Make it easier to pay for parking in Sch’dy

OK, I’m crying uncle. Raising the white flag. Admitting defeat. Paid parking in Schenectady is here to stay.

I spent 2023 doing research, skulking around parking lots and city streets taking photos, meeting with Metroplex and Mayor Gary McCarthy, even reading Henry Grabar’s wonderful “Paved Paradise.” I get it.

We are never again going to have free parking in downtown Schenectady. Acceptance is needed.

But wait. Acceptance on my part isn’t going to cut it. It is time for the city to take proactive steps to ensure that those driving to Schenectady to shop, dine or go to an appointment can easily navigate parking. Here’s what’s needed:

Install kiosks on every block – no one should have to search for one and, in particular, anyone using a handicapped accessible spot should not have to cross the street to use one.

Schedule training for the public on how to use the Passport app, perhaps use the McChesney Room of the KBJ library.

Improve signage to clearly identify the location of kiosks.

Let people know parking is free on weekends.

Make sure the Passport app is always working.

Metroplex has done an admirable job to simplify the parking process in their lots, mostly by virtue of the fact they are small, defined spaces and have clear, precise directions with very visible, centrally located kiosks.

But city streets? Still a long way to go. Paying for parking is never going to be pleasant. Let’s at least make it doable.

Christine Witkowski

Scotia

Show some respect to earn some respect

In response to Lenore Lanka’s Jan. 2 letter, (“Express points in a respectful manner,”), I believe she is a reclusive Trump supporter that doesn’t travel beyond her home.

Twice on our trip to my son’s home for New Year’s Day, I saw signs that read F##K BIDEN. I have seen flags, banners, posters and bumper stickers saying the same. I have not seen a F##K Trump logo even on a t-shirt let alone a sign. I reread Mr. Sator’s Dec. 27 opinion, (“Sycophant Stefanik dishonest, cowardly,”) and found truthful insight to his statement.

There are no vulgarities, only common knowledge. Of course I don’t understand your loyalty to a thrice-married adulterer determined to become the first American dictator. I hope now you know who is disrespectful in the world of politics. Respect is not a right,  but a courtesy given to those who deserve it.

Jeffrey Pelky

Broadalbin

Get the facts before expressing opinions

You are reading The Daily Gazette Opinion pages, a platform for a few professional syndicated columnists and many Letters to the Editor from people like us. Opinions are not the same as facts, which make up the rest of the newspaper.

Sometimes these get confused, and like Sen. Daniel Patrick Moynihan said years ago, “You are entitled to your own opinion. But you are not entitled to your own facts.”

You might think crime is rampant and the economy is terrible because sometimes a politician’s blathering gets presented in print as if they were facts.

For example some go on and on about the high crime rates and how dangerous big cities are. Their opinions are not backed up by facts.

According to the FBI’s latest statistics all crime is down by historic levels. “Murder plummeted in the United States in 2023, likely at one of the fastest rates of decline ever recorded.” Down 73% in the more than 175 cities reporting.

The economy has the same problem. Again some politicians are moaning and groaning about a recession, inflation and unemployment. And again the actual facts don’t back them up. Was there a recession in 2023? No.

According to Forbes there will not be one in 2024 either. Two years ago, inflation was 8%, it is predicted to be 2.5% next year, according to the Congressional Budget Office. Jobs? The unemployment rate was 14.7% four years ago, now it is 3.7% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Just my factual opinion.

Paul Donahue

Niskayuna

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