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Strings
Supporter
Username: Blue_eyes
Post Number: 799
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 2:04 pm: | 
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I put a quarter in a meter at 4:15, went into my apartment in South Orange Village, and left just before 5:15 - extremely aware of the time because the parking authority has been incredibly strict with tickets this week - only to find a ticket on my window with the time of 5:14pm and my meter expired. It takes no time, I parked on the street right outside of my door, so it didn't over lap and I know there is no way I was in my apartment for over an hour. I really believe I was gypped by this meter! I already pay too much for parking permits in lots that never have available spots in it because cars WITH OUT permits are in them to pay a ridiculously expensive $30 ticket for a meter that didn't give me my full hour! Do I have any options, or am I basically screwed out of another $30? Is it worth calling and complaining about? I'm sure it's probably not, but I just needed to vent - I'm so frustrated with the parking situation in South Orange Village, especially if you're a renter directly in the center of town, it's outrageous. |
buzzsaw
Citizen
Username: Buzzsaw
Post Number: 3799
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 2:08 pm: |
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I went to court once to appeal a ticket, and it worked out for me. Not sure you have that option w/ parking tix in s.o. |
Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 2140
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 2:09 pm: |
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Time it tonight, drop in a quarter and start your stop watch. If is is indeed shorting you, take the ticket to court. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 10588
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 5:32 pm: |
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Strings, tell it to the judge. You will at worst probably get something knocked off, especially if you ask the Parking Authority the last time the meter was timed. Get the number of the meter. |
The Man
Citizen
Username: Bumboklaat
Post Number: 146
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 6:24 pm: |
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The only just recourse would be to take a hammer, or mallet of some kind and knock that meter silly.
Then, under the cover of darkness, proceed to at least a dozen other meters and collect laundry money for the rest of the year. |
Mayor McCheese
Supporter
Username: Mayor_mccheese
Post Number: 839
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, February 8, 2006 - 11:03 pm: |
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There was a block in NYC in the news a few years back. The city installed meters and the residents didn't want them. Someone kept knocking the tops off the meters and replacing them with flower pots. So I say that you take a stand String! Knock that silly meter off its base and put a nice flower pot in its place.
Seriously, appeal it in court. I think that for a parking ticket like that in front of your apartment they will let you off. Besides, with eyes like those what judge could turn down your request? |
Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 2310
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 12:16 am: |
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OK, major thread drift, and I don't want to be the PC police, but most people don't know that "gypped" is a slur along the lines of being "jewed down" |
Strings
Supporter
Username: Blue_eyes
Post Number: 800
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 7:01 am: |
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I am completely aware of the roots of the word, which is why I spelled it correctly (though I don't agree that it is along the same lines of saying "jewed down", but that's just my opinion and the one that most in a college gen-ed morals and ethics class I took agreed with). I've seen it here spelled "jipped" and no one ever said anything. If I mispelled the word, would that have made it better? And personally, I think it's less offenseive than "screwed", which I used as well anyway - I suppose I could have just said "shorted" but that might have offended someone too. Jeez. (oops... sorry, I'm Catholic, it's ok!)
Back to the subject: Flower pots would be much nicer. I was contacted about the supposed faulty meter, and was informed that the town will check it's calibration. If it's not working properly, hopefully the ticket will be forgiven. If it IS, hopefully I will be forgiven for losing minutes somewhere, but I'll still be out $30. |
Strings
Supporter
Username: Blue_eyes
Post Number: 801
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 7:08 am: |
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Oops - I just noticed, someone forgot to write the meter number on the ticket! I swear my car is being targeted because I'm a resident on the street it was parked on, but I follow the parking rules and put quarters in the meter when necessary (unless I'm just running up groceries, laundry, etc.), so we'll see what happens. |
Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 403
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 8:45 am: |
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parking tickets are $30??????? Wow - last time I got a ticket in Millburn it was "only" $20. (They also give 2 HOURS for one quarter in Millburn!)
Maybe we should all park in Millburn and walk to SO... |
Mayor McCheese
Supporter
Username: Mayor_mccheese
Post Number: 840
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 1:56 pm: |
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In Millburn/Short Hills parking is cheaper and you pay $20, while in S.O. you pay $30. Something here doesn't make sense...
Well, I guess we pay more because we live in a nicer area that is able to collect more money from offenders because of their larger disposable income. Wait a second... that doesn't make sense. I guess it could be that the people in charge in S.O. are completely inept. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 2546
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 2:20 pm: |
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We raised the parking ticket fees for a several reasons.
1) Too many were taking advantage that our parking fines were on the low side - some part-time commuters to the city figured out it was cheaper to pay the ticket and train fare than parking in NYC and obviously there are not enough commuter spaces. There were numerous repeat offenders.
2) Meter feeders - which seem to be mostly employees from local businesses. Some storeowners buy permits, but it makes no sense to let their employees park in the best spots. This is one reason the meter fees were increased a couple of years ago.
3) and obviously more revenue. Better to make those who park illegally subsidize property taxes than just increase taxes.
By the way, Milburn does have some meters that are .25 for 20 minutes and some of their parking fines are higher than $20.00.
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Dave
Supporter
Username: Dave
Post Number: 8580
Registered: 4-1997
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 2:40 pm: |
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But isn't the Parking Authority independently operated and not directly connected to village finances? Or do revenues above operating costs go back to village? |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 2549
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 3:46 pm: |
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In the past SOPA has "donated" money back to the village when they had an operating surplus. That is not likely any more due to the jitney operations.
The village keeps the fines from parking tickets. SOPA keeps the meter income (and from the permits). |
Mayor McCheese
Supporter
Username: Mayor_mccheese
Post Number: 841
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 4:15 pm: |
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mrosner - I'm not trying to be a jerk here, but I don't follow this logic. Also, I am not the best at getting my point across on paper, I need to be in person, so bear with me on this one.
The prices were raised to stop offenders and increase revenues. But, by removing these offenders, revenues decrease. So, instead of hitting up repeat offenders for money we are instead hitting up people who are trying to do shopping in town. These people are then hit with higher tickets and then discouraged from parking in town. So, this would lead to lower revenues overall in the long term.
I understand that this leaves some loopholes which I would be happy to try and explain. But from an economic standpoint, this makes no sense. Parking spaces in S.O. are what is called an elastic good because as prices change the demand will drop because there are many other towns competing for business in the immediate area.
Also, as for these meter feeders that you believe come from local businesses, where are employees supposed to park? There is no parking for them! The option for them is either to feed the meter, or every time they run out of time to try and find a new parking spot. Some might suggest parking a few blocks away out of the center of town. However, what about those people who work at businesses which are open later in the night (i.e. restaurants and bars). You might say that S.O. is a safe walk for a few blocks at 2:00am, but I wouldn't.
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mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 2551
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 4:30 pm: |
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Mayor: Actually you are getting your point across very well. Some of your arguments are true for the short term. However, I felt we needed to do whatever we could to free up some spaces and increased ticket prices did do just that. Overall, there might be fewer tickets issued, but the revenue should still be higher.
As for employees, there are employee spaces available and it might mean walking a couple of blocks. I understand the 2:00am issue, but it is the daytime workers who do the meter feeding. We have encouraged businesses to buy employee permits that could be used by the employees (obviously a part-timer at Starbucks is not about to buy a permit).
As for the employees who work in the restaurants and bars till 2am, it is a problem but for the most part they do park where the meters are not enforced after 6pm. I did suggest to one restaurant owner that they should park one car close by and then have that person drive the other to the lot so they don't have to walk alone.
But you are the one who said S. Orange officials are inept, so let me hear your suggestions to helping control the parking issues and maybe we can make some changes.
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Stuart0628
Citizen
Username: Stuart0628
Post Number: 216
Registered: 2-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 4:45 pm: |
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I have gotten home from work after 2AM and had a ticket waiting for me in the commuter lot.
(Granted, I did not have the presence of mind to call the police before 2AM to let them know I was coming for the car.)
If there are businesses whose employees or patrons have legitimate reason to be parked after 2AM without parking overnight, couldn't we just prohibit overnight parking from 3-6AM rather than 2-6? That would still deter what needs deterring. |
Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 2144
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 4:54 pm: |
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I left a note once
"Drank to much, got a ride, please don't ticket me"
It worked |
Mayor McCheese
Supporter
Username: Mayor_mccheese
Post Number: 842
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 4:55 pm: |
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I am no expert on city planning and parking situations. I only know that parking is SO is awful and there should something done about it. Perhaps what we need to do is hire someone with experience and do what they say. Instead of for instance hiring someone with no qualifications at all that just happens to be involved with someone already in the SO government.
I know just enough to know that I do not know enough to solve the problems that SO faces with parking. But, if I had to list a few things that should change I would say very quickly and without much thought:
1. lower the very expensive ticket prices. (If money is the issue just add a few dollars on to DWI tickets or something that penalties really should be harsh.
2. Build a parking deck. Where? It doesn't matter! just build anywhere you can at this point, it will help.
3. Find a place for local businesses to have employees park. (Maplewood even has a place behind the movie theater and Bill and Harry's.) Hell, SO gave away a bunch of spots in one lot to the fire department. Shouldn't others who work in town have the same rights?
4. (This is less parking and more traffic related, but will help with your revenue problems) Start ticketing people who are double parked or parked in no parking zones. Namely I mean on SOA, Sloan st, and village plaza. These people hold up traffic and make a mess of things. Police never ticket. They pull up behind the cars and flash their lights. Then the people drive around the block and do the same thing again!
If I had some more time, I'm sure I could think of a few things, but I will stand by my original opinion of believing that those in charge of the parking situation in this town are inept.
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Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12412
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Thursday, February 9, 2006 - 5:00 pm: |
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Brett, that's funny and clever!
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Brett
Citizen
Username: Bmalibashksa
Post Number: 2147
Registered: 7-2003
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 8:32 am: |
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Unfortunately it was also true  |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 10614
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 8:42 am: |
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Strings, I am not a lawyer. However, with that proviso, I doubt that the Village can refute your claim that the meter was running fast if the meter number isn't on the ticket. I don't know if not putting that information on the ticket invalidates the ticket or not. |
mrosner
Citizen
Username: Mrosner
Post Number: 2555
Registered: 4-2002
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 10:25 am: |
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Mayor: Raising the ticket prices helped the parking situation, so don't see how lowering them would fix anything.
I agree we need a parking deck - the issue is how to pay for it, not where to put one (my opinion).
There are some places where employees at night can park for free. ("Cryan's Lot", Rescue Squad lot, Library lot). During the daytime, permits are required. I have heard from some there is not nearly enough employee parking in maplewood.
I agree 100% the police should ticket those who double park, run stop signs, etc. It does not make sense to just flash the lights unless of course you are the one in the car parked illegally. |
NORA
Citizen
Username: Norav
Post Number: 146
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 12:27 pm: |
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Stuart0628 you are right about the hours but even 6 is to late. Some of the business(D&D and Starbucks open at 5:30 so by right the police can give you a ticket at 5:45 while you are in line at Starbucks. Don't think they would or it has ever happened but it could 
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Dan Shelffo
Citizen
Username: Openspacer
Post Number: 177
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 1:28 pm: |
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Perhaps a high tech upgrade of the meters could increase the revenue and decrease the cost of enforcement.
If we are going to invest millions in parking decks, why not upgrade the meters too.
I cut this from http://www.driversdrive.com
Smart Meters Enforce Parking Regulations
The days of parking in a spot that still has a few minutes left on the meter may be gone. The Wall Street Journal reports that new technologies are making illegal parking more difficult if not impossible to do. One type of smart meter automatically resets the amount of time left to zero after a vehicle leaves the parking spot. Another smart meter notifies the authorities if a driver has kept their vehicle in a parking place over the allowed amount of time.
In Pacific Grove, Calif., parking meters know when a car pulls out of the spot and quickly reset to zero -- eliminating drivers' little joy of parking for free on someone else's quarters.
In Montreal, when cars stay past their time limit, meters send real-time alerts to an enforcement officer's hand-held device, reducing the number of people needed to monitor parking spaces -- not to mention drivers' chances of getting away with violations. Meanwhile, in Aspen, Colo., wireless "in-car" meters may eliminate the need for curbside parking meters altogether: They dangle from the rear-view mirror inside the car, ticking off prepaid time.
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Mayor McCheese
Supporter
Username: Mayor_mccheese
Post Number: 843
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 2:12 pm: |
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mrosner - You are right about the ticket prices, lowering them does not solve the parking problem. All it does is bring the cost down to a level that is normal and acceptable.
As for the parking deck, it should not be about where to find the money. If the town can find the money to put in a $500,000 piece of junk in the middle of town and call it art, then they should be able to come up with some money to help solve parking and traffic problems. (And these additional spaces will increase revenues from taxes at local businesses.) The decision to build one seems like a no-brainer. |
bets
Supporter
Username: Bets
Post Number: 22755
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 2:13 pm: |
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Forget about the "piece of junk" art, where is the money coming from for SOPAC? |
Mayor McCheese
Supporter
Username: Mayor_mccheese
Post Number: 844
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 2:21 pm: |
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My point was that the town has found money for things that are not needed. Parking is something that is needed. |
Old and Gray
Citizen
Username: Pastmyprime
Post Number: 309
Registered: 2-2005
| | Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 2:44 pm: |
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I think the police have enough sense to not ticket cars in front of open businesses at 545AM...Now, an obviously parked since the previous evening car in a residential neighborhood should be worthy of a ticket at that hour.
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