Regulated parking may reveal disconnect

To the council and mayor: genuine thanks for giving those in attendance at the recent city council meeting an opportunity to speak on the parking issue. I know you may not all have agreed with what you heard, but you certainly listened. Credit where credit is due.

The people cannot be involved in every little decision made by government, so we elect representatives to speak for us. As parking fees are in essence a 'tax’ affecting all users and most residents, a citizen referendum on this issue may be prudent. Not all change is progress. And in the last five years the long-term residents of this area may have seen just too much change for too little progress … or benefit. I have never lived in a town whose residents love and want to live in their town so badly. Many live paycheck to paycheck to do so and frankly were left out of much of the largesse which came Sandpoint’s way post-COVID. 

Through regulated parking, residents are being asked to pay to play in their own town while the city approves building permits for what they call single-family “ladder” or "starter homes” which will sell for $500,000 to $600,000. There is a disconnect there and maybe this issue revealed it. Though the annual parking permit price is reasonable, we all know prices for city services go up, not down. And once fees get a foot in the door they rarely go away. So again, thanks to the council for listening to your constituents and revisiting this issue.

When big plans get a full head of steam, there is a tendency toward continuation or to chase sunken costs. Take a deep breath. The city was trying to solve a budgetary and public works problem. However, regarding city parking revenue vs. the very real cost of losing the community's trust, one public commenter said “the juice ain’t worth the squeeze.” A councilman shortly chimed in saying "maybe Sandpoint isn’t ready for this yet." Bingo.

Thanks to the council for making those often-thankless decisions.

DEAN CANNON

Bonner County