NSBNEWS.net photo by Henry Frederick. Adam Barringer will be sworn in 6:30 tonight at City Hall as mayor of New Smyrna Beach. Then he jumps right into the biggest issue that calls for final consideration tonight: Zoning for the proposed three-story Hampton Inn & Suites on Flagler Avenue.
Adam Barringer will go from mayor-elect to mayor when he is sworn in 6:30 tonight at City Hall along with Zone 1 Commissioner-Elect Judy Reiker and Zone 2 Commissioner Jack Grasty, who won his second term outright in the Sept. 22 primary.
After the pomp and circumstance, the meeting will likely take on its adversarial tone with those in favor and those against the proposed three-story Hampton Inn & Suites, fronting Flagler Avenue and backing into residential Florida Avenue.
For Adam Barringer, it has the makings of being like Daniel in the Lion's Den. But to those familiar with the Biblical story, Daniel's faith helped him persevere and Barringer should do just fine.
Judging the last commission meeting, the anti-hotel forces will be well-stacked, with Florida Avenue residents opposed On the other side is the expected pro-Chamber of Commerce forces led by Steve Dennis, its director, and Bob Lott, its president.
The chamber put out an e-mail to the membership yesterday pleading for people to show up and voice support of the hotel: "We need your help! Please attend the City Commission meeting (Tuesday) at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall, 210 Sams Avenue, New Smyrna Beach. The Commission will be voting on the Hampton Inn Project. This is the most critical meeting on the hotel. We need your support!!!"
Regardless of the expected showdown, don't be surprised to see the unity on the commission that Barringer has talked of wanting, with a 4-1 vote. There's probably no way Commissioner Jim Hathaway will support the hotel, based on his comments in the previous meeting, but Grasty and Commissioner Lynne Plaskett voted in favor during the first reading last time out. Barringer and Reiker have expressed support for the hotel during the campaign so the final outcome should not come as a surprise.
Barringer's election brings renewed hope for the city's opposition as he is the new face of New Smyrna Beach government and our city's new leader.
In these tough economic times, Barringer will be counted on to keep his word and come up with his economic development plan within the first 100 days as he promised. Not too much should be read into this because it's only expected to be a blueprint, but any organized effort to help New Smyrna Beach is welcomed.