Man of Harveys
Well-known member
FFS - everyone moans about how unresponsive local authorities are, especially with something as draconian as dishing out parking tickets. But, when they try to crack a joke (and really - read it, it's not offensive at ALL) big and little diddums end up sobbing to the Argus about it.
It's pathetic and infuriating - whatever one's view of the parking regime in B+H, the individuals administering it are, by and large, helpful, in my experience of them.
Sick joke’ has mother fuming
By Charles Whitney
Laurie Ward with baby Rose
Motorist Laurie Ward was chuffed when she was let off a parking ticket after explaining her child being sick had delayed her.
But she wasn't so pleased when a council letter demanded: "Could you please make sure your daughter only vomits within your pay and display time in future?"
Miss Ward, 30, of Holmes Avenue, Hove, said: "I didn't know whether they were taking the mickey or not. Either way, it's a lousy way to treat people."
Brighton and Hove City Council last night issued a grovelling apology but insisted the comment was meant to be "light-hearted".
continued...
Miss Ward was 13 minutes late getting back to her car in May because her baby daughter Rose had been sick.
When she got to her car in Cromwell Road, Hove, the parking attendant saw how pale 21-month-old Rose was and told Miss Ward to write to Brighton and Hove City Council and ask for the ticket to be revoked.
The council agreed to cancel the ticket but made the bizarre plea at the end of the letter.
It was signed by parking services processing officer David Crowder on behalf of Jenny Rowlands, the council's director of environment.
Miss Ward said she was stunned at the council's lack of professionalism.
She said: "The parking attendant was lovely and really helpful but I don't think the letter was funny at all.
"I think it was an attempt at a sense of humour but they didn't know who they were writing to, I could have been anyone. This is not the way I expect to be treated by a public body."
A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said: "Given the circumstances behind Miss Ward's delay in returning to her vehicle we have decided to cancel her parking ticket.
"The comments made in the letter we sent her informing Miss Ward of this were intended to be light-hearted.
"We apologise without reserve if any offence was taken."
It's pathetic and infuriating - whatever one's view of the parking regime in B+H, the individuals administering it are, by and large, helpful, in my experience of them.
Sick joke’ has mother fuming
By Charles Whitney
Laurie Ward with baby Rose
Motorist Laurie Ward was chuffed when she was let off a parking ticket after explaining her child being sick had delayed her.
But she wasn't so pleased when a council letter demanded: "Could you please make sure your daughter only vomits within your pay and display time in future?"
Miss Ward, 30, of Holmes Avenue, Hove, said: "I didn't know whether they were taking the mickey or not. Either way, it's a lousy way to treat people."
Brighton and Hove City Council last night issued a grovelling apology but insisted the comment was meant to be "light-hearted".
continued...
Miss Ward was 13 minutes late getting back to her car in May because her baby daughter Rose had been sick.
When she got to her car in Cromwell Road, Hove, the parking attendant saw how pale 21-month-old Rose was and told Miss Ward to write to Brighton and Hove City Council and ask for the ticket to be revoked.
The council agreed to cancel the ticket but made the bizarre plea at the end of the letter.
It was signed by parking services processing officer David Crowder on behalf of Jenny Rowlands, the council's director of environment.
Miss Ward said she was stunned at the council's lack of professionalism.
She said: "The parking attendant was lovely and really helpful but I don't think the letter was funny at all.
"I think it was an attempt at a sense of humour but they didn't know who they were writing to, I could have been anyone. This is not the way I expect to be treated by a public body."
A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said: "Given the circumstances behind Miss Ward's delay in returning to her vehicle we have decided to cancel her parking ticket.
"The comments made in the letter we sent her informing Miss Ward of this were intended to be light-hearted.
"We apologise without reserve if any offence was taken."
