I understand that parking meters are necessary. What I don't understand is why Erie insist on using this antiquated penalty system. Or why the whole thing has to be so damn adversarial. (If you've ever stood, quarters in hand, pleading with a smirking meter maid writing a $30 ticket, your meter expired for just 2 minutes, while she shakes her head and tells you it's too late, gimme an Amen!) Most of the meters downtown don't even work correctly. It's odd how multiple meters won't count the second or fourth quarter. Almost as if it's set that way. Shouldn't we be using the new revenue generated from the casino to upgrade our own infrastructure. As you will see below, this idea will kill several major problems with downtown Erie parking.

Read the full story »