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Veterans gets fines apology
Wednesday 11th November 2009, 11:30AM GMT.
Veterans who were given parking fines while they attended remembrance services in Walsall today received an apology from the town’s council leader.
Wardens caused outrage after putting tickets on a number vehicles which were left in Walsall Council car parks during events in the town on Sunday.
But while council leader Councillor Mike Bird had previously insisted each ticket had been “issued quite genuinely and within the law”, in an official statement today, he struck a more conciliatory tone and said appeals would be viewed “sympathetically”.
“I offer my personal apologies to any veterans, servicemen and women and their families who were issued with a parking ticket while attending the Remembrance Day event in Walsall on Sunday.”
“Walsall Council acknowledges the great sacrifices made by soldiers over the years and the efforts of our armed forces currently involved in conflicts, and Sunday’s event was an important opportunity for us all to reflect upon their courage, bravery and dignity.
“Sunday parking charges were introduced in September this year and all of our pay and display car parks have signs making this clear.
“We appreciate, however, that they were not applicable at last year’s event which may have caused people to think they did not apply this time round.
“I can assure anyone who appeals a ticket which was issued during the Remembrance Day event that their case will be treated sympathetically.”
Retired chef John Bromley, aged 66, of Ryecroft, said: “It is disgusting that veterans have been given parking tickets while the actual Remembrance Service was in progress.”
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Question for Mike Bird: Why have you made such an abrupt U-turn?
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A bit of sense has been shown. However, viewed sympathetically does not mean the tickets will be cancelled. I suppose everyone who got a ticket on Sunday morning will now appeal and that is going to cost more money because of increased administration work. Why not just cancel all tickets issued before 12 noon on the day and do away with the trouble of the appeal?
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Is it not simpler to cancel the tickets or are you hoping some of those booked will just pay without appealing??
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Sally, I suggested such an action on the original story, so much easier.
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”Council leader Mike Bird today defended the move and said wardens were legally bound to issue the fines for people using car parks and not paying”.
Soon changed your mind didn’t you Mr Bird….election coming up?
Why did the local paper have to make your mind up for you?
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Why not have free parking every Rememberance Sunday??
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ERm what exactly did Walsall council do wrong?
- they were in the wrong for not paying when parking in a clearly marked Pay and Display Car park – yes yes it was remembrance Sunday but the attendants didn’t know the veterans cars from the average Sunday shopppers,
When are people going to stop jumping on the band wagon – Yes getting a parking ticket is annoying but if you follow the rules as they are set out and you will be fine!
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Councillor Mike Bird actually apologised on Monday – live on the Ed Doolan show on BBC Radio WM.
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Why didn’t these veterans just pay for a parking ticket like everyone else does in the first place? Doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what’s going to happen if you park your car in a pay and display and forget to pay and display.
If these veterans get their tickets cancelled for not paying and displaying, then I too want my tickets cancelled/refunded for every ticket since the last 5 years.
What’s good for one is good for another.
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Under the G.I. Bill, ex American serviceman/women received interest free / low rate loans to start businesses, or, were funded to complete University degrees, they also I believe get free/low cost flights for life, and ours have the brass neck to expect free parking places while attending a Remembrance Parade, how ridiculous. Jody, for you to expect your tickets written off just because some veterans might get theirs done, you should be ashamed of yourself.
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Jody, are you planning on fighting for your country against tyranny? After all, “what’s good for one is good for another”. You also moan about them parking but admit you’ve had tickets yourself, over the last 5 years. You or I may not have been here today if it wasn’t for these people. Please consider that.
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