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Grosse Pointe Farms Ticket Experience
I recently received a ticket in Grosse Pointe Farms for an expired meter while at Salon 76. I am conscience of the overly zealous meter surveillance team in the Farms so I made the effort to "feed the meter" to avoid a violation. To my dismay despite all efforts I still received a parking ticket. So I decided to go to City Hall and find out what steps to take. I met with the Grosse Pointe Court Administrator who was very helpful, although she was only able to direct me to either make the payment or write a letter to the judge. Because I am a procrastinator, I chose to write the check, however, I have this one thought. Why when we live in a community that encourages us to shop local, do they put a meter that only allows 1 hour parking? I don't get it. You can't have it both ways. I think we need to re-think the parking meters on Kercheval, both in the Village and the Hill. Who agrees?
Elizabeth M. Vogel
1:36 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Elena, a few years back I met with some of my friends at Starbucks on my birthday to get a coffee. I fed the meter in the back lot. We were having such a nice time that I lost track of time and ended up having a refill on my Pike Place roast. I left the coffee shop to see that miserable white ticket tucked ever-so-nicely under my windshiled wiper. I immediately went to the court that very day and said "you know, I tried. I fed the meter, I lost track of time. And its my birthday!" They wished me a very happy birthday and smiled as they took my money. $10 smackers. I could have used that to buy myself an accessory at Ann Taylor Loft.
I've heard arguments on both sides, and I have a feeling the meters are here to stay. But I will happily commiserate with you, because I know first hand how frustrating it is!
Elena Kerasiotis
2:24 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Yes I know but mine was $15! Meters should be for 2hrs at least.
Diane Smith
2:24 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Those meter revenues will help pay for the special election for the vacant city council seat.
Elena Kerasiotis
7:42 pm on Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Really! Why have a special election? What waste of money. Can't we have it as part of a general election? That's an example of government waste if you ask me.
Mark
4:06 pm on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Because the vacant seat is the only reason there is a need for an election this year thus a special election.
christopher
6:58 am on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Elena, in GPW i got a parking ticket and knew i had fed the meter the right amount of money. I went to the court office and they took a report, had the meter tested and my ticket was dropped the next day. A parking ticket in GPW is only $5 if you pay it right away. Elizabeth, you clearly state that you were past your meter time and you still went to the court office to complain and try and get out of your ticket?
Bob Frapples
4:06 pm on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Christopher, you bring up a point that has long annoyed me, people that get a ticket for something, admit guilt of the infraction but still complain and/or fight it. With parking tickets the one I hear most is "I was only in the store for a few minutes..." The parking enforcement doesn't know if the meter ran out a minute ago, an hour ago or if money had even been in from the beginning. We've become a society of people who don't want to accept responsibility for our actions.
Elena Kerasiotis
8:29 am on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
I'm glad you had the time to do that. You saved some other poor soul. How many of us just have to pay because there just isn't the time to fight it. I believe that's what they are counting on.
Dennis Loy
4:06 pm on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
There is plenty of cheap parking in the open city lot on the Hill behind Salon 76 and you can pay as you go and never receive a ticket. Street parking on the Hill is at a premium and should be primarily left for short term convenience parking. An hour meter should be more than adequate for that purpose.
Dennis Loy
4:06 pm on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Correction, the parking lot of course is behind Rite Aid and (I believe) across the street from Salon 76.
Elena Kerasiotis
4:50 pm on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
You know Dennis, that is where I parked today. I just never thought about it. Wasn't even aware that it was an option. The other location by the Village Grill and Krogers though there really are no alternatives. It's always packed behind the restaurant and even Krogers. The parking by Trader Joe's is ridiculous though, having to pay with all of your packages and then to your car is absurd. I went there when it first opened and that's the last time.
I take offense to the personal responsibility issue, as that has nothing to do with my commentary, I am more upset about keeping business traffic flowing to the Pointes and not to other better situated locations (with free parking). There is a lot of competition out there and we need to support our small business owners whenever we can.
Mark
12:32 pm on Thursday, October 18, 2012
Where are these better situated locations with free parking? GP is not a destination shopping location and I'm going to go out on a limb and assume until it is the parking meters aren't much of a deterrent to supporting the local economy. Also, I have to agree with Christopher in that other areas like Royal Oak are far more costly.
christopher
8:02 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012
Elena, put a nickle, dime, or quarter in the meter and support your city as well. You think it's bad in the pointes? you havent experienced anything until you dealt with Royal Oak parking meters.
Elena Kerasiotis
9:05 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012
Done. I always pay forward and when leaving drop a quarter in the car behind me.
Katie
2:10 pm on Friday, October 19, 2012
Elizabeth - I agree with christopher and Bob Frapples - take responsibility for your actions. Getting a ticket on your birthday is not something to celebrate, but trying to get out of it because it's your birthday doesn't sound very mature. If you are serious about running for the Farms' city council, let me just say that we do not need any more privileged thinkers representing the community.
Elizabeth M. Vogel
5:09 pm on Friday, October 19, 2012
Katie, I was just trying to explain the irony... that sometimes no matter how hard we try to do the right thing, like pay a meter, sometimes we lose track of of time. I didnt actually try to get out of the ticket, nor did I make a fuss, or fight it. In fact, I paid it right away because I knew that I was just out of luck, plain and simple. perhaps my quotations came off as yelling or something, that wasn't the case.
I think we all have our fair share of "meter stories" which is what inspired this blog in the first place... and I was just sharing one of my memorable ones. I suppose that didn't come off the way that I intended it to when I made my first post.