Page 8 THE VILLADOM TIMES III • November 30, 2011 Mayor’s photos show midday shopper parking crunch by John Koster Allendale Mayor Vince Barra has an answer for commuters who question the Allendale Borough Council’s decision to designate 22 shopper parking spaces near the railroad station. According to Barra, the spaces are being used by shoppers, and he says he has photos that should prove his case. “Several residents have stated that the 22 new shopping parking spaces are not utilized,” Barra said last week. “However, most commuters do not realize that the busy time is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and there is a shortage of shopper parking in town. These photos taken at 1 p.m. show virtually all shopper parking spaces used, and approximately 17 of 22 new spaces used at this midday time in town. Municipal shopping parking is at a premium, and the 22 new spaces have helped ease this chronic problem.” Barra discussed the shopper spaces at a recent meeting of the Allendale Chamber of Commerce, and urged members to attend council meetings and speak up when there are issues that affect the business community. “You need to get involved,” he said. The mayor said that as a compromise to the commuters, the resident spaces had been moved closer to the meters to shorten the walking distance, which was important to Top left and right, Bottom left: Existing shopper parking spaces in downtown Allendale. Bottom right: New shopper parking spaces. some commuters, particularly in the evening. He stressed that security is not an issue, as the lighting is adequate even at the end of the lot. He said, however, that the police department expects to install a security camera at the end of the commuter lot with a live feed to the police desk. Two similar cameras are also being installed at Crestwood Lake, he said. The addition of the 22 new parking spaces seesawed before the council as some residents and the local merchants applauded the proposed additional slots, while some commuters said the spaces are needed for people who take the trains to New York City and were not needed for shopping. Mayor Barra took the photographs to illustrate that, while there was indeed a limited demand for shopper parking during key commuter hours, the spaces were important to local merchants and to shoppers at midday. Chamber member Bill Ford of Bank of America said it would be useful to advertise the availability of the spaces to shoppers and said he would do so to his customers. He said putting up signs would also help.