Parking Enforcement in Laguna Beach

It was with particular amusement that I recently read of the latest plan hatched by Laguna Beach officials to preserve some of their precious “open space.” Seems the sages want a ballot proposition that requests all of Orange County to pass a bond issue that would allow that fair city by the sea to purchase from the Irvine Co. the canyon land now designated for the Laguna Laurel project. The politicians reason that all of us in the county will benefit tremendously from the open space next to and above the canyon.

Now I might be tempted to come to the aid of Laguna Beach if I thought it might benefit me. After all, I do pass through the community regularly and work there on a part-time basis. But I already believe I am generously subsidizing the city through the federal transit funds they collect to run their bus service and the two meter fines I have had to pay, courtesy of the terribly efficient meter maids. Every city should have such dedicated employees! These maids work zealously for their salaries and the city’s coffers. They are everywhere at once, writing tickets just as the red violation signal is turning.

And at precisely 4 p.m., you will find these ladies stationed on the street sections where one meter cover announces “no parking between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.” They then proceed down the street, writing the $16 fines at exactly 4, even though the unsuspecting motorist is parked four or five spaces away from the sign and still has five minutes on his meter.

Maybe when Laguna Laurel is developed there will be free courtesy parking and an ocean view. Maybe we can shop there without worrying about the omnipresent Meter Maid, and the taxpayers won’t have to pay yet another tax to benefit Laguna Beach.

D. R. MATSON

Monarch Beach