FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla. – Some residents of Fernandina Beach are intensifying their fight against the idea of paid parking by hitting the streets and launching a campaign to get the issue on a ballot.
Marian Phillips, an organizer of the campaign, said Saturday morning that they collected 300 signatures at Fernandina Beach Market Place from people who live within the city limits and support the idea of putting the paid parking question to voters.
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The group continued gathering signatures in the afternoon at A1A Cidery.
The plan is to collect all the required signatures, 1,500, and then turn them in to the Nassau County Supervisor of Elections Office. Once the signatures are verified, the SOE will draft language for a ballot referendum for November 2026.
From there, residents would use their vote to decide the fate.
Phillips hopes the vote would be a no.
Phillips said they’re choosing to fight this way because they believe their voices aren’t being heard when they speak out at city meetings.
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“We’re the taxpayers, and we should have the say,” Phillips said. “When we vote and we vote for these people to sit in office, they’re elected by us, the people. They’re supposed to be our servants and listen to us, and why are four commissioners on that city commission not listening? I don’t understand that.”
While at A1A Cidery, News4JAX spoke with Darron Ayscue, the city’s vice-mayor.
“It’s a very easy no for me,” Ayscue said. “The citizens don’t want this, so that’s why I’m voting no.”
It’s a feeling many others in this bar had as well
Darron Ayscue, Vice-Mayor, City of Fernandina Beach: 1:19:19
“I really think that paid parking elevates it to just a different atmosphere,” resident Eric Cole said. “That’s not the environment we want to live in down here.”
The plan to bring paid parking downtown was introduced earlier this year.
In April, News4JAX reported the initial proposal would be to charge for “premier” parking spots bordered by Ash and Alachua streets, from Front Street east to Eighth Street.
This would include the main parking lot at the marina and could generate around $2 million in revenue for the city, according to commissioners.
Commissioner Tim Poynter told the Fernandina Observer that the city doesn’t have the money to pay for its many projects, including improvements and aging buildings.
Phillips said she and others plan to collect more signatures in the coming days, with the hopes they can collect enough by January to take them to the SOE.
News4JAX reached out to the city for the latest update on paid parking.
A spokesperson replied, saying:
The award of bid for parking management services is scheduled for the August 19, City Commission meeting.
Mary Hamburg, Communications Manager, City of Fernandina Beach
The group will be collecting more signatures this coming week.
Sunday, August 17 they’ll be at Hola Cuban Cafe from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Sunday, August 17 they’ll also be at Ash Street Cigar Parlor from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.