Bloomsburg Council Reconsiders Parking Enforcement Change
On Monday, February 8th, Bloomsburg Town Council did not approve changes to parking meter enforcement times. The majority of Council members agreed to let a newly-formed sub-committee on parking discuss management issues and make recommendations. Members of the business community were on hand to restate their concerns and thanked Council for listening.
Prior to two votes on the issue, Council heard several statements opposing the changes, including one developed by the Chamber and co-signed by 51 business people, who are listed below. The first vote to adopt the changes as advertised did not pass with a 3-3 vote. A member of Council was absent. A motion was then made to re-advertise the ordinance, which included a number of changes to parking enforcement, but without the changes to enforcement times. That vote passed 4-2.
Prior to that meeting, the Town’s Community and Economic Development Committee agreed to create a parking sub-committee involving community stakeholders. The Chamber and Downtown Bloomsburg, Inc. have been invited to participate. “We look forward to working with the Town and other stakeholders to develop long-term strategies for parking management in Bloomsburg,” said Fred Gaffney, Chamber President.
Thanks to the members of Town Council for listing to the concerns of the business community, as well as those business people that signed on to the joint statement to express their concerns:
Fred Gaffney President, Columbia Montour Chamber of Commerce CEO, Columbia Montour Partnership for Community Development | Ashok Patel Owner, Bloom Tobacco Ready Go Burrito YoChoice Frozen Yogurt |
David “Otto” Kurecian Executive Director, Columbia-Montour Visitors Bureau COO, Columbia-Montour Partnership for Community Development | Deanna R. Pealer Owner, Deanna R. Pealer, Attorney-at-Law Property owner, 128-130 West Main Street |
Robert Stoudt Board President, Columbia-Montour Partnership for Community Development | Dennis R. Peters, P.E., President, Peters Consultants, Inc. President, Criterium Peters Engineers, Inc. |
Sherry Aungst Owner/Operator, Sherry’s Hair Co. | Kirk Pfaff Assistant Manager Ready Go Burrito |
Sara Baker Co-Convener, Artspace Gallery | Paul Reichert Caldwell Consistory |
Michael Barletta Owner, Infinity Vapes | Joseph Reilly Owner, President and General Manager, Columbia Broadcasting Company Co-owner, 124 East Main St. |
Michelle Beaver Uncle Paul’s Stuffed Pretzels | Nancy Reilly Owner, VP and Treasurer, Columbia Broadcasting Company. Co-owner, 124 East Main St. |
Hans W. Bottesch II, DC Owner, Bloomsburg Spine & Sport | Mary Jo Skjoldal Owner, Family Balance Acupuncture |
Bruce Bowman Owner, Sneidman’s Jewelry Store | Jared Snyder General Manager, Ready Go Burrito |
Leane Coladonato Owner, The HeadQuarters | David L. Soltz, Ph.D. President, Bloomsburg University |
Vince DeMelfi Owner, Susquehanna Realty Landlord, 102 West Main Street Board Chair | Harry Strausser, III President, Remit Corporation |
Peggy Dildine Owner, Peggy’s Massage Allure Hair & Body | John Thomas President, Columbia County Historical & Genealogical Society |
Oren B. Helbok Executive Director, The Exchange | Frans Verstraeten Owner, Dutch Wheelman |
Angela Dawn Hess Administrative Director, Box of Light | Tim Wagner Owner, Wagner’s Trophies & Engravables Sarah Walzer Toby Diltz Owners, The Blind Pig Kitchen |
Kim Angelo Keck Owner, Exclusively You | Jon White-Spunner Managing Director, Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble |
Lydia Kegler Director, Bloomsburg Public Library | Linda L. Woodward, SRA Owner, Lynwood Real Estate Appraisal Co. |
Jeff Lylo Owner, J. Lylo Jewelers | Mike Zarrett Owner, Towne Camera Property owner, 152-154 West Main Street & 160 West Main Street |
Kayla McCready, LMT Owner, Healing Through Touch Massage Therapy | Matt Zoppetti Sunset Holding, LLC |
Susan McGarry, RA, LEED AP Owner, ArchCentral Architects, Inc. | |
Nick McGaw Owner, Endless Records | |
Catherine McLaughlin Catherine McLaughlin, MEd, Licensed Psychologist | |
Douglas Michael Owner, Bakers’ Guild Café | |
Quincey Morton-Swartz Kirsten Swartz-Morton Owners, Wanderlust Café | |
Rose Neiderhiser Owner, Lil Kids Stuff Jim Nemeth Human Resources Director, Autoneum North America | |
Marc Nespoli Owner, Xtreme Row | |
Pat O’Connell Owner, The Law Office of Patrick O’Connell |