To the Editor:

I recently happened to discover some old copies of the Nov. 19  and Dec. 10 editions of the Ballard News-Tribune.

The Nov. 19 issue talked about how the parking rates for  Ballard were going to be increased 50 cents an hour to $2 an hour.  The Dec. 10 edition mentioned how Fremont would be getting  pay parking stations over the objections of the Fremont Chamber of  Commerce. Suzie Burke and I had co-founded the business group in 1982 when I was a VISTA volunteer with the Fremont Public Association.

One of the concerns was that increasing parking rates or installing  the kiosks would have a negative impact on small businesses. I can report that they do.

First, as an individual, I rarely go to Ballard now as a result of these increases. According to my VISA card annual statement, in  2007, I spent more than $1,000 at Ballard and Fremont businesses. In 2008, it was about $120.

Instead, I am spending my money in  neighborhoods that make parking easily available.

Second, as the owner of a Phinney Ridge business  I evaluate whether  or not I want to deal with the hassles of paying for parking when I  get a call from a client in Ballard and Fremont. As a result, some small businesses go under or don't get the help they need because I choose to go instead with a client in parking-free Greenwood or Wedgewood, for example.

This is my busy season by the way. If they  provide parking or pay for it, I am willing to work with them but it  means that the total cost of services went up rather than being the  same across the city.

Keith Gormezano
Phinney Ridge