Oak Island says no to paid parking

OAK ISLAND, NC (WWAY) — To charge or not to charge? That’s been the question in Oak Island.

Town council has now decided not to go through with paid parking after all.

The money collected from these meters would have gone towards beach renourishment, which town leaders say could cost up to $40 million.

But no matter how beneficial this charge would’ve been, Mayor Pro Temp Jeff Winecoff says that they “put their cart before their horse” in making this decision.

“We [city council] decided right then and there until we do our homework and take care of the little things we need to do care of safety wise, parking’s not in discussion,” said Winecoff.

Winecoff said the council meeting last night was evenly divided with people in favor and against paid parking.
Blake Conklin, the owner of Shagger Jack’s is one of those who is not satisfied with the decision.

“I think we need the revenue for whether it be used for beach renourishment or litter cleanup or whatever we need, but the town needs more revenue and I’m in favor of bringing more revenue in,” said Conklin.

Mayor Pro Tempore says that the next step in Oak Island official business is making sure that emergency personnel can navigate up and down the roads with no problem.