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"WEEKEND STAR" FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 2001 - 3 Councillors unhappy with decision to implement parking fees Hospital parking plan frustrates local councillors By J. Peter Hvidsten Weekend Star Scugog Council has learned that officials at the Lakeridge Health Port Perry site are moving ahead with plans to intro- duce parking fees in the hospital's parking lots beginning in January 2002. Reaction-from council- lors was mixed, and while they do not want to inter- fere with the operation of hospital business, most were unhappy with the decision to move quickly ahead with the plan. The hospital's Chief Operating Officer, Joseline Sikorski, announced the hospital's plans to imple- ment paid parking earlier this week in an interview with The Port Perry Star, and suggested the parking charges may just be the beginning. While understanding the public is opposed to parking fees, Ms. Sikorski said she wanted local res- idents to know that when charges begin in January all the revenue will remain at the Port Perry site. While not in favour of the plans, Ward 2 Councillor Marilyn Pearce said Ms. Sikorski knows how the public feels and added that the COO has a budget to deal with and that the township needs to co-operate with the hospital. ~ Mayor Doug Moffatt was firm in his comments, suggesting that residents of Scugog and area have been generous to a fault when it comes to the hos- pital and the hospital should be very careful. the downtown core. Dec. 9. Council okays increase for parking time limits Shoppers in downtown Port Perry will get more time to complete their tasks if council accepts a rec- ommendation from the township's clerk. Kim Coates has recommended that staff be authorized and directed to amend the current bylaw to allow for four-hour parking in designated areas of The step came about after a request from the BIA who suggested that three hours was not sufficient in the downtown core. Parking in fire routes, handicap parking spaces, loading zones and prohibited areas will continue to be actively enforced if the recom- mendation is passed by council. As well, during Monday's meeting councillors con- curred with a staff recommendation which suggested the township okay the closure of a portion of Queen St. for a BIA Christmas promotion which will be held RUNSTING EN Rp Sy sl 81 FEN Sle PORT PERRY 005-985-8208 "It's foolish for them to do this," he said, referring to pay-to-park fees. "All council can do is to clearly state its view -- that it's not a good idea. | feel they will lose commu- nity support," the mayor said. - He also suggested if the hospital proceeds with the paid parking, the township will need time to deal with the spin off problems it will create. The township feels it will need to post no park- ing signs along Paxton and other streets near the hospital as the back- lash from the public will result in cars parking along the streets instead of in the hospital parking lot. It is also expected that the Medical Associates offices, which are located across the street from the hospital on Paxton St., will also introduce paid parking on their lots soon after the hospital begins charging fees. Most councillors have received = complaints about the move to paid 'parking at the hospital, and Regional Councillor Ken Carruthers said he knows that volunteers at the hospital are very unhappy about this deci- sion. Trying to soften the blow, Ms. Sikorski said earlier this week that every dollar, beyond expenses, will remain in Port Perry. "We are looking at a cost of around $2 and we are looking at longer- term rates for those with family in long-stay situa- tions," she said. ero, bis 4 a! K ze. Hollpeood, flanco & more! -.'; FREE GIFT WRAPPING Lo pIDER & GOODIES ON WEEKENDS he * Salg ande Monday, December 10, 2001 BIN 16S 8 Oneen 9()5-985 TONES Street. Port "Cri 2521 www. bhrockstore.com