Annapolis Capital Punishment

The following comes from a news release from the Ward Three Aldermanic candidate Scott Bowling:


This week many residents and business owners found out that the Mayor and City Council increased downtown parking fees by as much as 60 percent. This increase was in direct opposition to an agreement made two (2) years ago between the City and downtown residents, and was buried in the budget passed by the Mayor and 4 Council members in late May.

“Businesses and residents of Annapolis have just been duped by the Mayor and Council,” said Bowling. “The people most affected had to find out on a poster at the parking deck after the fee hike had already been approved. This is not the type of transparent, open government that we deserve.”

Business owners and elected officials turned out to ask the Council to reconsider its decision at this past Monday’s Council Meeting.


“This parking fee hike gives local businesses one more reason in these tough economic times to leave our downtown for nearby shopping centers, further reducing our tax base,” said Bowling. “Policies like this have disastrous consequences that will affect every taxpayer and business in Annapolis. You do not raise fees and taxes in a bad economy, you reduce them. As opposed to reducing spending, the Mayor and Council have once again increased fees.”

In an attempt to deflect criticism, Mayor Ellen Moyer stated that the parking fees were considered and approved by Ward 3 Alderwoman Classie Hoyle, Chair of the Finance Committee as well as the Economic Matters Committee.


“At best the Council was negligent in approving these fees without a more transparent process,” said Bowling. “At worst, they were deceptive.” Bowling is encouraging all residents and business owners to contact the Mayor, Alderwoman Hoyle, and the remaining members of the City Council to express their opposition, and tell them to cut spending, and STOP raising our fees.
 
CP responds:
Of course this is a  political swipe at Bowling's opponent Classie Hoyle, the incumbent. Although I have not followed this closely I have believed for quite some time that our parking fees are structured improperly and are below market rate. However, tweaking fees instead of making comprehensive parking and transportation reform is wrong. Relying on parking fees as a source of revenue instead of proper management and budgeting does disturb me. These issues are studied and discussed ad infinitum and the Moyer Administration has had more than its share of wasting time and energy studying parking and paying contractors such as Chuck Weikel to work on this.  I think someone more closley involved with this needs to review the entire process. If I recall correctly, there was a bill recently that raised all kinds of city fees and parking may have been part of that. Any comments?
 
 
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