Commentary - Fearmongering is the foundation of Bean's election campaign
As the Fernandina Beach city commission election approaches, Mayor Bradley Bean's rhetoric has taken a troubling turn. While it is typical for election campaigns to highlight contrasts between candidates, Bean's misleading statements should be challenged.
Bean's claim that we are “one commissioner away from paid parking” is not just a stretch — it’s a baseless exaggeration that distracts from meaningful debate.
At last week's Nassau Chamber of Commerce candidate forum, Bean declared: "Folks, we are only one commissioner away from having paid parking in our city. If you're a downtown business owner you can't possibly live with that."
He doubled down with the assertion "that we can't charge to park at our beach ... the danger folks, is that we're only one commissioner away from that."
First, let's unpack Bean's claim.
The assertion implies that a single vote, presumably from a newly elected city commissioner, could sway two other commissioners to support implementation of paid parking across Fernandina Beach.
Moreover, Bean's assertion oversimplifies the complexities of municipal governance and policy-making. Any paid parking initiative would not be a spontaneous decision; it would involve extensive public consultation, comprehensive studies, and broad consensus from multiple stakeholders including residents and local businesses.
Bean's campaign of fear is using this manufactured crisis to paint his opponents in a negative light, suggesting that they support an agenda that has not been formally proposed or substantiated. This strategy of guilt-by-association is not just misleading — it undermines the democratic process by shifting the focus from their actual policies and qualifications to unfounded fears and sensationalism.
Bean’s remarks also implies that other candidates may have ‘unstated motives’ to support a paid parking effort.
Yet Bean, just hours after the Chamber of Commerce forum, posted the same baseless allegations on his Facebook page.
As Election Day is just two months away, it is crucial for Fernandina Beach voters to demand a campaign based on facts, transparency, and real policy discussions. We deserve a debate that addresses concrete issues, such as the city's future development balacing tourism with quality of life concerns, infrastructure needs, and providing services, rather than being swayed by unfounded fears and misleading claims.
Let's set the record straight. Of the five current city commissioners, Bean, Darron Ayscue and Sturges are opposed to paid parking. Chip Ross has only three months left in his term and is not a factor. James Antun at the Aug. 8 budget workshop brought up considering paid parking as a potential revenue stream.
Now for the candidates. The Observer contacted all city commission candidates to articulate their positions on paid parking in the city. Here are their positions:
Tim Poynter said the issue is more complicated than a flat 'yes' or 'no.' He asks how can the city get tourists to pay for the maintenance of city infrastructure they use for free. "Willing to consider, but it has to be well thought out before I would move it forward."
Christy Kelly said at the Chamber candidate forum she favors visitors "pay by plate," a paid parking system. City residents, business owners and employees would be exempt.
Genece Minshew texted, "I am not in favor of paid parking downtown or at the beach. I do believe we need to look at better parking enforcement and options for employee parking downtown. We should be looking at long term transportation, parking and walk ability improvements and opportunities across the city. And, this has been my position on previous campaigns."
As stated, Sturges opposes paid parking.
Joyce Tuten texted, "Like most residents, I am against paid parking. I am all for open Town Hall meetings with stakeholders to tackle complex issues. The majority of our current Commissioners refuse to discuss capturing alternative revenue sources from our 1+ million annual visitors. Revenue that could help to lower our taxes. We pay to use our facilities through our taxes. Tourists use our facilities for free. As tourism on the island continues to grow, this arrangement might not continue to be in the best interest of residents. But we’ll never know if we don’t have a discussion."
The truth is this. At least three candidates, in addition to Bean, are opposed. One would consider talking about it. One would institute "pay by plate" for visitors.
Here are the links to the city commission candidates stating their policy positions:
Here are the links to the five other city commission candidates, stating their policy positions:
Seat 2 Vice Mayor David Sturges
