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New Smyrna Beach to create task force to address residents' concerns

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — City commissioners in New Smyrna Beach are expected to approve a new beachside task force that will deal with the concerns of residents.

The task force will be made up of volunteers acting as communicators who will voice concerns and resolve issues within the city.

Resident Ed Scholz has lived in New Smyrna Beach for 15 years and said the task force is needed.

"It's become a money-making town," Scholz said.

With 40 events scheduled in the 60 days, congestion and traffic are the big issues the beachside task force will tackle. Members of the task force will share ideas and information, as well as make recommendations to city leaders.

For residents Debbie Calaway and her son Tyler Calaway, the biggest problem is the parking.

"They park on our lawns and walk to Flagler so you know, it's constant," Debbie Calaway said.

To add to the problem, several free beach parking lots are expected to become pay-to-park lots by the end of 2014. Residents worry that will push visitors to look for parking on private properties.

Tyler Calaway hopes the task force can make parking issues its priority.

"It seems like progress for something that just gets worse and worse every year," Tyler Calaway said.

If the task force is approved on Tuesday, commissioners will appoint five volunteer members who have already applied for the position.