Growing up in West Palm Beach, the beach was a serene haven for me and my family – a place where we could unwind, connect with nature, and enjoy the tranquility that only our pristine waterfront could offer. But this idyllic image has been overshadowed by increasing congestion and overcrowding, particularly since Mayor James took office.

Since Mayor James took office, our peaceful and family-oriented community in West Palm Beach  has been disrupted. The simplicity and tranquility that we once cherished have been stripped away, replaced by endless traffic, rampant construction, and overcrowding. Our streets, once quiet and safe, are now lined with parked cars and filled with tourists. Mayor James' push to increase tourism has left residents of Palm Beach Island struggling to find solace in their own neighborhoods.

Additionally, Mayor James has his own agenda of creating NYC in West Palm Beach along with Stephen Ross. He has stripped away the simplicity of our peaceful and family oriented area, with excessive traffic, building and overcrowding of our area. Increased Tourism has also played a roll, For Starters, James has driven an increased amount of tourism also causing the residents of Palm Beach Island to be bombarded with traffic congestion, tourists & overcrowding, in turn has causing the Mayor of Palm Beach Island to implement $8.00 an hr parking all over the island, no longer just at the public beach. All of this has created a great demise in quality of life and our Florida culture for Native Floridians such as myself & Palm Beach Residents. Additionally, this has carried over to our East side West Palm Beach area and beyond. The beach that I have been going to since I was a child, which was free to park, very quiet & serine, now comes with a price tag of $65.00 a day to park & tourist all over. These are not just minor inconveniences—they are intentional barriers that have transformed our culture and quality of life. This is not the way I nor other Native and long term Floridians want to live.

The latest threat to our way of life comes in the form of Stephen Ross' Curio Hotel proposal. If approved, it will exacerbate the existing issues of traffic congestion, overbuilding, and overcrowding. Already, our infrastructure is under immense strain, with roads congested beyond capacity, limited parking, and public services stretched thin. This hotel will only serve to attract even more tourists, further compromising our quality of life.

The promise of economic growth must not come at the expense of our community's well-being and cultural identity. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to preserve the unique charm and serenity that defines Palm Beach Island. Rejecting this proposal is a critical step towards maintaining our Florida culture and the quality of life that is our birthright.

Please sign the petition. My goal is 1,500 signatures. This is happening all over the county. We get enough people against the over building and traffic issue, we stand a chance at re-instating the law that was removed causing all of this mess.

I urge you to join me in standing against the Curio Hotel proposal. Let’s advocate for responsible development that prioritizes the needs of residents over transient economic gains. Please sign this petition to help keep Palm Beach Island a haven of peace and joy for us all.