The Public Opinion Soapbox

Torgo · Posted: Mon Nov 26, 2007 3:12 pm Post subject: Winter parking

Can anyone explain why people feel that because they removed snow from a public parking space on a public street, they therefore "own" that space?

After every serious snowfall in this town, you'll find all kinds of things placed in shoveled spaces to reserve them - most commonly deck chairs, but also 55-gallon barrels, trash cans, recycling bins, gas grills, step stools, floor lamps, laundry baskets, cardboard boxes, anything light enough to move easily.

Not only does it make the town look like a landfill, but people will seriously hate you if you take "their" spot on a public street.

The problem is compounded by the fact that most people shovel just enough to get their cars unstuck after the plows come through, leaving big mounds of snow between the spaces, effectively reducing the number of available spots by a significant percentage.

These are public streets. You're not paying for those spaces, and you don't own them. If you take it upon yourself to shovel a space on a public street, you're essentially performing a public service.

Bobo · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 173 Location: Chambersburg

Wow, Torgo, now you've really gone and opened a can of worms. Smile

Folks around here take their shoveled-out parking spaces very seriously!

I actually see this issue from both sides. Having lived on a street in the past where parking was at a premium, and where me - a chubby middle aged woman - had to shovel my spot out on my own, I can understand the desire to keep your parking space open for yourself. I've never gone to the lengths, however, of placing various household items in the spot to keep others from parking there. To me, it's uncouth (not to mention, illegal).

From the other side, I've worked in places (still do) where the employees had no choice but to park on the street. I know of countless run-ins with irate neighbors about parking. At one establishment I worked at, we called police on numerous occasions because of neighbors using chairs, boxes, etc., to "save" their spaces.

It's sort of a no-win situation. A better solution might be for the borough to come around like they do on Main Street, and plow not only the driving lanes, but also the parking areas, of streets. Knowing how snow plowing gets done in this town, though, my prediction is: It'll never happen.
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The sun, the moon and the stars would have disappeared long ago... had they happened to be within the reach of predatory human hands. ~Havelock Ellis, The Dance of Life, 1923

Mavis · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 74

If we had a snow emergency ordinance like most communities, requiring cars to be moved temporarily so the streets could be plowed, we wouldn't have this problem. But Chambersburg borough council doesn't want to inconvenience residents by making them move their vehicles like other towns do.

ZiggyStardust · Joined: 07 Nov 2007 Posts: 62 Location: Chambersburg

I saw a picture last winter of a freshly snow-covered Main St. Chambersburg circa 1955ish and guess what EVERY building had at least one of in front of it? A PERSON SHOVELING SNOW! maybe if everyone would get off their butts when it snows and start shoveling, there wouldn't be a problem.

A Talking Horse · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 143 Location: Cove Gap

Dave · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 162

Snow? Who needs snow? I know people than claim the spot in front of their house is for them and only them to park. Park in their spot and you will hear about it.

A Talking Horse · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 143 Location: Cove Gap

Torgo · Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 1:23 pm Post subject: Re: Winter parking

A Talking Horse · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 143 Location: Cove Gap

Mixolydian · Joined: 13 Oct 2007 Posts: 32 Location: Chambersburg

Where does calling someone with a different perspective a "jerk-off" fall along your moral compass?

And if you always put yourself in others' shoes, why does it bother you that they might avail themselves of a space you shoveled on a public street? How is that cooperating with your fellow man?

A Talking Horse · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 143 Location: Cove Gap

Torgo · Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 2:55 pm Post subject:

If I'm taking a space someone else shoveled, it's because the one I shoveled is taken.

Must be lonely in your utopia...

A Talking Horse · Joined: 22 Oct 2007 Posts: 143 Location: Cove Gap

Mixolydian · Joined: 13 Oct 2007 Posts: 32 Location: Chambersburg

[quote="A Talking Horse"]

Torgo · Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 3:11 pm Post subject: