By MontanaTrace on 07-24-10
I’m fine with parking fines. I’m fine with raising them from the current five dollars. 300% increase is a bit much but we do have some problems with shop owners and employees taking up spaces in the summer that could be better used by visitors as those visitors spend money shopping.
Somehow we need to stop “The Two Hour Parking Shuffle.” Every two hours the locals run out and move their cars and trucks to a different Central Avenue 2 Hour Parking spot so as not to get a ticket. Remote (a block or two away), free, unlimited parking should be used in the SUMMER.
In summer, we need the Central Avenue parking and close-in parking lots for our visitors. Their spending creates jobs and taxes. We don’t want them driving around looking for parking to the point of giving up and driving on to another destination (with what would have been our money).
From October through May is another story. Why are the parking lots 80% empty and yet we still ticket? This is when the local taxpayers who have paid for these parking spots should be able to use them and not have to walk on neck breaking ice, passing empty parking, so they won’t get a ticket?
In the off seasons, still ticket on Central Avenue but let us use the parking lots so we have shorter distances to walk to work over ice. I monitored the newest parking lot (Spokane and Third) for the winter of 2009-2010. I did not observe the lot ever being even half full except a few times at Christmas.
The parking lots were not even near half full. We paid for all those empty spots. We should be allowed to use them without being fined or having to play the Two Hour Parking Shuffle.
Late last winter I sent study results and photos at various times of the day, to the City Council, with no response. I assume it is considered a subject that should not be discussed because it is a revenue source.
I can’t imagine we were receiving much from the few winter violators that were ticketed in the parking lots but now, with a 300% increase, could it be that the money will be more important than easy and safer passage to empty winter parking spots?
By allofustogether on 07-24-10
OK - anyone want to say Thank You for the anoymous donation? I do - THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CARING ABOUT OUR SPECIAL TOWN. It would be nice to know who you are.
By allofustogether on 07-24-10
Sorry - anonymous is mispelled. But, this genorisity is no mistake.
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