Here's your sign

By Brad Blakemore

Publisher

Last week I heard from a few unhappy people regarding the downtown parking situation. Apparently, the Canton Police went on a ticket-writing spree and violators were asked to pay $42 for the privilege of parking around the square for more than two hours.

I have to believe that last week's offenders knew it was against the law to park on or around certain parts of the square from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The parking signs are posted, although somewhat inconsistent. Some read “2 HR PARKING." Some are red, some are green. Some say “2 HR PARKING Mon – Fri,” but offer no hours. Others say “Mon – Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.,” and some areas have the information painted on top of the curb. Any way you look at it, the signs are there as a reminder not to park in these spots for more than two hours.

My office is on the square and odds are I will not receive a ticket if I park in front of my building for more than two hours. But, I don't take any chances. I park in the city lot behind Hilliard Furniture or on Tyler St., west of the square and I encourage my employees to do the same.

Many downtown business owners, employees, customers, county employees and visitors who are shopping or visiting the courthouse are used to parking for longer than the legal time and never being issued a ticket. Why? Because enforcement is rare and inconsistent. So when frequent violators do get issued a ticket, they get upset.  

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