Re “San Diego will charge to park in Balboa Park starting next year. Some wonder: Why not sooner">May 21): Another poorly thought-out plan by the mayor and City Council. Blaming the sales tax proposition failure for the budget problems is much like us saying bills can be paid if money is found on the sidewalk. Their idea is charging us for parking to use our public property in Balboa Park, downtown and beaches.
Have they walked the Embarcadero on Sundays for brunch in Gaslamp or Little Italy districts, which takes three-plus hours? People visit downtown on Sunday because of free parking. Visits will drop off. Jobs and sales tax revenue will be lost. Hopefully, the Coastal Commission will preserve free access to the beaches.
Voters need to hold the mayor and council able for their miscreant spending, not give them more of our limited funds. Public-facing services (parks, libraries, public safety) are always threatened first — never internal city staffing. Budget and spend wisely.
— Steve O’Lear, Lakeside
