In reply to Kogarah Chamber of Commerce president Megan Barker who states that she doesn't want to come across as a "disability basher" (Leader, September 22).
As someone who has lived with chronic rheumatoid arthritis for 75 per cent of my life (it started in my early 20s) I would like her to experience a week in my shoes.
Instead of attacking the genuine disabled, I suggest she approach Kogarah Council and request more parking spaces.
After all, it is the council who are approving all the high-rise developments, which have a domino effect on parking.
Able-bodied people are quite capable of walking to the shops. They do not need to park close to the shops.
I hold a disability permit and quite often I don't get a disabled parking spot because some selfish able-bodied person has taken the spot.
I sincerely hope Kogarah Council does not agree to the request for a ridiculous 30-minute parking limit.
Wendy, Riverwood
Many people who park all day in Railway Parade and surrounding streets (one hour plus) do so with a disability permit while they go (by train) to work.
These cars are often parked by 8am and are moved after 5pm.
They are not attending doctor appointments or shopping.
They are working and by using a disability permit their parking is free at the expense of Kogarah shopkeepers.
This is the issue that needs to be addressed.
Shopkeeper, theleader.com.au
I used to have a shop and I agree with Mrs Barker that some disability pass users, while allowed to hold a pass, are not using them in the spirit they are allocated.
I have seen on numerous occasions people park their vehicle on Railway Parade and walk to the train station, then return late in the evening.
Is that what the permits are for?
I know it is a hospital area but this prevents legitimate people who need to go to the medical places from parking.
I know of at least one instance where a person was using their father's permit so they could park all day but thankfully the council investigators caught them and that was stopped.
Why not use the Kogarah Town Square car park? We pushed for ages to get it through but sense was seen and they allow disability pass holders to park down there all day without having to buy a ticket!
Wouldn't it be better if they park there for free and not take up the valuable on-street spaces? That car park is closer to the hospital anyway!.
Something needs to be done, if people can't stop along that road it wont be long before other shops, like mine, are forced to shut.
Ex-shop Owner, theleader.com.au
