Parking tickets might increase
City Council considers raising cost to $14 in an effort to change people's behavior
When Charleston officials say their plan to sharply increase the cost of a parking ticket is aimed at changing people's behavior, they're talking about people like Drew Thomason.
The Post and Courier
City of Charleston parking enforcement officer Jeff Howart writes a ticket for a meter violation Monday on East Bay Street, near Broad Street. The city wants to increase the fines paid by parking violators.
"I'm no stranger to parking tickets," Thomason, a College of Charleston student, said after he received yet another ticket for overstaying a meter Monday on Vanderhorst Street.
The city wants to raise the cost of a parking ticket from $8 to $14. Mayor Joe Riley has said it's not about collecting more money but about encouraging people to use parking garages instead of letting their cars overstay meters on the street.
The college area is a hot spot for meter violations, according to city staff, and downtown business owners often complain about the lack of on-street parking near their stores.
An informal Post and Courier survey Monday of a half-dozen streets in the heart of the campus area found plenty of cars parked at expired meters, but also found that more than a quarter of the meters were broken or jammed. Four cars had been ticketed, two of them twice.
Downtown garages
Thomason lives in college housing on St. Philip Street and pays $250 a semester for a space in the city garage at the South Carolina Aquarium. But he said that's inconvenient on days when he needs his car. As a result, he's been using on-street parking and getting at least one parking ticket just about every week.
"I've gotten two at once," Thomason said. "I think hiking (the fine) is definitely a bad idea.
"It probably would keep me from parking on the street, but it would be inconvenient," he said.
Cost of a ticket
Charleston is considering raising the cost of a parking ticket to $14. Here's what some other cities charge:
ATLANTA: $10
CHARLOTTE: $25
COLUMBIA: $7
MYRTLE BEACH: $20
NORTH CHARLESTON: No meters
If City Council agrees to the parking fine increase, which is part of the city's proposed budget, the cost of a Charleston parking ticket would fall midway between what Columbia and Myrtle Beach charge. Parking tickets are the only revenue-generating tax, fee or fine proposed for an increase in Charleston's budget.
If the change is approved, a parking ticket in Charleston would cost more than one in Atlanta but less than in Charlotte.
"What we're trying to do is get people to use garages for long-term parking," said Alan Horres Jr., director of Revenue Collections in Charleston. "Before, if it was $8, people might take a chance they would not get more than one ticket."
The maximum charge for parking in the garage at St. Philip and George streets is $16, which is what two parking tickets cost now.
The proposed ticket increase would raise $300,000 to $350,000 in city revenue, Horres estimated. That's about how much money the city lost this year because of a change in state law requiring a 30-day wait before tickets can be considered overdue and the fine increased.
Previously, the city allowed 20 days to pay a parking ticket, then increased the fine by $9. If the new ticket fee is approved, the fine for late payment also would be an additional $9 after 30 days.
City Council will next consider the budget at a meeting Dec. 9.
For those who park legally, city meters cost 25 cents for every 20 minutes. City-owned parking garage charges start at $1 for the first hour.
Reach David Slade at 937-5552 or dslade@postandcourier.com.
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Comments
mcautodoc (anonymous) says...
Interesting article; I'd like to know when the P&C and Mayor Joe are going to start going after Robert Ford for his blatant illegal parking activities we've all seen played out in the paper. Just reporting them isn't enough guys; start turning the screws on Bobby just like you're turning the screws on the college schlubs.
December 2, 2008 at 4:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
watchdog (anonymous) says...
The city is killing the shopping district with this increase. Why come downtown when you can park free at all the area shopping centers. We need 2hr. free parking for shoppers, if you have a receipt from a downtown business. Downtown has to get competitive, we are going to kill our downtown with greed.
December 2, 2008 at 6:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
moonpie (anonymous) says...
Please let's not be "inconvenient" to the little bastard!
Did you see the part about the $350000 will be raised, that's what this is all about, making money and not having to fight the real crime.
December 2, 2008 at 6:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Grinder (anonymous) says...
Agree with you Moonie. Inconvenient? How about not having a car at all in college? How about having to use public transportation, a bike, or hoofing it the six blocks between the garage and campus? Poor baby. There's only 2 or 3 Starbucks between Points A and B.
December 2, 2008 at 7 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
islandbenzbc (anonymous) says...
"King Riley" and the city need the money for pet projects...pay up!!
December 2, 2008 at 7:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lou9 (anonymous) says...
Mr. Riley, if the increase is not about collecting more money then why is it part of the proposed budget?
December 2, 2008 at 7:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
1963 (anonymous) says...
This is exactly why I do not shop in downtown Charleston or go to Charleston unless it is urgent. $8.00 for running out of time, that .25 cents would have saved you, the fine is adsurb. This is EXCESSIVE and moocher Joe wants to go to $14.00! I always heard the Joe never met a tax increase that he didn't like. I guess parking tickets are part of his way of making money off people. I bet he has a reserved parking space and is immune from parking tickets in the City of Charleston. People don't shop downtown, all you want and need is outside the city.
December 2, 2008 at 7:40 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
coryphaena (anonymous) says...
The real problem with using garages is that every City garage has the first four tiers completely "reserved" for entities like the SPA. Using a garage downtown means driving five or six laps, past all the vacant (or not) "reserved" spaces and parking six floors up. Then you have to hike down five or six flights of stairs and walk to wherever you're going, and reverse the whole procedure when you leave. Anyone who has tried this solo knows it's a pain, but if you happen to have a kid or two, and a stroller, and maybe some items to carry, it becomes a joke. Same price to pay a parking ticket? A few dollars more? Fine by me. (get it? 'fine'? Heh.)
December 2, 2008 at 7:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charlestonpride (anonymous) says...
I believe the cost of the parking garage is incorrect. I think its $1.00 for the first 30 min. and another $1.00 for the second 30 minutes and then $1.00 per hour.
December 2, 2008 at 8 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
charleston1960 (anonymous) says...
I believe the assigned parking should be issued from the top down. It is aggravating to have to drive up 4 levels to get a space when the assigned parking is taken by people at work all day. The city would be contributing toward reducing gas waste if they moved those all day reserved spaces to the tops of the garages.
Then again maybe this is really about money. It is Chrismas and there are a lot of Christmas bonuses due to the city employees.
Here is a good article to back up the highest paid state employees. The PC sould research how many bonuses are given to certain city employees.(I know they get them) It would be nice to see how much tax dollars are dished out in that manner and to whom. Public tax revenue money is FOI.
December 2, 2008 at 8:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
I won't park there for free... not until the crime ridden areas I have to go through to get there are cleaned up. The city should start placing the wheel locks on cars that are parked illegally. The wheel lock is not removed until you pay your parking fine. Problem solved. Charleston shopping, in my opinion, is over-rated anyway. You can rant and rave and call my stupid all you want but the truth of the matter is that the vast majority of people that live in the low country have no interest what so ever in driving in to Charleston to shop. I used to take visiting friends and family in to Charleston to do the tourist thing, but they've all seen everything there is to see so we don't go in to Charleston anymore.
December 2, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
musicpaladin2007 (anonymous) says...
The city parking officials are quacks anyhow.... I've personally experienced getting 2 tickets that supposedly said that we had been parked since 8 AM when in actuality we had only been parked from 11AM to 12PM. We had just missed the guy giving us a second ticket. Ri-diculous! There is absolutely no excuse for that...
December 2, 2008 at 8:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
robinsegg (anonymous) says...
Everyone here is only talking about shoppers! What about the people that work downtown in these restaurants and shops? One ticket would cost 2 hrs of pay for any retail employee and several tips from food and bev workers. We are already seeing a slowdown in these areas and the people that do come in spend/tip less. Agreed with PP about hiking up 6 floors just to get a spot in the garage, oh yeah and that is really safe at the end of the your shift at midnight! The city owns EVERY garage downtown, of course Joe wants us to park there.
December 2, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
46 years old and I've never received a parking ticket. Then again... I try and follow the rules...
December 2, 2008 at 9:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
anniehall (anonymous) says...
Well when it's all said and done, sure we can get mad on this website. How many of you are actually going to get up and do something about it. I agree with your parking garage debate. If people have reserved spaces they should be at the top of the garage. That would certainly encourage people to use the parking garages more. They city should think of other incentives as well. When i do shop downtown i avoid driving down King anyway. There are too many slow driving tourists and reckless college students walking around that I'd rather find a side street or garage anyway.
December 2, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
JC (anonymous) says...
...and guess who jams the meters with anything they can to keep from paying - the STUDENTS. That's why the meters don't work.
December 2, 2008 at 9:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
fisher22 (anonymous) says...
Maybe a $14 ticket will put an end to people feeling an $8 ticket was worth the price to park all day. Relax... They aren't raising the price to park, they are only raising the price for violators. People that avoid downtown shopping are probably thinking, I dont go downtown bc parking is impossible, not, I refuse to shop downtown now, bc I dont want to pay a $14 ticket when I don't feed the meter. You are all right, parking is horrible downtown, just like most cities. Charleston has more narrow roads and limited space, thats how it goes. Heres some advise, Park legally and you wont even know the fine changed.
December 2, 2008 at 9:33 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
512c (anonymous) says...
Let me add to their list of ticket fees:
Europe, $0 (unless towed for blocking an entrance).
Nuff said.
We should be lowering these tickets, and firing rangers.
December 2, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
OverHere (anonymous) says...
Want to raise more money from parking?
Have the meters accept credit cards. Who carries cash amymore?
Much less nickels and dimes in their pocket...
December 2, 2008 at 9:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
512c (anonymous) says...
Take the ticket money, and install lite rail to n. charleston!
December 2, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
n4dhs (anonymous) says...
yea he has a couple of reserved spaces (one of them down the street from where i work) he also has a special license plate that all the cops must know so unless they are career suicidal riley wont get one - i guess the cops arent getting enough $ with the radar guns on lockwood stopping people coming and going from work and perhaps i dare say SHOPPING?
December 2, 2008 at 9:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
512C, when I was in London (1989ish) they charged to park. That was the first place I saw wheel locks in use. I still have a pic of one being installed on a car illegally parked :)
December 2, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sourhe (anonymous) says...
how is joe still in office? almost every article that has joe in it has comments from people that detest him. agree with fisher, everyone knows what they are getting into by going downtown, park legally and you won't even know.
December 2, 2008 at 10:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nappyd (anonymous) says...
why not make parking garages cheaper if they want to further encourage their use?
In Atlanta & Charlotte (the two bigger cities mentioned in this article despite Columbia being closer in size & geography) I've looked for both convenience to location AND price. Even if it's mainly Ameripark handling the parking lots these days, it can still make a difference.
But they're high if they think people should pay Charlotte or Atlanta level parking prices. That demonstrates a clear lake of supply for the demand, and there isn't near the level of demand compared to Charlotte or Atlanta. It *IS* a blatant ripoff and money grab.
December 2, 2008 at 10:13 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofseven_2 (anonymous) says...
Now, in London they charge you to drive in London streets you can park outside London and take public transportation all day long. Was in London just last year and it is lovely there.
As for parking, I have been driving for over 35 years and no parking ticket here either.
I hope this is posted the last post they took the posting away from the story.
Hope it was not my fault
December 2, 2008 at 10:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofseven_2 (anonymous) says...
that was for one charge all day long in London
December 2, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
n4dhs (anonymous) says...
i have occasionally seen parking boots on cars but only VERY occasionally and that was after seeing the car parked illegally for days - yet at a funeral we held and after we had notified the parking guys that we were going to hold one and NOT to ticket people well guess what - they had a field day issuing parking tickets to everyone......another change and spend democrat - how lovely....
December 2, 2008 at 10:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofseven_2 (anonymous) says...
CB May I suggest a quaint little town off 17A it has antique stores historical homes and a great history. The main town street reminds me of the old King street in Charleston it even has a drug store with a soda fountain, a real one where they make sandwiches and the sodas are made with syrup as in old days. In addition, they have a place to park free. The city is Walterboro SC. they even have an artesian center check it out on the web.
However, parking on the side of the street is for one hour only. In addition, they have one or two good restaurants there too
December 2, 2008 at 10:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
poor_paul (anonymous) says...
Dang, ColdBud, only 46?? I had you pegged as a cranky old geezer based on your past comments... :)
I have gotten some parking tickets in the distant past, but these days I would prefer dropping in a couple extra quarters rather than getting a parking ticket.
Drew Thomason sounds like a poster boy of why they would want to raise the parking fine. Hate to inconvenience him... what a doofus. I agree with NappyD on the high cost of parking garages, but they are pretty expensive to build. Something like $15k per space??
December 2, 2008 at 11:03 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
Nah... just 46.. and only 35 at heart :).
I'm in Walterboro often grannyofseven_2, usually on business though. I'll have to check out the historic area.
December 2, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofseven_2 (anonymous) says...
dang CB my daughter is only 4 years younger then you. and she is a grandma twice over
December 2, 2008 at 11:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
halfsheli (anonymous) says...
512 --
There are parking fines in Dublin, Ireland. My husband stayed too long at a metered spot, and they booted the car. No ticket. In order to remove the boot (or clamp) you have to take a cab (10 -12 Euro there and back to the car!)to a specific location and pay the fine (about 60 or 70 Euro -- or just over $100).
December 2, 2008 at 12:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
There's a "Downtown" Charleston?
December 2, 2008 at 12:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
MP (anonymous) says...
I don't shop King Street and downtown like I used to. Why? No parking. If fining parking violators more will cut down on the violations, then increase the fine. It may even allow the actual parking fee to be reduced or even done away with for short periods of time for the people who want to shop and do not break the law while doing it.
December 2, 2008 at 12:28 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
Well said MP and fisher22.
No grandkids here yet grannyofseven_2. Two of my kids are married now, but I don't want them to have kids for at least two years. Once I have grandkids, I know I'll spend a lot of money on them and I've already got money allocated to my old Chevy pick-up for the next couple of years .
December 2, 2008 at 12:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofseven_2 (anonymous) says...
years ago Lovely we used to call anywhere around King street or Meeting DOWN TOWN CHARLESTON
December 2, 2008 at 12:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
Hey, granny. Sorry that was a bad joke because I don't go to Downtown Charleston any more. I was referencing Homer Simpson when he found out there was a "New" Mexico.
December 2, 2008 at 1:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofseven_2 (anonymous) says...
Oh no not a bad joke. I do not watch the Simpsons sorry. Now that I got your attention how is the little one doing and you too you doing ok
December 2, 2008 at 1:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
We are doing just fine. I try to sleep when he sleeps, but my 2 year old makes it hard to do ever since she isn't on the same schedule as we are.
Oh, I don't visit Downtown, but I think the parking is an atrocity! Had to throw someing in there to be on topic...Lol!
December 2, 2008 at 1:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
Why were the comments removed from the "'He's getting off free in a way,' father says" article? Did they get that far out of hand that fast???
December 2, 2008 at 1:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Lovely_One (anonymous) says...
ColdBud, I was just abut to ask the same thing!
December 2, 2008 at 1:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chris50 (anonymous) says...
I think Joe is shooting himself in the foot. Why?
i work downtown, and find my self getting numerous tickets when in fact there has been no violation on my part. This is not news. what is news is that its only $8 and it's not worth my time to go and fight an $8 ticket, so i just mail it in.
go ahead and raise the fines, and you will see that people will find it "worth it" fight alot more or the eroneous tickets and you will create a mess at the parking office and alot more of these tickets will be dropped, probably more than offsetting the incresed fines.
December 2, 2008 at 2:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
How do you get a ticket when there has been no violation? Just curious. I'd fight each and every one of those.
December 2, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofseven_2 (anonymous) says...
I asked that earlier. I was the last one to write a comment on that story and I promise I was good,... well sort of. I have not been to Charleston in years only to the MUSC as a guest and Roper, but have not been to the historical areas. Parking is crazy not to mention the driving YIKES!!
December 2, 2008 at 2:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Larz13 (anonymous) says...
Start charging the handicapped and you will realize more $$ than collecting fines.
December 2, 2008 at 3:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pcreader (anonymous) says...
so listen not everyone in college has money for starbucks! dont generalize, it is more expensive and more of a pain to park in the garages. What if youve been up studying and have that paper to turn in-at 8am! for some its hard enough to be in school and even harder to find safe spots to park.and harder to come up with 5 bucks to park for 1 class. I dont disregard the rules but sometimes its hard to get back to the car, and find another spot and get to class. Geez if youre not downtown everyday and you dont deal with parking and time issues yourself-shut up. pay a few tickets and even ones at higher rates that were never found on your windshield and you may feel different about parking. its not all spoiled cofc kids-its also those struggling to survive as they get their education!
December 2, 2008 at 3:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chris50 (anonymous) says...
coldbud,
i have got a ticket at a broken meter, even if you've been there less than 2 hours (which is the rule). but my favorite is when you are parked at a broken meter, and the meter maintanence people come around and fix them. then 10 minutes later the meter maids follow them give tickets to people who are unaware that the meter was fixed. (this one i see once a week at least, i have an office that i can see the metered spots)
it takes a minimum of taking an hour off of work to go fight an $8 ticket. i don't know about you, but i make a hair more than $8 per hour and it makes for fiscal sense to simply mail in the fine and work that hour.
December 2, 2008 at 3:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slimbo6969 (anonymous) says...
The never ending Story>>>>
Increase the cost of parking tickets is the first step:
The next step will be to decrease the number of minutes that you get for your money or increase the meter cost for the same minutes you get now:
The next step will be to raise the cost of parking in the Garages and Surface Lots:
This is a case of supply (parking spaces) and demand (increased parking ticket fees):
If the ticket prices increase then the demand for the parking spaces will increase, which will cause the price to park to increase to deter individuals from parking in these areas so the people getting tickets will have a place to park:
The never ending story::
(Note: These parking areas are owned by the City, but are managed by a private company which does not have the best interest of the Citizens at heart:)
December 2, 2008 at 3:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slimbo6969 (anonymous) says...
chris50 wrote:
"it takes a minimum of taking an hour off of work to go fight an $8 ticket. i don't know about you, but i make a hair more than $8 per hour and it makes for fiscal sense to simply mail in the fine and work that hour."
That is what the "little bat earred thief (1)" is counting on... Since he knows it will cost us more to try to fight the ticket than to just pay it right out...
(1 posted by johnnyholmes 12-2-08 8:30am)
December 2, 2008 at 4:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
IPFreely (anonymous) says...
I never shop downtown because of the parking and crime. It's much easier to shop with free parking at the malls. I do not know why y'all reelected this fossil to another term. He is destroying charleston
December 2, 2008 at 4:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofseven_2 (anonymous) says...
Why do they just hike up the prices of parking so high, we could stop tourism and make downtown Charleston into a ghost town? Hell good way to get rid of tourist right lets see, parking in the garage should be oh lets say 100.00 and hour and on the streets 10.00 an hour. Then we can get our city back. Oh but if you go to the college of charlatan or work there it should be free parking just an idea.
I am trying to be very sarcastic
December 2, 2008 at 4:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
singleroni (anonymous) says...
MUST OF READ THE ARTICLE WHERE NEW YORK ADDED 100 PARKING POLICE TO GIVE TICKETS. THIS WAS DONE TO INCREASE REVENUE IN THE CITY, WHERE THEY WERE NOT GETTING ENOUGH MONEY FROM TAXES. JUST A MONEY GAME IN CHARLESTON TO GENERATE MONEY.
December 2, 2008 at 4:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
512c (anonymous) says...
I have heard England, and the isles referred to as "not in the EU" hmm....
anyways, I have been to Warsaw, Krackow, Rome, Venice, Vienna..... and it varies, but, in trieste, rome, warsaw, and others you can park on the sidewalk, and where they have meters, they ticket, but who uses these?
December 2, 2008 at 4:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannyofseven_2 (anonymous) says...
It is funny how CB mentioned how he does not take his guest to historic Charleston anymore. I have a LOT of people I talk to in yahoo and AOL mesg. And they say they don't go to Charleston anymore they ether go to Hilton head or Savannah so we may see a decrease in Charleston if Mr. Joe keeps going
December 2, 2008 at 4:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
wonderdog (anonymous) says...
Apparently Thomason hasn't been raised with the ability to cope with inconvenience. I used to work on Meeting Street, and my office provided a non-gated parking lot with just enough spots for the employees. The lot was posted as a tow zone (we had decals). In the 3 years we parked in that lot, there was not a single morning (other than Christmas break) that the college students didn't park in our employee spots. We asked them nicely several times to please park somewhere else so that those of us who were supposed to park there could park and go to work, and the usual response was "I'll only be here about 3 hours" or "I don't care". I believe that the students who enroll at the college are well aware that parking is very, very limited; if not, they need to check into it before they bring cars here. I have sent 2 kids to college, and they both parked in satellite lots about 2 miles from their campus and took the bus. They were too cheap to risk parking tickets, and they knew that I wasn't going to pay for tickets either.
Raising the cost of the parking tickets might even benefit the merchants. The college students wouldn't use it as a cheaper all day parking alternative, and there would be more parking for the shoppers. I go to King Street occasionally, and I have never gotten a ticket (I wear a watch). I have found it easier to find parking in the area during the CofC Christmas break.
FYI......every year, CPW includes parking garage vouchers in the November or December bills.
December 2, 2008 at 7:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rlwestash (anonymous) says...
its a pain when you dont carry cash and park at a parking garage, like wentworth or st philip which DONT take debit/credit cards. are all downtown parking garages like that?
December 2, 2008 at 7:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rollo (anonymous) says...
The last 4 tickets I was "awarded" for o/t parking downtown were $25.00 ea. If they weren't paid in 30 days, they went to $40.00.
Who is 'Joe' trying to kid? I haven't seen an $8.00 tic since the mid 80s'!! (maybe hizzonor is having a 'senior' moment?)
December 2, 2008 at 8:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ColdBud (anonymous) says...
Posted by rollo on December 2, 2008 at 8:21 p.m.:
The last 4 tickets I was "awarded" for o/t parking downtown were $25.00 ea.
I'm not a Riley fan by any stretch of the imagination... but did he force you to break the law? I'm not thinking he did.
December 2, 2008 at 10:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rollo (anonymous) says...
ColdBud,
I didn't say Hizzonor caused me to break the law, or anything else. I did say he is not being honest about o/t parking fines.
CofC offers remedial reading courses, you migt consider taking some, if you can afford the parking. ;-)
December 3, 2008 at 10:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rollo (anonymous) says...
ColdBud,
I work downtown, I have to park where I can find the space and I have to stay as long as it takes.
I'm sure you could go with me for a week and your superior intellect could point out to me exactly what I do wrong every moment of every day!!
I'd be willing to learn from you if you're willing to teach me. You're 46 yrs old? Wow, that means you were 8yrs old when I started driving and working downtown... I'm looking foreward to learning from your vast experience on the issue.
December 3, 2008 at 10:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grainofsalt (anonymous) says...
Rollo - no offense, but you've been working downtown THAT long and you still have to just sort of "find" a parking space every day?
...You know that you can buy a parking pass for a garage, right? That's what I did the four years I was at CofC.
By the way, I'm only 42, so I can probably teach you just a little less than ColdBud. ;-)
But I'd expect someone who's at least 10 or more years older than CB or I to realize the silliness of getting angry at a valid point. That point: It's not as if Little Joe goes around reducing the time on the meters while you're not looking. If you choose to park in a metered location, you know how much time you have and if you let the meter expire, it's your fault, not anyone else's. Period. End of discussion. Next.
Argue the fines all you want, but at 42 (meaning nearly 30 years of driving downtown - and while I don't go down there daily, I visit a reasonable amount), I've gotten a parking ticket once, I think.
December 8, 2008 at 11:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
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