STREET TALK

-- Complied by Amy R. Spurgeon, Photos by Marianna Day Massey

We asked people at Newport Pier:

What do you think of the new ‘smart’ meters?

1. “I didn’t even know about them. It sounds unfair, though, that you

can’t stay as long as you want anymore.”

SAM BARTALUZZI

Costa Mesa 2. “I think it’s totally unfair. People come here to stay

all day, not just a couple of hours. I think it’s unrealistic. It means

that people are going to have to get back in their car and find another

spot. I think they did it for the people in the shops.”

KENNY CRABB

Irvine

3. “I think it’s like Las Vegas and the slot machines. I put a quarter

in last time and got eight back. I think it’s good for the merchants but

bad for the people who have to keep getting up and moving their cars.”

NITA THAYER

Newport Beach

4. “They’re horrible. I’m sure the merchants like them. I’ve lived

here my whole life and have always had to deal with the parking and it’s

been fine with the meters we’ve had.”

THOMAS GIBSON

Newport Beach

5. “I read about them in the paper. I think it’s OK for spots directly

in front of businesses, but not all over. I come down here quite a bit.

But I may have to start parking far away and walking more. Maybe I’ll get

more exercise.” ANDREW JENSEN

Costa Mesa