Aldermen Moving Parking Meter Pay Boxes?
Are some businesses using influence to have meters moved?
According to a recent story in the Southwest News-Herald, two Chicago aldermen have assisted constituent business owners with relocating pay boxes to other locations within ward where one assumed they’ll do less harm.
The article claims that 13th ward Alderman Frank Olivio and 23rd ward Alderman Michael Zalewski both have changed metered streets to non-metered streets on behalf of irate business owners. In one instance, a jeweler on 63rd Street complains their business was cut in half by the new meter rates and then goes on to brag how they were able to get the pay box taken off their block with the help of Olivio.
But, as Zalewski reminds us, the pay box has to go somewhere else.
But what businesses get saddled with metered parking after the box was taken off the previous street?
What is this, musical parking meters?
But perhaps this is a new strategy for business owners with expensive parking meters impacting their bottom line.
Just bitch to your alderman enough until they move it in front of someone else’s business.
Read the full story at the SW Newsherald, “Businesses Get Pay Box Relief.”
If someone is able to catch a person on tape bragging…there is a story for the mainstream media right there.
Because Currently, there is a Fee to relocate/remove (if I understand the way the lease is worded correctly) any pay box or meter.
“Due a combined effort by the Clearing Civic League, UBAM and Ald. Frank Olivo (13th), the pay boxes were able to be removed on 63rd Street,” said Johnson”
So…how does this happen?
I am absolutely shocked and appalled that political influence would be used to favor one business over another in the fine city of Chicago!
(sarcasm)
I totally agree that sales falling off by 50% in this wonderful economy, especially in a recession proof business like a jewelry store, should be rightfully attributed to curb side parking. After all, don’t most people shop for jewelry on a spur of the moment? Isn’t the last thing they need before they plunk down hundreds or even thousands of dollars on jewelry is having to pay a couple of bucks for parking? You know, with the economy and all.
(sarcasm again)
That would defeat the purpose of having meter. Two things happen either your business goes up or goes down. But wait till people start parking in front of their business all day. They will run back to the aldermn to complain.
Now, that election is over, it is just a matter of couple of months till parking meters are installed in the 23rd ward.
Ald. Z has better than things to do than deal with the waste of time to place meters in the 23rd ward. Where would you place them other than along Archer Ave.
Politicians should start thinking of how to help the people, not enrich themselves.
Blah!