How to find a parking space (and still get a ticket)

When humans got together and created civilization, in theory they enacted laws in order to protect and better society.

Of course, the operative words of that phrase are “in theory.” Often a society will create obscure and draconian laws that seem to exist solely to make people miserable.

Enter Toledo, Ohio.

Like many other cities, Toledo is feeling the crunch of a budget crisis. In order to solve the problem, the city recently dug up an old law stating that people cannot park on non-paved surfaces — including their own driveway. Many residents recently woke up to find a $25 ticket waiting for them.

It should come as no surprise that complaints have been loud and frequent. However, the mayor is holding fast and is defending the citations.

What the mayor isn’t doing is explaining why the law exists or what good it does for the city. Until he can do so, the whole situation will continue to look as though a cash-starved city is exploiting its populace.
Hopefully the city will wise up and remember exactly why laws were created in the first place.

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Hannah Engelson / The State News

Gov. Jennifer Granholm delivers the State of the State address Wednesday evening at the Capitol.

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