Watch the pawkin' metahs
Recently, news outlets, including the Voice, have publicized a controversy over a proposed change in parking, that would extend hours that meters are in effect. The county would make more money, and theoretically, there would be more parking turn-over. Merchants in South Silver Spring however, noted that the new parking rules would apply to them, but not to the park garages around Ellsworth Drive. It was as if the county was giving customers one more reason to shop in the central business district instead of spunky South Silver Spring and other small business areas outside the center.
Here's a link to the July 07 Voice article on this issue: www.silverspringvoice.com/archives/copy/2007/07/parkingmeters.html
And after the jump (below) is a letter sent out by John Landis, co-owner of Crisfield and President of the South Silver Spring Merchant Association. In it, Landis outlines the issue from the point of view of small businesses. He also gives information on how to get involved:
Dear Friends and Neighbors,
I want to take just a moment to tell you where we as a group stand on the expansion of parking meter times as proposed by Montgomery County.
As you may or may not be aware the County Council approved a measure that would require that parking meters and paid county parking lots and garages be in effect from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. not the current 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. times. These new times would also include Saturdays as well which are now currently free and be in effect county wide.
We at the SSSMA feel this is an unwise and unwarranted impediment to commerce. We feel that especially for the now resurgent and redeveloping area of South Silver Spring it is a serious hindrance to the great strides we have made thus far in revitalizing our neighborhood. Beyond our own backyards these same road blocks to progress would adversely affect the areas of Wheaton, Kensington, Montgomery Hills, East Silver Spring and Woodside.
As consumers of the products and services provided by the many and diverse vendors around the county we should be seeking ways to promote the comfort and ease of the experience. We ask that you join us in supporting the parking regulations as they stand now.
Please join us in testifying at the public hearing before the County Council on July 26, 2007. To register your group, association, business or individual self to testify contact Delphine Harris at the County Council offices at: (240) 777-7931.
Please feel free to contact me directly at: southsilverspringma@verizon.net or: (301) 980-5570
For more information or to discuss this matter further. Also if you do register to testify please E-mail me so we can coordinate our efforts.
Thank You,
John R. Landis
President, South Silver Spring Merchant’s Association
[editor's note: John Landis is also a correspondent for the Silver Spring Voice, but he is not writing in that capacity here]