I want to begin this letter by stating that I have some experience dealing with municipal governments and local, small businesses. Not long ago I was chair of the board of directors for a Chamber of Commerce in a mid-west city while I was also an executive with a multi-national corporation. What prompts me to write this letter is the recent news that the City of Port Townsend Mayor and Council recently approved charging for parking in downtown Port Townsend.

What the Mayor and Council should be doing instead is developing any good idea that encourages in-person visits to stores and restaurants. One reason given for this bad idea is that charging for parking will encourage ridership on the bus system. Really? That won’t work for local citizens many of whom are older and rely on their car and it won’t work for visitors to the city either. Charging for parking, even if minimal, will discourage the very in person trade that the downtown businesses rely on.

I really can’t imagine what the Mayor and Council were thinking in approving this bad idea. But then, any elected body that thinks it’s a good idea to pay $230.000 for a one hundred thousand dollar city manager job apparently doesn’t spend much time thinking.

Pat Kealy

Port Townsend