Two local daily newspapers are reporting Mayor Joe Galligan's public apology to the Burlingame Police Department's Parking Enforcement Officers. The apology refers to his statements about overly aggressive parking enforcement, the officers' possible need for "anger management", and the possibility that some of them would "need to find another job". We applaud Mr. Galligan's effort to correct overly harsh statements spoken in venues like public meetings. We hope there will not be a need for further apologies.
- Written by admin
Well, it isn't really the enforcement officers who are aggressive, it is Burlingame's fee schedule. The officers are just following the laws that we've imposed. I have heard it discussed at a few informal meetings, that we could extend the time one gets for a quarter, from 20 minutes (which is pretty stingy) to 30. I think that would pacify most people. Maybe TSP could get this done somehow. The goal of the short and expensive time frame was to keep the inner core fluid, so that there would always be a few spaces available, and there are. In that way, the system was very effective, but it isn't user friendly and makes for potentially hostile situations. Businesses don't like it cut so short either. If we would give people an extra 10 minutes on the meter as a compromise, and I'm pretty sure the ultimate goal of using outlying lots for long-term parking, would still be assured.
Posted by: Jenn | June 24, 2005 at 06:20 PM
It was gratifying to read da mayor? apologized for overstepping his authority and usurping the Chief of Police's authority and responsibility regarding the conduct of Parking Enforcing Officers.
Unfortunately, this is just another example of da mayor? starting his mouth without engaging his brain and using his position as his own Bully Pulpit?. The conduct of the Parking Enforcing Officers. falls entirely within the jurisdiction of the Police Department and should have been handled entirely within the Chief's office.
Posted by: Rich Grogan | June 24, 2005 at 06:27 PM
YOU MUST BE THE ONLY TWO PEOPLE IN BURLINGAME THAT HAVEN'T HAD A RUN-IN WITH A CERTAIN BLOND METER MAID.
Posted by: Respondent | June 24, 2005 at 08:26 PM
Of all people to say that the parking enforcement people need anger management. PULEEZ! Everyone in town knows that JOE GALLIGAN HAS THE SHORTEST FUSE OF ANYBODY AND REALLY NEEDS ANGER MANAGEMENT HIMSELF.
Posted by: peewee | June 24, 2005 at 08:41 PM
I don't think that was actually the mayor posting here. A few bloggers might want to join him in the anger management class.
Posted by: Hezekiah | June 24, 2005 at 10:09 PM
There cant be many blogers who show the poor attitude that Joe does at softball and soccer games. Some of his yelling is famous around town.
Posted by: frank | June 25, 2005 at 03:53 AM
Respondent, I wish I could say I was a member of that exclusive club, but I am not. I have received six parking tickets two of which I fought and were dismissed. The four I received I deserved, I forgot to pay attention to my watch and had to pay for my mistake.
A good education doesn't come cheap.
Posted by: Rich Grogan | June 27, 2005 at 03:42 PM