One size doesn't fit all

With the new refurbished downtown a new issue has been brought up. I'm not sure if this is a created issue, or an issue bought to the city councils attention by a local business. Parking.

Now that the downtown revitalization is complete, there may be limitations on how long customers can park in front business on Front Street.

At the Town Council's planning meeting last week, Mayor Bob Spivey introduced the idea of limiting parking in front of businesses on the street to one hour.

Not a bad idea. Someone hogging the parking in front of your business can hurt your sales, so limits can be imposed if needed. That's the hitch. Is it needed?

The city, I'm proud to say, did the right thing to see if there was a problem. They asked the local businesses.

Police Chief Kevin Arnold polled businesses last week about the idea. He said most were in favor of the idea, but some were against it.

In life I have found one size does NOT fit all. All 'one hour' or none. I think it is a bad idea to have one common rule for the front street parking.

Next to Expresso Joe's there is a dry cleaners. Directly in front is a sign that says "Dry cleaners customers only" (or something close to it). While it has no legal authority, it does show what I feel is the best method to address this "issue".

Let the businesses decide if they want one hour or unlimited in front of their business. Since they are the ones who will be impacted by this new rule, let them define it's implementation. Is this idea workable, likely not, but it would be better then one blanket rule for all.