Dear Editor,
In the same paper, Monday, September 24, 2018, are articles concerning illegal parking in Philipsburg. Around the turn of the millennium already there were talks about the transformation of Philipsburg. Then already the question was raised, where are the people who live and visit Philipsburg going to park their vehicles?
Later on during the time that the actual transformation was taking place, I was at a gathering in which the then Commissioner of Public Works was present. He was asked about the parking situation in Philipsburg. His answer was: “I know that Max and them going to be mad at me, but I have to do what I have to do.” My mental reaction was “Wow, this is not diplomacy this is arrogance.”
From then I said to myself that the objective of the transformation of Philipsburg was a personal project and that the wishes of the people meant nothing to those directly involved. In speaking to one of the project managers concerning the parking problem, he said to me that the people are going to adapt. They are going to find place to park.
As we now see, when they find place to park their vehicles are being towed away, because the same business people who need the people to shop are the ones complaining about cars parking in front of their business.
The police spokesperson stated that the illegal parking situation in the Philipsburg area has become “quite serious.” Particularly in Front Street during the evening hours, and also by persons visiting the restaurants and casinos. I will not be hesitant to say I told you so in this, because it is a long time now I have been writing about the increasing number of cars and nowhere to park in Philipsburg as a consequence of the transformation.
At that time I stated that it is not possible to squeeze 100 cars in an area that can only accommodate 50 cars. Between the no parking areas, the bus stops and the no stopping areas there were just about 50 legal spots open to park. I know, I walked the beat. And it is still the case today. Statistics will show that since then the import of the amount of cars, the size of motor vehicles, the kind of buses and heavy equipment has drastically increased.
Yes, parking lots have been laid down, but we also know that at least one third of the parking area was used for planting what is rumored to be sick coconut trees. We do not want to control the import of cars; we know that Holland is among the best in the world where it concerns the infrastructure of public transportation, but we are not making use of that; the crushed cars hill is becoming bigger and bigger and forming another eyesore; those who already secured their portion of the Great Salt Pond are now declaring it a monument. The pound yards are bulging from the lack of space and the maximum on cars per car rental has increased.
So, will somebody explain to the people that this is putting extra strain on the police, because they have to take action against what they know is unreasonable from the side of government. This again has a semblance of greed. I must agree that during the evening hours the parking lots are less occupied, but should there not be measures taken?
Russell A. Simmons
