Re “Mayor defends park’s paid parking, blames council for the rocky rollout” (Jan. 9) and “SD pension payment hits record high” (Jan. 10): These stories are so deeply linked that it would make no sense to comment on one without the other.
One of the things that makes a city great is that everyone has equal access to its resources. The jewel of our city, Balboa Park, has been free to all.
Charging for parking is a dramatic change in accessibility. The parking cost is significant and the rules are extraordinarily and unnecessarily confusing.
The parking story gives an estimate of $3.7 million revenue now till June.
The pension story says the pension payment due July 1 will add at least $20 million more to the deficit.
Expected revenue will not make a dent in our city’s fiscal problems but will adversely affect quality of life for our residents.
The plan to charge for parking should be rescinded immediately pending reevaluation.
— Melinda Hansen, Del Cerro