After the new parking meter system was put into operation in the central part of Liberia, Guanacaste, the streets of the city looked practically empty, affecting shops, because the residents refuse to pay for parking.
The new parking meters and the city’s enforcement policy aims to bring order to traffic and at the same time raise funds for the Municipality; however, it seems that not everyone wants to contribute to it.
In the first two days of the new system, Channel 5 Guanacaste reports the streets of the city looked practically empty because resident refuse to pay for parking, including prominent citizens, such as the Mayor of Liberia, Julio Viales, and some members of the municipal council, who o Monday, avoided in various ways paying the cost of parking, which is mandatory for everyone.
According to the local television channel, “it was observed that the personal vehicle of Mayor Julio Viales with plate number BQT-815, sometime after the Municipality of Liberia closed its doors, it was kept in the free municipal park and annex to the municipal building”.
Questioned, the mayor shot back: “I have several denuncias (against me), for my personal safety and I have been physically attacked, so my personal security measures are something that concerns me. If you believe there is abuse, proceed to file a complaint. ”
Concerned of the new parking meters are the shops and businesses in the center of Liberia, worried, because without sales there will be no employment for Liberians, and the reason they are currently organizing to take the issue not only to the City Council but also to the courts if necessary.
“The depressed current economic situation facing the canton and the country in general should have been a factor to be taken into account by the municipal authorities to, at least, have delayed a little more the operation of the parking meters. While it is true that the project seeks to bring order to traffic in Liberia, it has also caused residents and tourists to stay on the outskirts of the center, jeopardizing the job stability of many neighbors in the canton,” said Wilfredo Pizarro, mayoral candidate for the Partido Frente Amplio.
So, remember, when visiting the center of Liberia, feed the meters or else.
