Fernandina City Golf To Be Run By Billy Casper Golf LLC

EDITOR’S NOTE: Contributing Columnist, Steve Nicklas, expresses his views and insights on various topics in Marketplace column.

___STEVE’S MARKETPLACE___

AMELIA ISLAND, Fla. (December 17, 2010) — Employees of the Fernandina Beach Municipal Golf Course received letters from the city about two weeks ago — commending them for their meritorious service.

At first blush, it seems to be a nice, year-end gesture. How the letter began, and how it ended, told a dichotomous tale.

These employees — some with 20 years of service — were informed in the same letter of commendation that they were being terminated. As part of a tasteless gesture, the letters were neatly signed by the city manager, Michael Czymbor.

For some 40 employees, striking up a cheerful verse such as “Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year” would be like pouring concrete into a divot. The timing of the matter could not have been worse.

You see, the management of the city golf course has been turned over to a private company, Billy Casper Golf. Instead of the new company taking over the operation and assimilating the existing employees, they cleaned out the cart house immediately. Mind you, this was not a corporate takeover. Those can occur rashly, harshly. Instead, this was a city operation being handed to a private company. City officials initiated and negotiated the entire deal — the terms, the timing, the compensation. They just omitted their employees.

The same city employees may have an opportunity to earn a job, or so they are told. The new company was supposed to conduct interviews this week to see if the workers met their standards. The affected employees can also seek a position with another city department (how cordial of city officials).

In the meantime, these city workers are without work during one of the worst economic downturns in our memory. The takeover by Casper did not play out like they expected, or, like they were told to expect.

There are critics and skeptics about the proposed takeover by Casper anyhow. Some contend that Casper representatives inflated their projected revenues to capture the contract over several competitors, including a group led by Scott Womble, the city’s current head golf professional.

The contract with the city reportedly favors the golf management company, and does not make them very accountable. Also, you have to question how much attention and resources a company of Casper’s size will commit here.

The decision to assign the management of the popular 27-hole course was controversial with existing members at the golf club. Fernandina Beach Men’s Golf Association members “don’t want to see it happen,” Womble says.

The members also knew and liked the former workers at the golf course. It remains to be seen what kind of relationship a private company will forge with the members.

As for the former employees, they have their letters of departure to hang up in their homes, instead of ceremonial Christmas balls and festive decorations. The words of Czymbor will be there, in a cold and callous ink (please pardon the grammar):

“… all current City employees assigned to the Golf Club will be laid off. Your last date to report to work is Dec. 18, 2010.

“On behalf of our entire organization, I wish to acknowledge you 17 years of extraordinary years of service to the City and the Golf Club, and your many fine contributions to improve our Golf Club. Your service and dedication was truly appreciated.”

If this is meant to be a slap on the back, it was done with a four iron.

Steve Nicklas is a financial advisor who lives on Amelia Island. He can be reached at 904-753-0236 or send eMail to [email protected].