THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 2, 1994 TAG: 9409010226
SECTION: VIRGINIA BEACH BEACON PAGE: 02 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: The Road Warrior
SOURCE: The Road Warrior
LENGTH: Long : 120 lines
A couple of weeks ago Road got a letter of concern from Maxine Roberts of Lake Shores. Maxine was worried that her Timex was on a fast road to ruin because her watch didn't mesh with parking meters at the Oceanfront.
Here's what she said:
``Tonight, we went to the Boardwalk to Rollerblade. We parked our truck at the end of the Boardwalk, 40th Street, at the third meter in from the ocean. I deposited coins (I believe four quarters, one dime, one nickel - not sure) until the meter read 1:32. I set the chrono on my Timex Triathlon.
We finished and were backing out at 1:01 on the timer when I noticed the meter was flashing 0:00! If we'd received a ticket, would the city trust our word? I'd thought we could trust the ``word'' of the city. Would you have time to duplicate our experience (off-hours, so you can get this nice spot?) How often, if ever, does the city calibrate meter timing? Or should I send my Timex in for repair?''
Well, Maxine, Road was more than happy to take a cruise down to the oceanfront and check out those meters. Certainly, Road could think of no better way to spend a workday than sitting at the Beach watching a parking meter.
Road also enlisted the help of a buddy, Mike, so that the timing could be authenticated. That, plus Mike was the only one Road knew with a decent watch.
Anyway, we weren't able to get the exact spot Maxine spoke of at 40th Street, so we decided just to wing it and find a meter anywhere to time - figuring they were all on the same time clock.
We parked at 23rd Street and plopped in enough change to give us an hour and 38 minutes. In case you didn't realize, the cost is 25 cents for 20 minutes; 10 cents for eight minutes; and five cents for four minutes.
The meters have a three-hour time limit and are enforced 24 hours a day, seven days a week from May 1 to Sept. 30.
Anyway, Mike and Road wandered around a bit, taking note of things like the zillions and zillions of pieces of chewing gum stuck all over the sidewalk of the strip. Man, what a mess that is.
Anyway, when we returned, sure enough, that meter was right on it - to the second, no less.
To make sure Road just didn't hit the meters on a good day, we called Henry Ruiz, head of the city's parking systems office. Ruiz says that the 885 meters at the Oceanfront are indeed calibrated every year and their batteries replaced every six to nine months.
The meters are electronic, so the chance of them being off, time wise, is pretty slim. Every evening, maintenance workers are sent to collect the coins and check on the condition of the meters. If there's a problem, a blockage or whatever, it's recorded in a maintenance log. If someone's ticketed and disputes the ticket, the log is pulled out and checked to see if there was actually a problem with a particular meter on a given day. If there was a noted problem, the ticket is voided.
So, Maxine, sounds as if you'd better send the ol' Timex in for repair.
SNARLS OF THE WEEK
The following people called Road's INFOLINE number with their complaints.
Lynn, no address given. What's with the bimbo driving down Newtown Road, crossing over Virginia Beach Boulevard, putting mascara on in traffic? All the way down Newtown Road, she's just putting her mascara on. I just don't get it.
RW: Some women need extra help, like mascara, Lynn. And certainly, if they need it, they should wear it but application should be done at home.
Rich Traybeck, no address given. I'm calling in response to the letter published from J.A. White in Virginia Beach. Man, you were way too easy on this guy. It's people like this that cause the accidents on our road, when they think that they're so correct in their bad driving habits that they take the time to write a letter to the newspaper to educate and bring to the public's attention something so stupid as to think that just turning on your turn signal means that everyone's supposed to yield to you and that you have the right of way. It's just unbelievable.
RW: Rich, you're right. Road could have certainly chewed on J.A. for his way of thinking. But, really, Road's not here to blast. Education is more important. That way, J.A. now knows the truth and we didn't hurt his feelings in the meantime, you know?
Jody Henley, Virginia Beach. I really think the people who looked at Kellam Road and Columbus Street really should have just put a traffic light there.
What are they doing just putting a stop sign there? Can't they just put a traffic light? Don't they know how many accidents have been there? Thank you.
RW: Believe it or not, Jody, a traffic signal does not always solve an intersection's problems. Engineers decided to go with the stop signs on a trial basis. If they work, great. If they don't, it's time to seriously consider a signal.
Lynn Sullivan, no address given. There's a problem up at Princess Anne at the Farm Fresh. Everyone wants to park on the side therefore leaving very little room for people to maneuver through the parking lot.
People just take the liberty to park and inconvenience other drivers and it's just very unsafe and I'd just like to know if there's anything that we can do to stop this? Thanks.
RW: First, Lynn, realize we're dealing with private property here, so the city engineers won't get involved.
However, if these folks are parking in the fire lanes, the Fire Department would probably love to get involved. Often, you'll see the fire guys out checking parking lots and passing out tickets for fire lane offenders. Let's hope they get wind of this situation.
Sharon Tyler, no address given. I'm calling about the intersection at Silina and South Plaza Trail. The stop sign is completely obstructed by three crape myrtle trees when you come around the corner.
I've had a near accident and I saw an accident there and the city is putting off doing anything. So, hopefully someone will take note and get those trees down. Thank you.
RW: Apparently, someone did take note, Sharon. According to engineers, those trees were trimmed just this week. The one at the stop sign will be totally removed. There are also plans to have the ``stop bar'' (the line that shows where to stop before the stop sign) repainted. What timing, eh? MEMO: Tell the Road Warrior about your motoring problems. Get 'em off your
chest. Call on Infoline, at 640-5555. After a brief message, dial ROAD
(7623). When directed, press 1 to deliver your message, and 1 again to
sign off.
Or, write: The Road Warrior, Virginia Beach Beacon, 4565 Virginia
Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach, Va. 23462.
Don't forget to include your name, address and neighborhood.
by CNB