...in the local daily. Yesterday gave us an item about the excellent financial condition of the Simon mall operations, the obvious result of superior business acumen.
We congratulate the company on its great success, particularly in light of the current economic situation, and we wish it well for the future. BUT...we still wish someone would explain why these same folks cannot make a profit running a basketball team in a spectacular palace built by the taxpayers, for which they pay $1 a year rent, from which they receive all revenues, and for which they receive an additional $10 million annual subsidy for operations. An explanation...PLEASE! This morning’s paper tells us about the progress being made on the Georgia Street project. That’s the one where we’re turning a downtown street into a park with trees and benches, attracting thousands of people downtown - even after the Super Bowl, which is the real genesis of the idea. (The same thousands which flocked to visit Union Station no doubt!) Original publicity speculated on having some sort of weather-proof covering over the street. We didn’t see that mentioned today. We suggest sliding the movable roof of the football field over to cover the street. After all, it doesn’t seem to be doing much moving where it is. The possibility of re-naming the street has come up. Here’s an idea. How about "Boondoggle Boulevard?" The third item also has to do with city officials' obsession with the Super Bowl. Consistent with NFL greed, residents near the football field apparently are now facing a $75 licensing fee if they wish to use some of their private property to park fans’ cars on game day. We’ve heard about the riches this event will bring into the city. But, as is usual, only the NFL and the folks with the right political connections will get any of the gravy. Considering the on-going "security perimeter" discussion, those poor folks will be lucky if they’re not told to move out for the week. To a designated hotel of course.
I saw that on the television news about people having to PAY to let people park in their own yards. That's nuts! Talk about greed! The people running all this need to be restrained, but who's going to do it?
Posted by: Leslie Baker | July 28, 2011 at 08:18 PM
What next, you have to pay for parking everywhere at the minute. They are bringing in more and more parking restrictions. On our street you have to pay for a permit to park outside your home. Its madness. Surely residents should be allowed to park on their own street for free!
Posted by: Oliver | August 06, 2011 at 11:38 AM
Parking meters are the hassle of my life, I cannot understand why most only give an hour, and these are the ones which are placed in the middle of the town center. How do they expect you to get in and out of clothing shops in one hour, by the time you have paid on the meter which is usually situated 5 minutes walk from where your car is parked you only have 55 minutes left, then you have to walk from your car to where you want to be usually leaving you with 20 minutes to shop. Nightmare! More time needed please!
Posted by: Jo | August 09, 2011 at 06:31 AM