mountainsoft
Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
A few weeks ago we went for a mid-week date in our home town to grab lunch and see a movie. We have one "main" street and most of the businesses are within a 4 to 5 block section of that street. Typical small town. We have always parked in the same spot a couple blocks up the hill away from town, but that particular day our usual spaces were full, so I parked on the other side of the street. There was a big work truck blocking the parking limit sign, so I didn't see it and wasn't really paying attention since we were having a good day. Unfortunately, when we were walking back to the car I saw the sign and thought "oh no... Well, I guess it won't be that bad", and mentally added it to the cost of our day out.
Keep in mind, the only other parking ticket I've ever had was over 25 years ago and only cost $5 at the time. But nope, this parking ticket was $30. Ouch. Talk about inflation. But, my mistake, so I paid it.
Still, it seems odd that our town tries to encourage people to support our local shops, but then places a 2 hour limit on all of the parking spaces. Heck, most movies take longer than that and even grabbing lunch can get near that limit. A 4 hour limit would make more sense, or install parking meters where we could pay for more time if we know we'll be in town longer.
So, now I'm searching the areas around the edges of town to try and find free parking spaces, or at least ones with longer time limits we won't exceed. That will probably mean parking four blocks up the hill, not a big deal for us, but it sure isn't senior friendly (the folks who are most likely to be downtown during a weekday). Not to mention there's no real street lighting up there in the evening.
One other oddity, the ticket only mentioned paying by mail. I had to search through the city web site to find their online payment page. I'm surprised they don't list it right on the ticket.
Keep in mind, the only other parking ticket I've ever had was over 25 years ago and only cost $5 at the time. But nope, this parking ticket was $30. Ouch. Talk about inflation. But, my mistake, so I paid it.
Still, it seems odd that our town tries to encourage people to support our local shops, but then places a 2 hour limit on all of the parking spaces. Heck, most movies take longer than that and even grabbing lunch can get near that limit. A 4 hour limit would make more sense, or install parking meters where we could pay for more time if we know we'll be in town longer.
So, now I'm searching the areas around the edges of town to try and find free parking spaces, or at least ones with longer time limits we won't exceed. That will probably mean parking four blocks up the hill, not a big deal for us, but it sure isn't senior friendly (the folks who are most likely to be downtown during a weekday). Not to mention there's no real street lighting up there in the evening.
One other oddity, the ticket only mentioned paying by mail. I had to search through the city web site to find their online payment page. I'm surprised they don't list it right on the ticket.