The town of Dumfries in Scotland has "ruled out" parking charges for its downtown area. One courageous council member has actually stood against the tide and said that ruling out charging will possibly keep developers from downtown. Read about it here.
Robert Higgins deserves to have his name in lights. He understands what makes development, and it isn’t free parking. Of course he’s right. Developers, bound by rules and regulations, will simply buy a few acres at the edge of town, near the motorway off ramp, and put up a great shopping center. It will spell the end of Downtown Dumfries.
The Labour politicians will have plenty of room to park for free while they are meeting to discuss how to pay the light bill. Everyone else will be out at the mall, having fun, saving money, and parking and probably paying to do so.
JVH
