PT BLOG


JVH comments on Parking News every day at PT Blog – log on at www.parkingtoday.com. Each month, there are at least 40 other comments like these, posted daily.


If you go to the online edition


of September 2010 Parking Today, you will find all the “hot links” below.And even more cur- rent comments by PT Editor JVH.


Expensive Car? Get a Ticket, But Not a Parking Ticket (Posted July 20) At least that’s what a recent sur-


vey of car owners shows. LeaseTrad- er.com asked folks who drive economy, mid-priced and luxury cars if they believe they can get away with traffic violations based on the type of cars they drive. As you might expect, those with


expensive cars think they are singled out, and those with cheaper cars believe they“blend in.”This is true even at“red light camera” locations. Hmmm… However, let’s talk parking. Those


with aMercedes orBMWbelieve they are “entitled” and are less likely to receive parking tickets.What do you think? Actually, I kinda believe it. Last


night on LA radio, there was a rant about Prius drivers. Seems the host thought they were “dinks” because they drove very conservatively and didn’t accelerate away. This approach causes traffic tie-ups and angers other drivers. Now I’m on the lookout. I do believe that drivers can be


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categorized by the type of car they drive. There is no question in my mind that I know a lot about the driver of a Ferrari and a fellow in a Ford F-250 with gun racks in the back window. Why not a Prius? Remember, the LeaseTrader.com survey isn’t what happens in real life; it’s what the driv- ers “think” happens.


Chicago Meter Money Gone – Who’s Surprised? (Posted July 21) No, they aren’t stealing quarters


However you look at it . . .


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out of the meters – it’s the $1.16 billion that Morgan Stanley paid the city to lease the meters for the next 75 years. Of that billion, approximately


$300 million of the original amount went to fill a deep hole in the 2009 budget. Of the remainder, $320 million was designated for a “rainy day” fund and $400 million was put into a long- term reserve fund. What has happened is that 90% of


the $1 billion has gone into this year’s budget, and the rainy day fund and the


SEPTEMBER 2010 • PARKING TODAY • www.parkingtoday.com


long-term reserves are left wanting. Are you surprised? Although Chicago is known for its


rather questionable governmental practices, I can’t imagine that this wouldn’t happen in any city. Give a politician money and they will spend it. Period. That’s the problem with these long-


term leases.They look good upfront, but after the money has been paid, well… you know. The money is gone and the asset is gone. The city gets nothing for the next 75 years. Seems like the “great deal” for the


city of Chicago may not have been such a good one after all.Who is lining up for similar issues? Pittsburgh, Los Angeles, and the list goes on. This has to do with feeding the


beast or starving the beast. If there is money available, government grows. If there is no money, it shrinks. Bureau- crats will do anything to keep feeding the beast. If they can’t raise taxes by law, they will sell off assets like the city hall, fairgrounds, and parking lots and meters. Short-term gain, long-term loss.


What are they going to sell when it’s all gone?


‘Baghdad by the Bay’ Award: Memphis (Posted July 22) As correspondentMark puts it, here


are the salient points, according to a MemphisTV station report: • City Court Clerk says he could


generate $15million to city in one year. • City loses $1.5 million a year just


with (uncollected) parking tickets. • Tow vehicles and “boots” for


wheels needed tomake any parking tick- et crackdown effective. Money quote from the News Chan-


nel 3 report: “In past years, council members have voted against using boots on tires or towing cars of drivers that owe a lot of money because it would leave some drivers in hardship situations.” Let me get this straight. You have


laws that say when and where you can park. You write citations if people don’t follow the laws. You then don’t require them to pay the tickets.What


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