Cherish what we have

I’m sure many of you know that County Line Pizza at Plaza La Mer closed up shop last December. When asked why, one the main reasons was “the uncertainty of the future of the plaza based on recent development meetings with the town.” As I meet with other local business owners, they’re telling me they have the same concerns.

Last year, the Town Council asked for a master plan that could guide the town’s growth. The draft plan envisioned replacing our local businesses with high-density residential complexes. Once those businesses close their doors, they're gone for good and we’d lose the shops, services, and gathering places that make Juno Beach special.

What troubles me is the disconnect between what residents want and the direction our current Town Council is going. We voice concerns about weakening our zoning ordinances, only to be told we don’t understand.

But we DO understand. We chose Juno Beach because we love what it is, not what developers say it can become. Our voices deserve to be heard and respected, not dismissed.

This March, we can elect a new council that will put the will of the people back at the center of our town. I’m asking for your vote because Juno is worth fighting for. Let’s chart a different course, one that honors the community we’ve built together.