Veterans will continue to park for free in downtown Vernon. Council has vetoed a recommendation that free parking be reduced from 12 months to one month for vehicles displaying veterans’ plates. “It’s hard to go against veterans,” said Mayor Wayne Lippert. That was also the view of Coun. Patrick Nicol, who pushed for the current policy to remain. “There’s nothing more important than veterans. I can’t believe it’s an issue,” he said. The transportation demand management committee had recommended trimming the period for free parking as a way of improving the turnover of parking spaces downtown. However, Lippert wasn’t convinced. “I haven’t heard of it being a problem,” he said. Coun. Bob Spiers added that the program may encourage seniors to shop downtown which benefits merchants. “Will they be losing business if we take it away?” he said.
Clint Kanester, bylaw enforcement manager, said problems with veterans monopolizing parking spaces have been reduced significantly since the Royal Canadian Legion branch moved out of the downtown core.The city initiated free parking for veterans in 2005, which was the Year of the Veteran.
No comments:
Post a Comment