‘Why?’: Longtime locals are livid

The word from the street was loud and clear yesterday as the City Council mulls a plan to charge fees for residential parking permits.

“Why? Why are they charging?” asked Victoria Gerken, 47, of South Boston. “It’s already really dysfunctional. It’s somewhat hard to navigate as a resident. What are we paying our taxes for if we’re not able to park?

“Parking is such a hot-button issue,” Gerken added. “It’s so difficult. This will not make it easier. We are already jumping through hoops to get a sticker and now they want to charge us to jump through those hoops.”

Yesterday, the City Council’s Committee on Planning, Development and Transportation held a hearing on the plan to charge as much as $25 to $100 a year for residential permits. Right now, residential parking stickers are free for anyone who can prove residency.

Boston residents were livid at the news that they may have to pay for the already-infuriating parking situation on city streets. Many longtime residents say the idea of paying for parking seems like just one more factor that could drive out older families who have called neighborhoods like South Boston, Dorchester and Jamaica Plain home for generations.

“I don’t think it is a good idea,” said Frances Michalski, 65, of South Boston. “I feel like I pay enough in taxes. I’ve lived here my whole life. It’s unfair, especially as a taxpayer. If you can’t get a residential parking sticker and you live here, what will you do with your car?

“This is becoming a mini-Manhattan,” said an exasperated Michalski. “They are just killing us. It is not the community I grew up in. We feel we are being squished out.”

“I’m against it. I’ve been here for a thousand years. Why should I have to pay for parking?” said a lifelong Southie resident who gave his name only as Vince, 74.

Mary Johnson, 29, who owns a dog-walking business, said she fears the move would further gentrify Boston neighborhoods.

“It’s pushing people who live in this community out,” Johnson said. “A lot of people are getting kicked out because they can’t afford to live here. It’s sad that the community that has been here isn’t able to stay here. It’s poor public planning.”