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You can oppose paid parking without destroying a man, his family and his employees
COMMENTARY
Disagree with paid parking all you want. More than 1,700 citizens did via petition.
That is democracy.
It is scapegoating.
Let’s start there.
Yet somehow, Poynter has become the singular face of public rage.
Because he owns businesses downtown.
Because hurting him feels personal.
So now we have people proudly announcing they will never again step foot in Cafe Karibo, Timoti’s, Baba’s, miniature golf or duckpin bowling — businesses that employ local residents, pay local taxes, occupy and revitalize downtown buildings, and contribute to the vibrancy of the very place those critics claim to love.
People lament the loss of local character in Florida towns. They complain when communities become chains, corporate developments and soulless tourism strips.
Poynter didn’t build generic strip mall franchises. He built gathering places for everyone to enjoy.
And for what?
A vote three other commissioners also cast?
If residents want accountability, there is an election process. That is exactly what representative government is for. Commissioners should answer for decisions at the ballot box.
And it should concern everyone — regardless of where they stand on paid parking.
Who would ever want to serve?
Why would successful business owners, civic leaders or community-minded residents volunteer for public office if this is the price?
What reasonable person looks at that and says, yes, sign me up for city government?
Character assassination is not.
Turning one commissioner into a public punching bag for a decision made collectively is not.
You may believe it should never have happened.
Fernandina Beach can disagree without becoming vindictive. We can oppose policies without trying to destroy people. We can hold elected officials accountable without turning neighbors into enemies.
And that is a stain on our community.
Comments
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BECHARD
Amen! The Poynter family has been instrumental in enhancing the fabric of this beautiful city over the past three decades. While I understand that paid parking is only enforced on individuals like me who reside outside the city limits, I am happy to support the improvement of downtown infrastructure with a small fee to park downtown. It desperately needs capital investments. Boycotting Poynter businesses not only harms his businesses and employees but also negatively impacts other downtown businesses. In contrast, past commissioners lacked the courage to make the challenging financial decisions necessary to improve the downtown infrastructure. The City now faces monumental infrastructure costs, and finding alternative revenue streams (other than raising taxes on a very small number of residents) is a necessary evil. Thank you, Tim Poynter, Genece Minshew, Joyce Tuten, and James Antun, for making the controversial decision to raise the funds without raising taxes. Paid parking was a smart financial decision made by four out of the five commissioners. Tim Poynter, his family, and his employees should not be punished by …
Tuesday, May 19 Report this
RobertR
We purchased our home here in January of 2016......"downtown" was a Ghost town. The Boom or Bust real estate Florida style was a bust. The only businesses that appeared to have any customers were movers and consignment shops taking in furniture that people were trying to sell after loosing their homes. The Caribou always had "locals" special-10% and we went most weeks because that - % was to be added to you tip for the servers. Then COVID hit. Through it all Tim Poynter keep his employees employed. He could have very easily just cut his overhead. He did not. I may not agree with his political/economic positions but I'll be dammed to throw mud at him....... For anyone crazy enough to strap on a City Commissioners nightmare, better you than I. A little Kindness here would be so much nicer to see. Final point....... with many of the postings I've come to see here.....If you are not financially effected, i.e. you are a city taxpayer, please refrain for mud slinging. Direct your comments only to issues that directly effect you. TIA.
Tuesday, May 19 Report this
PaulaM
Unfortunately what is happening to Mr. Poynter is the same thing that is happening in the entire country. The behavior of this administration is the same..name calling..hatred.. vindictive retribution for anyone who dares to disagree be it the press..the opposing political party..the citizens….all are vilified if they dare question or voice an opposing position. It’s disgusting..it’s disgraceful and it’s certainly NOT democracy. To threaten a man’s business or shame him or his family on social media because you don’t like a political stand he took is not only shameful, it shows a huge lack of character..maturity and intellect…if you think something is broken, do something to fix it..get up and run for office instead of sitting back and doing nothing but bloviating on a keypad …but then just look at the current mayoral situation…nobody stepped up there …guess it’s just easier to do nothing but complain.
Tuesday, May 19 Report this
GaryWh
Great column, Mike. As a city resident, I pay more in taxes per month than non-residents would have to pay for an annual parking pass to enjoy our city. Alternatively, non-residents could just park a block over and pay nothing towards the upkeep of downtown.
The sewer that is social media has made Mr. Poynter and this issue much larger than it is. He stepped up to work for the city and many of his detractors actually voted for him. He was part of the supermajority that approved paid parking to avoid raising our city tax burden, which, for me, has remained the same for the last six plus years. Go ahead and run for office if you can do better without raising my taxes. In the meantime I will continue to enjoy all the businesses and service folks that make our city great.
Tuesday, May 19 Report this
Dhelwig
One of the reasons the mayor hasn’t been attacked is because he’s always advocated for paid parking. No one can honestly say he misled anyone. The best detractors come up with is “bashful”. He likely learned early on that engaging on social media (even when you’re sober) or giving interviews to most media puts a target on your back. Respect to Mr Poynter for taking the hits. I’ve spent lots of money in his restaurants in the past and hope to spend more in the future. And pay to park.
Tuesday, May 19 Report this
jhorn71
I do not agree with targeting just Tim, instead I would rather target the entire commission for allowing this money grab to take place. There were petitions signed by residents who opposed it that outweighed the number of votes it took to put these people on the commission and yet they disregarded their own constituency. Mike Lednovich, to see an article written by you in regards to this subject is laughable at best and purely hypocritical.
Tuesday, May 19 Report this
Conrad2k
Mike, thank you for this piece. The vitriol and anger over paid parking is way out of proportion to the impact that paid parking has had. I always have wondered why only two commissioners were being attacked when four commissioners voted for paid parking. The recall nonsense was a waste of city time and resources. The correct democratic response was the referendum. If you live in the city and truly want to stop paid parking, vote against it. That's your right.
I believe the loudest anti-paid parking voices are from people who may live in the 32034 zip code but don't live in the city and don't pay city taxes. Any city taxpayer can register for free parking and on non-festival days can find parking downtown. It's still crowded, but there are spots available. On top of that, the non-city residents are finally helping offset some of the tax increases that will inevitably hit city residents. Even if the paid parking program doesn't meet projected financial targets, every dollar that comes in is one less tax dollar coming from those of us who live here.
Tuesday, May 19 Report this
Sfletcher
Mike, very well said. I agree 100%. Agree or disagree with paid parking, singling out a person and his business is totally inappropriate.
Tuesday, May 19 Report this
BillFold
We’re not “solitary blaming” Tim Poynter. The blame is on all four commissioners equally. We don’t like what any of them did, but especially Mr. Poynter because he campaigned on no paid parking and then the first thing he did was vote for it. That kind of “character” deserves what it’s getting. It’s obvious you’re not a very good judge of character if you defend a person that lies in your face. Tells you one thing and does just the opposite. Yes healthy communities need good people willing to serve. What healthy communities don’t need is bad people with bad character and liars. Healthy communities need people willing to listen to their constituents. When the people of Fernandina spoke at commission/town hall meetings none of the commissioners paid any attention. They shoved paid parking down everybody’s throat and said like it. Or not.
Tuesday, May 19 Report this
Hibdon1998
Thank you for publicly sharing this commentary! I find it deplorable that some of the same people I set next to at weekly Mass are the same people who are posting the nasty, hateful vitriol about our Commissioners and especially Poynter. I find it interesting that people don’t seem to understand that paid parking could potentially affect Poynter’s businesses, the same as other downtown businesses. He supported paid parking despite any potential impact because he acknowledged there was a revenue deficit and voted for paid parking. The City’s lack of revenue did not happen overnight: previous administrations were not as fiscally responsible as they could have been. As a City resident who pays taxes that support the downtown infrastructure for everyone to enjoy, I am relieved we have paid parking!
Tuesday, May 19 Report this
Prof____H
I support Mr. Poynter and will vote for him for Mayor. I am a city resident, and I support paid parking downtown. Most of my city, tax-paying neighbors also support paid parking. I look forward to seeing the CITY voters on the referendum and whether Mr. Poynter gets elected Mayor. I support all the city commissioners who voted to try a non-property-tax approach to fix the infrastructure that many in the county use but do not pay for.
Tuesday, May 19 Report this
Kelprod
Mr. Poynter has voluntarily entered into public office as a business owner within the community he serves. The prudence of that decision can be debated, but he is certainly entitled to do so. As such, he should know that the decisions he makes in his role in public office can have a negative impact on his businesses, including boycotts- which the community is also certainly entitled to do.
Thursday, May 21 Report this
PopeJA
Absolutely agree. I wonder if the anti organizers would appreciate it if the same personal destruction tactics they seemingly endorse were directed at them? Their families and associates? It would be equally wrong and should never be part of an issue of public policy.
Friday, May 22 Report this
yodachewy
Do not like it at all. Small, shack-like buildings surrounding a beautiful aspect of this beautiful little town. Reconsider please Tim.
I too, am very upset with you over your behavior against the majority of the people of Fernandina and I'm shocked that Mike would write such a one-sided column. But I do see and I do understand that we ALL have emotion and anger regarding these rather large changes and proposals by a city comission that seemingly want to work against those who put them in office. The tearing down of a building to simply give you guys fancier digs???? AYFM!
Shack doesn't fit. Yes, character! Tear down those unbuilt buildings b4 its 2 late.
Monday, June 1 Report this