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LETTER: Parking hike will hurt Nelson seniors

From reader Karen Andrews...
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In early 2024, the city's regular parking meter fees were increased by 60 per cent from $1.25 to $2.00 per hour. That fee has since been adopted for seniors passes as well.

I’m writing to protest City Council’s recent decision to increase senior parking pass fees from $90 to $144 per year — a 60 per cent hike. Such a sudden escalation raises ethical and practical concerns about how seniors, a vulnerable demographic, are supported in our community. 

Seniors often make financial decisions based on the assumption of consistent subsidies. A sudden, significant fee increase without a phased adjustment or alternative feels unfair, particularly for those on fixed incomes. 

While age alone does not determine need, seniors face unique financial challenges, including rising health-care costs and limited capacity to absorb new expenses. Equitable policies should consider these realities. 

Seniors have contributed to our community for decades through taxes, volunteer work, and other efforts. Burdening them with higher costs disregards their lifelong contributions and our societal obligation to support them. 

Many seniors use parking passes to engage in community activities, support local businesses, and maintain critical social connections. Increased costs may discourage participation, ultimately harming the entire community. 

Expecting seniors to rely on alternatives like transit, cycling, or walking ignores the challenges of a small mountain town with steep hills, slippery winters, and limited public transit. For many, particularly those with mobility or health issues, driving is a necessity, not a luxury. 

If an increase is unavoidable, consider reducing the fee to $100 — a more manageable 11 per cent increase — or phasing in the new rate gradually. These adjustments would provide seniors time to adapt financially while maintaining trust in local government. 

Karen Andrews 

Nelson