Dear Editor:

Kamloops hospital parking has the top two levels reserved for staff. Fair enough. On the first level, there is a reserved infirm parking spot. About six weeks ago, we had reason to attend the hospital. Upon nearing the reserved spot, a hospital employee, name unknown, told us it was OK to park in the reserved spot. We park for about one hour. We paid for that one hour and received a receipt, leaving the hospital with no problem.

On Aug. 9 at 10:30 a.m., we parked in the same spot. It was raining very hard, so we hid for inside. Our vehicle displayed an infirm sign, duly registered. We memorized the number of the spot, which was 654. We punched in the number at the pay machine, which was $5, covering about three hours. We did not receive a receipt for the money, and no receipt means you did not pay.

If a dispute came up whether you did or did not pay, it generates a problem. Is it possible that the parking spot number meant something? Well, we found out very quickly as we approached our vehicle. A weather-protected notice on the windshield left no doubt about whether we had been had! The notice said “you have no authority to park in this spot, therefore, you are fined $30 if you pay within three days, or $70 when three days expire.” Hey, we got you, huh?

Knowing full well a credit rating would be attached, we paid the $30 and decided to voice our dislike to the public. Beware, it’s a trap.

Stan Rowland
Merritt