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Commentary
Call the vote! It's time for residents to decide the paid parking question
Posted
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. 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 putting the issue on hold until the 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.
Comments
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GMinshew
To be perfectly clear, I did not call for an early special election. The election was already set for the August primary by commission vote. I offered to stop implementation of paid parking til that time if 3 things would be assured; lawsuit is dropped, the recall effort is stopped and social media commentary calms down. Please get your facts straight. And please stop using a picture of a parking meter. It is just inflammatory and untrue.
Saturday, November 22, 2025 Report this
DouglasM
GMinshew....it makes more sense to move it forward as Mike suggests. If it's about revenue for the City, why would you wait that long? You've pushed ahead after a successful petition to vote on this issue......you continued to push ahead after a lawsuit was filed to, ironically, do what you now propose (wait for the vote)......you pushed ahead with a recall effort started.....and now you decide to pause but with "IF" conditions attached. Something is flawed. It will cost more money in lost revenue (if you win) to wait until August than it will to pay for a Special election in April. Your logic escapes me.
We saw a bait and switch once, so I doubt we trust your offer. It will be hard to start these efforts again if they are stopped.
The path forward for the betterment of all is the April special election Mike describes. We will all live with those results. There we will find out if the "vocal minority" has a "silent majority" behind it.
One other thing......you don't "negotiate" with your citizens....you "represent" them.
Saturday, November 22, 2025 Report this
GDecker
The city needs $2M+ for annual debt service on loans planned for infrastructure projects. Why is paid parking the only way? Have other options been discussed or even considered? How about downtown businesses/property owners pay for any downtown reimagination or flood remediation? How abour Brett's removal be paid for by a developer as part of marina revitalization? How about the city sell some assets to raise money?
Saturday, November 22, 2025 Report this
Editor
In our coverage of the November 18, 2025 Fernandina Beach City Commission meeting and a subsequent commentary, the Observer characterized Commissioner Genece Minshew’s remarks as signaling support for holding a special election earlier than August to decide the paid parking referendum. That interpretation was incorrect.
On Nov. 4 meeting, Darron Ayscue advocated for pausing paid parking and scheduling an earlier special election. Minshew did not state support for an early special election. Her comments, as delivered, expressed willingness to consider holding off on implementing paid parking until after the citizen petition is voted upon, contingent upon several conditions — the withdrawal of the pending lawsuit, cessation of the recall effort, and a reduction in hostile social media commentary.
Commissioner Minshew later publicly clarified on Facebook that she supports putting implementation on hold, not advancing the timing of the special election.
We are issuing this correction to ensure accuracy and to avoid contributing to misinformation surrounding this highly charged issue.
Sunday, November 23, 2025 Report this
DouglasM
It doesn't make sense from a financial perspective to wait all the way to August when you can do it earlier. After all, they project 2M/year, right?? That's about 166K every month. And it is about the money, right???
The 4 will never agree to a Special Election. They know they will get absolutely crushed on a standalone basis. Getting out the pro paid parking voters to vote on a single issue will be a very tough order. The No paid parking folks will swamp the polls.
No, they need it mixed in with a General/Primary election to get the other voters out who may take the time to color in their side of the oval on the ballot. It's their only chance, IMO.
So, while I appreciate Genece's offer on one level, I don't think it's smart to accept it. A lot can happen between now and August: especially if the "No" folks back off on the lawsuit, recall and everything else. I look forward to something more than just Paid Parking to vote on.....
Sunday, November 23, 2025 Report this