Parking meters get opposition

The debate over parking meters in downtown Conroe heated up today as longtime downtown barber and business owner Bobby Shephard took his fight to the local airwaves. Mr. Shephard, who has operated his business in downtown for decades raises a valid concern when he questions how this would affect downtown businesses.

The city has only expressed a general interest in the use of parking meters to mitigate the parking issues downtown. The bottom line is that there must be a compromise between the parking problem and the interests of a thriving downtown that the city has an interest in protecting. First of all, most customers to these small businesses are "regulars" and will continue to be so regardless of the parking situation. To the extent that the meters could have a small impact on business, the city could allow certain special "merchant validated" meters at each business so that their customers would still have the ability to park without fee. This would satisfy the needs of business owners like Mr. Shephard and also help the city combat an important parking congestion issue and generate an additional revenue stream.

This fight is only in its nascent stages but the grassroots efforts of Mr. Shephard should be applauded. His mobilization of citizens via petition is a shining beacon of democracy in Conroe, Texas.

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