open letter

Dear PPA,

While driving home from my first art show in the city (Waffles and Wine, so much fun!), around the time I got to Market Street I noticed the world “VIOLATION” fluttering on my windshield.

With all due respect, this ticket shouldn’t have been issued.

As a law-abiding citizen, while looking for a parking spot near the gallery last night, I double and triple checked the signs. I passed by many questionable spots (where I probably could have parked without issue). Throughout the city these signs are twisted in all different kinds of directions so I’m sure you can understand my confusion.

The sign closest to where I parked, right next to a ParkMobile station, was perpendicular to the street. One arrow, the “do not stop here” indicator, was pointed toward the middle of the street. The green arrow, which advised of the hours and fees for parking, was pointed toward the area on the sidewalk between the street and the building.

Because I’m an artist, I’m enclosing an illustration so you can better see what I’m talking about. Please excuse my drawing skills.

 

 

Perhaps the mistake was mine and I should have parked on the sidewalk as the sign suggested. But! I didn’t see anyone else doing this so I parked on the street, behind a car, in an area that didn’t block a driveway, garage, alley, or fire hydrant. The curb didn’t appear to be painted in any special way. I was not close to a corner.

I paid on the ParkMobile app and lugged my boxes of art to the gallery up the street.

Shortly thereafter I received a notice that my time had expired, so I attempted to pay for more time. The app announced that the rest of my time parked there was free (what a blessing!) so I tucked my phone away and enjoyed a night of art, friendship, and waffles.

Since I feel this ticket was issued in error, I’m respectfully requesting that it be dismissed.

In the alternative, I’m enclosing an original collage artwork inspired by the parking ticket that was tucked under my windshield, valued at $150, which I hope you’ll accept as payment. Because I love this city and spend most of my working hours here, I’m also gifting you a print of my collage “Billy always wins in the end.”

 

 

 

 

Please let me know if you require anything further or would like additional prints of the collage.

All the best, and thank you for your diligent work in pursuing parking scofflaws (I’m not one of them!).

-Jen