To preserve Eastwood's appeal as a $B!H(BVillage Within The City$B!I(B that welcomes visitors action must be taken to stop the parking machines from ruining this hard-earned reputation. The Eastwood we all know and love should be an area that WELCOMES visitors, not an area that pickpockets them. Since Eastwood depends on visitors for its prosperity, parking machines should not be allowed to $B!H(Bhassle$B!I(B visitors or take their money. Trying to raise revenue for the city of Syracuse and its business partner (Parkeon Inc) in Eastwood is counter-productive to local economic prosperity, short-sighted, and shamefully irresponsible, especially during such difficult economic times. The $B!H(Bhassle$B!I(B of the machines has already driven away visitors, led to an abandoned-looking James street, led to numerous business failures, and depreciated local real estate. This trend will ultimately turn $B!H(Bvillage appeal$B!I(B into a hotbed for crime, fast-food chains and big box stores. Since Eastwood had no parking problem to begin with, it is clear that Eastwood has nothing to gain from parking machines that transfer hard-earned dollars out of Eastwood and into the accounts of the city and Parkeon (for ongoing services, parts and $B!H(Bupgrades$B!I(B). Before the parking machines further damage Eastwood's economic prosperity and ruin our lovely community, they need to be promptly removed. Since the mayor's office is unwilling to remove the machines, please sign the petition to remove these oppressive parking machines from Eastwood.