Resident supports permit parking

I am a resident of the area to be covered by parking permits on Kalispell’s west side. And I fully support the proposed program.  

Those without parking permits cannot park within the district area during the day, meaning high school students/teachers. This will greatly reduce the problems for anyone who lives within this area. Not just bumper to bumper vehicles Monday-Friday, 8-5, during the school year, but the trash, blaring music and vehicles driving recklessly in and out of the parking lot and surrounding area. The snow plows will be able to adequately clear the streets instead of just clearing the middle, residents will be able to get in and out of their driveways without having to deal with students’ haphazard parking (they pretty much ignore the yellow painted curbs). 

I would think most residents do have off-street parking available to them, with driveways either in front of or behind their houses. Whether they chose to use it or not, I don’t know. 

And Mr. Funk (letter to editor, Sept. 4), this discussion has been going on for a very long time. Regular meetings, open to the public have been held. Cost has been discussed. I have been on an email list receiving meeting information regularly. 

Ideally the school should provide adequate off-street parking. Perfection would be the students and teachers actually using this parking. Most of the time the teacher parking lot at Fourth Avenue West and Eighth Street West is one-third empty. It’s not unusual to see empty parking spots in the high school lots.  

Do you have a better idea? I’ve tried to think of one. Other than posting the entire area as No Parking during 8-5, M-F, which would eliminate the parking permits, but hey, wouldn’t you rather be able to purchase a permit than just be barred from parking there at all?

I do hope a provision is in the proposed program that only residents (proof of residency) can purchase the permits and that the permits cannot be sold or given to others who are not residents. No doubt I will have someone knocking on my door, trying to get a visitor permit from me, so they can skirt the system. —Judy Williams, Kalispell