Not All Happy with Extended Meter Hours

I received this note earlier today:

Dear Neighbors,

I am asking for your help on a very important issue. As many of you may know, in May the County Council passed a measure to extend the parking meter hours in the Bethesda, Silver Spring, and Wheaton parking districts. This measure takes effect today and extends the hours from 6pm to 10pm. For a more complete description of the changes, please view a recent Gazette article.

The reason that the change was proposed was because the Wheaton and Silver Spring Urban Districts currently do not generate enough revenue to cover their costs. However, many business owners are concerned that these changes will discourage customers from patronizing their establishments in the evening hours.

The South Silver Spring community mounted a major campaign last week to repeal this measure. It is important that the Wheaton community alert the County Council that the change in hours will also have a negative effect on Wheaton businesses. Repealing this measure is
particularly important for the viability of our many small, locally owned, independent restaurants. I am asking that you show your support for them by emailing or calling the County Council to tell them that you want the measure to extend parking hours repealed.

Our window of opportunity for action is small. The Council must hear from us by close of business on Tuesday, July 3rd. . . .

Thank you,
Holly Olson, Resident of Forest Glen