PARK PLACE

[Mark Joel Lane]

 I live in a town on Long  Island called Plandome in a private home just a few blocks from a row of stores that has a parking lot in the back. I often drive over and park in this small lot that charges 25 cents per hour . Parking in the area is very difficult and restricted even to town residents on the streets. Many folks ,especially moviegoers to a nearby theater, park by the meters for up to 4 hours ($1).

 

     I seem to be shelling out quarters quite often patronizing a pharmacy. deli, bakery, bank , bakery,and other retail stores. of course, I'm close enough to walk but , prefer to drive especially if I'm getting some bulky items. I got to think about all the countless quarters I've fed the meters in that lot over the years.

 

     The thought occurred to me..Could I buy a meter in the parking lot so I wouldn't have to keep putting quarters in?  So I met with the board of directors from the town of Plandome. After a lot of negotiating, the town of Plandome allowed me to purchase and own any parking meter of my choice for $5,000. When my car was parked at "my" meter, I would never again need to part with my quarters. 

 

     I picked out a meter that I would own right behind the bakery, a place I visited frequently for their chocolate cheesecake and fresh hot muffins.  I calculated it would take me about 4  years to get back all the money from the quarters from folks who parked at my meter.  I also arranged to have a No Parking sign so cars could be towed when the sign was up and split the hefty towing charge with the towing company if people ignored my sign. This was all legal and part of the contract I had with the town of Plandome. I would put up the sign there when the spot was empty and knew I'd be parking there later that day or night.  

 

     My own parking meter !!!!   What a great investment that would also provide financial security for years down the road for myself and my family. !!  Another benefit of my parking meter is that the parking lot is always cleared quickly after a snowstorm: no  need to dig my car out of the snow anymore.

 

I'm thinking of purchasing another parking meter if the town of Plandome lets me. As long as the nearby movie theater remains open, I'm guaranteed a parking income for life.