Breaking news -- Leeper must resign or withdraw from commission race

By AMELIA A. HART
amelia.hart@mynassausun.com

A pair of night-vision goggles means Fernandina Beach Fire Chief Danny Leeper is now facing a July 7 deadline to either end his bid for the Nassau County Commission or step down as chief.

The U.S. Office of Special Counsel ruled June 20 that Leeper is in violation of the federal Hatch Act because he is listed as a contact person on a 2007 grant application to the Department of Homeland Security for a night-vision kit and because he supervises the applicant, Deputy Chief Jeff Bunch.

The city was awarded the grant in December, but hasn’t yet gotten the goggles.

Leeper, 50, said he was disappointed in what he called a “shallow” interpretation of the Hatch Act, which restricts partisan political activity by local government employees whose work involves programs financed in whole or in part by federal loans and grants.

Leeper said he is researching his options in the wake of the ruling, including inquiring whether there’s any way to appeal.

Leeper already tendered his resignation earlier this month to comply with the state’s “Resign to Run” law. But that resignation was effective Nov. 3, the day before the general election.

According to the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, Leeper now must either resign his job or withdraw his candidacy by July 7.

“I’ll meet the necessary deadline,” Leeper said.