I would like to start my letter by saying Merry Christmas to the City of Red Deer Public Works Department, which is directly responsible for stealing my Christmas cheer.
I am a senior citizen living in a subsidized seniors housing complex.
This complex does not supply adequate parking for its residents, who are told to park their vehicles on the public streets.
Residents are placed on a parking space waiting list and may wait for up to two years before getting a designated parking space.
If I were renting from any reputable entity within the city, I would be immediately entitled to a parking space, as I am handicapped and have a place card prominently displayed in the windshield of my vehicle.
However, I am forced to park on a public street, and there are no designated handicap parking spaces anywhere near my residence.
On the afternoon of Dec. 17, I parked my vehicle, as per usual, on the street near where I live.
The time was 1 p.m. and there were no snow removal signs on that street at that time.
On Dec. 18 at 1:30 p.m., I discovered that the city had towed my vehicle for snow removal.
Of course, I called the city regarding recovery of my vehicle, expecting to learn that it was being held in a secure storage facility.
However, I was told that my vehicle had been towed two blocks away and dropped off on a public street in front of an apartment building.
I was able, after much searching of the neighbourhood, to recover my vehicle.
The kind, compassionate City Public Works Department had left a parking ticket for the sum of $155 on the windshield.
Some people may say, “So what?” It’s only money.
But to a low income senior, it’s a heavy hit.
I realize I have no alternative but to pay the fine and I will certainly present the receipt to higher authority requesting re-investment, although I doubt that anyone really cares.
I do, however, feel that at the very least the management of this housing unit should make some reasonable effort to inform residents of snow removal times.
Also, the city should give more than 12 hours’ notice so everyone has time to be informed.
Again, I would like to wish those fine compassionate city administration officials a very Merry Christmas.
I just hope that as they celebrated the recent festive season, they paused for just a moment to consider that not everybody is so privileged, no thanks to their hard-hearted policies.
Victor Jensen
Red Deer