On the surface, this editorial might seem like outright complaining. But the truth is, it’s not.
If you’ve lived here for even the shortest amount of time, you no doubt are aware that on-street vehicle parking is a huge issue. A nuisance. Enough to keep you awake at night (and sometimes driving around the block 20 or more times trying to find a spot.)
This is hardly anything new, either.
Even in towns with parking-permit programs, it’s still often hard to find spots, especially in the wee hours of the morning or late at night.
This is quite frustrating — and even dangerous — for people who work late-night or overnight hours, only to come home to find nowhere to go, nowhere to park, nowhere within blocks.
And yet, if you ask most people, one of the biggest reasons this happens is because there are an inordinate number of homeowners who have long, deep driveways and who, for whatever the reason, decide to park their vehicles on the streets, leaving tenants, renters and those without a regular place to park simply out of luck.
And yet, there’s a very easy solution to this nightmare, and all it takes is a little cooperation — those with driveways and garages might simply use them so that others may park.
Is this solution global and/or the answer to all of the area’s parking woes? Absolutely, positively not.
But it is what could be the start to a much better situation for those who don’t have a place to park regularly. We’re in the midst of a time where we could all use some positivity — so to all who own a home and driveway, please do the right thing — use yours so others may peacefully park.
And you’ll get the eternal thanks from those who otherwise would have no place else to go.
Learn more about the writer ...
Kevin A. Canessa Jr. is the editor of and broadcaster at The Observer, a place where he has served on and off since 2006. He is responsible for the editorial content of the newspaper and website, the production of the e-Newspaper, writing several stories per week (including the weekly editorial), conducting live broadcasts on Facebook Live, including a weekly recap of the news — and much more behind the scenes. Between 2006 and 2008, he introduced the newspaper to its first-ever blog — which included podcasts, audio and video. Originally from Jersey City, Kevin lived in Kearny until 2004, lived in Port St. Lucie. Florida, for four years until February 2016 and in March of that year, he moved back to West Hudson to return to The Observer full time. Click Here to send Kevin an email.