Show gone but not Whether or not parking meters will be permanently from Moab streets will be decided by the voters at a special election to be held on March 2 1959 1950 according to action taken by the city council This lead paragraph appeared in the November 20 issue of The Times-Independent Times and was wan n a prelude to a atrial atrial atrial trial suspension period for the parking meters In a prepared statement on tho he councils council's decision to temporarily ily suspend the meters Mayor l J K E. E McDougald at that time stated In order that all aU of the citizens of Moab may have a voice on the subject of controlled parking on their city streets an election will be bo Meld on March 2 1959 1953 to let the people determine what method they prefer Needless to say March has come and nd gone What's more an election cannot be held unless citizens in favor of bringing the matter to a head circulate an initiative petition to bring about such an election In other words it appears that the trial suspension suspension suspension sion period is beginning to stretch itself into permanency This may mayor or or may not be go good d but it is unfair to those whose criticism was stifled In November by a promise of voters' voters action on the subject l fol parking was controlled by meters for over two years During that time practically all aU revenue from them went towards paying the initial installation cost They are arc now paid f for r however and Moab sands in a position to receive a little tittle revenue from them For this reason renson t. t awe we are Inclined to to a agree those who wh oW uld i ta tasee see them placed back in operation Efficient meter control means systematic patrol by law Jaw enforcement agencies There is no question that prior to their removal meters were not being patrolled to the extent they should mould have been Probably as much or more time is being spent attempting to enforce the present two-hour two parking limit as was spent on the meters before The argument that meters should be used primarily for parking control and not for revenue have merit We couldn't disagree more however with this philosophy When a growing community needs revenue as badly as Moab seems to we feel that more equitable means of taxation taxation taxation tax tax- should be found rather than placing the load oad on the already over-burdened over property taxpayers Grossing 8 to annually under previous operation parking monies could make up a substantial portion of Moab's annual budget If there li t a group in Moab opposing permanent meter removal let them come forth with their petition There is only one way to settle the matter of parking packing once and for all and that Is through a vote of the people |