The City of Chico talks out of both sides of its mouth – one minute we have so much parking Downtown we can turn spaces into ‘parklets’ – but now we need parking kiosks to free up spaces?

I had to laugh out loud when I saw the letter in the News and Review – a group of Downtown merchants, howling that the new parking kiosks are bad for their businesses. I recognized at least one name that had advocated ‘parklets’. I wish I could ask Sue Reed of Bootleg why it’s okay to put bar tables in a parking space so that alcohol serving businesses can serve more booze, but now she’s worried the kiosks are making it difficult for her patrons to get a parking space? Hey Girl, make up your mind.

Parklets are essentially permanent. Less than half a dozen – about $200,000 in American Rescue funding, just for installation. The bars that use them will pay rent, but the taxpayers will lose more parking Downtown.

Councilmember Tom Van Overbeek claims the kiosks will help turn over the spaces, keeping college students from hogging all the parking? Well, aren’t you able to talk to your meter by way of your phone, and continue to pay for that parking space all day? How does that keep a person from hogging a spot?

All I see here is guaranteed revenue for the city. David Smith made that point very well in his letter to the Enterprise Record. I believe he’s right – parking should be free Downtown. He really nailed it – those meters are nothing but a cash cow. Actually, we’re their cash cows.

Some day we really ought to MOOOve down to city chambers and take a big crap on the rug. I’m ready when you are.