Youth committee plans 'Leave No Trace' beach skit after mixed Instagram reaction; rehearsal set for June 10

The Fernandina Beach Youth Advisory Committee moved to develop a beach-oriented "Leave No Trace" public service announcement in response to complaints about trash on local beaches and mixed reactions to a recent Instagram video. Miss Mayer, supporting communications, said utilities director Kathy Sabatini had asked whether the committee could create a more playful PSA.

"She asked if, you know, we could come up with something more fun, like a PSA or something," Miss Mayer said, recounting the staff suggestion. Committee members agreed to produce a short skit and to rehearse and film it in the morning on Tuesday, June 10, with Seaside Park (not Main Beach) identified as a preferred location for the activity. Jake and Jacob volunteered to draft the skit and to share ideas ahead of the rehearsal.

Members discussed social-media fallout from a recent traffic-safety reel. Some comments criticized the speed of the video and included hostile remarks; one member paraphrased a comment as "All cops are bad." Committee members urged care in posting content because critics were quick to seize on perceived mistakes. "But we have to be careful because clearly, they look for anything to criticize," Miss Mayer said.

The committee set deadlines for script drafts, requested permission or confirmation of location if required, and agreed to share proposed scripts with staff before public posting to reduce the risk of avoidable criticism. The committee also discussed logistics such as props, who would be included in the skit and whether the PSA could be timed before the July Fourth period to amplify cleanup messaging.

No formal vote or ordinance was associated with the outreach plan; members assigned follow-up tasks to draft the script, coordinate logistics and confirm any necessary city permissions.