How to find a parking space (and still get a ticket)

When humans got together and created civilization, in theory they enacted laws in order to protect and better society.

Of course, the operative words of that phrase are “in theory.” Often a society will create obscure and draconian laws that seem to exist solely to make people miserable.

Enter Toledo, Ohio.

Like many other cities, Toledo is feeling the crunch of a budget crisis. In order to solve the problem, the city recently dug up an old law stating that people cannot park on non-paved surfaces — including their own driveway. Many residents recently woke up to find a $25 ticket waiting for them.

It should come as no surprise that complaints have been loud and frequent. However, the mayor is holding fast and is defending the citations.

What the mayor isn’t doing is explaining why the law exists or what good it does for the city. Until he can do so, the whole situation will continue to look as though a cash-starved city is exploiting its populace.
Hopefully the city will wise up and remember exactly why laws were created in the first place.

• Sat 21st
  • Class Pictures: Photographs by Dawoud Bey
    
    All day
  • John Pfahl, Altered Landscapes
    
    All day
  • John Pfahl, Altered Landscapes
    
    All day
• Sun 22nd
  • Class Pictures: Photographs by Dawoud Bey
    
    All day
  • John Pfahl, Altered Landscapes
    
    All day
  • John Pfahl, Altered Landscapes
    
    All day
• Mon 23rd
  • Class Pictures: Photographs by Dawoud Bey
    
    All day
  • John Pfahl, Altered Landscapes
    
    All day
  • John Pfahl, Altered Landscapes
    
    All day
• Tue 24th
  • Class Pictures: Photographs by Dawoud Bey
    
    All day
  • John Pfahl, Altered Landscapes
    
    All day
  • John Pfahl, Altered Landscapes
    
    All day

• Popular
  • Illegal explosives thrown from car had potential to kill
  • Fighting for an unkept Promise
  • Police going overboard on firework explosion case
  • Friends remember sophomore Rosman as 'genuine guy'
  • World must come together on climate change
  • After jail release, instructor remains on paid leave
  • Kidnapping charge dropped for Higuchi
  • ASMSU faces scholarship funding decision
  • Concern for preservation of MSU classics department triggers 1,500-signature petition
  • Spartans get back on track, rout Broncos 49-14
• Newest
  • Izzo displeased with MSU's 75-62 win against Toledo
  • Police brief 11/20/09
  • Web exclusive: Hockey team ties Notre Dame 1-1, loses shootout 2-1
  • No. 21 Spartans lose to No. 5 Notre Dame by 1
  • MSU releases few details about police investigation
  • What could you buy with City Center II?
  • Children's theatre receives 3 grants
  • Jewish workplace focus of lecture
  • Lecture on the mind to be held Friday
  • Turnout for Granholm's Mich. Promise Scholarship rally low
• Comments
  • hmmm said: sounds like homeboy broke his window and didn't want to get stuck with the charge for it.
    (added 1 hour ago) more »
  • mike said: Ok then, let's ban tasers. Let them just use their bullets instead.
    (added 1 hour ago) more »
  • Re: Sports said: Do you know why black's tend to be "naturally better" at sports than white people?
    (added 1 hour ago) more »
  • Ron Yogman said: Beat 'em up, beat 'em up, Spartans. Smash mouth football versus PSU. This Spartan is a Floridian and I need you to run up the score so you go bowling in the Sunshine State, not Texas or Arizona or heaven forbid, Detroit.
    (added 1 hour ago) more »
  • R said: really state news? you couldn't find anyone with a dissenting opinion?
    (added 2 hours ago) more »

PHOTOS OF THE WEEK:More reprints »

Sean Cook / The State News

Gov. Jennifer Granholm speaks to a crowd about the Michigan Promise Scholarship during a rally Wednesday morning outside the Administration Building. Granholm is touring colleges in Michigan to discuss the scholarship.

Powered by reprints.statenews.com.