Feeling the heat of public outrage, executives of Comers – the private company running downtown Chapala’s paid parking system – have agreed to negotiate with city hall officials and civic representatives to sort out conflicts over penalties, exemptions, operating hours and other issues.
During a public session with Chapala Mayor Joaquin and aldermen, held Wednesday, May 8 at city hall, Espinoza agreed to sit down for talks to smooth over controversial matters. He will face determined officials and angry constituents who are keen to revoke the company’s 2011 contract with the municipal government and remove the parking meters. But it will take some canny legal wheeling and dealing to scotch a binding 15-year deal that specifies a 45-million-peso pay-off to Comers for cancellation prior to the expiration date.