I'm a little upset with the city of Daytona Beach and local government...it kills me we live in one of the most beautiful places on the East Coast with some of the friendliest and hard working people. There are thousands in our city several times a year due to our tourism. They visit, they spend their money..we are priviledged to have this opportunity.
The Harsh Reality of Living in Daytona Beach
The sad part is condo's are vacant and so are many houses. People struggle to pay their bills and there is the homeless and cut backs and clearly you can see it. Tourist come to our city and are so kind to visit and spend their hard earned money but once they get here the appeal is not so strong.
Daytona Beach Is Getting A Bad Rap And Things Need To Change!
Sometimes when I drive in Daytona Beach I feel like I am back in time. There are homes built in the early 1900's scattered throughout and may parts of Daytona still untouched and gorgeous and sometimes I forget there is still small town thinking by keeping Daytona the same as it always has been. Nothing stops the economy like small town thinking.
There are so many things I do not know about Daytona Beach, city ordinances, zoning and politics, heck I didn't know that it's illegal riding your bike on the sidewalk either until I ended up in a courtroom.
Many may think that I am being harsh but the truth is the truth!
The World's Most Famous Beach is known primarily for bikeweek, hot chicks, tattoos and fun. Let's not forget NASCAR, Spring Break, Black College Reunion and I am sure plenty more of events and local festivals. Yes Daytona Beach sounds fun right and we have so much to offer but I bet you didn't know this.
Daytona Beach City Ordinance-Getting A Tattoo is Illegal in Daytona Beach
You heard right, there are no tattoo parlors in Daytona Beach, home to bikeweek and biketoberfest. I did not know this until a few months ago and to me this is the biggest mistake, dumbest thing I have ever heard, well maybe not.... because in Daytona Beach they recently ammended this city ordinance that has been in effect for the past 20 years...you ready...you can't get a palm reading either.
C'mon Now That's Small Town Thinking !
Now I know the reasoning behind this but truly the way I see it, it stunts Daytona Beaches growth. It's not so much about the tattoo's its the small town thinking or better yet not being commerce friendly. WE NEED MORE COMMERCE TO THRIVE and Daytona Beach has had opportunity upon opportunity to grow business-wise. Instead we continually opt to rely on tourism as the main source of revenue!
"Criswald said the ordinance was passed by city leaders almost 20 years ago who thought tattooing within city limits was detrimental to the city. According to Criswald, the tattoo ordinance was recently amended in 2000 to include palm readings." a quote from the Daytona News Journal.
Everyday I see some business shutting down or another gas station close. Haven't checked the unemployment rate...I'm so over the doom and gloom. It's sad because I love Daytona Beach and our fair city offers such beauty, a peacefulness and lots of fun!
The New Daytona-A Marketing Campaign
It's got to get better than this but it will never improve unless the new Daytona emerges. I could care less about the new campaign...I'm talking new thinking..new business..making Daytona Beach a self sustained city because right now..it's not.
I truly hope with the campaign, The New Daytona.that its truly more than a campaign...but not just new business and commerce emerge but new government thinking. Daytona Beach residents are counting on it!
While most people post the good about their city and will probably be really surprised this came out of my mouth...I'm not hear to win a popularity contest...I think something needs to be done..my point is my city could be better...and I want this article found and read...not just by consumers but city officials.
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