“Put The Parking Issue in Park, and Let’s Have a Fee-Free Summer Season”

I am profoundly disappointed in the plan for parking fees to be collected in our city in a few months’ time. I think it will become a stain on the reputation of Saratoga Springs. I think placing parking meter stations on our streets will cheapen our Victorian charm. One of the perks of being a visitor or community member who frequents our many special businesses and events is that we can drive into town and park for free. With free parking we are saying to visitors and guests that they are welcome here and don’t have to pay a fee to spend time in our beautiful city.  We already have parking rules and fines in place to manage parking lots and bring revenue to the city.  Forcing visitors to pay for parking will absolutely hurt the businesses that are responsible for bringing visitors to our city. With parking fees in place, quick trips into town will not happen. No one should have to pay a meter for a 15-minute stop, for coffee and a bagel to go, or to grab an ice-cream, or go to the library to peek at the new releases.  And what about our work force, many of whom make minimum wage and work in or around our downtown area? If their employer does not supply parking for them, do these folks have to pay for street parking to go to work? 

All of this parking meter talk is not taking place where it should be taking place, which is at the voting booth next November. Until then, put the parking issue in park, and let’s have a fee-free summer season.

– Donna L. Giffune, Saratoga Springs