Dear Editor
I live across 15th Avenue from John Paul II Collegiate. When I first moved here I thought I may have the odd parking issues with a student. That has not been the case at all. The problem is the parents and I can't begin to describe the absolute ignorance I witness daily
Today, Aug. 27, school has not yet begun but the streets around my home are full of vehicles. They are parked in the transit stop, for the last four hours, and parked along 97th Street, which is designated no parking Mondays 1 to 6 p.m. There is plenty of vacant, available parking on school board property, but on such a nice day it would be too far to walk that extra 25 feet.
I have now seen the bylaw officers drive by three different times and not a single ticket has been issued. Yet during summer holidays when there is no school I have seen my neighbours receive tickets. There is a vehicle parked in the exact spot where I have seen my neighbour's vehicle ticketed. Why is it the people who live in this community receive tickets, but those using the school are allowed to park anywhere any time they like. What makes the area around this school any different than any other part of this city. Why are we the residents of this community ticketed and not the people who have no respect for the people who live around here. There is no in between, it's either illegal for everyone in this city or it isn't. Someone needs to explain to the people who live here what the law is and how and when it is enforced.
I would also like to point out the numerous times I have seen children almost run over crossing 15th Avenue at 3:30 p.m. while the parents speed through the school zone past all the red flashing lights from the busses. Must be in a hurry to get to Walmart.
When I first moved here and asked for some parking enforcement at 3:30 p.m. because my driveway was being blocked by parents, they looked at me like I was some kind of alien. Is it because parking around here is so out of control they don't know where to begin?
Perhaps when, not if but when, a student is seriously injured or killed there may be some enforcement.
I have read in the paper of parking problems at other schools. Why is that so. Are there really that many parents in this community who just don't care about nobody but themselves.The next time one of theses parents encounters someone that just doesn't seem to care. Look in your rearview mirror, give yourself a pat on the back and tell yourself, I taught them and my children that! Good for you.
Randy Sawarin
North Battleford
