Way to watch out for the few

We don’t like parking fee hikes.

We don’t even like them when they’re just uphill jaunts. But they

do add a bit of funds to the city coffer, and we do like the city to

have money to pay for police, firefighters and yes, lifeguards.

So, on April 6, when the city made some changes to the cost of

parking, it didn’t feel like a tragedy. Part of the process actually

felt pretty positive. That was the part when Councilman Steve

Dicterow called the item out of the consent calendar to allow the

public to discuss it.

The aspect he was concerned with was residential parking for those

who live Downtown. The council was to decide whether it should force

residents to keep their cars out of the business district and park

along Cliff Drive.

After many residents spoke about the trouble with parking on Cliff

Drive and carrying work, groceries and children down to their homes,

the council decided unanimously to allow for them to park near their

homes. They are limited to two permits per home and they have a

24-hour time limit.

There are only 35 permits for residents Downtown, but Dicterow,

rightly, decided they should be considered.

So, while we’ll be paying 50 cents per hour at the

machine-dispenser lots and $7 to park at ACT V (unfortunate for those

like us in favor of encouraging peripheral parking), it is uplifting

to know the council is paying attention, especially to people who

don’t necessarily have anyone to lobby for them.