[Summit] parking passions

[Charlotte O'Kelly]

I don't think it warrants calling someone a loudmouth because they support
the parking ban and oppose organizing our neighborhoods to facilitate car
ownership. We all bear the costs of our car culture. I'd rather that passion
be put to supporting a more viable public transportation system. 

 

I support the parking ban.  The more parking is available, the more cars
we'll have.  Among other benefits, it keeps the streets clear of abandoned
cars and cars that are very slowly being put back in working order. It also
keeps at least some people from buying and operating even more vehicles.
Some people continue to support the ban even though it causes many of us
inconvenience because we have come to appreciate the continuing benefits.  

Charlotte

 

  _____  

From: summit-bounces at sna.providence.ri.us
[mailto:summit-bounces at sna.providence.ri.us] On Behalf Of Andrew Nosal
Sent: Wednesday, October 11, 2006 3:10 PM
To: summit at sna.providence.ri.us
Subject: [Summit] parking passions

 

OK Paul I do not doubt that you have obnoxious neighbors.  Something ought
to be done.  What I am tired of is how the cost of your chosen remedy - a
parking ban - is falling on hundreds of people who will never have the means
or desire to annoy you.  It is a real cost, but as long as you don't have to
bear it, you don't care.

Ironically, the tendency of buildings not blessed with ample parking to be
occupied by less mature, more transient tenants is a consequence of the
parking ban.  In this neighborhood it would be easy to find nice yuppie
tenants perfectly willing to park on the street to live in every decent
apartment that has had the asphalt in the backyard and front yard replaced
by a patio and garden.  Even the slumlord next door to you would eventually
see the light and upgrade.

Even when I had a house with a garage, I thought the parking ban was stupid.
But now that I do not have a driveway sure enough I am more inclined to
speak out against it.  My big mistake was underestimating what an intensely
fraught drama people would make of parking around here.

>From where comes the conventional wisdom that public sentiment is against on
street parking?  As far as I can tell, most people in this city do not care
one way or the other.  The only ones motivated to speak up forcefully in
favor of street parking are, naturally, those who need a place to park.
That they tend to be transient and politically disengaged is not an excuse
to shaft them.  So who shows up at every meeting that might address
overnight parking but the passionate opponents?  I think the influence of
such opponents is out of proportion to their numbers.  This is what I meant
when I called you a loudmouth.  I do not actually know what your voice
sounds like.

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