Lower Parking ticket rates in Somerville
- by: Alex Ezorsky
- recipient: Joseph A. Curtatone
Somerville has had notoriously high priced parking ticket policies for a long time and has gotten to the point where the people can no longer go undefended.
Though the existence of the parking laws are fully merited, it is nearly impossible for every car owner in Somerville to daily dodge the plethora of possible parking violations, "permit only, resident pass missing, street cleaning, snow emergency, car not moved for 48hours, etc...". And this would not be such an issue if rules were there for their claimed purpose of "...ensuring the orderly and controlled flow of traffic".
With such unrelenting ticketers, and with ticket prices as high as $50 for not having a guest pass, one could easily assume that the real goal of the Somerville Parking Authority is to extort as much money from the residents as possible, in many cases, to fill gaps in their budget. With taxes where they are, these gaps are just as inexcusable as their method of getting more money. It has been recorded that Somerville has made up to $200,000 a day on parking tickets.
Getting our money through taxes is fair and balanced and takes more money from those who can afford it. By filling their budget with overpriced parking tickets the city of Somerville hits hundreds of its citizens, many of which are already poor, with an unfair and often unmanageable deduction.
Sign this petition and let Somerville know that we are not just a bunch bad parkers looking to get out of a ticket, that we are happy to abide with a law which is fair and created in the name of the citizens, and since that is not currently the case, we demand a change.
If you would like to further express your feelings on this situation I am also making a video documentary.
Please contact me at Alex@awesparkproductions.com if interested or know of anyone who might like to be part of my production.
Thank you
Links:
One of the many previously written articles on this situation
A "fund this story" link where you can put your money where your pen is.
Boston Globe article on Somerville tickets: "The parking epic Homer never wrote"
Somerville news blog with statistics on parking authority revenue.
Not even our president could escape the sticky web of Somerville parking tickets.
Though the existence of the parking laws are fully merited, it is nearly impossible for every car owner in Somerville to daily dodge the plethora of possible parking violations, "permit only, resident pass missing, street cleaning, snow emergency, car not moved for 48hours, etc...". And this would not be such an issue if rules were there for their claimed purpose of "...ensuring the orderly and controlled flow of traffic".
With such unrelenting ticketers, and with ticket prices as high as $50 for not having a guest pass, one could easily assume that the real goal of the Somerville Parking Authority is to extort as much money from the residents as possible, in many cases, to fill gaps in their budget. With taxes where they are, these gaps are just as inexcusable as their method of getting more money. It has been recorded that Somerville has made up to $200,000 a day on parking tickets.
Getting our money through taxes is fair and balanced and takes more money from those who can afford it. By filling their budget with overpriced parking tickets the city of Somerville hits hundreds of its citizens, many of which are already poor, with an unfair and often unmanageable deduction.
Sign this petition and let Somerville know that we are not just a bunch bad parkers looking to get out of a ticket, that we are happy to abide with a law which is fair and created in the name of the citizens, and since that is not currently the case, we demand a change.
If you would like to further express your feelings on this situation I am also making a video documentary.
Please contact me at Alex@awesparkproductions.com if interested or know of anyone who might like to be part of my production.
Thank you
Links:
One of the many previously written articles on this situation
A "fund this story" link where you can put your money where your pen is.
Boston Globe article on Somerville tickets: "The parking epic Homer never wrote"
Somerville news blog with statistics on parking authority revenue.
Not even our president could escape the sticky web of Somerville parking tickets.
We the undersigned represent the portion of Somerville residents who believe the parking ticket prices in this city are unreasonably, and often unmanageably high, and that we demand corrective action.
Though the existence of the parking laws are fully merited, it is nearly impossible for every car owner in Somerville to daily dodge the plethora of possible parking violations, "permit only, resident pass missing, street cleaning, snow emergency, car not moved for 48hours (where are the signs?), etc...". And this would not be such an issue if rules were there for their claimed purpose of "...ensuring the orderly and controlled flow of traffic".
However, with such unrelenting ticketers, and with ticket prices as high as $50 for forgetting to use your guest pass, one could easily assume that the real goal of the Somerville Parking Authority is to "extort as much money from the residents as possible" in many cases, to fill gaps in the budget. With taxes where they are, these gaps are just as inexcusable as the chosen method of getting more money.
Getting our money through taxes is fair and balanced and takes more money from those who can afford it. By filling your budget with overpriced parking tickets you hit hundreds of your loyal citizens, many of which are already poor, with an unfair and often unmanageable deduction.
We have endorsed this petition to let you know that we are not just a bunch bad parkers looking to get out of a ticket, that we are happy to abide with a law which is fair and created in the name of the citizens, and since that is not currently the case, we demand a change.
Thank you for taking the time to read our letter.
Sincerely,
Citizens of Somerville
Sign PetitionSign PetitionThough the existence of the parking laws are fully merited, it is nearly impossible for every car owner in Somerville to daily dodge the plethora of possible parking violations, "permit only, resident pass missing, street cleaning, snow emergency, car not moved for 48hours (where are the signs?), etc...". And this would not be such an issue if rules were there for their claimed purpose of "...ensuring the orderly and controlled flow of traffic".
However, with such unrelenting ticketers, and with ticket prices as high as $50 for forgetting to use your guest pass, one could easily assume that the real goal of the Somerville Parking Authority is to "extort as much money from the residents as possible" in many cases, to fill gaps in the budget. With taxes where they are, these gaps are just as inexcusable as the chosen method of getting more money.
Getting our money through taxes is fair and balanced and takes more money from those who can afford it. By filling your budget with overpriced parking tickets you hit hundreds of your loyal citizens, many of which are already poor, with an unfair and often unmanageable deduction.
We have endorsed this petition to let you know that we are not just a bunch bad parkers looking to get out of a ticket, that we are happy to abide with a law which is fair and created in the name of the citizens, and since that is not currently the case, we demand a change.
Thank you for taking the time to read our letter.
Sincerely,
Citizens of Somerville
See more petitions:
You have JavaScript disabled. Without it, our site might not function properly.
By signing, you accept Care2's Terms of Service.
You can unsub at any time here.
Having problems signing this? Let us know.