Letter to the Editor

Then State Rep. Stan McClain, now Sen. McClain, speaks during the Marion County Delegation at the College of Central Florida in Ocala on Jan. 6, 2023. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette file photo]

I live on Amelia Island, a tiny barrier island just at the Florida/Georgia border, the next to last exit on I-95. Maybe some of you have heard of us or even visited our village. We are only 2 miles wide by 14 miles long, and our island keeps the mainland from flooding during a hurricane.

We have an awful lot in common with Ocala, for example, we have a strong tourism business and great natural resources. We also share the desire for people to keep their noses out of our business. I would presume the people of Ocala feel the same. So why is your State Senator McClain, who has represented Ocala for years, so interested in the ability of Fernandina Beach to regulate its own business??

Fernandina has been fighting Rayonier Advanced Materials, known as RYAM, a chemical manufacturing business that wants to produce a highly flammable material called bioethanol on our barrier island, an island in a hurricane zone. Our island and surrounding areas carry a population of about 60k, of which 99% of residents oppose building the proposed facility. Multiple lawsuits have been filed and are currently working their way through the judicial system.

McClain introduced SB 1118 this past legislative session, trying to push through a change in the definition of “chemical manufacturing,” a move that would drastically impact the citizens of Fernandina Beach, who have the right to self-government without the interference of elected officials who do not live here nor should be introducing legislation that would help build a facility that, in essence, would be making jet fuel on a barrier island in a  hurricane zone.

I have been unable to locate an instance of an elected official from Fernandina Beach trying to tell Ocala how to run its business. So why has Sen McClain been proactive in trying to change the definition of “chemical manufacturing” in the State of Florida? How did this bill benefit the citizens of Ocala? How would the citizens of Ocala feel if RYAM decided to build said plant in their backyard?

I wish the people of Ocala a very happy holiday season and here’s to hoping Senator McClain stays in his lane and works on things such as keeping your beautiful state park a state park. We promise not to interfere.