The Geek is an idiot, who gets a lot of parking tickets, and knows how to fight back.
Since Monday afternoon, when LAZ meter crews were spotted entering the neighborhood, community residents have been staging a sit in to slow or prevent the completion of new paybox installations.
A group of 12 protesters spent the night in front of the location of a new Pay & Display machine in the 8800 block of S. Commercial Ave. A fresh group of meter objectors took over at 9 AM.
So far, according to Stephanie Puente, Director of Communications for Centro Comunitario Juan Diego, their strategy seems to be working.
"We're using the sit in to hopefully stop the installation," says Puente from outside at ground zero for the sit in. "We want to use the protest a platform to discuss this issue."
South Chicago Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Neil Bosanko has a different view.
"Payboxes will be installed," said Bosanko. "I thought perhaps the new meter company was intimidated by the picketing, but that's not the case."
Bosanko explained that there was a short delay in installation to amend the signs accompanying the meters outlining the times of meter operation. Because unlike the majority of the city's metered spaces which run from 8 AM - 9 PM, these new meters will operate from 9 AM to 6 PM, because of the many residents whom live above the businesses along this stretch of S. Commercial. Once the signs are completed, the installation will proceed.
Over the weekend, Bosanko says someone left a large pile of animal and perhaps human waste in front of the Chamber's offices.
"I'm getting to old for this" laughed Bosanko a former activist who says he respects people's right to protest. "But it's starting to get annoying. I walked in on Sunday and almost vomited from the feces spread on the sidewalk."
Garcia, when told about the excrement stated, "We don't condone any actions like that nor do we encourage it."
Bosanko feels that city officials have been conveniently silent on the dust up from the meter controversy in the neighborhood, leaving him to take the brunt of the criticism.
"I don't see them as part of this process (dealing with the protests)," says Bosanko. "They (city officials) should be listening to the concerns of the people."
In fact, despite what Bosanko considers the necessity of having metered parking on S. Commercial to help business, he personally feels the $1.00 per hour rates are an issue.
"I am not disagreeing with them (the protesters) about the rates," explained Bosanko. "But that's not my issue. This is something for the city council to deal with."
The "Stop The Meters" #2 protest and rally is scheduled to take place tonight at
6 PM in front of the South Chicago Chamber of Commerce at 8826 S. Commercial.
2 Comments
Alicia Eler said:
Every neighborhood should do a sit-in!
The Parking Ticket Geek said:
That would be interesting to see. Allegedly, there's a report of Albany Park residents trying to do a protest up there. They supposedly see what's going on in South Chicago as inspiration.
We'll see.
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