The 75-cents increase is part of a deal that the city of Chicago made with Chicago Parking Meters, LLC while Richard M. Daley was mayor. In 2008, Mayor Daley was able to convince the City Council to give a green light to the contract. Chicago was paid about 1.2 billion dollars for a 75-year lease of the meters. Reportedly, much of that money has already been spent. 
This is obviously a financial disaster for Chicago; and current Mayor Rahm Emanuel has questions. The former United States congressman, who served six years representing Illinois and was later chief of staff for President Barack Obama, has ordered an independent audit of the parking meters deal. Oddly enough, former Mayor Daley is now employed by the same firm that helped negotiate that unpopular arrangement with CPM.
Although many perceive this to be a municipal boondoggle that stinks of corruption and which is reportedly contributing to the possible bankruptcy of the city of Chicago, the parking meters debacle is not my reason for today's commentary. It's merely to give you some background and to focus on one part of the deal... BECAUSE...Chicago Parking Meters, who claims their total in lost revenue is 61 million dollars, is now demanding the city pay them even more big bucks and Mayor Emanuel has refused to pay that bill. Chicago's chief executive says, “I do know the parking meter management team now knows there’s a new sheriff in town. Don’t send a bill just thinking we’re going to sign it. And don’t act like you’re in possession of information when the contract calls for something else. Those days are over.” Emanuel has talked tough before about parking meters in his city. But the mayor says he’s doing more now than just talking.
Meanwhile, Chicago Parking Meters insists they have lost money and are accusing City Hall of taking meters out of service and for providing FREE PARKING TO HANDICAPPED DRIVERS. As part of the CPM invoice, the company wants to be reimbused for two years of free parking that people with disabled parking placards or license plates have gotten. But according to Chicago law, those citizens with handicapped placards or plates do not have to pay to park.
In California - anywhere in the entire state - a disabled person is allowed to park in any metered parking space without being required to pay meter fees. Besides Chicago...laws in some other major U.S. cities permit vehicles that display a handicapped license plate or mirror placard to park for free at any city parking meter.
I have been reading ridiculous remarks and hearing horrible criticism from some people - not only who live in Chicago, but from all over the United States - who want to gripe about handicapped individuals in Chicago - and in certain locations elsewhere - who don't have to pay to park their cars. Their words are vicious and downright wicked.
One person said he wanted to "see a person's wheelchair before being given permission to park in a handicapped spot." Disabled parking placards are not only granted to people who cannot walk. They are given to cancer patients, and others, who have difficulty breathing when walking longer distances.
Another comment came from someone who said, "What about the rich guy who can pay for the parking? Why should that person park for free?
It's true that a more affluent individual could perhaps afford to pay for the parking. Do you really intend to start asking people for their tax returns in order to give them a handicapped sticker?
Another person said, "I've been giving to 'Jerry's Kids' all my life. That doesn't mean they can park for free."
People who make these types of comments make me sick.
The amount of money a person donates is not what makes someone charitable. Charity is not defined by the amount of money you give, but by the love that is included with it when you give it. A person who gives ten dollars, when he barely has enough money to buy food for himself, is a hell of a lot more charitable than the person who gives one thousand dollars and then bitches that he wants something back. That's not being charitable. That's being an ass.
I am absolutely amazed - in a nation built on its freedoms - that there are people in this country, who can be as cruel as those who are chastising the disabled. I'm tired of people who want to attack others because someone less fortunate is getting something for free. What is this country coming to?
And what about disabled veterans...and the sacrifices they have made for each and everyone of us in our country? Should they not be given a pass to park free either? Don't get me started on that one.
As we come closer to completing the year 2012 - and the entrance in to 2013 - believe me, I know - we all have our troubles. No matter how poor - or how wealthy - none of us lack problems of one sort or another. That said, however...persons with disabilities - no matter what kind they are - have disadvantages in their lives that complicate any other problems that the average person may be experiencing.
Life itself may not be as enjoyable for someone with a handicap. Something as simple - and as routine for most people - such as using a toilet - may be a mission that is nearly impossible - for a person who is disabled. So big, frigging deal if that person gets to park closer to a store and gets to do so for free.
If a person with a disability is required to pay for a handicapped parking space, it might take that individual 10, 15, maybe even 20 minutes or more to get from his or her car to the establishment they are trying to reach. By the time they get started with their shopping or other business activities, they practically have to turn around, walk another 10, 15 or 20 minutes or more back to their vehicle, so they can plop more money in to the parking meter; in order to then make another trek back to the place they need to be, so they can finish what they came there to do nearly an hour before. Come on world - give these good people a break!
To top it off - depending on the state - license plates purchased by the handicapped can cost considerably more than regular plates. The plates themselves are not free. So a disabled person is already paying more than the average driver - just to tag the car.
Can we please respect those who need a helping hand? The lives of people with disabilities are difficult enough. Are those of you who object to free parking for the handicapped that shallow and that unkind? Must you be so insensitive, so inconsiderate, so inhumane?
The next time you go to the mall or elsewhere; and it's necessary for you to park your car at a meter, put on your "I Care" cap...and give those Americans who are less fortunate...a smile...instead of a scowl.
Some of you who are that callous...have got to grow a heart. You were born with one. What happened?
And that's The Controversy for today.
I'm Gary B. Duglin.
Copyright 2012 Gary B. Duglin and TheControversy.net. All Rights Reserved.
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