Our Readers Write

In recent days I have heard several conflicting reports on what the Region is or is not about to do with regard to the parking situation in Belfountain. I am writing to ask if you can shed some light on this.

As you well know, the experiment last October, closing one side each on the two roads running through the hamlet, was judged a dismal failure by our business, due to the huge negative impact that it had on our customers. Belfountain was a mess, as my photographic evidence clearly showed. Pedestrians were forced onto the roadway and cars were jammed into available spaces, while traffic was brought to a standstill. I truly hope that misguided civic intentions will not lead to a repeat of that. It is ironic that during Thanksgiving, 2004, no traffic situations at all developed when no parking restrictions were in place.

I have heard now that you are spearheading a move to ban parking in half the hamlet for the entire summer. Please tell area merchants that this nightmare scenario is not true!

It is also so unfortunate that this issue is regaining currency after our businesses have just endured the usual five months of hell that come annually for every touristrelated establishment. If those absurd parking restrictions are placed on Belfountain again the odds of having no viable commercial businesses here by this Thanksgiving are extremely high.

In that case you would have accomplished what 118 years of history have so far failed to bring.

Garth Turner

CEO Credit River Company