Welcome to the island that does not seem to be welcoming 

On Saturday, this paper had a visit from a family who had been photographed and included in our publication the previous week. They wanted to get some extra copies of the paper.

They came up to the office to see us, as so many of you do. The daughter wanted to tell us – as she had told the folks who had gathered in front of Hudson’s – that she had been “in the newspaper.” They were out for the day; the couple had been married at South Beach some years ago and the island was particularly important in their family moments.

During the conversation and newspaper office “tour,” we talked with the mom about the possibility of a drastic restriction in the ability of people to come here to go to the beach in the near future, affecting those who visit the island. The mom was actually kind of hurt, as if something had been taken away.

This family was like so many that come out here occasionally for time together. They do not come and park once. They make a round: they stop for provisions at Hudson’s or Kappy’s, go somewhere to the beach for a few hours at most and come back for ice cream. Here are a few profiles of visitors:

The retired group that comes for lunch, walks around, shops and goes home. The husband sits on the bench outside Fugate’s, under our office window in front of Gasparilla Outfitters or outside Palm on Park.

The couple that comes for dinner at the Temp, goes to see a sunset and has a drink somewhere else.

The morning group that comes for Bella Vida coffee and a walk or an exercise class.

The family of the construction worker who got nailed to the roof in an accident a few months ago.

The home healthcare workers who are vital to those who depend on them in every intimate way.

Two weeks ago, at the previous Lee County Commissioners’ meeting, we were promised that there would be an item on the agenda about this issue. But this week, only four of five commissioners were at the meeting, and there was no reading of anything related to Boca Grande parking, as had been promised. Perhaps there weren’t enough votes? 

Instead, residents, business owners and attorneys all made the trek to Fort Myers and spoke about the issue, as they had been told something would be on the agenda. Because we cannot trust what will be on the agenda – and there has been no presentation of anything – folks have to keep driving over, for both sides.

Imagine that you owned a business and had not been consulted or offered any ability to be part of the process, other than by sending an email or going to public comment, which is a last resort. There is no public process in Lee County on this issue. It is a sham.

That your government might not only be neutral toward you but against you, in secret, is the worst feeling there is. This could be solved by the reading of a plan, a public meeting and conversation. But no, we do not deserve that in Boca Grande. We get to make the trek and pay a wretched Lee County parking kiosk.

This island has not had the courtesy of even one public visit to meet with the business community. No planner has come to present anything publicly. No one. Perhaps an advisory visit to the Historic Preservation Board, charged with protecting this supposedly “fragile” barrier island? No, too much trouble. Someone might disagree.

Particularly painful at the meeting was having to see Marco Meola, co-owner of South Beach, making the trek to Fort Myers during Spring Break to speak up for opening the parking on the island and the area at the State Park. (Gasparilla Island State Park’s main park at the south end of the island is closed for renourishment. It has been delayed, as storms recently would not allow the equipment to be safely set up.)

So much else is afoot, and it does not feel good – not at all. The main issue is that we are all operating in a vacuum of information. Until a proposal is advertised, no one knows exactly what will be in it. Everyone is suffering from a lack of information. Of course, that is the point, isn’t it? Get the plan together in secret and put it out with only two weeks for people to react.

Of course, throw it in during Spring Break, when everyone is here, and you create a “crisis.” Never let a crisis go to waste, even if you made it yourselves.

Bridge traffic is down, actually. It is no worse than last year. This Spring Break is like any other, except that other beaches are closed in Charlotte County.

All we have is the certainty that there may be a massive parking shutdown and a possible two-hour limit in downtown, with our businesses having had no ability to speak to the ordinance before it was drafted.

We, as a family-owned business that carries the flag for this community, are extremely worried. Add to that a possible rate increase at GIBA, and the island becomes something else, something other than welcoming.

Garland Pollard is editor of the Boca Beacon. Email letters and comments to editor@bocabeacon.com.