Editor: I am most upset by the lack of courtesy from a parking enforcement employee from the Township of Langley, during a recent shopping trip in my home of Fort Langley.
I am concerned by the opportunistic nature the Township is taking to write parking tickets during the closure of a main parking facility for many local businesses in Fort Langley. They have been harmed for well over a month by the upgrading of this parking lot.
We have learned that the parking lot upgrade has caused a dramatic decrease in sales for these stores and has hampered their ability to stay open. I understand the landlord of the parking lot in question has also not offered any concessions to the tenants for the lengthy closure.
As a resident of Fort Langley, and future business owner here, it is frustrating that the Township is not being lenient or offering an alternative (such as temporarily allowing 10- to 30-minute parking). I have been supporting these businesses during their hardship in the many weeks they have been suffering, and would hope that the Township could do the same.
On Saturday, April 14 at approximately 3:45 p.m., I pulled up behind a parked Township of Langley pick-up truck on the opposite side of Church Street to make a stop into the liquor store in preparation for a gathering of friends and family at home.
As I began to walk across the street, the officer in uniform, who appeared to be chitchatting idly, during a lengthy unscheduled break, called me over and rudely stated “Come here, or you could keep walking and I’ll just write you a ticket.”
I was confused as to why he would have said that. As I walked over and questioned what he was talking about, he was discourteous in telling me I could not park behind him and that there is no parking on that entire side of the street. He pointed to a sign that was obstructed by his work vehicle. Yet as I scanned the street, there were at least eight other vehicles parked on that side of the street.
I wonder how many residents of Fort Langley who are also supporting their local businesses are receiving tickets and being treated rudely. In these tougher than usual economic times, it would seem to be common sense for the Township to have a bit of leeway and support the businesses that are paying taxes, while struggling to survive in a less-than-ideal situation.
Amanda Schaffner,
Fort Langley
