NewCanaanite.com recently received the following letter to the editor. Email editor@newcanaanite.com to have a letter published here.
***
Perhaps my initial letter to the editor started this conversation, so I should include my comments.
Let me begin by thanking our first selectman for offering to meet next week with the store owners. This affects us perhaps more than most and it’s nice that our voices will be heard on the matter.
One thing I believe we can all agree on is there are major parking issues on Elm Street.
Not a single day goes by that we don’t hear complaints from our customers. Ultimately we want to do everything we can to make it easier to shop and not create barriers, both literally and figuratively, to prevent customers and patrons from conveniently parking.
In a time where there are so many options we have to make it easier to shop and dine, not more difficult.
I think that metered parking on Elm would indeed create more inconvenience and hassle for the public. Navigating the sidewalks to locate a meter, wrestling with said meter, paying for parking when only getting coffee or running an errand all while spending their valuable time.
Now imagine this for an older person or a mother with children and strollers or in the rain, snow and cold weather.
There is no doubt that this will create a valid reason for people to not shop in our wonderful and special downtown.
Perhaps the matter can be taken to a larger portion of our residents.
I am certain that the vast majority would not approve of meters on Elm Street.
Brad Reh
Brad & Vandy Reh Fine Jewelry