‘I Didn’t Realize That It Was Touching a Handicap Spot’: Parking Ticket Appeals

What follows are excerpts from appeals letters filed in the past month, with a note on when, where, why and in what amount the ticket had been issued.

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Perhaps I am too stupid to use the kiosk but I have been parking in New Canaan for 20+ years without a problem and without a ticket. I really question whether the machines were working properly that day.

—12:23 p.m. on March 28, $20 for unpaid space at Morse Court

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I parked with my blinkers on, in a crossed area in order to run in and get a pick up for my father in law. I did that because I circled around for about 10 minutes and found no spots. I was away for about a minute max and didn’t realize that it was touching the handicap spot.

—12:23 p.m. on April 15, $100 for parking in a handicapped zone

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I was in town parking lot and the pay machine would not accept my coins. I’m not an employee of one of the stores but rather and getting my hair done. I’m a New Canaan resident.

—12:18 p.m. on April 2, $20 for unpaid space in Morse Court

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While this is gratuitous, I would be happy to help write new instructions for adding time. New Canaan is a great town but in just a day I have talked to several “out of towners” that say the pay stations there are very confusing.

—1:46 p.m. on March 18, $20 for unpaid space at Morse Court

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I went to the movies today in your town (ticket stub attached) and parked in the lot behind on Park Street. I tried to feed the machine for two hours but ended up getting two tickets for $1 each that both appear to expire just after 3 p.m. (tickets are attached also). I returned to my car to find this ticket. I respectfully request that you consider my appeal. I have spoken to others who park in that lot who shared my frustration that it is not exactly clear how to purchase more than the first hour on those meters.

—4:09 p.m. at April 9, $20 for expired meter at Park Street lot

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I am asking you to please consider waiving/forgiving me this penalty. As you can see from my parking receipt, I was given this parking ticket less than 2 minutes from my expiration at 10:55 a.m. I was aware of my parking requirement and rushed out to the dentist to get back to my car which was in relatively empty lot to begin with. I have attached my ticket, copy of my parking receipt and copy of my bill from the dentist. I want to underline that the world does not revolve around me and think I am above any parking tickets, I just want to say I was making every effort to get back to the car and missed it by under 2 minutes – literally.

—10:57 a.m. on April 7, $20 for unpaid space as Park Street lot

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Hi Parking Authority—I work [on Elm Street in] New Canaan. I was sick and came to work and parked outside the store instead of where I have an annual pass to park because my coworker was supposed to arrive at 10 and I was going to leave. She called out stick and I got stuck with clients. By the time I would move the car it was too late and I got two tickets. I have been working here two years and never got a ticket because I don’t park here. Can you please make an exception for me because I don’t have the $.

—11:12 a.m. (overtime parking in 15-minute zone) and 12:56 p.m. (second violation) on March 21 in Morse Court, $60 total

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I tried to pay at the meter machine (if facing, the one on the left) but it wouldn’t take any of my money. I didn’t have my full wallet with me with my credit card. There was a long line at the other meter. My son and I were just running quickly into a store—I only needed 15-30 minutes for a space.

—12:27 p.m. on April 2, $20 for unpaid space in Morse Court

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A ticket didn’t print, and I believe I put in the wrong space number because I got a ticket an hour after parking.

—$20 ticket issued on March 25, location and violation not specified