I received several emails in the wake of a recent story about parking woes in Old Torrance.
Here's a sample of the comments:
As a business owner in the downtown Torrance area I read your article with great interest. Over a year ago I spoke to Mayor Scotto regarding the parking problem and I was told that there was no parking problem. I invited him to come sit at my shop and see for himself what the businesses were dealing with regarding the lack of parking. He never showed up. Every time they add another restaurant with no parking lots they refer to the abundant parking in the underground parking structure. If the Mayor had to drive around for 10 minutes before he could find a place to park, why didn't he park in the underground structure that he wants all of us to park in? I know I speak for other business owners that parking meters are not wanted and would kill whatever business we have now. I have asked customers if they would continue to come to Torrance if parking meters were installed and they all said no. If they would enforce the existing parking laws that would help.
Incidentally, it should be noted the mayor deliberately drove around to see just how long it would take him find a spot.
Here's another:
I read with interest your article in the Daily Breeze today regarding the parking dilemma in Old Torrance. Instead of going through the effort and expense of parking meters, why not ticket the parties parking beyond two hours? This would also eliminate the smokescreen if revenue was really at issue.
By the way, I received another email from a property and business owner in San Pedro who said merchants and their employees park in prime street spots there - but only in December when metered parking is free.
So what's the solution?
Have your say in our poll here (scroll down to see it).
And feel free to leave a comment.
