Dear Editor:I really don't think the city put much thought into the new no-parking ordinance on Firestone Boulevard. I often shop on Firestone and now parking is just a nightmare. Most of us have no time to search for a spot behind the business, and believe me, I have tried and it's full most of the time. Last time I checked, the city was collecting sales tax and business licenses, and this was a good thing for the city of Downey. I know many of the business owners up and down Firestone and they are upset with the change and they are losing business every day. The city doesn't care. I'm sure the city just wants the big box stores and would rather have the new construction and all the permits that go with it. They say this is just a test to see how it works but the construction adding another lane is already scheduled. They will drive all the small businesses out of Downey and we will be left with big, generic stores with long lines and no service at all. Have you ever been to the Ross at the Downey Landing on the weekend? Yeah, how was that? Welcome to the future of Downey. Cindy Pallard Downey

Dear Editor: No parking on Firestone is a great idea whose time has come. It should have been implemented many years ago. Will it hurt some businesses? Yes. Will it inconvenience a few of us? Yes, but it's a small price to pay for safer, smoother flowing traffic. Consider safety, cars trying to park and exit parking places cause traffic jams in addition to possibly intensifying the possibility of road rage. Thousands of cars use Firestone daily for commuting. Often cars in all lanes are bumper to bumper. It's like a parking lot. Cars parked along the street would only cause further traffic problems. Byron Dillon Downey

********** Published: November 22, 2012 - Volume 11 - Issue 32