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Residents clash over paid parking, recalls and downtown future at Fernandina Beach meeting
Summary
Several public commenters and commissioners debated the city's paid parking rollout and related recall and referendum efforts; speakers on both sides accused opponents of misinformation and political targeting, and commissioners noted citations began as of the prior day.
Public comment at the March 17 Fernandina Beach City Commission meeting focused heavily on the recently implemented paid‑parking program and political fallout tied to a referendum and recall efforts.
Medardo Monzon urged civility and said he supports a referendum on paid parking as a democratic way to resolve the dispute, while urging residents to remain respectful of commissioners and their colleagues. Monzon told the commission that, in his view, commissioners who opposed a proposed ethanol plant had "listened carefully to our community" and he thanked them for that stance.
Cameron Moss, who identified himself as a long‑time Florida resident, criticized the group Citizens Against Paid Parking. "Their tactics include pushing recall efforts against commissioners Minshew and Poynter, claiming overwhelming opposition based on 1,700 referendum votes, and about 1,400 recall signatures," Moss said. He accused opponents of "fear mongering" and of working to replace two commissioners as part of a broader effort related to a bioethanol proposal.
Other speakers raised public‑safety and quality‑of‑life concerns: Amy Crow said she has safety worries at the marina docks after late‑night visitors and asked for more patrols; Waldemar Barreiro highlighted the cost increase to close a small street for skate competitions and sought staff review. Alan Hopkins introduced himself as a newly appointed Jacksonville Transit Authority board member and offered to coordinate transit needs.
Vice Mayor Askew told the commission that paid parking enforcement had begun issuing citations "as of yesterday," and he asked staff and the public to report problems as the program continues its rollout. Commissioners acknowledged implementation issues and said city staff had been responsive to reported glitches.
The meeting also included a brief, heated exchange after public comment: Medardo Monzon criticized a commissioner's social‑media response to a resident and called for an apology; Vice Mayor Askew responded directly in the meeting, calling the conduct "completely disgusting and unacceptable" when it extended to his family and asking it not be repeated.
No formal action was taken on the paid‑parking referendum or recall during the meeting; the program remains in effect and enforcement of citations has begun.
