Naperville councilman Paul Leong is not accustomed to being on the receiving end of the mantra that life is not fair. As a councilman, he typically is the one telling others what to do, and passing judgement on what’s fair and what isn’t. According to Leong, getting his car towed was not fair. Watch and listen as he conveys his tale of woe, probably hoping to catch a sympathetic ear from a council member which didn’t happen:
We’ve all been on the wrong side of fair, at one time or another, it’s how we respond to adversity that reflects character. Leong was 10% of what happened to him (getting his car towed), and 90% how he responded to it, bringing it up during the council meeting. To what end? What was the purpose? Didn’t seem like a wise move on his part. Whining and complaining about confusing signage is seldom a smart strategic move.
Leong’s solution to the problem is to take a more graduated approach of increasing fines. How exactly would that work? He defines towing people without notification as a draconian measure. It’s only draconian if you’re the one being towed.
This sign is a draconian measure:
How about the old-fashioned solution, keep it simple, don’t park where you’re likely to get towed.
Another moron who thinks laws they pass on we peons don’t apply to them. What he was really saying was how dare they ticket me a councilmen for this city!
Well if the picture of the signage you posted is in fact the sign Leong was towed for violating then it had nothing to do with the city. Signage on private property does not need city approve and, except for handicap parking, is not mandated by city ordinance. Private property rights still apply even if the business in question is open to the public.
When you park your car in the parking lot owned by a business you are doing so by their implied consent as a customer or client of the business. If that business has signage restricting that parking then clearly you do not have their consent to park their. And when that signage makes it clear you will be towed for doing so then, them towing your car is not draconian.
I admit I am one of those people that will not hesitate to report people that park were they are not suppose to, to whoever is in charge of taking the appropriate action. I have no problem with is because I always obey the signage in parking lots no matter how big a pain in my backside it might be. It is their property not mine and I do not have the right to tell them what they can and can do with their property. If I have a problem with a business’s parking policies I simply stop patronizing that business.
Raging against a business for a situation clearly completely of your own making only makes you look either ignorant or entitled neither of which looks good on an elected official.
Fortunately for Leong, this is not the sign he was towed for. If it was the sign, then Leong would be doing a lot of walking, with his car being a distant memory.
the main points here are 1. confuse sign 2. towing people without notice and 3. increase fines to repeat offenders …… I think Paul Leong’s message is clear and feasible.