I am looking forward to the change to “Councillors Only”. City councillors and Area Councillors getting their own parking space at city hall.
BOB BURKE
on January 8, 2016 at 3:55 pm
I’m still incensed that I got my first ever parking ticket in Newton Highlands when the meter ran out while I was conducting business for our area council. As Rodney Barker would say, “this is outrageous”
Jerry Reilly
on January 8, 2016 at 4:15 pm
@Bob Burke – We’re going to have to get you a job at the U.N. – Mr.-I’m-on-official-business-so-the-parking-rules-don’t-apply-to-me-Burke 😉
TheWholeTruth
on January 8, 2016 at 4:52 pm
I don’t think anyone should have a reserved parking space at City Hall (except HP parking of course), especially one that is so close to the front door. These prime spots should be for citizens doing business at the hall and not for elected officials. The alders/councilors should take a page out of the Mayor’s book and give up their prime spot, just as he did when he took office.
@TheWhole: Our City Councillors work really hard at ridiculous hours (or at least our alders did, we’ll see how hard the council works!) and are frequently coming and going to meetings, back to their day jobs, etc. I have no problem with them having at least a small opportunity to find a space close to the building.
Of course, if we reduce the council’s size….more parking for all!
@TheWholeTruth I’m fairly certain the Mayor has a driver, so he doesn’t need a space.
TheWholeTruth
on January 8, 2016 at 7:33 pm
@Greg, there is no dispute about the hours and hard work. I just think it’s wrong to have a reserved space SO CLOSE to the front of the building.
@Emily, when the Mayor took office, he did not have a driver. It’s only been the last few years that he has had one. I vividly recall the Mayor giving up his reserved spot in the interest of more parking for the public.
And what happens when someone other than an elected official parks in that spot? Can they be towed? I certainly hope not.
The mayor doesn’t have a driver – he has a security guard. Big difference.
Dan Fahey
on January 8, 2016 at 8:57 pm
Having one reserved spot for 24 councilors hardly seems a big deal, at least to me.
Unless you think their princely sum of $9750 per year is excessive.
TheWholeTruth
on January 8, 2016 at 9:02 pm
@Jane, I think calling Newton Police Officers “security guards” is rather demeaning. The Officers deserve more respect than that.
The mayor doesn’t have a driver – he has a security guard. Big difference.
@Jane: Way to play offense! No one has even complained about how the mayor gets from Point A to Point B yet.
I think calling Newton Police Officers “security guards” is rather demeaning. The Officers deserve more respect than that.
@TWT: Good one too.
Charlie Shapiro
on January 8, 2016 at 9:55 pm
I actually think the Mayor should have a reserved space in a convenient and prominent place. Doesn’t have to be directly in front of the door, could easily be along the driveway somewhere.
It’s a welcoming sign to see the car there. Shows people that he’s coming into work early and staying late working on the people’s business.
JenAK
on January 8, 2016 at 11:58 pm
Jane can correct me if my interpretation is inaccurate, but employing the services of an individual to protect one’s person from violence is indeed not the same as employing an individual to provide transportation. The difference between those services – and behind the need that drives them – is not negligible, IMO.
Sallee Lipshutz
on January 9, 2016 at 11:54 am
I didn’t realize the Mayor’s transportation was provided by the Police Dept. It seems to me (provided the NPD officer is stationed at City Hall when the Mayor is there) that that also makes City Hall a little less vulnerable to the lunacies of 21st century mayhem.
I would venture to say that 1 (actually 3 total around the building) reserved space for 24 Councilors is hardly privileged parking. Not only are we all elected, but we are also resident taxpayers. Bob welcome to the “doing city business” parking ticket club!!
My point was only that the mayor may not need a parking space. If he has a police officer driving him then it’s probably for a reason. I wouldn’t begrudge him his own space though. Just as I didn’t begrudge his pay raise when he took office and STILL think he is underpaid when you think about all the responsibilities that come with the job.
TWT – I don’t know the position or the department that provides protection for the mayor. My point is that he doesn’t have a driver. I’m a great supporter of Newton’s first responders and would never want to anyone to think otherwise.
I am looking forward to the change to “Councillors Only”. City councillors and Area Councillors getting their own parking space at city hall.
I’m still incensed that I got my first ever parking ticket in Newton Highlands when the meter ran out while I was conducting business for our area council. As Rodney Barker would say, “this is outrageous”
@Bob Burke – We’re going to have to get you a job at the U.N. – Mr.-I’m-on-official-business-so-the-parking-rules-don’t-apply-to-me-Burke 😉
I don’t think anyone should have a reserved parking space at City Hall (except HP parking of course), especially one that is so close to the front door. These prime spots should be for citizens doing business at the hall and not for elected officials. The alders/councilors should take a page out of the Mayor’s book and give up their prime spot, just as he did when he took office.
@TheWhole: Our City Councillors work really hard at ridiculous hours (or at least our alders did, we’ll see how hard the council works!) and are frequently coming and going to meetings, back to their day jobs, etc. I have no problem with them having at least a small opportunity to find a space close to the building.
Of course, if we reduce the council’s size….more parking for all!
By the way, best word on parking tickets, ever… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nWT1REbdsI
@TheWholeTruth I’m fairly certain the Mayor has a driver, so he doesn’t need a space.
@Greg, there is no dispute about the hours and hard work. I just think it’s wrong to have a reserved space SO CLOSE to the front of the building.
@Emily, when the Mayor took office, he did not have a driver. It’s only been the last few years that he has had one. I vividly recall the Mayor giving up his reserved spot in the interest of more parking for the public.
And what happens when someone other than an elected official parks in that spot? Can they be towed? I certainly hope not.
The mayor doesn’t have a driver – he has a security guard. Big difference.
Having one reserved spot for 24 councilors hardly seems a big deal, at least to me.
Unless you think their princely sum of $9750 per year is excessive.
@Jane, I think calling Newton Police Officers “security guards” is rather demeaning. The Officers deserve more respect than that.
@Jane: Way to play offense! No one has even complained about how the mayor gets from Point A to Point B yet.
@TWT: Good one too.
I actually think the Mayor should have a reserved space in a convenient and prominent place. Doesn’t have to be directly in front of the door, could easily be along the driveway somewhere.
It’s a welcoming sign to see the car there. Shows people that he’s coming into work early and staying late working on the people’s business.
Jane can correct me if my interpretation is inaccurate, but employing the services of an individual to protect one’s person from violence is indeed not the same as employing an individual to provide transportation. The difference between those services – and behind the need that drives them – is not negligible, IMO.
I didn’t realize the Mayor’s transportation was provided by the Police Dept. It seems to me (provided the NPD officer is stationed at City Hall when the Mayor is there) that that also makes City Hall a little less vulnerable to the lunacies of 21st century mayhem.
I would venture to say that 1 (actually 3 total around the building) reserved space for 24 Councilors is hardly privileged parking. Not only are we all elected, but we are also resident taxpayers. Bob welcome to the “doing city business” parking ticket club!!
My point was only that the mayor may not need a parking space. If he has a police officer driving him then it’s probably for a reason. I wouldn’t begrudge him his own space though. Just as I didn’t begrudge his pay raise when he took office and STILL think he is underpaid when you think about all the responsibilities that come with the job.
TWT – I don’t know the position or the department that provides protection for the mayor. My point is that he doesn’t have a driver. I’m a great supporter of Newton’s first responders and would never want to anyone to think otherwise.
Yes, Jen, that was my point.
@Jane: As long as you insist on splitting hairs, that protector person behind the wheel is indeed a driver.
So perhaps we could now move on.
@Jerry. At the very least, I think I deserve valet parking.