Re “Balboa Park fees that punish the public should be scrapped” (Feb. 1): I worked for the city of San Diego for 25 years and care deeply about San Diego.
I understand the frustration around parking fees, but I hope we don’t debate this in isolation. Free parking has never been free — it has been paid for through deferred maintenance and reduced services.
There is never a perfect time to discuss reform, but waiting usually means fewer options and deeper cuts. I hope this moment leads to a broader, honest conversation with the public about priorities, costs and stewardship of the city we love.
That’s it. No overexplaining.
— Bob Collins, El Cajon