Repeat violators arenít the only parking issue
I heartily approve of City Councilís recent approval of late fees and increased fines for repeat violators who routinely park their vehicles all day in slots intended for shoppers. Since I visit Salisbury several times a week on business and usually exit by driving south on Main Street, I see how clogged up parking is from near the courthouse to past Bank Street. I have often wondered how many of those cars belonged to people who work in the downtown area.
Commendations to the City Council aside, I see another parking issue that impacts safety and traffic flow. During my frequent trips to town, I cannot remember a single time when I have not observed several parked vehicles on Main Street that were not pulled up to the curb, leaving the back of the vehicle sticking out into traffic. Inevitably, the right-hand lane must come to a stop when encountering one of these carelessly-parked obstacles until traffic has cleared in the left-hand lane, allowing traffic to merge over. The worst offenders are large extended-cab pickup trucks whose length impedes traffic even when pulled up to the curb. There are ample parking places just around the corner on side streets for these behemoths. I do own one of these behemoths but I donít drive it to town because it is difficult to park.
I implore the City Council to consider an ordinance allowing carelessly-parked or over-length vehicles to be ticketed.
ó Bryce Brown
China Grove
Change wonít penalize downtown shoppers
I read William Peopleís comments in the April 6 Salisbury Post regarding his concern that consumers may be effected by the changes to the parking ordinance. I must admit I felt the same way, but not now.
I was totally against the parking ordinance when it was first enacted years ago because I did not want to risk one single customer getting a parking ticket. This to me was punishment for shopping in our downtown. Sadly, the only way to deter business owners from abusing parking spaces intended for customers was by having this two-hour parking ordinance. The changes ($50 for four parking tickets in 30 days and $20 fine for paying a ticket after 30 days) should not be detrimental to customers as it is unlikely that shoppers will get four tickets within 30 days and if they get any tickets at all, Downtown Salisbury, Inc. will pay them.
To downtown shoppers: If you get any parking tickets while shopping, please bring them to me and I will see that they are paid for you. We know you have many shopping choices and we want to do everything we can, to make your shopping experience easy and pleasant.
ó Pam Hylton Coffield
Salisbury
Coffield operates Stitchin Post Gifts in downtown Salisbury.