Smyrna times., 1930-08-27
SMYRNA'S PARKING ZONES
Why They Were Established and
Why Town Council is Trying
Them Out-Communicat


Them Out-COmmunica
Quite recently, parking regula-
tions were put into effect, by the
order of Town Council, that caus-
ed much favorable comment from
the people of the community, also
a small measure of adverse criti-
cism. The area effected by the
new parking regulation was Com
merce street, from East street to
Delaware street, running West,and
Mt. Vernon street, Lincoln Street
to Main street, extending in sim
liar direction. This act of Town
Council, that caused so much dis
cussion, was the direct result of
an investigation which Council had
been carrying on, over a period of
several months. striving to dis
cover ways and means of relieving
and regulating this dangerously
congested area of Smyrna. Dur
ing the investigation members of
the Council came into the posses
sion of much information and
many facts, as referred to the
present parking method. Part of
the information came from resi-
dents of Smyrna, while another
part, came directly from farmers
who were accustomed to making
most of their purchases in this
town. After weighing matters
carefully, Council decided that
something would have to be done,
that action was necessary on their
part relative to a new regulation
on parking otherwise business
would be driven away from Smyrna
rather than be attracted to it. The
great inconvenience caused by the
lack of a proper allotment of park
ing space for automobiles while
their owners were in town shop
ping, had already created an un-
favorable impression among many
rural consumers. The available
parking space, the town of Smyrna
had at its disposal, was not being
made us of in a proper manner;
indeed it was very much up to
Council to correct this condition if
possible. Particularly so at this
time, when collective, concen-
trated effort is being put forth by
the business interests of Smyrna
to attract the consuming public's
interest to the distinct advantages
of buying at home; shopping in
Smyrna. Council decided that they
would do their part towards ac-
complishing this very purpose and,
at the same time, remove an ele-
ment of danger that prevailed due
to the congested manner of park
ing No person, or business inter-
est. was Disseminated for, or
against, in the planning, or execu-
tion of the new parking law. In
choosing either the North or South
side of the streets involved, where
the automobiles are directed to
park in diagonal manner, Coun-
Gil was influenced solely and en-
tirely because of the absence of,
or presence of, drive ways and al
ley ways. The presence of either
would necessarily cut down the
available space which could be
used for permanent parking. It
is quite possible that some person,
or persons, may have misunder-
stood the fundamental reasons
why Smyrna Town Council decid-
ed upon the present method.
Therefore let it be understood that
the truth of the matter is as al
ready outlined above. Undoubted
ly it was done TO help business,
not to hinder it. It was also done
to remove an element of danger
that existed; to make Smyrna a
better and safer place in which to
live. People should remember,
that the Town Council only func-
tions as sucn, to serve the people
of Smyrna. Council is G--1ce will
ing to listen to any citizens prob
lem, brought about by new laws
or ordinances they have passed,
however they must base their de-
csion in such a way as will bene-
fit the majority of the people and
not the few.