Gave at Office

While I greatly appreciate all that local law enforcement has recently accomplished to maintain a safe place for enjoying our treasured lives, I am convinced that their parking enforcement unit is harming local businesses. It’s not entirely their fault, as our elected representatives need to devise a more business-friendly policy. Case In Point: Many burgeoning entrepreneurs have set up shop in the local downtown area. However, employees have to constantly set their phone alarms and disrupt their work flow all day long to run out to the streets and move their vehicles to avoid parking tickets. The other day, I moved my vehicle to the nearest spot forward, but the chalk mark was apparently still visible (although much higher in the wheel well than the marking tool could have reached), and after following the rules, I still received a ticket from an over-exuberant enforcement official. I’ve considered riding my bike, but it is just not practical for many reasons. I could work from home, but consider how this would impact local businesses if everyone did so out of fear of parking tickets.

Can we as a community create a policy that encourages carpooling, preserves residents’ needs, and fosters local business growth all at the same time? How about offering a paid parking permit to employees of local, private businesses? Price this accordingly and you’ll generate a new source of city revenue while reducing the disruption to entrepreneurial work flow during this critical financial period. In the meantime, I will continue to look for spots without time limits. I need the walk anyhow.