Dear Editor,
I agree with just one major aspect of letter writer Dale Mannix’s “More important priorities than creation of man-made beach,” (July 25), even though I believe Sylvan Lake town council should go ahead and expand and enhance our beautiful community’s beach for the benefit of all men, women and children who live here.
Where I agree with Dale Mannix is his objection to the thousands of out-of-towners who come here on weekends and never spend a cent to keep our marvelous and dedicated small businesses — retails store, restaurants and bars — in operation.
The answer is to install parking meters on Lakeshore Drive and adjacent streets such as 46th Street as well as parking lots and charge $2 a hour for parking. The meters would pay for themselves within two years, and after that be a financial bonanza for town coffers. The money would pay to enlarge and beautify our beach area. Each and every vehicle overstaying its metered limit would be towed — a nice profitmaker for a locally-owned towing company.
Every homeowner, permanent renter and business owner could be given a sticker for their cars to exempt them from parking fees.
On summer weekends and holidays I patrol the parking lot at Jacci Izat’s Hazzard County Bar and Grill, and after that enjoy a beer or two at Rob Mackenzie’s Chief ’s Pub and Eatery. It is just appalling to see these bad-mannered and mean weekenders who abuse the hospitality of local business people and regular customers by snatching parking spots even on private property.
Parking meters, rigidly enforced, seem like a perfect solution.
Paul Jackson,
Sylvan Lake