Years ago, when the city started charging a fee to use the beach at Virginia Key, we had to lobby very hard to make an exception for Jimbo's customers. After all, it made no sense for fishermen to visit Jimbo's for a dozen bait shrimp which cost $1 when they had to pay $5 to get past the toll booth.

Now the City Of Miami's manager, Pedro Hernandez, has cancelled the exemption for Jimbo's customers to pass the toll gate freely. Most likely, he does not understand the long legacy of Jimbo's place in the community and how injurious a fee can be to Jimbo's meager business.

The sign now says "$5 Entrance Fee, no exceptions."

The road to Virginia Key is very popular with bicyclists now, but there are virtually no cars. Bicycles pay nothing. Cars pay $5. Jimbo's business is decimated. Perhaps this is a not-so-clever way to drive Jimbo out of business.

Yes, times are tough for all of us. I doubt that charging of a $5 fee to visit Jimbo's will make a difference in balancing Miami's budget, but it will stop most customers from visiting Jimbo's. The net result will be very little money for the city, but a critical loss of business for our good friend Jimbo.

If you care about Jimbo's, perhaps you'll take a moment and share your concerns about this policy and the detrimental effects it may have on his business. Please write a short note to the city manager, the mayor and the commissioners of the city of Miami to ask them politely to reconsider the very limited income that might be lost at the toll gate versus the viability of one of Miami's most historic and storied establishments.

Hopefully, some common sense can be brought to light in this matter and city officials will reconsider this policy instituted recently.

Thank you!

Robert A. Burr
An old friend of Jimbo
rob@robertburr.com