Moose FM CKLP 103.3 - Parry Sound

A decision on raising the parking meter rate in Parry Sound will have to wait until next month.  At Tuesday night's council meeting, councillors voted to postpone the meter rate by-law decision until the first meeting in October to allow some time to meet with the Downtown Business Association to discuss alternatives.  Earlier in the night, Karen Hobson of the Town Trading Post and Sue Sullivan of Jeans Unlimited presented council with a petition with over 600 signatures who oppose the meter rate increase from 50 cents/hour to 75 cents.  Hobson says Controlled parking is necessary but raising the rates would be detrimental to downtown businesses especially when competing with larger retail outlets and services which have complimentary parking.  Chair of the DBA Lis McWalter also made a deputation to council suggesting the removal of meters and the generation of revenue through pay stations in the parking lots.  McWalter added that she was concerned with what seems to be an increase in the number parking tickets issued and how a survey done by the DBA last year indicates that parking was one of the most controversial and negative aspects of our downtown.  By-law Enforcement Officer Tammy Purdy suggested the rate increase to help the parking meters pay for themselves and to bring them in line with surrounding communities like Bracebridge and Midland.