Parking meters unfairly thrust upon populace

Dear Editor,

The recent attempt by the Town Clerk, via the letters column, to cajole residents and visitors to Georgetown into supporting the beleaguered parking meter project that has been unfairly thrust upon motorists, is pathetic, aggravating and sardonic. He should be the last to attempt such a sleight of hand trick. To attempt to say that this is a part of a wider initiative to use cutting-edge technology to modernise our capital is simply a sick joke. With old refurbished third-hand meters he is modernising the Garden City? Why can’t he be honest and say simply that this is another tax measure to further financially stress our people, the revenue from which they will use to fund the continued fat cat lifestyle of the Council’s Big Wigs, such as for more first-class travel around the world, bodyguards, drivers, personal assistants and a retinue of other staff trailing behind them, fancy sports utility vehicles to transport them in, employment for their relatives and friends at super salaries and with allowances, fancy dinners at exclusive restaurants, etc.

The truth is the Georgetown City Government would bring last in any index that shows the ranking of cities and their use of modern technology for the provision of services to residents and visitors. At City Hall to pay for anything whether it is property rates, processing fees, licences or stall rentals, one has to be in line rather than online. Animals are slaughtered in a most brutish and inhumane way in stark contrast to modern abattoirs elsewhere in the world. All of their buildings are falling apart and lack basic infrastructure. None of their gardens or open spaces has Wi-Fi to help bridge the digital divide in our city. Just look at Merriman Mall, is that modernisation?

What technological advancement are they talking about? Do they even know what a smart city is? Where is the research and development effort the Town Clerk talks about? Where is the scientific and research talent at City Hall and where is the level of innovation needed?

The Town Clerk needs to understand that vision without action is merely a dream, but action without vision is a nightmare.

To all at City Hall, I use the famous Bob Marley quote “You can fool some people sometimes, but you can’t fool all the people all the time.”

Why are people being forced to pay for parking when there are hardly any street lights, when trunkers freely break into parked cars or steal their mirrors and lights, when the roads are so narrow and potholed, when stray animals roam all over, when junkies persecute you for a raise each time you park, when the roads and parking spaces flood each time there is a little rainfall. When there is garbage strewn all over? Why? To satisfy City Hall’s abominable greed?

I have decided and I think others should consider like me to shop at the supermarkets, shopping malls, gas stations and other such facilities outside of the downtown area, where there is free and secured parking.

Sincerely,

James Mc Onnell