Paid parking opponents dominate Town Hall
Posted
Residents, business owners and downtown workers packed Fernandina Beach City Hall Tuesday and spilled out onto the sidewalks on Ash Street to voice opposition to a plan to implement paid parking in the historic downtown. More than 30 people spoke with only four supporting the paid parking idea. Meanwhile, opponents cheered and jeered from the sidewalk while holding signs in protest.
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BBillings
Four people supported ?
I was there the entire 2 hours - 5pm to 7pm - and I only heard ONE person support it, and one other on the fence.
Tuesday, June 24 Report this
malednovich
Those in support who spoke were Michael Sharpe, Sheila Cocchi, Richard Deem and Tom Ray. Check the city video. -- Mike Lednovich, Fernandina Observer
Wednesday, June 25 Report this
DouglasM
Two of those "supporters" din't like the idea but didn't see an alternative for funding.
My main concern....several people mentioned the failed attempts in other cities that are comparable to ours. Neptune Beach, in particular was just on local news last week for an inability to collect fees and the resulting shortfall. Like the search for a City Attorney, are we really casting our "research" net far and wide to get a good look at this issue? Or are we just listening to the parking vendors? I'm concerned we really aren't thinking through the myriad of problems that will come up (and I heard a bunch of those in the video).
Wednesday, June 25 Report this
pbsteve
Heard a preponderance of views that did not favor PAID PARKING but no alternative solutions that were credible and/or doable in the time period required to meet the city's identified revenue requirements.
We heard from at most 50 people (2 min each = 100 min of the total 120 min alloted time)
That represents less than 0.4% of the total population of the city---not a very representstive sample.
Wednesday, June 25 Report this
Jerryschonfeld
I visit there from Virginia at least 3 times a year and enjoy shopping and eating downtown. I f you put in meters, I will go downtown. Jerry Schonfeld
Wednesday, June 25 Report this
JohnFindlay1
I understand why so many people oppose paid parking. It is certainly inconvenient for all and costly for those who work downtown. But a solution is required to raise the additional money that is needed for all the projects that are being proposed, such as the sea wall and development of the area around Brett's after it is demolished. So please propose alternatives for raising those funds.
Friday, June 27 Report this
charlesebrown
Every city and town I have lived in had parking meters. Most were a quarter per 30 minutes. The meter were able to take a credit/debit card and a parking enforcement officer (non-sworn) would ride around in a small 3 wheel cart with a top and write civil tickets for violators. I do have an option one way or the other on paid parking in Fernandina Beach. I will continue to dine and shop with or without paid parking. I do suggest the Town Council listen to the residents and make the appropriate decision. I also suggest a through examination of the budget and look for items that can be removed to save money.
Sunday, June 29 Report this