Letters are posted as we receive them during the week, and before they are printed in the paper, so check back frequently to see new letters. If you'd like to send a letter to the editor, use this postmarks submission form, or email your letter directly to mail@austinchronicle.com. Thanks for your patience.

Dear Editor,
    I moved to Austin in 1984 because of Austin's unique branding of music culture. I am engaged in the music industry as an international photojournalist, a long time reggae radio DJ (35 years), and currently am a partner in a publicity business for rising artists. I was 34 when I moved here and now at the ripe old age of 72, I still embrace the music culture. I am now incensed at how much I invest in the city (taxes and work) to get shoved out by shortsighted policies.
    I have tried multiple times to come Downtown in the last year to document a music venue only to turn around and go home because there is no parking. When I do find parking, it is between $20-30 for the night. Seriously?
    The closure of the 5th Street City Parking deck at 9pm has placed me (and many others) in a dangerous situation. I am not comfortable walking the streets alone with camera equipment between the hours of 11pm and 2am. I am not the only one who no longer can attend some amazing international artist shows because I cannot find a place to park and feel unsafe.
    Please keep the 5th Street City Parking deck open at least until 10 or 10:30pm so those of us coming to Downtown can park safely near the music venues. There is only one person who mans the entrance of the parking deck and the amount of parking money being lost has to be huge. If not for the money, PLEASE do it for the safety of the music fans and those who market Austin as "The Live Music Capital of the World" via radio and print.