How nice it was for many Vernon residents to have the holiday Monday off to relax, pick up some groceries or even get a start on Christmas
shopping. Unfortunately for some City of Vernon employees, Monday was just another day at the grind. In particular, bylaw officers were not granted the day off. Instead they were forced to spread holiday rage by placing a sea of parking tickets on vehicles’ windshields. Because government agencies, including city hall, were closed Monday, one would assume that bylaw officers wouldn’t be working either. And without city hall open there are only the few little drop boxes with which to pay parking tickets. So why would the city bother making officers work? Well the accumulation of cash drawn from unsuspecting motorists probably had a lot to do with it. Vernon made a holiday haul Monday from everyone who wrongly but understandably assumed they didn’t have to plug the meters. It’s unfortunate that the city has presented itself in such a way – trading goodwill for greed. It was a highly preventable outcome, and the decision makers had to have known it was going to create a lot of anger. A much nicer gesture would have been to grant bylaw officers the day off, and prevent angering a lot of motorists. The city may say that Saturday was the official holiday and motorists shouldn’t assume there is free parking on the day in lieu of a statutory holiday. But all that does is reflect the feeling that many residents have of the City of Vernon – that the chance to make a few bucks is worth much more than worrying about ruining someone’s day. ###############################
By RICHARD ROLKE Morning Star StaffNov 15 2006
Finding a parking ticket on their vehicle on a holiday apparently upset a number of motorists.
Coun. Juliette Cunningham told her colleagues 
Tuesday that parking tickets covered virtually every vehicle on 30th Avenue at one point Monday. “There were a lot of angry people,” said Cunningham, who had her clothing store open Monday. “Government offices were closed but the bylaw guys were out there handing out tickets all over the place. It was creating a lot of angst.” Because city hall, other government agencies and some businesses were closed for the Remembrance Day long weekend, many motorists assumed meters did not have to be plugged Monday. However, because Remembrance Day was actually Saturday, a normal day of work for bylaw officers, they took that day off. Monday was a routine schedule for them. “They work Monday and it’s their job to write tickets when they work,” said 
Leon Gous, chief administrative officer. 
Because there was no expectation among drivers that they would have to pay the meters on a holiday Monday, council has asked staff to review the situation and come back with a report. “It’s a bad reflection on the city. A lot of people are in town on those days and it leaves a bad taste in their mouth,” said Cunningham. Coun. Pat Cochrane, who also owns a business downtown, pointed out that similar situations occur every Saturday. Parking used to be free downtown on Saturday, but the city reinstated payment a couple of years ago. “It (free Saturday parking) was a successful initiative and people are still asking if they have to put money in the meter,” said Cochrane.
Finding a parking ticket on their vehicle on a holiday apparently upset a number of motorists.
Coun. Juliette Cunningham told her colleagues 
Tuesday that parking tickets covered virtually every vehicle on 30th Avenue at one point Monday. “There were a lot of angry people,” said Cunningham, who had her clothing store open Monday. “Government offices were closed but the bylaw guys were out there handing out tickets all over the place. It was creating a lot of angst.” Because city hall, other government agencies and some businesses were closed for the Remembrance Day long weekend, many motorists assumed meters did not have to be plugged Monday. However, because Remembrance Day was actually Saturday, a normal day of work for bylaw officers, they took that day off. Monday was a routine schedule for them. “They work Monday and it’s their job to write tickets when they work,” said 
Leon Gous, chief administrative officer. 
Because there was no expectation among drivers that they would have to pay the meters on a holiday Monday, council has asked staff to review the situation and come back with a report. “It’s a bad reflection on the city. A lot of people are in town on those days and it leaves a bad taste in their mouth,” said Cunningham. Coun. Pat Cochrane, who also owns a business downtown, pointed out that similar situations occur every Saturday. Parking used to be free downtown on Saturday, but the city reinstated payment a couple of years ago. “It (free Saturday parking) was a successful initiative and people are still asking if they have to put money in the meter,” said Cochrane. 
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