The Mayor and City Council will embark on a campaign to remove no parking signs, boulders, and any other form of barriers in front of businesses which prevent members of the public from parking their vehicles.
“These businesses are very selfish. They do not want anyone else to park in front of their business on the council reserve, and they do not want to pay for the space. They do not own these spaces,” Town Clerk Royston King said at Monday’s statutory meeting.
Mayor Patricia Chase-Green and King stated that the council had received complaints from members of the public stating that they are unable to park in front of some businesses, as large objects and no parking signs had been installed.
“We cannot allow this to continue… These are the same people who are against the parking meters. They do not want to pay for the space and they want to own it,” APNU +AFC councillor, Oscar Clarke pointed out. He stated that the council must not allow businesses to dictate who owns the space, and he supports the council as it reclaims its spaces. He added the council needs to be on the alert as to how the spaces are being managed.
However, Councillor Ron Persaud of APNU+AFC, cautioned the Town Clerk about using a big stick method, as he carries out the instructions of the council. Persaud suggested that the council reach out to businesses to secure their “co-operation instead of confrontation.”
He added that notices should be served to the businesses informing them that they are in breach of the laws, and the council would be taking corrective measures if they did not remove the barriers.
At the end of the discussion, it was agreed that the businesses would be served with notices before the council administration begins to take action. However, King pointed out that some businesses had already been served with notices.
The campaign is expected to be rolled out during the course of next week.
