The parking meter revolt is underway. (Chicago, Lincoln: lease, zoned, authority)

[Lookout Kid]

I think we need a new political party in Chicago for all of the people who are frustrated with the Democratic Machine, but still repulsed by Republicans. It would need some very savy marketing, and some lawyers who are know the rules to get on ballots. The machine has been very good about preventing, um, democratic participation.

[skipcromer]

Originally Posted by binarybelle

I read today that some small businesses, shops and restaurants are supporting the hike because it encourages faster shopping and higher turnover. But don't they understand that, in the long run, people will get sick of having their dinner experience cut off early or, even worse in the winter, having to run out to feed the meter during dessert? What if they receive slow service and that's the reason they're taking longer to dine? It really might encourage some resentment and hostility.

Your last line is precisely the reason I hate meters. There are so many factors going against you. There are 100 things that could happen that will make you late to get to your car. I am all for the credit / debit parking. While I hate paying to park, it is at least a somewhat 'fair' system to use.

[skipcromer]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

I think we need a new political party in Chicago for all of the people who are frustrated with the Democratic Machine, but still repulsed by Republicans. It would need some very savy marketing, and some lawyers who are know the rules to get on ballots. The machine has been very good about preventing, um, democratic participation.

The machine will have you sleeping with the fishes!

[CarolinaBredChicagoan]

Originally Posted by skipcromer

To each their own, I dont think I would be able to give tickets to people that may already be three months late on their rent.

I guess after enough sob stories and enough people telling you to 'f off,' you would get rather numb to it.

Well, I'm sure they adopt the idea that they didn't make the rules, and are only enforcing them. Which is true.

Sometimes sob stories are valid. Other times they're a load of dung. I hate what the city is doing with meters and tickets and parking, and that's part of the reason I got rid of my car. However, a lot of the tickets I got, I totally deserved. Most, in fact. A few were total BS, but I don't think all the meter maids are horrible people. They, like everyone else in history who has had a suck job, are just doing it for the paycheck.

I don't blame them. I blame the city. I just wrote a letter to my Alderman (Schulter), who supported the deal with LAZ, letting him know that he'll never again get my vote.

[jwaiter]

Originally Posted by Chicago60614

My friends were talking on the way up to Belmont from Diversey last night how they've seen a HUGE increase in the number of open meters in the past few weeks. All along Halsted and Clark.

I looked and it was true, at 7pm the entire street was wide open for parking. No one even thinks about it anymore unless they have a bucket of quarters.

That's been my experience as well. All of a sudden, there aren't any cars parked out on the streets where I was used to not being able to find a spot at all.

[aragx6]

I've noticed a lot of empty spots along North in WP -- even during busy times. I wonder how much of this has to do with the new rates and how much has to do with the lousy economy? I would assume it's a combo of both.

[Venom]

Let's all join forces and spray paint them.

[Jesse69]

Hey, you people can avoid all these parking meter problems if you do 51 mile bmx bike rides to and from work, the groceries, you SO, and etc! YEAH! And you'd be TOTALLY ALPHA doing this! Pull some bmx freestyle moves to look ULTRABAD Cool while riding! - From DA MAN! Or DA WOMAN!

[Milwaukee City]

We actaully got yelled at once when a college buddy of mine had a nice prank to pull on the meter sally's. We got a bag of change $50.00 in quarters and we found a parking checker going down the street checking all the cars. Well we were one car ahead of him putting money in peoples meters to **** off the checker after a block he yelled out " what the hell is your problem, let me do my job" he said. We laughed and kept doing it b/c there is nothing wrong with feeding someone else's meter. He later drove off and came back with a cop so we split. But I make it a habit if I see a parking checker about to ticket someone I will walk up to the car as if it's mine and wait for him to drive away then I just get back into my car.

[pittsteelerfan]

Originally Posted by aragx6

I've noticed a lot of empty spots along North in WP -- even during busy times. I wonder how much of this has to do with the new rates and how much has to do with the lousy economy? I would assume it's a combo of both.

I don't think so............