Monroe Village parking: ‘Pennywise and pound foolish?’

Let me start my acknowledging that I’m 100 percent guilty as charged. I recently received a parking summons while dropping books off at the Monroe Library.

Upon pulling up, I discovered that the vehicle’s change cup contained only a motley collection of dimes, nickels and pennies. I gambled that the five-minute excursion to return borrowed books would be quicker than receiving a meter summons.

Like most gamblers, I lost. I promptly and politely paid the ticket. Only the third one I’ve received in almost 25 years of living here. Kudos to the traffic agent. Whatever we pay this individual is not enough. I’d hate to lose those eagle eyes, fast pen and stealth presence to another burg.

Many times over the years, I’ve actually pulled up to use the stores and shops on our main drag, only to scoot away because I didn’t have the right change to feed the meter. Then I simply move on.

There’s no shortage of barbers, pizzerias or professional offices within a stone’s throw without metered parking. Perhaps I’m not the only one. The empty store-fronts are proof positive that we should be encouraging the use of the remaining businesses.

I understand that the village needs to raise revenue. Are we being pennywise and pound foolish?

How about the village sell meter permits? At $15 s a year, you can park safely at one of our ever expanding series of meters. You’d make ten times the money that the tickets generate. I’d much prefer that than being forced to rummage through the car looking for loose change.

I feel like a kid pulling out the sofa cushions looking for that big score.

Kevin B. Gray Monroe