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Fernandina Commission rejects second paid parking question, leaving ballot as is
FERNANDINA BEACH - The Fernandina Beach City Commission on Tuesday declined to place a companion question on the Aug. 18 ballot, opting instead to let a citizens-driven referendum on paid parking stand on its own.
“This is really staff’s attempt to just bring back an opportunity for the commission to discuss something that had been bounced around during the paid parking discussions,” City Manager Sarah Campbell told commissioners, referring to earlier suggestions that the city might frame its own ballot language.
“I am not interested in adding an additional signature to the ballot,” Commissioner Genece Minshew said.
“It’s very confusing as it is. I think there’s so much going on,” Tuten said. “I think if we put another question on, it would … as much as I would like to understand how much taxpayers would endure a potential tax on a bond, I’m not — I think it’s too complicated.”
“I can count to three,” Antun said. “I think we have consensus there at least.”
The commission’s decision aligns with concerns outlined in a recent Fernandina Observer editorial that questioned whether adding a city-backed ballot question would amount to “pouring gas on the fire” of an already divisive issue. The editorial argued that introducing competing language risked confusing voters and further eroding public trust at a time when the paid parking program has become a flashpoint in local politics.
With the commission stepping back, the Aug. 18 election will serve as a direct referendum on the future of paid parking in Fernandina Beach.
Comments
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rswarner
Less is now more. Steady on course.
Wednesday, April 22 Report this
PaulaM
Good decision…thank you!
Wednesday, April 22 Report this
DouglasM
Whew!!!
Wednesday, April 22 Report this
Cmoss56
Mike - after the very incendiary headline from your article about "pouring gas on a fire" which clearly had a negative view of PP and the commissioners, a more celebratory headline seems in order - and FAIR,,,,
How about something like this:
City Commission Tamps Down the Heat on Paid Parking....
or
City Commissioners Heard Their Constituents and Made the Right Call
Something that would have been more fitting than "Commission Rejects"....which has clear negative consequences
From our past articles you are clearly and consistently against PP - your right of course - yet in the spirit of what we all want FB to be, a little kindness and professional humility might be contagious....just sayin
Wednesday, April 22 Report this