Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Tell us what you think should be included and not included as revenue-raising measures.
Monday night, the Evanston city council approved an item for the 2012 budget that will raise some parking meters to $1 an hour and raises fees for most parking violations by $5. Voting against the parking meter measure, Ald. Judy Fiske (1st Ward) said it would hurt downtown business, since it could drive shoppers away to other areas. Fiske said the retail stores downtown have been having a rough time already and noted that more may be closing soon. She suggested getting input from business owners before moving forward with the measure. Patch commenters seemed to agree: "I can park and shop downtown Wilmette just across the border and not have to worry about parking" - Fred The City of Evanston continues to be not Friendly to Businesses. …
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
The item on Monday night's council agenda passed 8-1.
A revenue-generating item on Monday night's city council agenda will raise parking meter rates, making downtown parking $1 per hour. The item passed 8-1, with Ald. Judy Fiske (1st Ward) objecting, saying it would hurt downtown businesses. "I'm just concerned that there hasn’t been enough input solicited from them," Fiske said, referring to downtown business owners. She said she was aware of some businesses that will soon be closing, and noted that the parking situation downtown is a barrier to local retailers. Ald. Colleen Burrus (9th Ward) suggested only raising the rates at meters that accept credit cards. "I don’t think people are so concerned about the amount [of money the meters cost]," Burrus said. "It's carrying all the coins around…
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Finding fallen cash around meters just after snowfall.
I parked my car in the metered lot just south of The Woman's Club of Evanston recently. As I got out to feed the meter, a gentleman stood among the parking meters, scanning the snowy ground. "Did you lose something?" I offered, thinking he might need a hand. "Oh, no. I'm here on my lunch hour," he said, looking up only briefly. "I like to come here after a fresh snowfall. That's when I find the most change." He explained how he's found as much as $27 within an hour, picking up dropped dollars and loose coins that go unnoticed -- and unheard -- in the fresh snow. The man explained, with a soft southern accent, how he passes his "discoveries" on to a friend who's struggling financially. He figures it's a nice way to get out and get some …
fishman
3:51 am on Thursday, December 1, 2011
As an Evanston small business owner, I just want to thank Alderman Fiske for standing up for us. The last Alderman in Evanston to do so ruined is own political career (and he predicted our current financial woes). Alderman Fiske knows what it is like to be a small business owner in Evanston and I hope everyone who supports small businesses will shop in her store (Fit and Frisky on Davis) for the … more ›