I am amazed at what I am hearing from Diane Buckshnis about parking in Edmonds. This candidate who professes to be pro-business is proposing something that will do nothing but drive customers to Lynnwood and Shoreline. Her great idea? Install parking meters and kiosks in downtown Edmonds and our waterfront parks. She has defined “downtown” at candidate forums as from the waterfront to Ninth Avenue. That means anyone living in the Bowl will be subject to parking fees in front of their own houses or condos!
I have yet to talk to one merchant or homeowner who likes this idea. All this will do is annoy and anger customers and residents. They will eventually go elsewhere to shop, like Alderwood Mall, thereby drying up the oh-so-precious sales tax dollars that are becoming even more scarce every month.
I spoke to the former city attorney in Everett and he told me back in the 1970s they ripped out their meters due to merchant and customer complaints. He also stated the costs in administering revenues need to be examined; you need at least two full timers to collect and count the loot or it will disappear and the ticket writers will be even busier.
When we are fighting tooth and nail to keep sustainable businesses in town, attract tourists and keep our downtown charm (our greatest asset), why would anyone want to put in parking meters? It doesn’t seem a very Edmonds kind of friendly to me!
Chris Fleck
Edmonds
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