Statement by David Hunter at the Haddonfield Board of Commissioners Meeting, September 25, 2023

These days, there are very few things that most people agree on. But one thing is for sure: Everyone hates to pay for parking. Not just here. Not just in Collingswood. Not just in Philadelphia. Everywhere.

That’s why, when municipalities introduce and update pay-to-park systems, they need to be really sure the systems are thoughtfully planned, smoothly implemented, customer-friendly, and glitch-free.

Recent changes to metered parking in Haddonfield satisfied none of those criteria.

The first two things that marketing students learn are (1) that businesses must strive to differentiate themselves from their competitors, and (2) that “free” is good.

Until recently, one of the significant ways that Haddonfield differentiated itself from Collingswood was that Collingswood charges for parking seven days a week, from 9am to 9pm, whereas Haddonfield had free parking on weekends, and charged for parking only until 6pm on weekdays.

But now, shoppers, diners, and out-of-town visitors must pay to park on Saturdays from 9am to 8pm. In making that change, you gave away a key marketing differentiator and you changed “free” to “fee.” I’m sorry, but you failed Marketing 101.

I rarely shop in Collingswood any more, but when I do – especially if it’s an in-and-out visit to a retail store or to pick up a carry-out meal – I choose to risk a fine rather than endure the hassle of paying to park. I haven’t been ticketed yet. The result? A dozen or more Collingswood stores and restaurants have lost my business, and the borough hasn’t earned a dime from me for parking.

What are some of the implications of the change from free parking to paid parking on Saturdays?

At a beauty salon, the cost of a three-hour service has increased by more than $3.

The cost to dine is a Haddonfield restaurant on Saturday night has increased by up to $2.35.

Instead of coming to the Farmers Market in Haddonfield on Saturday, some shoppers are now going to Haddon Heights on Sunday, where some of the same vendors are present and parking is free.

Shoppers are taking advantage (literally!) of the Acme parking lot. They’re parking for free and walking to shopping and dining destinations downtown. And to the Post Office.

Speaking of the Post Office … It used to be that someone who has a Post Office box could pull up in front, press the button on the meter, get 5 minutes for free, get their mail, go back to their car, and drive off. Those spots used to turn over continually throughout the day.

Now, folks who have Post Office boxes have to pay $1.35 per visit. Business owners who pick up their mail five or six days a week will now spend more than $400 per year for the privilege of having a prestigious Haddonfield mailing address.

But it’s worse than that. People who work in the vicinity can park in front of the Post Office for up to seven hours, effectively blocking folks who want to run in and get their mail.

How did this happen? How does this make sense?

Does it benefit businesses? No. Does it benefit shoppers? No. Does it benefit diners and drinkers? No. Does it benefit out-of-town visitors? No.

Nobody – anywhere – likes to pay for parking. And nobody likes dramatic change. But the unhappiness of Haddonfield business owners, customers, and residents is not attributable either to the act of paying, or to the fact of change. It’s attributable to paying way too much for changes that are demonstrably bad.

Since Thursday morning, more than 1,400 people have signed an online petition, telling you that you got it wrong. These are not crazies. They’re your friends, your neighbors, the owners of stores where you shop and of restaurants where you dine. They’re people who clearly care as deeply about our community as you do. 

If Social Security is the third rail of American politics – touch it and die – parking is the third rail of local government. If you tinker with it, you’d better get it right.

The new parking scheme in Haddonfield does not work. Please tell us how you plan to fix it.

Thank you.