Readers cite Sen. Ford for parking violation

Double standard

I was in the process of sending to the city $45 for a parking citation I received July 12 when I read the article in The Post and Courier concerning state Sen. Robert Ford. Apparently he feels that violating the parking regulations is a trivial matter and that everyone does it, therefore violating regulations is some type of citizen entitlement.

I parked across from the Charleston Music Hall in a loading zone, then upon return discovered the ticket and the sign not allowing parking Monday through Saturday, not Friday. This was my fault for being in a hurry and not reading the entire sign. But in any event I was wrong and owe the money.

However, I think my payment should be waived as well as any other citizen's payment until Sen. Ford is issued a violation and pays the appropriate fine. The city has the evidence and his own admission of guilt.

His attitude as referenced by the paper does not help us move forward as a state and region in education, economic development and other critically important matters. He needs to learn a lesson and understand that a self-centered, entitlement, trivial response to the rules will not be tolerated.

I admit it would be much easier and less complicated to pay the fine and move forward, but I have had it to the gills with myopic, self-serving politicians who think they are not the same as the remainder of the citizens.

JAMES H. SUDDETH Jr.

Tea Farm Road

Summerville

Cavalier attitude

I have always thought that elected officials should be held to a higher standard than the ordinary citizen. If not, they should be held to at least the same standard as the ordinary citizen. Sen. Robert Ford obviously feels quite differently. He has no problem parking in fire lanes.

"Every person in the country does it." Wrong, senator. Most people do not. Why? Because it is illegal.

Sen. Ford is a maker of laws. He should not be so cavalier about breaking the law.

What is it about "No Parking, Fire Lane" that he does not understand?

RUSS HENDERSON

Ladson Road

Ladson

Admit mistake

It's a real-life example of audacity. I'm talking about the response of S.C. Sen. Robert Ford when he was asked if it set a bad example when his automobile — with a legislative tag — was pictured parked in the fire lane at a local shopping center.

According to the article in Saturday's Post and Courier, Mr. Ford responded, "Whatever, I've got no problem with it. If someone does, tell them to go call the tow truck or police."

Sen. Ford, the next time someone asks you a question about something you have obviously done wrong, here's a suggestion: You might want to show a little humility and just say, "I'm sorry. I made a mistake." It's really not that difficult.

JACK RANKIN

Broad Street

Charleston

Above the law

I was not surprised to read the article in Saturday's paper about Sen. Robert Ford's illegal parking in a fire lane nor was I surprised to read his response. It is quite obvious that he is like many of our elected officials and believes he is above the law. His response to the suggestion that it was wrong to park in fire lanes was, "Every person in the country does it." He went on to say, "Whatever, I've got no problem with it."

These statements come from someone the citizens elected to make the law. I wonder what other laws Sen. Ford believes it's OK to break.

Perhaps the senator could publish a list of these so us average citizens would know which laws we are allowed to ignore. I wonder what the fire chief thinks of Sen. Ford's behavior. I doubt he condones it.

I wonder if the next time I get a speeding ticket I can go to court and tell the judge that I thought it was OK because everyone is doing it. After all, one of my state senators said so. I hope everyone who read Sen. Ford's response is outraged. As citizens it is our duty to vote and I encourage everyone to do so. Elected officials who believe they are above the law should be rejected.

JOSEPH D. EWENS, M.D.

Springview Lane

Summerville

Not every person

I was incensed by Sen. Robert Ford's comments, in the July 19 article titled "Senator finds easy parking near front." Thank you to the alert Watchdog reader who photographed Sen. Ford's car parked in a fire lane on July 13. This occurred in the shopping center at Highway 61 and Sam Rittenberg Boulevard.

His statement that "every person in the country does it" is ridiculous.

Those of us who respect the law do not park in handicapped areas or fire lanes. He said that it was "the only place to park."

Should that have been that it was "the only close place to park"?

He further states that it didn't set a bad example for people to see a car with a legislative tag parked in a fire lane. He can't be serious.

His final response in the article was, "Whatever, I have no problem with it. If someone does, tell them to go call the tow truck or police."

Would he have a problem with a ticket on his windshield?

MARY THOMPSON

New Hope Drive

Summerville

Right and wrong

After being apprehended speeding on the interstate, Sen. Robert Ford made the lame excuse that it was necessary for him to speed to do his job. After being caught red-handed parking in a fire lane at a shopping center that has almost unlimited parking spaces, Ford stated that it was necessary as there were no legal parking spaces and "bristled at the suggestion that it was wrong to park in fire lanes."

"Every person in the country does it," Ford preposterously said.

We would hope that all elected public officials will obey the laws, even those mundane motor vehicle laws, but we would also hope that if they don't, they would have the fortitude to acknowledge their mistakes and not make ridiculous statements.

Luckily, the buildings that he was parked at did not catch fire while he was parked in the fire lane.

IRVING S. ROSENFELD

Simpkins Street

James Island