Wednesday March 6. Surprise was what generated a section of Mayor Poletti’s speech within the framework of the opening of sessions in the local Council when he mentioned a social parking plan, a kind of official aid for car guards.
The second chapter of this story occurred a few days later when the Municipality’s intention to expand the SEOM guidelines and activate the “night mode” became known, a gateway to make room for dirty clothes.
Just a few hours passed and the residents of the Candioti Norte and Sur neighborhood made themselves heard. Of course, the areas chosen by the local government for the pilot test of social parking were the gastronomic hub of the capital of Santa Fe.
“Since they have been present in some areas of the neighborhood, we have noticed a marked increase in insecurity, either due to crimes that they themselves commit, or because they provide information to third parties,” reported those who live in the aforementioned sectors in statements that El Litoral published on the 11th. of March.
After cardboard, this medium exclusively published the details of the municipal program. Schedules, number of blocks and number of participants. The test would last a year, in the aforementioned neighborhoods in the east of the capital.
Confirmation of the program would come a few days after the preview published by El Litoral. Without Poletti’s presence, two key officials in his administration announced at a press conference the creation of the Assisted Social Parking (ESA) program.
60 people registered and authorized to take care of vehicles at night, from Thursday to Sunday, in the bars and restaurants area of the city of Santa Fe, in Candioti Norte and Sur. An hour of parking would cost $150 and would be controlled through a printed card. Similar to other experiences, such as Paraná or Mendoza.
Opposition from neighbors
24 hours later, in a meeting organized by the municipality itself, neighbors affected by the measure that would begin in May, cried out. “Disastrous meeting over social parking in Santa Fe,” described El Litoral in an article published on April 16.
“People hardly let the officials speak, nor did they want to be informed. They didn’t want to know anything. “Everything was quite tense,” was one of the opinions reported in the journalistic chronicle.
The controversy was installed. An official car-sitting program versus the anger of those who live in the areas involved. Thus, El Litoral opened the game to its readers: “Do you agree with the municipality’s car-sitting program in neighborhoods of the city of Santa Fe?” was asked in separate surveys on social networks and WhatsApp.
Accordingly, the three chosen platforms (Instagram, X and the messenger) showed similar numbers: Almost 90% of the participants opposed the implementation of this program. The opinions of neighbors and readers coincided.
Message received
Noon on Friday, April 19, was a turning point in this autumn novel from Santa Fe. Once again, El Litoral exclusively reported that the local government would reverse the measure. The message had been heard.
The following Monday (04/22), Mayor Poletti himself was in charge of announcing the stop to the initiative. “For now it is not implemented, it is not a step back, but we are evaluating the best option. For now it will not be implemented,” said the local president at a press conference.
“Dissent and being able to listen to other voices can magnify proposals and that a solution will come to solve this problem,” added the mayor of Santa Fe.
The most recent chapter issued in this saga (not the last because it will surely continue) occurred this Friday, May 3, when a new message from the Municipal Executive Branch sent to the Council became known.
“The Municipality cannot allow the illegal appropriation of public space, which is why (…) it promotes the prohibition of the activity of car care and/or car washing throughout the city,” as reproduced by El Litoral this Saturday.
What follows will take place on the premises of the local legislative body. It will be the councilors who approve or disapprove this new message from the Executive. The appointment is Monday, May 6, meanwhile metered parking in Santa Fe did not undergo any type of change.
