More changes needed to La Crosse’s alternate-side parking law

Finally, some common-sense in La Crosse’s alternate-side parking law. But there is room for plenty more common sense. La Crosse Mayor Tim Kabat wisely pushed the pause button on fining people for parking on the “wrong” side of the street when there is no snow on the ground and none in the forecast. For now, you can park on either side of the street in La Crosse overnight regardless of the date on the calendar. The change followed complaints that the city shouldn’t be doing a money grab in the middle of a pandemic. Fair enough. But should it, even if we weren’t in a pandemic? The mayor’s current order is only temporary, and previous rules will go into effect when we get a measurable snowfall. How much that is remains unclear, although I presume they will tell us. Shouldn’t the city routinely not start enforcing alternate side parking until it snows a lot and they need to bring out the plows? Presumably that is the purpose of the law. The city should make Kabat’s idea permanent. La Crosse’s alternate side parking law should not take effect until the first one-inch snowfall. I’m guessing one of our mayoral candidates could make that a platform, and gather more than a few votes from taxpayers tired of moving their cars when there really is no need to do so.