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Letter: Maintain existing bus parking

To the editor:

My comments are directed to your article in your last issue on the upcoming city council agenda item relating to the elimination of the tour bus parking on Route 66 downtown. Some downtown business people feel that the bus parking should be converted back to regular parking spaces. Most businesses want the buses, but those who want the parking changed want it changed for their own convenience, and as parking for their employees.

From what I understand, the city of Williams is facing a massive budget deficit this year and has already cut many services and city jobs to reduce costs. Much of the city's annual budget revenue is derived from the collection of sales tax. If the sales tax collections are down, the city will look to other areas to make up for this, which may include increases in other city services; water, electric, trash, etc. Common understanding is that if government loses revenue from one source, it will find it from another; and most likely, it will be from you and me as citizens of Williams.

It seems shortsighted to eliminate the tour bus business by eliminating the tour bus parking that already is in place. We have observed as many as 15 buses in one day. The people on the buses have money and they are willing to spend it, but do not have much time to shop; in most cases 15 to 20 minutes. We need to tap this market more and have more buses stop. More money for local businesses, and more sales tax dollars to the city, helping our problem other than making it worse I feel is a better solution.

Why would we choose to not capitalize on reliable revenue from tour bus passengers? Should this revenue be discarded for the convenience of a few local business people that desire to park closer to their businesses? A vacant lot is available close to the bus parking that could be leased by local business people for their employee parking if they feel that close parking is necessary.

I think that the greater good for the city and the citizens of Williams will be served by maintaining the existing bus parking, and exploring the possibility of adding more as needed in the future.

Jeremy Hassen

Williams


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