Correction to prior post by Citizen: It was South Franklin St., not North Franklin, on which the lawnmower operator was cited just a few days ago(no "poor driving," DUI, etc., involved.) Votes: +0

Parking in Christiansburg: Citizens are trying to be pro-active, RE: parking. However, the new courthouse will only add to the problem, hence an expensive parking garage is proposed (hasn't been mentioned, as of late). It would cost about $50k for an officer(s) to regulate parking, counting all benefits, etc. (I realize a 1st-year policeman doesn't make $50k.) Even though coverage might rotate, the fact is, it would take one officer all day to regulate parking. I've rarely had a problem finding a space; sure, court-dates are a little tight. Let's avoid the "barbershop" syndrome, which I thought was a great analogy by Mayor Ballengee. Avoid another expenditure, via police/parking. With the proposed parking garage, let alone maintenance, their would be security problems, hence, more policing costs; garages are known to be crime scenes more often than open-space areas. I'm not the "judge," but I know that there has to be a better place to put the new courthouse instead of downtown. No dirt has been "turned"..change the plan. For instance, the 10 acres on Farmview Road (across Rt. 460 from Sheetz) would not have to be sculptured, as did the mountain-side Aquatics Center area that has virtualy NO parking; busing is proposed. It all ties together: Courthouse: new: no parking; build parking garage. Acquatics Center: no parking: busing and proliferation of local immediate access parking problems (it's walking distance from the "meterless" parking streets.) The demise of the meters, not counting the manpower to monitor, take money, maintain equipment, was great. Now, some folks are complaining, and while they have tried to make good suggestions, I think the best is to "leave it alone." Relocate the courthouse, hence, no parking "pork-barrel" garage would be needed; still could relocate the Aquatics Center (It's not THAT far along, except for mountains of dirt moved, and a frame. The 10-acre site on Farmview would alleviate most all problems and give more equal access to County residents (it's centrally located, and has major highway connections in-place); courthouse and Aquatics should be there...more than enough room. Just the cost of the parking garage would pay for much of the land (I know that the original price for the 10 acres was about $1 million (including separate parcels that are now unified.) The recent purchase by the town for $600K (corner of Roanoke/First St.) would have been better spent on "open range." Retailers would have had more downtown space, also. The expenditure of sculpting the hillside of the "no parking" Aquatics Center,the proposed parking garage cost (along with access roads, etc.), along with the $600K for Roanoke St. site, would more than paid for the Farmview site. It's not too late to fix the parking problems for decades, if only logic would be used. It's sad: hard-earned tax-payer money being squandered, as it adds to the original problem: downtown parking. It seems the "Big Picture" is being missed, as arguments about the "Little Picture" take minds away from the realities we will be facing, including extreme traffic problems, let alone parking. Finally: 5 new employees introduced: if they are additional employees, with a police force of over 50 officers, already, thanks a lot. Christiansburg's population does not support that number of personnel; taxes will continue to rise. Who's is charge? Is there no comprehensive plan. Please, the "Big Picture" should not be ignored. Stop piecing-together projects that proliferate problems. There seems to be NO coordination. Just look at just one horrific intersection at the "Rec" center: death defying (the Town had input with VDOT)...much of the traffic to the courthouse, and proposed Aquatics Center has to pass through that section. That's just one example of awful decisions that seem to be happily continuing, at the expense and suffering of the people. Apparently, not "by the people, for the people"...for the "pork-barrel."
Well, I guess I'd better watch out: I don't want a ticket for anything in Christiansburg, such as for riding a lawn-mower on North Franklin St., as one guy received just the other day. Serious infractions like that should have major agencies involved, a SWAT team should have been called. Votes: +1