
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: MONDAY, July 9, 1990                   TAG: 9007100438
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

FINE FOR PARKING IN HANDICAPPED SPOT IS TOO SMALL

IT HAS ALWAYS made my blood boil to see a car without proper identification parked in the "Handicapped Only" spaces at the shopping centers. I suppose I have always figured that if an undeserving person were so selfish as to occupy one of these spaces, a hefty fine would be imposed.

Imagine my surprise to learn from Joel Turner's article (June 27) that the most the lawbreaker puts out is $25 per violation. Talk about a slap on the wrist! I wholeheartedly agree with George Sanderson and the Center for Independence for the Disabled that no less than a $100 fine should be imposed.

Does City Attorney Dibling really believe that, because a store is afraid of losing ticketed lawbreakers as customers, it would then eliminate all handicapped parking? Wouldn't the store be more concerned with its reputation among the disabled customers and their supporters?

Furthermore, why is it necessary to consider warning people, on each handicapped-parking sign, of the amount of fine involved for parking illegally? They know they are breaking the law the minute they pull in without proper identification. I say it is better to let them wonder about the fine - and, if necessary, "pay" the consequences!

I hope that as city officials think through this issue, they will come to see that by voting for the $100 fine, they will be doing their part to protect the interests of a very important bloc of their constituencies: the disabled.

\ SHERRIE N. ANDREWS\ DALEVILLE

by CNB