While RAG has voted angled parking in on the association level, its implementation will be put on hold due to a present lack of people willing to get the signatures. Angled parking will not happen in 2005. As it becomes a more pressing issue, as I'm sure it will be, then RAG will re-visit this.

On a personal note I want to state my feelings about the process and what has transpired. I was sad to see that a few individuals were rude and even intimidating to those volunteers working for RAG to support this program. I firmly believe that angled parking will contribute to increase safety in two ways: (1) By slowing down the driving speed of the cars on the reconfigured streets and (2) By providing more spaces that may decrease the chance that people coming home late at night will have to take a long solo walk on nighttime (i.e. more dangerous) City streets. I also firmly disagree that angled parking hurts the look of the streets as evident by Covington Street. Being rude and intimidating to neighbors that have opposite views of yours isn't neighborly. The process was set by City guidelines and a simple yes or no vote should have been appropriate. That is your right as a homeowner, one vote. I look forward to the day when we can discuss such contentious issues in a more civil and constructive manner.

Needed: Co-Chair! I will be traveling a lot over the next 4-5 months, and I'm soliciting the association for a co- chairperson to help run the meetings while I'm traveling. If you have any interest, see Jeff at the RAG meeting or call me (Farid) at 301-490-4007 x113!

The momentum on the angled parking program has slowed down, as connecting to the last 40% of homeowners on the targeted streets is taking longer than expected. One way to get this moved more quickly is with increased help! If you'd be kind enough to spend a few hours helping out, let me know (number is listed above).

The committee will be meeting before the January RAG meeting, so we'll have a parking initiative update for everyone then.

During the October meeting the parking committee focused on angled parking and the discussions were focused and sincere. I believe everyone was able to contribute their thoughts on a somewhat contentious topic. The votes are in, and the association voted IN FAVOR of proceeding with the pursuit of angled parking. This will increase the number of parking spots by 97 (yes, NINETY SEVEN) spaces.

The vote was strongly in favor, 35-15 (70%). The areas affected are the park side of Randall Street and Johnson Street, the 100/200 blocks of Randall, and the 500/600 blocks of Clement Street. Now comes the tough part. The parking committee is now tasked with going door to door for signatures of the residents most closely affected. As residents aren’t always home, this may take several months. Our target is to evaluate our situation by mid-February a 2005 plan. Some people are against this plan, and it’s certainly their choice. All this writer asks is that everyone consider the needs of the many in their final decision.

If angled parking is implemented, more people that come home at 9 p.m. or later will be able to park much closer to their homes, which promotes safety. This is a community association, and if this is testament to anything, it’s how considerate neighbors are toeach other.