Parking problem

Editor,

I am fed up with the run around that I have gotten from the Family HealthCare Network and the city as well as the county and the city police dealing with parking at the facility located on Halsey Street and Poplar Avenue.

I have talked to the FHCN on several occasions, and nothing has been done. There are four signs on Halsey that say no parking between signs, and the Highway Patrol is not enforcing this. I have talked to them and was told they only enforce the parking on Poplar and the city is to enforce that parking.

When the police are called about the parking, some of the times I am told that is not their jurisdiction. The city annexed part of the property along Poplar and Prospect Street several years ago, and that was done illegally because there was and still is no other property adjoining that land.

Along Halsey there are usually 15 to 25 cars parked along this street and most of them are employees. I talked to the city planning department and was told that the facility had sufficient parking for them.

They also have parking across the street on Halsey that is used for patients, and I suggested they use that for the employees and put the patients behind the clinic. That was not done.

I called Mike Ennis about the parking a while back, about the signs on Halsey, and he did get someone to come out, but all they checked was the signs on Poplar. I called the person back but so far nothing has been done about the parking.

While this facility is needed, it is sure in the wrong place. What is it going to take to fix this problem? Is some child or adult going to have to be hit and injured before someone finally wakes up and says enough is enough?

Larry McKelvy
Porteville