Arlington Hts. parking rules meant to catch people unawares
Just one more reason to believe that we as a nation are losing the battle toward fiscal responsibility & fairness. Maybe if I cried “discrimination” you might think twice about adopting silly and adolescent ordinances as this one.
On Aug. 26, 2011, four of us patronized a local Arlington Heights restaurant after parking in your nearby parking garage.
The streets on a Friday night are generally full of parked cars, so we decided to park in the “free” parking garage. We figured it was there as a benefit for residents and visitors, but we had been mistaken. Dinner, including tax, about $100. Parking in your free lot, $25.
The words “parking guide” are in 5½-inch letters. The words “No backing into spaces” are in 1½-inch letters. I believe, because frankly I don’t think most city councils put their residents concerns before the cities coffers, that your thought process was that a lot of people will miss the fine print.
Some of us drive mid-size cars, sport utilities or even extended vans. It makes virtually no sense to pull in forward because when backing out, we often times get no cooperation from pedestrians or other drivers. It makes clear sense to back in because your path is already clear anyway. Then pulling out you have the upper hand on visibility and safe maneuvering right from the start.
Of the hundreds of parking spots and signs hanging on the walls, only one 1½-inch mention of how not to park in the spaces. Ambiguous, probably. Misrepresenting, it looks as such.
Is there a better way to befriend your residents and visitors as apposed to confounding their efforts of enjoying a night on the town, probably?
I’m going to slow my decision-making in the future of coming to Arlington to patronize the businesses there. I won’t blame them. I’ll shoulder that entirely on you. Good job!
Howie Steck
Rolling Meadows