Parking Meters 2

Apparently my memory has been condensing time on me as a email from the city manager indicated that the city has not covered the downtown parking meters with bags during the Christmas season for three years now..  However, he also let me know that the city did not enforce or ticket autos parked in violation during the period either.  The reason was to eliminate the need to purchase new bags and signs, especially the signs, which were getting old.  There was also some concern about not having the people leaving town on Amtrak parking in the bagged spaces and defeating the free parking opportunities.

I can understand the need for the city to save money.  However, deciding not to enforce parking meters during the Christmas shopping season and not making sure everyone knows about it rather defeats the purpose of freeing up the parking.  As far as avoiding the parking problem with Amtrak, wait until the semester ends and then bag the meters or post signs.

 If money is short, maybe the city could contact the Chamber of Commerce or Carbondale Main Street to help purchase additional bags for next year  Heck, I would be glad to kick in money myself to help buy bags for the meters or pay for an updated sign, if it would help encourage people to come downtown to shop during the Christmas season.