Call the Vote! It's time for residents to decide the Paid Parking question

Commentary

Enough is enough.

It’s time for Fernandina Beach city commissioners to set an early special election and let voters decide — directly and decisively — whether they want paid parking in the historic downtown.

This issue has dragged on long enough, and the community is paying the price.

For months, social media has been a battleground.

Enough of the personal accusations. No more “one of them is getting a kickback from the company.”

No more “Time-clock Tim wants all businesses to go under downtown.”

The public debate has sunk into personal attacks and conspiracy theories, rather than focusing on the underlying policy. Meanwhile, trust in city government is eroding.

Set the date — April 7, 2026. The Nassau County Supervisor of Elections has more than enough lead time to plan a clean, straightforward citywide vote.

Enough of the harassment of commissioners at their workplaces. They are public servants, yes — but also neighbors, small-business owners, and fellow residents.

A special election costs roughly $40,000. In the city’s $200-plus million budget, that’s minimal. As Vice Mayor Darron Ayscue noted, raising the downtown hourly parking rate by just 25 cents would more than cover it.

Enough of wasting staff time on projections, negotiations, and drafting operational details with the paid-parking management company — details that may never be implemented if voters reject the program.

Enough of attaching conditions to the idea of an early vote as suggested by Commissioner Genece Minshew last Tuesday. Want to pursue a recall of Commissioners Minshew and Tim Poynter? Fine — state your legal grounds and keep it civil. Recalls and referendums are legitimate tools. Personal attacks are not.

Enough of the mounting legal bills. The No Paid Parking group is fundraising to continue to seek a court-ordered injunction blocking implementation before the far-off Aug. 18 referendum. The city attorney is fighting that effort. An early binding vote makes that entire legal battle unnecessary.

And enough of burying this issue on a crowded, low-turnout state/local primary ballot — scheduled on a hot August day when many Fernandina Beach residents are out of town.

The second reading of the paid-parking ordinance comes before the City Commission on Dec. 4. There two choices. Approve the ordinance and begin implementing paid parking or vote to put it on hold and stage the special election.

Commissioners Poynter and Tuten, along with Mayor Jame Antun, remain entrenched in their support for paid parking. But staying dug in helps no one. Step out of the foxhole, acknowledge the community division, and let residents decide the matter sooner rather than later.

Minshew and Ayscue have already said they support the concept of putting it on hold until a vote. It only takes one of the three supporters of paid parking to move the election date up and put paid parking on hold.

The community deserves clarity. The city staff deserves direction. The voters deserve a clean, timely decision.

Enough is enough. Let the people decide — early, openly, and without the bitterness that has come to define this issue.