I wonder if Butler Mayor Tom Donaldson and the city council have given any thought to the negative effect their parking ban will have on the many groups and individuals who provide needed services for the unfortunate.

Numerous churches in the heart of Butler utilize volunteers to feed the poor and elderly. St. Peter’s Anglican Church houses Meals on Wheels; Covenant Presbyterian has a food cupboard; and five or six churches offer an evening meal, the preparation of which begins in the early afternoon. Providing food is just one example of such needed services.

The dozens of people who generously give their time are, for the most part, older retirees. Where are they supposed to park? In many cases the city lots are too far away for these people to walk to their charity, not to mention the expense of feeding quarters into meters when one is already donating his or her time and is on a fixed income.

I foresee a day in the near future when the good will of these unselfish volunteers evaporates under a barrage of $50 tickets.