Look at this photo (click to embiggen). If you were driving around looking for a parking space, would you think that you could park here?
Well, it seems that looks are deceiving. The Virginian-Pilot’s Road Warrior today points out that since January 11, 47 cars have been towed from Charlotte’s Web, err, Charlotte Street, and another 97 have been ticketed. The problem?
Until Jan. 11, parking was allowed. Developers called for Charlotte Street to be changed to a two-way street to help alleviate traffic, and the Public Works department signed off.
But there wasn’t enough space to make the street two-way AND keep on-street parking. So the eight on-street parking spaces on the 100 west block were painted over – sort of – and “No Parking” signs were posted.
But judging from the numbers, it’s not clear enough.
Eight parking spaces has yielded 47 tows and 97 tickets? Wow. What is the parking contractor doing – just hanging around, picking up low-hanging fruit?
The woman in the photo (credit to John Warren of the VP) was one of those whose car was towed. As the article reports, she would like to see some changes made to make it clear that no parking is allowed: eradication of the parking spaces, “Towing” signs and orange barrels on the curb.
The response from Public works? No. The Warrior says it best:
This cash cow will continue to roam free in downtown Norfolk.
And the fleecing continues.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Looks perfectly cromulent to me.
You’d think you’d get enough money from 97 parking tickets and 47 towings to pay for some black paint, “towing enforced” signs and orange cones, but I guess you’d be wrong.
At this rate I’m expecting to find out that you can be fined for wearing socks with sandals or wearing white shoes after labor day.
This type of activity promotes disrespect for government and the rule of law. The city ought to be ashamed of itself.
Three points to Carla.
Well, I have to admit I had to look up what “cromulent” meant 😉
I’m sorry, you sent me into a deadly Simpsons spiral when you mentioned “embiggen”.
Well, I learned “embiggen” from Waldo. I had no idea it was from the Simpsons (never seen the show)
Vivian, you have been deprived. If you really want to understand the American character, the thing that makes us what we are, you should watch the Simpsons. It’s a running commentary on Americans, on how Americans REALLY view foreigners, on how we view ourselves, on the weird little ticks, affectations, and delusions which combined are quintessentially American. The show skewers hypocrisy and makes fun of our inflated sense of self-worth. A single well-written episode can strike at the heart of PC philosophy while ridiculing the reaction to it. I have several favorite episodes and know far more of the dialogue than I should admit to. It helps to be culturally literate so as to appreciate the numerous cultural, literary, political, and movie references being made during many episodes.
Oh, and a tip of the doughnut to Chief Wiggums: “Homer Simpson, I’m arresting you for the murders of Moe Syszlak and Apu Hassapassa … Hapassahapa … Nahassapassapassa … just Moe”.
I never started watching the Simpsons because the show aired opposite Sunday night football. Priorities, you know. 😉
I’m doing a project for school and I was wondering could anyone give me any websites that actually talk about or deal with this type of problem.