Downtown merchants and their customers are already paying enough!  We are forcing our community to shop at the BIG BOX stores  and dine out with their families at CHAIN restaurants because they offer FREE parking.  Some view this increase as a segway to pay for a new parking garage but even after it is built the cost will stay the same to park downtown.  The folks who live in the apartments above the storefronts need to park out front to unload groceries, carry in and out their laundry or simply to run up to their apartment to just grab something quickly and have to pay a meter to do the simplest chore.  Our diners complain constantly and often have to run out in between their meal and shopping to put more money in the meters.  Customers of the local stores are often complaining because they cost so much already and if not paid quickly the fine increases dramatically.  Please sign below so I can personally deliver this petition to the City and show them that we are against this increase.