Vandalism at New Hotel Leads to Two Arrests
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WEEKEND Book Sale on Fundraiser Pride opener EVENTS Sat. and Sun. Saturday Saturday PAGE 1B PAGE 2B PAGE 8A $1.00 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2019 / 16 PAGES, 2 SECTIONS • fbnewsleader.com Vandalism at new hotel leads to two arrests A fire alarm set off early Wednesday morning at the new Home2 Suites by Hilton hotel at 2246 Sadler Road in Fernandina Beach alerted authorities to vandalism, now two men are charged with burglary, according to an email from Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper. “When Fernandina Beach Fire- Rescue personnel arrived, they observed windows had been broken out and called for law enforcement to Charriez Chrzanoski respond. When NCSO deputies arrived, they discovered a brick had been thrown through a glass door and exten- ovens, mirrors and numerous other sive damage inside the new hotel, which broken windows throughout the build- was scheduled to open soon,” Leeper ing. Mattresses, refrigerators, lamps, wrote. tables and chairs were thrown through “It was discovered that a fire extin- some of the broken windows. guisher with white powder had been “A total of 33 rooms including the expelled throughout the building and lobby area sustained damage. Hotel rep- shoe prints on the powdered covered resentatives estimated the damage to be floor and blood was found on some items between $300,000 and $500,000.” that were damaged. Rafael De Jesus Charriez, 21, and “There was enormous amounts of Sage Theodore Chrzanoski, 20, both damage inside the hotel primarily on of Fernandina Beach, were arrested the third and fourth floor with damage for burglary with damage exceeding NASSAU COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE from fire extinguishers, televisions bro- $1,000, possession of burglary tools, Mattresses, refrigerators, lamps, tables, and chairs were thrown through some of the broken windows at ken from their stands, shattered show- and preventing extinguishment of fire the new Home2 Suites by Hilton hotel on Sadler Road. A fire alarm that went off at 12:30 a.m. Wednesday er glass doors, shattered microwave by interfering with equipment. alerted authorities. Nassau County deputies arrested two suspects. OHPA discusses cruise Parks & Rec committee rethinks Simmons park ship, tariffs, and channel JULIA ROBERTS News-Leader JULIA ROBERTS News-Leader The Fernandina Beach Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee has Will a cruise ship full of tourists reconsidered a new park planned for dock at the Port of Fernandina in 2020? city-owned property on Simmons Road The CEO of the port’s operator says and wants the matter removed from his company is considering it, but the the Nov. 19 City Commission meeting Ocean Highway and Port Authority’s agenda. 1993 deed says the property cannot be The park comes with a $400,000 used as a passenger terminal. If the port price tag, which would be paid with does, an option to buy the property back Parks & Recreation Department impact for $200,000 – subject to adjustments fees. It has been designed to include an – kicks in. ADA-compliant playground. In a Nov. 12 email to City Manager The elements of the plan considered Dale Martin, Shore Excursions of in October included a quarter-mile walk- America Assistant Development ing track, a playground area, an ADA- Manager Kayley Harmon said Victory compliant restroom, a pavilion-picnic Cruise Lines wants to offer a “hop on, area, and parking lot with eight spaces. JULIA ROBERTS/NEWS-LEADER hop off” style tour of Amelia Island The plan also called for two dry retention Parks & Recreation Advisory via motor coach for its guests. The ponds that would require the removal of Committee member Michael email included the dates for a ship trees. The Parks & Recreation Advisory Kegler said he wants to ensure to arrive here – twice in April, three Committee voted at its Oct. 8 meeting the public believes they are being times in November and three times in to recommend City Commission move heard in the process of creating December. The letter says Harmon forward on it. a park on Simmons Road and has wants to ensure the bus routes chosen 8 Flag Playscapes, a local nonprofit faith that the committee is not by the city are appropriate. that has created other playgrounds “rubberstamping” the project. The cruise line currently offers a accessible to disabled children, pledged tour from the Bahamas up the East $100,000 in equipment, design, and Coast to New York City, according to other donations toward the project. “After we had this vote … I’ve been its website, victorycruiselines.com. The company adapted its plans after the approached … (and) in all the conserva- Martin forwarded the letter to city PEG DAVIS/NEWS-LEADER environmental concerns were brought tions I’ve had, no one said they didn’t commissioners with a note that said A file photo of the Port of Fernandina from September 2019. Will a up. want a recreation area,” PRAC member no conversations regarding “this activ- luxury cruise ship dock in Fernandina Beach eight times in 2020? Several people at the October meet- Michael Kegler said. “But, overwhelm- ity” had been introduced by the Ocean That’s what Victory Cruise Lines and Port of Fernandina operator ing expressed concerns about the envi- ingly, I got questioned on, one: Why did Highway and Port Authority or the Worldwide Terminals Fernandina are planning for. ronment and the planned location, which we only have one option to look at, and port’s operator, Worldwide Terminals would serve mostly county citizens as voted on, and two, what was the rush to Fernandina. opposed to city residents, whose impact get it done?” At the OHPA’s Wednesday, Nov. 13, restriction that the lands … can only other than a commercial port facility fees would be paying for the park. There Kegler said the public has an issue meeting, City Commissioner Chip Ross be used for a commercial seaport for as described above shall be cause for were also alternate locations suggested with the process through which the spoke to the OHPA board about the pro- cargo and activities directly related to grantor, its successors or assigns, to for the park. committee approved the park, which, posed tour. Ross said when the OHPA such commercial seaport operations,” exercise an option to re-purchase said At their Nov. 12 meeting, members he said, was prompted by the general purchased the port property in 1993, the deed between the OHPA and property.” of the Parks & Recreation Advisory mistrust of city government following there was a restriction on the deed for WestRock’s predecessor, Container Worldwide Terminals CEO Chris Committee said that, since approving the approval of an amendment to the that property. Corporation of America, says. “Any the plan in October, they have heard “This conveyance is subject to the uses of the property for any purpose OHPA Continued on 6A more concerns. PARK Continued on 6A INDEX RELIGION, 4B LOOKING BACK 50 YEARS CLASSIFIEDS, 6B SCHOOL NEWS, 3B The Board of County Commission- COMMUNITY, 5B SERVICE DIRECTORY, 6B ers rebuffed a request from the EDITORIAL, 7A SUDOKU, 2B Merchants Association to make pub- OBITUARIES, 2A SPORTS, 8A lic the salaries of all commissioners OUT AND ABOUT, 2B WEEKEND, 2B and county officers. Nov. 20, 1969 News-Leader, 165th year. No. 92, Copyright, 2019 NL Friday 11.15.indd 1 11/14/19 6:20 PM 2A FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2019 NEWS News-Leader OBITUARIES a devastating accident on daughter, Antoinetta Melcarne, in 1995; and Charles Davis Friday, November 8, 2019. his son, Ronald J. Brown, in 2009. Charles “Donnie” Davis, 83, of Yulee, Fla., Dylan Hernandez, lov- He leaves behind two daughters, Sondra formerly of Jacksonville, Fla., went to be with ing son of Sylvie and Bart Lynn Christina Melcarne and husband Luigi the Lord on November 10 2019. Hernandez and young- Melcarne of South Huntington, N.Y. and He is the son of Charles and Ila Davis of est brother to Kayla and Mitziann White and husband Clifford H. White Jacksonville and a graduate Julia Hernandez, was born III of Jacksonville; and a grandson, Damiano of Andrew Jackson High September 30, 2000 in St. Herbert Melcarne, along with his extended School, Class of 1955. He Marys, Ga. He attended St. Michael Academy daughters, Francine Dawn Smart-Flexer of served his country in the on Amelia Island, Fla. from pre-kindergarten Tampa, Fla. and Nina Flores-Lopez of San U.S. Army. He was a carpen- through eighth grade and was a graduate of Diego, Calif., his extended son, Todd Winters ter by trade and retired from Bishop Kenny High School in Jacksonville, of Long Island, N.Y., and countless nieces, Anheuser Busch. He was a Fla. He moved to San Diego, Calif. in the fall nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews member of Teamsters Union of 2019 to begin his studies at San Diego State as well. No. 947 and was an avid Florida Gator fan and University. A Homegoing Memorial Service will member of the Alumni Association. Dylan loved the California weather and be held at noon Monday, November 18, A Christian who loved the Lord, he was a beaches and loved to play basketball with his 2019 at For Your Soul Gospel International good son, devoted husband, and great father friends. He truly enjoyed the time he spent Ministries, located at 49 N. Bowlan St. in and grandfather. at SDSU. Jacksonville, with Archbishop Camelot In addition to his parents, he was preceded Dylan was fun, loving, smart, so caring Bonaventure officiating. in death by his son, Charles David Davis, and and always had a smile on his face. He was a Mr. Montgomery will be creamated and grandson, Charles “Rusty”Davis.