South Silver Spring Merchant’s Association

July 10, 2007

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I want to take just a moment to tell you where we as a group stand on the expansion of parking meter times as proposed by Montgomery County. As you may or may not be aware the County Council approved a measure that would require that parking meters and paid county parking lots and garages be in effect from 7:00 a.m. until 10:00 p.m. not the current 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. times. These new times would also include Saturdays as well which are now currently free and be in effect county wide. We at the SSSMA feel this is an unwise and unwarranted impediment to commerce. We feel that especially for the now resurgent and redeveloping area of South Silver Spring it is a serious hindrance to the great strides we have made thus far in revitalizing our neighborhood. Beyond our own backyards these same road blocks to progress would adversely affect the areas of Wheaton, Kensington, Montgomery Hills, East Silver Spring and Woodside. As consumers of the products and services provided by the many and diverse vendors around the county we should be seeking ways to promote the comfort and ease of the experience. We ask that you join us in supporting the parking regulations as they stand now. Please join us in testifying at the public hearing before the County Council on July 26, 2007. To register your group, association, business or individual self to testify contact Delphine Harris at the County Council offices at:

(240) 777-7931

Please feel free to contact me directly at southsilverspringma@verizon.net or (301) 980-5570

For more information or to discuss this matter further. Also if you do register to testify please E-mail me so we can coordinate our efforts.

Thank You,
John R. Landis
President
South Silver Spring Merchant’s Association