‘I Believed I Was Doing the Courteous Thing’: Parking Ticket Appeals

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Here are recent appeals filed with the New Canaan Parking Commission by ticketed motorists.

This guy parked here and wandered into LPQ. Credit: Michael Dinan

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“I had parked in front of Dunkin Doughnuts on Elm Street to pick up my doughnut order. I thought the area in front of the store was temporary parking for Dunkin Doughnut customers. There was no sign that read ‘No Parking.’I literally parked there for under 3 minutes. As I returned from the store I saw a parking official place a ticket on my windshield. I’m not defending my ignorance, but asking for forgiveness, as I cannot afford the $30.”

—$30 for no parking zone on Elm Street at 1:19 p.m. on Aug. 7 (New Canaan resident)

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“I can’t believe I did it again, but unfortunately, I paid for the wrong parking spot that day. I paid for spot 215, see attached receipt. I apologize for this error; I used the machine at the station and must have pushed 215 instead of 115. Sometimes that machine is very slow and doesn’t read the buttons properly, it looked like 115 on the display, but I didn’t check the printed ticket. Since I did actually pay a fare for parking that day, I respectfully ask for this ticket to be cancelled. Thank you in advance for your consideration.”

—$30 for unpaid space Railroad Lot, at 10:37 a.m. on July 18 (Pound Ridge, N.Y. resident)

That’s her car on the right.

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“I am writing to dispute this ticket as the attendant could plainly see that the car parked in Space #4 was parked on an angle necessitating me to the same. My mistake was that the spaces to my right to the end of the parking lot were clear and I parked along side Vehicle #4 because I believed I was doing the courteous thing by parking in the next available space which was apparently incorrect thinking. Although I did not see the ticket when I returned to my car within 1 1/2 hours the same scenario was in effect. Vehicle #4 was still parked on an angle and the spaces #6 through the end of parking lot were still empty. I would ask that you waive this fee as I attempted to the right thing and in effect did not prevent any other vehicles from being able to park.”

—$30 for obstructing two spaces in Morse Court, at 1:46 p.m. on Aug. 9 (Stamford resident)

That’s my car on the right. Good thing I’m so skinny. Credit: Michael Dinan

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“Don’t see street striping for designated spots and don’t see sign. I had the entire street to park in and do not believe I should be fined for what was inadvertent.”

—$30 for loading zone on Forest Street, at 9:50 a.m. on Aug. 19 (New Canaan resident)

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“I parked on top tier & paid BoxCar & I have the emailed receipt. I parked in the top tier & my knowledge is that all spaces up there are for daily parking I had no idea! I paid BoxCar I had zero idea that there were any other spaces & tried to do the right thing How is someone supposed to know??????”

—$30 for unpaid space at Talmadge Hill Lot, at 10:29 a.m. on Aug. 21 (New Canaan resident)

It hasn’t been legal to park in front of the Marino Clock for more than one year. Credit: Michael Dinan

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“Car was idling with hazard lights on and passenger present. Passenger asked to get to be allowed a few seconds to move vehicle and agent denied request, as ticket was already generated.”

—$75 for obstructing hydrant on Main Street, at 12:49 p.m. on Aug. 20 (New Canaan resident)

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“I am writing to appeal my ticket as the no-parking zone was not marked—the paint was severely worn off and not visible at all where I parked—almost impossible to see it was a no parking zone. I have never had a ticket, have never parked illegally and clearly would not have done so intentionally. Thank you for your consideration—and sincerely hope that this ticket will be dropped with this explanation.”

—$30 for no parking zone on Main Street, at 1:25 p.m. on Aug. 16 (New Canaan resident)

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