Open Forum- UWL

On September 23^rd, an open forum was conducted by Joe Gow as a way for higher authorities to answer questions that everyday citizens had about the city they live in. Upon arrival, I immediately felt out of place because of my choice of attire for the day as I sat next to an older gentleman with a tie zipping together a freshly ironed shirt, probably too fresh because of the burning smell that I couldn’t get out of my nose, which prompted my early departure. The meeting began with Joe Gow breaking down the barrier between the audience and himself and creating an open-discussion format in which anyone could pose a question they had. The first question was asked by a woman who couldn’t wait any longer to ask it: “because I got a parking ticket today, I would like to know more about where we’re at with the parking structure and any of the other street plans that they’re considering.” A man by the name of Bob stood up confidently and  replied by exposing the woman’s actual story- being that she parked in a place that she couldn’t, and that she just got “busted.” Bob continued on by revealing a lot of useful information regarding parking in La Crosse. Some of this information included- building up levels 4 and 5 to the parking ramp while students leave campus for spring break, the parking ramp being built by the same company that made Centennial, the decreasing availability of parking permits, and an increasing trend of restriction of parking policies in the city.