach renourishment efforts must continue. We must preserve and enhance the trees and dunes that protect our homes and businesses. By making revisions to our Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code, we can begin stronger protections. The City can raise its fines for tree ordinance violation, and sue and/or ban scofflaw developers. We can also consider a moratorium on development.
OUR BEACHES
Our beaches are our crowning beauty and a draw for the tourists who enliven our economy. We must keep them open to all (no paid beach parking or other types of restrictions of traditional rights). We must also continue to invest in dune protection (via walkovers or other means) and beach nourishment, with attention to endangered species. Income from tourism can be maximized for the benefit of the City and its people, who experience both the blessings and burdens of high rates of tourism. We can prioritize the interests of City residents when working with the Tourist Development Council.
OUR INDUSTRY
In the private enterprise sector, our working mills employ people young and old to make world-class products, increasing the demographic diversity of our community and contributing to local pride. They have good relations with their trade unions. In the public (City-owned) sector, our airport, marina, and golf course provide physical beauty and vital connections to air, sea, and earth. The City must help all these enterprises thrive.
OUR DOWNTOWN
Centre Street is living proof that Small Town America is still alive and well. The City must support local businesses by keeping taxes low and by continuing to support events such as Sounds on Centre, the Christmas Parade, Dickens on Centre, ShrimpFest, ShrimpDrop, Light Up Amelia, and more.
Lajoux on THE PROPOSED LEGGETT RACETRACK
Please do not welcome a gigantic Trojan Horse that may seem like a gift tailor-made for us, but that will sacrifice trees and wildlife; compete with existing businesses; and bring traffic, noise, light, heat, pollution, and myriad other ills which could erode and efface the very identity of our city.
Speech by Alexandra Lajoux, July 16, 2019
Get Involved
Sustainable cities need us all.
CONTACT ME
Academics and activists take note: If you are teaching or speaking out about sustainability, please contact me for a complimentary copy of my book. You can contact me at arlajoux@aol.com.
FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT!
BUY MY NEW BOOK
Please consider buying my new book: Empowering Municipal Sustainability (De Gruyer, 2022) - available from fine booksellers everywhere!