Petition Signing this coming Wednesday at Somerville Theatre

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

This coming Wednesday, June 3rd from 6:30-8:30pm I will be at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square (hey, someone may not know where it is..) collecting signatures in the lobby for a petition against the parking meter hour extension. Currently, the theatre is also collecting signatures at the box office as well. They're providing me a table in the lobby, so please, come on by and say hello! We need at least 50 registered voter signatures, but I am sure that more would make an impression.

Please note, this is ONLY a petition against the meter hours extension in items 9-12. I have always lived on a permitted street in Somerville, and paid far more at meters in other places, so the two other major changes are not as large an issue for me. Hurting businesses that are already suffering in an economic downtown just to scrape together a few more dollars on TOP of doubling parking rates? I have issue with. If you are unhappy about the permitting of streets, or any other part of the new regulations, I encourage you to draft a petition yourself, and organize. I'll happily sign it. It took me all of a half hour to write one up, get in touch with the ST, and set up times to be present and collect signatures.

If you are interested in a copy of the petition to collect signatures yourself, and return to me, or the city, just ask!

I hope to see you there!



Petition

On street parking meters are frequently used by visitors to Somerville who are attending concerts and movies, dining, and shopping. By extending the hours of our on street parking to 8 in all of Somerville except Magoun and Davis Sq. and 10pm in Magoun and Davis Sq., as detailed in items 9, 10, 11, and 12 of the provided excerpt from the commission's agenda, local businesses will lose patrons who cannot afford a ticket while watching a movie, and/or enjoying a leisurely dinner. In a time when the economy has done more than enough to discourage customers to local businesses, they should not be further discouraged by difficult parking time maximums and unreasonable parking meter times. The standard times for Parking Meters to be enforced are 8am-6pm for street meters, and 8am to 8pm for parking lots we request that you keep Somerville's parking meters enforced only at these times, and help, not hinder, our local businesses in their success.


We the undersigned registered voters of Somerville, Massachusetts oppose the extension of Parking Meter hours to 8pm and 10pm, and respectfully request that these hours stay as 8am-6pm for street meters and 8am-8pm for parking lots.

Comments

[ron_newman]

I am concerned that extending resident permit parking to all streets will hurt businesses in areas other than Davis Square, which depend on nearby street parking for their customers and employees. The existing system of having residents petition street-by-street seems to work well, and I don't see a reason to change it.

I'll still sign any petition regarding any of the changes, on the simple grounds that democratic decision-making process has not been followed.

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

Ron, The petition that the Theatre has drafted (and I may end up using if it is more eloquent and well drafted than mine) may cover those changes as well. That said, most people do fine using on street Meter (said permit the first time) parking for their customers during the day when a shop visit is being done, and I would assume (though that always gets you in trouble!) that many employees, etc who need longer stretches of time either live locally or take public transportation so that spaces are left open for customers. That said, you're welcome to draft a petition yourself towards the changes you disagree with, a petition on any point will call a hearing on the entire thing in any case.

[canongrrl.livejournal.com]

Right there with you. Also, I'm really afraid for places not really near the squares, like Highland Kitchen for example

I'll be sure to go to the theatre and sign up

[miss-chance.livejournal.com]

Can you post a reminder on Tuesday evening or Wed. morning? I'd like to come sign the petition. I'll even bring you a cuppa coffee at the table for your efforts. :)

I'm curious: What is the process from here? Fifty signatures are necessary in order to induce what to happen procedurally?

50-sigs sounds totally do-able.

Oh, and maybe would you post the full text of the petition (behind a cut) so that we can know in advance exactly what we're coming out to sign? Thanks for your efforts on this!

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

This may or may not be the text that is there, as I know Somerville Theatre has put together their own version of the petition, but I've placed a cut and what I have above. Built from legal examples and the requirements given in the article to petition for a hearing.

[ron_newman]

But meters in Davis Square parking lots (as opposed to streets) already run until 8 pm, and have for several years now. The petition text doesn't acknowledge this fact.

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

Thank you for mentioning this Ron, another reason why posting the text is useful. My main point in this was the street metered parking which currently goes until 6pm. Having only used those, I was unsure of when the other parking areas did end, and the Parking and Traffic web site isn't exactly helpful in finding that data. I'll edit accordingly.

[ron_newman]

Right now, I believe the rules in Davis Square are:

Street meters - 2 hour limit, Mon-Sat 8am-6pm
Parking lots - 3 hour limit, Mon-Sat 8am-8pm

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

Already edited.

[ron_newman]

And I think that Davis is the only place in Somerville with meters that run until 8 pm, or meters with 3-hour limits, but I'm not 100% positive. Anyone know for sure?

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't be surprised if Magoun did too since it's being hit in the same way, but someone who actually lives there/goes there can confirm that.

[ruthling.livejournal.com]

there are also street meters, such as in front of the Burren, that only run one hour. I don't know which ones are where.

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

And I'll definitely post a reminder, I'm not going to sit there for 2+ hours for nothing! ;)

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

I'll sign.

I second the request for full text - it will also help someone who is planning on writing a petition about the all permits all the time.

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

I've placed a cut and what I have above. Built from legal examples and the requirements given in the article to petition for a hearing. It's a pretty simple format, and I hope it helps anyone who would like to write their own.

[tt02144.livejournal.com]

It's all about the $$$ friends, and I've become very cynical and don't believe your petitions will do you any good, sorry to say. They've been using parking as a means to offset the budget for several years now. It's why they declare a snow emergency hours before the first hint of snow, or when the prediction is for barely noticeable accumulation. It's why my daughter received a ticket for a street she had never been on and they refused to rescind it. Permit parking destroys business. When Cambridge instituted city-wide permit parking I virtually stopped (except when necessary) visiting any store, restaurant, doctor, dentist, you name it, in Cambridge. Why would you, when you can go to Arlington or Medford and park for free or for a few quarters?

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

I appreciate your cynicism and give you exhibit A from the previous discussion on this. If we present a petition they legally HAVE TO HAVE A HEARING. Unless they break their own set of rules:

http://www.somervillema.gov/CoS_Content/documents/TrafficRegApr09-2.pdf

Article VII. Section 8. Part (b):

"Upon the filing of petitions with the traffic board by not less than fifty registered
voters of the city, relative to any rule or regulation proposed to be adopted, altered or
repealed, and not yet in effect, the proposed action shall be suspended, and the traffic
board shall hold a public hearing thereon within two weeks of the date the petitions
were filed, and shall by majority vote approve or disapprove the proposed action
within two weeks following the public hearing. Upon the filing of petitions with the
traffic board by not less than fifty registered voters of the city, relative to any rule or
regulation which has been adopted, altered or repealed for a period of at least thirty
days, the traffic board shall hold a public hearing thereon within two weeks of the
date the petitions were filed and shall, following such hearing, determine by majority
vote whether to avoid the adoption, alteration or repeal of the rule or regulation."

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

It's why they declare a snow emergency hours before the first hint of snow, or when the prediction is for barely noticeable accumulation.

Actually, there's a policy for that: if 4 or more inches are predicted, a snow emergency is called (every time). So, when I see 4 or more inches predicted in the morning, or the night before, I go ahead and move my car.

Hopefully, this will help you in the next snow emergency.

[witzwurst.livejournal.com]

Yes, there is a policy; many feel it is unreasonable.

take action, not whine? wtf?

[winterhill.livejournal.com]

Good for you for doing this! I'll sign. I believe a hearing is absolutely necessary -- and am concerned that these restrictions can be introduced without our Alderpeople's consent or the public's input.

Re: take action, not whine? wtf?

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

Thanks, your positive attitude means a lot. I also look forward to meeting a lot of people at the same time and putting faces with usernames :)

Re: take action, not whine? wtf?

[bryant]

Despite the fact that I'm being a dick one post down, I think this is a good thing. I may be in JP that night but if not I'll come down and sign.

I'm also going to reiterate: you need a plan for what you're going to say at the hearing, and all respect to Ron: complaining about elected representation is not going to do it. The people who made this decision were appointed by elected officials.

You also have to take into account that we're in emergency time here; the city accurately feels that it has little time to prepare for the 2010 budget. Again, the parking changes represent $4,000,000 in revenue, or over half of the budget shortfall. Curtatone's on record as saying that this entire process is hurried as is (which I suspect is one reason it didn't get a lot of public debate). Asking the city to stop, go back to square one, and reopen debate is going to be really, really hard.

Re: take action, not whine? wtf?

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

They're going to have to regardless due to the petition. I've got a history of public speaking, not here, but in my hometown and I've done it many times. I had to act quickly to get this going in time to make a difference, but I'm working hard to be educated for later. One of the reasons I'm not going after the whole change list is that I know the money is needed. I have no issue doubling the parking fees, it was rather cheap before. Even permitting all the other streets in the area stinks, but there's a lot of parking (more now than there ever was when I was driving in previously) in lots, and on the streets. I understand it would be challenging, but still, not bad. Making it so people can't see a 7pm movie without serious ticket consenquences? (Or sprinting to their car afterwards, as movies are rather long now) not so awesome. Killing business revenue is only going to hurt the city in the long run far more than any additional income from extending meters will. If a business closes because that percentage of business lost was the final straw, that's taxes to the city gone too. (not that you don't know this,but I'm already building up arguments in my head, can you tell? ;))

Re: take action, not whine? wtf?

[bryant]

I can! And I think it's in good hands. And yeah, you get the public hearing in front of the three person Traffic Board -- the trick is going to be convincing them that they shouldn't just rubberstamp the change, because that's the quickest thing to do and the city is short on time. Hm; I'd get in touch with as many aldermen as possible. Lobbying them before the meeting ought to help.

Three hours definitely seems a bit short. It's worth noting that the validation for parking at Fenway or Kendall Square allows for four hours -- that's evidence that four hours works for movie theaters. I think we've got to acknowledge that longer parking meter hours are a two-edged sword. The limits don't start at two hours for no reason; shorter limits mean more turnover and more people coming through the square shopping at more businesses. We can't pretend that effect doesn't exist.

I liked the idea of one lot with four hour meters. I can't think of any good way to restrict use of said meters to Somerville Theater customers, though. You get back to needing an attendant to handle that, which is more expense.

Re: take action, not whine? wtf?

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

The harvard vanguard parking lot would be a great option for 4 hour meters. The fact is we have a unique situation here, most places in cambridge have private garaged parking for things like movie theaters, etc, and hotels that do private garaged parking with discounts for local businesses. I always enjoyed Northampton when they had a parking garage (where I grew up) you could park, validate at businesses, shop all over the very busy and business-full downtown, and then pay out the nose when you left the garage ;)

Now that they have a pay before you play setup a lot of businesses have closed. They don't have a good option of public transportation (bus's, not so good there) so cars is it.

Re: take action, not whine? wtf?

[ron_newman]

I'm curious how much money the city could save by discontinuing all enforcement of all drug-related and other victimless-crime laws....

Re: take action, not whine? wtf?

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

Check the budget and add it up, otherwise, don't stir the pot here :)

Re: take action, not whine? wtf?

[thewrongbloke.livejournal.com]

When my personal family budget goes into "emergency time" I don't go to my
boss and order her to pay me more money. I may ask, and she may agree,
but it's not something to which I'm entitled.

Instead, I cancel the cable television and start packing my lunch. Cities
and towns have been packing on the empty calories in recent years and now
should trim the fat, not coerce their constituents into paying for their
gluttony.

It's politically unpopular to close schools, layoff city employees, and
cancel city services, but politicians should have considered this before
they approved their budgets. And voters should consider it before next
voting for their representatives.

Ultimately all city employees are responsible to their residents, not
vice-versa. If it's not something the citizenry approves, then the
politicians are required to find another way.

Until they can demonstrate that they've sweated off all those extra
pounds, eliminated the extraneous services, and made tough, honest
decisions, then they should not be forcing anything onto their already
distended businesses and residents.

[boblothrope.livejournal.com]

Keep in mind that one of the other upcoming rule changes will hurt businesses much more than extending meters to 10 pm:

All streets that are currently 2 hour parking 8 am - 6 pm except by permit will become permit-only from 6 pm to 8 am. This means it will be illegal for nonresidents to park for *any* length of time in the evening, anywhere on streets like Elm, Holland, and College starting where the Davis parking meters end.

This takes away a huge pool of evening parking spaces, from an area where it hadn't been that hard to find a space. It means once the Davis meters are full, that's it -- there will be nowhere else in Somerville to look for a legal spot.

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

I had always assumed those spots were permit only outside of 2 hour parking hours anyway, interesting. I'll do some research and see if I can append the document in a way that keeps things straightforward. Thank you!!

[ron_newman]

My personal feeling is that the best petition is the simplest: delay all of the changes until full public hearings are held, followed by a vote by elected officials.

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

Thankfully a petition for one of the items causes a hearing for all, as they're all on the same movement. I love it when things like that work to one's favor, instead of against!

[surrealestate.livejournal.com]

Yes, this. I'm concerned that focusing on one specific issue without any mention of the lack of representation makes it look like people don't really care about that aspect. IMHO, it's the most important piece, since fact is, even put to a vote, there's no guarantee anything would turn out any differently, but I for one would at least be much happier living with that result.

Of course, it could be that that's *not* what people care about, and it's just a few of us who do. :)

(I also realize I could start my own petition, but I don't really have any desire for petition wars.)

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

All petitions, even ones with one point on them, as mine does, have the same effect, the entire thing goes up for hearing, and anyone, including you, can go and speak your piece, about any part of it. So please do :)

[thismightbejess.livejournal.com]

I imagine this will be detrimental to The Arts at The Armory; that entire stretch of Highland Ave is meter-less, 2 hour parking. They do have a small parking lot, but I doubt that all of their out of town patrons would fit in it.

They spent how much money, and how many years renovating and red tape wrangling to get The Armory going? And now that it is finally done no one will be able to park...

Maybe they will install meters there. At least performances (sometimes) have intermissions.

[ron_newman]

The Armory uses two auxiliary lots, however -- one on Belmont Street near Somerville Hospital, the other off Central Street before the railroad tracks.

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

Then perhaps a simple investment in more signage for them will only be necessary, as I had no idea of that from their web site and attending previous functions.

[thismightbejess.livejournal.com]

Oh, I had no idea! That's good. Though I wonder how Theater@First patrons will fare.

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

Have all the people in them bring their guest passes to the show to hand out to patrons (KIDDING) Though I bet the city might give out complimentary/discount parking even passes to the theater for patrons if you/they approach them properly, just a thought :)

(and beer! Baseball! pizza! soon!)

[tt02144.livejournal.com]

"I'm curious how much money the city could save by discontinuing all enforcement of all drug-related and other victimless-crime laws...."
Ron, if you seriously think that drug-related crimes are 'victimless' I'd really like to have a conversation with you. You must be living in a cocoon....apparently you've never known a 'victim' of a drug-related crime. That's pretty amazing.

[sonofabish.livejournal.com]

Many thanks for doing this. I was considering drawing up a petition as well.

I realize the permit issue doesn't matter to you, since you live in an area that already has them. But a lot of people- myself included- are a bit worked up about it as well.

What I'd like to propose is this- that a petition is drawn up listing all the items to which people object, and numbering/lettering each item. Then, when people sign it, they have the option of either signing a petition to encompass all items, or to just note their objection to, say, items 1,2, and 4.

I can help draw it up, if you like.

And again, thanks for doing this.

One other comment- those of us on this LJ community are pretty wired into the issue, but I for one am wondering about folks, say, over near Sullivan Sq. or older folks that don't really surf the net or read the local papers. There's going to be serious hell to pay when these folks find out what's happened.

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

Honestly, at this point, a petition for one issue is going to call a hearing for the entire movement. I'd highly recommend drafting a petition for your issue, as you can speak to it. In most cases I've dealt with, the submitter of a petition has to speak to it at the hearing. As I can't speak as well to your objection, it may be better if it is presented by you, or someone in that situation who is far more informed and genuinely inconvenienced by it than I.

[sonofabish.livejournal.com]

Sure thing. I'll need someone to take up the torch for me, just because my work schedule is really irregular and changes almost daily. But hopefully something will come from all this. And I'll try to swing by and sign your petition.

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

Thanks muchly. If you happen to have yours prepped by then, I'll gladly sign it as well! :)

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

I'll be glad to sign it. I think this is detrimental to the area.

Will be glad to sign...

[vinyl-raven.livejournal.com]

Slightly off topic...
Did anyone see the car Tom Champion was driving on Memorial Day? *looks expensive)

Re: Will be glad to sign...

[geekpixie.livejournal.com]

Might have been loaned by a local dealership, they often are..

Re: Will be glad to sign...

[ron_newman]

He told me today that he was not in the parade at all, he was in the reviewing stand.