If there is one way to add some heat to a cold January, riling up downtown merchants has proven to do the trick.

At last week’s administration and finance committee, councillor Lori-Lynn Giaschi-Pacini took it upon herself to bring up the issue of downtown parking, namely looking at ways for the town to increase its revenues by adding to the number of parking meters in the area and upping the cost to park in front of one of those meters. It has also been suggested that the cost of parking tickets be increased from the current $10 fine.

Giaschi-Pacini, whose ward covers the downtown, and who is council’s liaison with the Bracebridge Business Improvement Area (BIA), appears to be representing her constituents, but upon further digging it has been discovered that Giaschi-Pacini is working on her own, with no input from the BIA or the public.

Mayor Don Coates said there have been some concerns raised by the public over the downtown parking situation but surprisingly, none of these concerns have been raised to Giaschi-Pacini.

Parking in the downtown has long been a bone of contention in Bracebridge. Remember the talks surrounding the downtown streetscape project?

Some business owners are furious over the latest suggestion, and wish the town would do away with the parking meters altogether. However BIA president Mae Brazier, who confirmed the BIA did not approach council in this matter, said she would support an increase in the cost to park at a meter and an increase in fines for those who violate the two-hour limit.

An increase in fines is probably a good way to deter people from abusing the system, and taking a chance that they might not get caught at an expired meter, but we’re not sure increasing the cost to park is going to be good for an already struggling downtown.

BIA merchants have a legitimate fear that increasing the cost to park downtown will drive shoppers to the outskirts of town to the big-box developments, where parking is ample, has no time limit and is free.

Yes, the downtown does have some parking lots that are free to use, but it is doubtful that increasing parking costs along the main street will force those people to utilize the free spots.

To say that increasing the cost to park downtown is a way to generate more revenue for the town is a sorry excuse. The town already rakes in almost $57,000 a year from parking meter revenue.

It’s always a good idea to review policy, but to go into a review with a preconceived notion of looking at ways to increase revenue is not giving the issue a fair shake. Who knew the town was so hard up? And maybe by looking at what other communities do will give Bracebridge an eye-opener and completely turn the tables on the matter.

But before councillors make such a decision, they need to put the process in park and get some feedback from those who will be affected the most.

KF