Thursday, 19 April 2007

Grey Bombers off Target

As we were getting into the car on our way home from the orchestra last night, Cindy pointed out an envelope under my windscreen wiper. I had received a parking ticket! (The first traffic ticket I've ever received.)

I didn't understand how, seeing as I was in a proper carpark. The ticket explained that I could contest the fine, so this was the explanation I submitted to the website:
Because I do not have a permit I was looking for a pay-parking space in the Jordan Ave parking garage. As I proceded to the lower level in search of a space I noticed that the boom gates were up and, as it was after 8pm and the booth was empty, I inferred that parking was free for the rest of the night. Had the booth been staffed I surely would have paid but, before I had a chance to pay, I received this ticket. The ticket states that I was in an A permit zone, however I was in a pay-parking garage. There were no signs indicating that any sort of permit was required.
It's all true. I really did believe that I was legally parked!

I still can't quite work it out. If by some chance I missed a sign on the way in saying that only permit holders were allowed, why would there be gates and a toll booth? And how could I not have seen it all the other times I've parked there when going to the orchestra?

I really don't want to pay the $40 but now they know who I am they'll be able to dock my pay! I briefly considered just ignoring the ticket, given that it's campus parking, not the real police. But I have heard that they can and do contact the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles to track you down from your rego number. Damn!

Update - 2007/4/20
Good news! My appeal was successful. In less than 48 hour I received this reply:
Thanks for your appeal. I just wanted to let you know that the citation has been voided, and there is no fine due. If you are a student and the fee has been transferred to your Bursar account, a credit will be issued next Thursday; look for it to post by early the following week.
Hurrah! My faith in the system has been restored.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Don't care about the parking ticket. What did the orchestra perform, and was it good?

Nick said...

Beethoven, Missa Solemnis, Op. 123 performed by IU's Philharmonic Orchestra and Oratorio Chorus.

They have an orchestral performance (of some size - chamber, symphony or philharmonic) almost every week during the semester but this is the first time I've seen a choral performance here.

I didn't realise until I got there that my friend, Andy, and his girlfriend were in the choir. (Yes, he sings in a choir and he's straight. I still can't figure that one out!) From the top balcony I was able to see that she was getting exhausted from all that standing and had to sit down to catch her breath. (Reminded me of the cadets at an Anzac Day ceremony, there's always one who faints.) I also noticed two singers with normal ties instead of bowties who had been hidden in the back row. But the instruments and the four lead singers dominated the performance so it was still quite professional and it all sounded perfect to me.