Voice of the people

Author: Shellie Thole

(unredacted)

"I am disappointed by the opinion written by Ms. Frosio (Councilman Messinger’s handler) that Airbnbs are destroying the quality of life in Neptune Beach.

It is a smoke-and-mirrors attempt to deflect attention from a list of expensive and embarrassing failures: half million un-budgeted spend on the Dover Kohl Vision Plan debacle; millions on the still-unfinished Jarboe Park; hundreds of thousands on the mis-managed mobile home Senior Center (which we just were informed needs upwards of $600,000 to complete!)

Is this how we should have been spending our tax dollars when our infrastructure systems require over $100 million dollars in URGENT repairs and upgrades?

If Airbnbs are “destroying” Neptune Beach, why didn't Dover Kohl and Partners alert us in the two years when they were here studying every aspect of our city - a bloated and almost $500,00 project heavily promoted by Messinger and Frosio? I'll tell you why. Because it's “not a thing”. The code enforcement officer told them as much, but they continue with the rhetoric.

Implementing another expensive and unnecessary project is the last thing Neptune Beach needs right now. Let’s get our priorities straight and stop the nonsense!

Shellie Thole"