By Ms. Justin L.B. Gagnon Santa Monica
In response to the article “Residents, merchants to share parking,” by John Wood (SMDP, Nov. 11, page 1).
Isn’t there a way to improve the parking and traffic congestion experienced here daily in Santa Monica, a better way than to suggest that businesses have the same right to park on our residential streets as we do? It has not been much more than a year or two since we fought and won the battle for preferential parking permits, allowing us, the residents, a place to park on, or around our block. Yet, already there is a discussion on the table for the Santa Monica City Council members to divvy up the available space yet again. I won’t name names just yet, but there are certain council members who must play to the crowd, and I don’t mean the residential crowd, if you get my point. I’m sure you know who they are.
I am happy to share whatever I have enough of to go around, but here, at least on my block, 1500 Euclid Street, there is never enough parking, not for the residents, and not for the visitors. We are hardly willing to give up the few precious resources we have as residents, many of us apartment dwellers; our coveted parking spaces won’t be given up without a brutal battle.
It’s always been rough here, South of the border. The Montana Avenue border, that is. Unless of course you’re a small business, or, a not-so-small business, like the car dealerships that sprawl across our community like its crowning glory. For them, it’s a pretty square shake.
There seems to be one set of plans for the Montana neighborhoods, and still another for those living South of her bounty. It’s always the little people who get the brunt of the negotiations.
This might be one that gets negotiated right back at them.
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on November 15, 2004. Read the original PDF.