Issue link: https://newsleader.uberflip.com/i/127088
Sarasota News Leader May 3, 2013 OPINION Page 69 Office had requested the change, pointing to the number of altercations its deputies have to break up — especially at the Siesta Beach Park — over saved spaces. round residents to purchase passes at a highly reduced rate. The funds raised would go into an account to pay for a site with a parking deck. St. Boniface Episcopal Church, which is practically right around the corner from the public beach, sells spaces in its parking lot for $10 during season and finds drivers more than delighted to pay the fee. Although the money goes into a fund for the church's youth mission trips, a church spokeswoman this week recounted a story of one couple this season who came into the office to pay. "Give her another $10," the woman said. "She just saved a marriage." In fact, we suggest the county work on a concurrent plan to buy property and build a deck. (That lot is still for sale on Treasure Boat Way, last time we checked, and that would be a very convenient location.) People also would be charged to park in the deck. To make the situation a more attractive one, though, we propose that a free trolley travel a route encompassing the parking garage, the public beach and stops in Siesta Village. That should prove a boon to businesses, No doubt, the spokeswoman said, they had too. been driving for what seemed an interminable amount of time, hoping for a space to open up We daresay very few people would balk at having to pay for a parking space, knowing at the beach. their vehicles would be there when they reWe believe the time has come for the Coun- turned. ty Commission to direct staff to start holding community meetings for a serious discussion We also daresay that the county commissionabout the future of parking on Siesta Key. Be- ers might be quite surprised to find wideyond that, we are going to take the bold step spread enthusiastic support for these meaof suggesting that the commission needs to sures. They would ease the stress of visitors start working on a plan to charge people to and residents alike on an island that is a major park at the beach, with the option for year- tourism moneymaker for Sarasota County. % The Sarasota News Leader No-Nonsense Reporting