Here are excerpts from parking ticket appeals letters filed recently with the New Canaan Parking Bureau:
Inspired parking for the Farmer’s Market, Center School Lot. DW photo
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“While on vacation to the East Coast, my husband and I drove into New Canaan from the freeway due to an urgent need for the bathroom. I drove to a gas station downtown but couldn’t find a parking space there so I hurriedly parked in the city parking lot behind the gas station. I was only parked there for 10 minutes. When I returned to my car, I had a parking citation. Asking for leniency and that this citation be dismissed for the following reasons: 1) I was only in the parking space 10 minutes. 2) I only drove into your town because my husband and I desperately needed to find a bathroom. 3) We left right after that for our destination in Vermont. Please consider our dire straits in your consideration of this matter.”
—$25 for unpaid space in Morse Court at 11:34 a.m. on May 11 (Grand Terrace, Calif. mailing address)
It’s probably hard to see the ‘No Parking Any Time’ sign when you are parked right up against it. Contributed
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“This morning I parked on Main Street in front of the Sorelle Art Gallery. I NEVER SAW THE LOADING ZONE sign as it was high above my head. I was in the gallery not more than 4 minutes. I am 86 years old and I think it is not fair that you charge me.”
—$30 for loading zone on Main Street at 10:37 a.m. on May 25 (New Canaan resident)
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“This past Saturday, April 28 I was visiting your community. I went to the Farmers Market and then to the New Balance running store. I parked in the parking lot directly across from the running store. Upon returning to the car I noticed an attendant giving me a ticket. I asked what the ticket was for, and he said I had not paid for parking. He is right, I saw no sign indicating that one must pay for parking and informed of that. He said there was a sign but could not point it out, and that if I wanted to park for free I could do so in the lot against the curb for 15 minutes. As I was exiting the lot I still could not see any signage that stated this was a pay for lot. I live in Fairfield, where there are not lots that you must pay for, nor do I believe there are such lots in Westport and Darien except for at the train station. I respectfully request that the attached ticked be treated as a warning, since this is my first offense and I did not see any signs.”
—$25 for unpaid space in Morse Court, at 10:48 a.m. on April 28 (Fairfield resident)
Total lack of vehicle length awareness here. Credit: Michael Dinan
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“I injured knee. I am having a final exam before surgery on Tues. May 8th. Dr. Ranawat MD. My husband double parked our car, I was in it, in front of Baskin Robbins. he ran in to get me a cone, since I cannot walk very well. He was there for no more than 5 minutes. Could you please forgive the ticket? … We have lived here for 35 years. We have never gotten a ticket. I was in the passenger seat the entire time.”
—$50 for double parking on Main St. at 7:35 p.m. on May 5 (Pound Ridge resident)
RELATED, from Parking Bureau:
“When [officer] went to put ticket on vehicle that is when driver came out of Baskin & Robbins with a bag in his hand saying that he was only there for 5 minutes. [The officer] still did not see anyone in car. States driver had bag in hand – different from appeal which states ice cream cone.”
Over the line. Credit: Michael Dinan
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“At the time of the infraction I was working at New Canaan Ophthalmology for Dr. Jacqueline Littzi located at 125 Main St. I had missed the parking meter by 5 mins both times because I was inside assisting patients and couldn’t get to my car prior to the time expiring to move my vehicle. I was wondering if there was any way something could be done about these tickets because I am not financially capable of paying these expenses at the moment. If anything could be done, I would greatly appreciate it.”
—$25 for overtime parking on Main Street, at 1:46 p.m. on April 24 and 11:01 a.m. on April 30 (New Canaan resident)
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You’re on the hashed area. Credit: Michael Dinan
“My car was parked on the ‘parking allowed’ section of the street, about 10 ft away from ‘No Parking’ sign further down the street and about 30 ft in front of the green sign allowing 2 hour parking. There were no pavement marks suggesting that parking was not allowed in front of the ‘No Parking’ sign. Thank you for considering this matter. The street had ample parking. It was certainly not my intention to break any rules. I apologize if this is what happened inadvertently. I am a long time Pound Ridge resident and I spend many hours in New Canaan every week shopping and taking kids to activities. As you can see, my record with the town is ‘clean’ as I always follow parking regulations in New Canaan.”
—$30 for No Parking Zone on Locust Ave. at 2:29 p.m. on April 28 (Pound Ridge, N.Y. resident)
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“I was told that the loading zone signs were inaccurately placed by an NC parking officer only a few weeks before I was issued this ticket. I specifically asked about the area in which I was ticketed.”
—$30 for loading zone on Main Street (New Canaan resident)
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“I would like to appeal this parking ticket. I was parked 3-4 space away from the very small loading sign. Usually one or two spaces apply to the loading zone not half the block. I didn’t even see the sign. Please send me my court date.”
—$30 for loading zone on Main Street, at 10:23 a.m. on April 24 (Darien resident)
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“The reason for my appeal is that I work retail on Elm Street, and was busy with a rush of customers just as my break was scheduled. As a result I was unable to leave in order to move my vehicle. I have a photo documenting that I was in my car 7 minutes after the issuing of this ticket. I have no previous tickets and would greatly appreciate your leniency this once.”
—$25 for overtime parking on South Avenue at 3:21 p.m. on April 23 (New Canaan resident)
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“When I pulled into work @ 8:00AM the person to my left was in two spots, so I pulled to the right of them quickly before work. I just started to work in New Canaan and have no idea about the parking situation and how strict it is. I am informed of parking and will be parking in the Center Street lot from now on.”
—$30 for obstructing two spaces in Morse Court, at 11:39 a.m. on May 8 (Stratford resident)