The Editor, Sir:

While being reluctant to criticise the initiatives of the Manchester Parish Council, especially their attempt to raise additional revenue by instituting permit parking in the town of Mandeville, the manner of collecting the fees is questionable.

Unfortunately, the council has done a shoddy job of informing the public on the new arrangements. Yes, they have erected signs advising that a particular area is designated permit parking at stated times, but not where to acquire the permits and at what cost.

Ticket purchase location

I understand that there are locations to purchase the tickets/permits but these are not located where you are to park. So one must first visit a vendor and acquire the permit, then proceed to the area that you want to park and, hopefully, access a parking spot. The time starts running as soon as you pay over your money and is nonrefundable, so if no parking is available you lose.

Our new Mayor, Her Worship Brenda Ramsay, should have her council review the system and consider instead parking meters.The payment of taxes is hardly ever enjoyable but where the process is made difficult by the authorities it is always resented.

I am, etc.,

CLARENCE D. JACKSON