Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Downtown Parking Meters in Lake Worth

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And it looks like this EVERY day, Mayor
In fact, when there ARE cars there, they are not paying.

I hate it when I awaken and about to enjoy a gorgeous Florida day to have it totally ruined. It always is something I read in the PB Post. Today we learn that we will probably have downtown parking meters after all and I have to see the Mayor's face smiling about it. Even in spite of the fact that several months ago the Commission said "NO" and the Finance Advisory Board (who listens to them?) said "NO."

Let's stick it to our downtown, the very merchants struggling during this economy to stay afloat. They think they have troubles now, wait until people have to pay to shop and just take a stroll. We won't be seeing those cute little pooches as often.

The pay to park lot is full on weekends but during the day it is EMPTY. Mayor, you don't see this just like you don't see all the shuffleboarders at Murry Hills. You don't see the whole picture and that is very unfortunate.

The Mayor is leaving town and before he does he will ensure that every fee possible will be moved to our non-advalorem part of our tax bill and that we all pay and pay and pay. The only thing one Commissioner is concerned about is that the employees who work downtown do not have to pay. What about the people coming down there with their MONEY? What about us?

This is just a start of the trend to raise taxes (it is a tax no matter what you want to call it) and what we will expect in the very near future across the board...raising parking rates at the beach AGAIN and anything else they can think of to stick it to the residents who support this financially inept city.

All these things are being decided OUT OF THE SUNSHINE. It needs to stop right now. As I have said before, get out of the TRANCE Commissioners. No one seems to pay attention to the word "no."

Last night I left the Commission meeting at 9pm...totally had it.

11 comments:

kkss21 said...

Are you Commissioners crazy ? The people(YOUR BOSSES) have spoken AGAIN and AGAIN ,telling you in no uncertain terms that NOBODY wants parking meters downtown!!I'm going downtown today to tell merchants like Paws on the Ave that I will no longer be a customer if I have to pay to park. Bye Bye downtown.Thanks for stabbing your citizens Scott, Joann Suzanne, Christopher and Rene(who doesn't even live here.

Anonymous said...

Do you notice what merchants they direct Willie to interview? Luckily he got hold of Andy.

P.M.M. said...

Let's try not to go all negative now. There has been many studies that point to metered parking in downtown business areas as positive for the businesses and the economic development of the downtown. For one thing when there are metered parking spots they tend to be used by customers and not employees parking directly in front of the place where they work. At the same time because of the limited time on the meters depending on how they are framed customers move in and out more quickly hence more customers and more business for the downtown. I know for those who are the customers it might be hard to wrap your head around it but let's not forget the issue is more business for the downtown. Most urban business areas do this and there are reasons they do. Don't fear the unknown give it a chance. Check out the studies on line. Do some research. You may be surprised at what you find.

Lynn Anderson said...

Oh hell, PMM. Anyone can justify anything. Any freakin report can be slanted to have an outcome you desire. Let's raise taxes to the hilt and stick it to the residents of this city. Why? Because the city needs the money. Justified.

Anonymous said...

p.m.m. I don't think people go to the downtown with the idea of staying all day. We are known for free parking. It is a draw to our downtown. The other point is the commission just goes along with the CM and does not look at the other side of it. This is all about money no matter what study you want to read.

kkss21 said...

P.M.M-we ALREADY have time limits downtown. Maybe your argument would make sense in a dense urban area like New York, but it makes no sense here. ESPECIALLY when people are struggling. For example- I often stop by paws on the Ave to get dog and cat food on my way home from work. I park,buy,and go. I'm not going to stand for the added expense and inconvenience of a parking meter every time my animals need food! I try to always patronize our businesses down town.I can go to plenty of other places with my business. I go to downtown Lake Worth out of LOYALTY,not NEED.

P.M.M. said...

Anon you are quite right the city needs revenue streams everyone in the city including our visitors need to help or suffer depending on your point of view.I think you would be surprised at how many spaces are taken for most of the day especialy in the spaces on Lake and lucerne. Most visitors are already used to paying for parking in business districts it's the residents who will have to buy in to make our city a better place to live, work and PLAY.Lynn I relealize studies can be slanted any way one wants to do so but if one reads both sides a rational opinion can be made. One has to get their knowledge from some where let's not make it up.

kkss21 said...

Pmm it's sad that you are so willing to risk the livelihoods of all the downtown merchants on a risky gamble like this. Maybe the real motive behind all of this is to close down our downtown and just have condos like the Lucerne lining our streets.Would that revenue stream make more sense?I guess the opinions of long time residents like me don't matter.

P.M.M. said...

kkss21 everyones' opinions matter not just yours.The busineses that occupy the Lucerne are contributing to the citys' revenue stream. When will you stop bring up the Lucerne it is history unless you are willing to tear it down,which I am sure you are, nothing will change. Try and let it go. The lot behind the Lucerne is full most of the time and after a little mental adjustment everyone has accepted it as apay lot and business has not suffered.I certainly want to see the downtown prosper and I am also a regular there. Give it a chance. While I am trying to put a positive view on this issue you are spinning the negative.

Former Mayor Tom Ramiccio said...

Parking Meters downtown will hurt the merchants who are struggling to survive. Let's stop these crazy ideas from continueing and focus on important issues like our budget & increasing our tax base through carefull development and improvements. We need to get on the right track, so far we are off on the wrong foot.

Anonymous said...

Why should we forget "mistakes" such as The Lucerne?