Uninviting meter fees

Recently in Taos, I was surprised to pay only 50 cents for an hour of metered parking. It felt like the town of Taos was saying, “Welcome, please enjoy our shops and restaurants, and don’t worry if you only have two quarters, we’re friendly.” And then there’s Santa Fe, now the City Indifferent, City Unfriendly.

Despite the many complaints about doubled meter fees, the city (truthfully) cried poverty, and the lowhanging fruit was this short-sighted solution. But at what cost — the goodwill of now-angered merchants, residents and visitors? The underlying resentment is palpable. Mayor Alan Webber said he wanted to make Santa Fe the most user-friendly city. What does that mean? Scrounging for 16 quarters?

Here’s the reality — my friends won’t go downtown for lunch anymore, so we go to places where there’s easy parking. And that’s a sad reflection on Santa Fe.

Alder del Tangio Santa Fe