As a Holmes Beach resident, I am dismayed and quite frightened about the proposed legislation brought forward by state Rep. Will Robinson Jr., R-Bradenton.
If he spent any time on the island, he would see we have a traffic problem, not a parking problem.
With upward of 25,000 cars driving onto the island on any given day, there is no way for any parking structure or additional parking spots to accommodate this volume.
In 2015, the island cities commissioned a study by the Urban Land Institute and the findings were notable: residents and visitors want to retain the “old Florida” charm that defines Anna Maria Island and off-site parking solutions must be found to address the issue of overcrowding.
To date, our county commissioners have failed to plan on both counts, opting instead to focus on more inflammatory issues.
Traffic aside, the issue that strikes fear in my heart, as it should for every American, is the egregious threat to consolidate our local governments for county takeover.
This attempted coup threatens the very foundation of a healthy democracy — the right to home rule.
I resent and do not approve of any tax dollars spent to fund such a study and I know that others agree. Any consolidation of island services should be decided upon by islanders — not from any top-down directives. The motives of this “take over” initiative are self-serving, short-sighted and perhaps illegal.
Government by bullying is no way to represent the people nor does it model acceptable behavior for your electorate.
Shawn Mayers, Holmes Beach
Agree-let’s retain the “old Florida” charm that defines Anna Maria Island-which doesn’t include a parking structure
So much for smaller government.