Right in front of the Jean Coutu entrance, facing the building, are several handicapped parking spots. Fair enough. Parking in such a spot is pretty disgusting unless you are in fact handicapped, as far as I am concerned. The problem is that the only indication that these are handicapped parking spots are the painted signs on the ground, which are fairly hard to see when the ground is dirty, or covered in snow, during the winter. It is a mall’s responsibility to put up the relevant signage and in these spits, there are no actual pole-mounted signs indicating a possible infraction and the existence of a city bylaw to that effect. These ARE evident at other places around the shopping centre parking lot, so why not here?

In any case, last Saturday afternoon, I received a $144 ticket ($100 plus fees) and I’ll be damned if I am paying one cent. As I was staring in disbelief at this ticket, a couple of seniors pulled up beside me and parked in the next spot, also handicapped. When the woman got out of the car, I queried her: Do you have a handicapped parking permit? She said no and when I indicated the poorly visible markings on the ground, she said she was sorry, but she had not seen them, thanked me and then moved her car.

Not everyone will have someone like me standing there and informing them of the glitch and many people will pay this hefty fee, which I am sure you have better things to do with at holiday time. So be forewarned. I will add that this handicapped signage error not only inconveniences non-handicapped shoppers, but also handicapped people who have the primary right to park there. The spots are taken by people unaware that these spots are reserved for those in need of them and that makes the situation doubly wrong.

In the meantime, CSL public security has no business ticketing people until the shopping centre erects that signage. And while they are at it, how about fixing the damaged stop sign at that spot, which is bent at virtually a right angle. People patronize your businesses... how about some proactive public service? Not the first time I have been at odds with this shopping centre’s administration and I’m sure it won’t be the last.

Happy holidays, everyone. Stay safe and ticket-free!

Just past deadline, I was informed by the CSL Public Safety administrator that his officers have all been notified of the situation and should not act until signs are installed by the shopping centre. New director Jordy Reichson acted immediately upon being made aware of this and for that he has my sincere thanks.