Dear Editor:
I am writing to express my deep concern and frustration with a policy that is doing real harm to Elora’s reputation as a tourist-friendly destination.
Recently, I’ve become aware that tourists visiting our beautiful town are being fined for parking over three hours – often without clear signage or warning. These are not habitual offenders or people ignoring rules; they are guests coming to enjoy our shops, restaurants and scenery, only to return to their cars and find a ticket.
Naturally, their impression of Elora is soured, and many are telling friends and family to avoid coming here. Is this how we treat visitors who contribute to our local economy?
What adds insult to injury is the fact that while tourists are penalized for trying to support our community, a single restaurant has been permitted to occupy three public parking spaces around the clock. That’s three prime spots, unavailable to the public 24/7, granted for private business use.
Where is the logic or fairness in this? On one hand, we’re pushing away visitors with fines and on the other, we’re giving away parking real estate to a single commercial interest. This double standard undermines both local businesses and public trust.
I urge township council to reconsider these policies. Elora should be a welcoming place, not a town where we greet tourists with tickets and contradictions.
Dushan Divjak,
Elora