Dear Editor,

A POSSIBLE solution to the parking dilemma is to allow businesses to have reserved spots for loading and unloading, and customer reserved spots.Also, the encouragement of bicycle usage within the busiest parts of the city would allow for better traffic flow. One could argue that these issues should be more important to the City Council, especially given the drop in retail income and the resulting VAT, which could produce a loss that surpasses the income gained from VAT on meters for parking.

In addition, such a business-friendly approach will prevent the alienation of the business community and parents of students, where meters have been placed in front of schools.

In a time when incomes for the populace are under pressure, it is prudent to be taxpayer-friendly and be in sync with the voters and their needs.

After all, the main purpose of the City Council is to serve the populace and provide basic services. If not having such a programme as the parking meter VAT income will hinder the provision of such basic services, the City Council should make this clear in a town hall meeting and allow the community they serve to work with them to find alternative solutions.

Best regards,
Jamil Changlee
Strategy Consultant