The million-dollar parking meters are driving away customers, downtown Ventura merchants told city officials Wednesday.
In an emotional two-hour meeting led by Mayor Bill Fulton, a dozen downtown business owners shared personal woes of double-digit sales declines since the meters were turned on Sept. 14. Customers don't like the meters, have struggled to use them and complain they change the welcoming character of downtown, the owners said.
Some suggested a moratorium on the meters that would last well past the Christmas shopping season, but Mayor Fulton indicated that was unlikely.
Tea Party people also attended the meeting as a part of a nascent program to act as watchdogs at the city and county government level. Organizers are recruiting Tea Party Observers, as they are called, to regularly attend all manner of public meetings to document any policies local governments might enact that are deemed undesirable.
I hope Tea Party groups in other states and counties follow suit, as this is exactly what they should be doing. Until now, Tea Parties consist of local people attempting to change federal policy, which they did with flying colors. Now, they are beginning to focus that energy on the local level, which previously flew underneath their radar. They have the capability to greatly impact public policy in a positive way with this new plan.
Eric Ingemunson's commentary has been featured on Hannity, CNN, NBC, Inside Edition, and KFI's The John and Ken Show.
Eric was born and raised in Ventura County and currently resides in Moorpark. He earned a master's degree in Public Policy and Administration from California Lutheran University. As a conservative, Eric supports smaller government, less taxation, more individual freedom, the rule of law, and a strict adherence to the Constitution.
I agree, Eric. The efforts of Carla Bonney and many other activists throughout the County to begin honing in on some of the more absurd local government activities and policy proposals is to be commended. It is no easy task either. It involves lots of hard work organizing meetings, events, protests, etc.
In particular, I am pleased that they have taken an active role in opposing the plastic bag ban proposals that the City and County of Ventura have been attempting to ram through. Another one, which you've mentioned here, is getting involved in the parking meter fiasco in downtown Ventura. I predict this one is going to become the next "911 fee" type issue in Ventura. They will end up yanking them out like they did twice before and will have a similar amount of egg on their face when it's all over.
Thanks for spotlighting this. These folks deserve all the recognition they are getting.