Sunday, January 14, 2018

Municipal Racket


Do you think I might be able to get $100 for this picture? Like from the City of Phoenix, whose Convention Center this is. That would be good... I'd come out 25 bucks ahead! They hit me with a parking ticket for $75 and I'm totally innocent! Bad enough they charge for parking on a Sunday. Then the shock of seeing the ticket on the windshield returning from a walk. Does misery love company?!!

Been to the parking structure across the street from Chase Field. Always a thought to go back just to take pictures from the seventh story roof; great vantage point. Thus I decided this afternoon. $12 to park in it, I searched for the nearest place to park on the street, which isn't easy in that area. Parked three blocks away next to the above.

Fed the meter. Payed by debit card. I thought I had done so correctly. I'm pretty sure I used the right meter ahead of the vehicle. One hour... $1.50. Hit 'OK' on meter after swiping the card. 1525. Back by 1625. Got it. Walked along vacant urbanity and made my way to the parking structure. Took a bunch of shots, along with several on the way there and back.

I returned to truck at 1615. There was a ticket under the wiper. Son of a bitch! I'm steaming but flummoxed. Did the sale register. Did I pay the right meter. I was cited at 1541; not 15 minutes after feeding the beast. 75 bucks. 50 if you don't contest and pay right away. What a racket! If you contest and lose, the full amount.

Oh, yes, I'm thinking - the bank card will record on the debit posting and I will contest. Have to go to court. I don't keep financial records on phone. I'll have to wait until I get online with the laptop. Sure enough, I was dinged for the fee. Open and shut? If'n I, quasi-demented however I may be,  dealt with the correct meter, i.e., not the one behind the space. I'm quite sure, as far as that goes. I suppose I could somehow confirm that with the city account as the delinquent meter is noted. What a bear!

Not going to church this evening. It's a business meeting. Have to deal with this. So I'm calming down after seeing the bank record, having a smoke outside coffee place. I note a dwarf woman struggling with some bags walking home from the WalMart. I give her a holler and ask if she's like a ride. It wasn't far. Isn't such interaction with little people good luck? I could use it. 


Got my shot... among others.
Great town, huh? Sheesh.

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