After hearing from concerned citizens at every City Council meeting for the past three months, it appears that the Bakersfield City Council may finally be willing to take action regarding the new parking restrictions at 25th and H Streets which were imposed at the request of the FPA abortion chamber staff to interfere with our ministry outreaches.

Councilmember Jacquie Sullivan

When Terri and Tim Palmquist shared their concerns at last night’s City Council meeting, Councilmember Jacquie Sullivan requested that the matter be submitted to a committee. During the discussion which ensued, Sullivan agreed to come back to the Council at the next meeting with a specific proposal narrowing the issue which is to be sent to a committee. The committee may be one of the existing Council committees, but at last night’s Council meeting the possibility of establishing a special ad hoc committee for the purpose of addressing this issue was presented.

At last night’s meeting, Tim Palmquist had informed the Council of the upcoming 40 Days for Life campaign, emphasizing the fact that the past three campaigns have been conducted without any problem and that no police involvement had been necessary. Pointing to the recent problems with the 30 minute parking zone, Tim encouraged the Council to ensure that the City does not create any unnecessarily problems for the coming 40 Days for Life campaign.

Terri Palmquist challenged the Council to remember that the staff works for them, not vice versa. At the previous Council meeting, City Manager Alan Tandy had instructed the Council that the 30 minute parking zone is a settled issue and nothing is going to change. Terri requested that the Council take action in spite of the City Manager’s opposition. She also provided 40 Dqys for Life flyers to the Councilmembers, inviting them to come out to the vigil personally to pray.

As various people expressed their concerns about the parking situation at the past several Council meetings, it seemed that the Council was determined to ignore the situation, even though most of the Councilmembers have privately stated their opposition to the restrictions. Even when petitions were presented bearing approximately 800 signatures of citizens opposed to the parking restrictions, the Council did not seem to be moved. Isn’t it interesting that the issue is now set to be addressed on September 23, which happens to be the very first day of the 40 Days for Life campaign?

God may be preparing us for a long-awaited breakthrough during this 40 Days for Life campaign. Pray that it may be so, in order that every obstacle which hinders the most effective life-saving ministry may be permanently removed.