The Editor,
I drove into Richmond Oct. 27 at 8 a.m. from Langley to attend a WorkSafeBC appointment. I missed the turn into the parking lot from Westminster Hwy., so turned right onto Elmbridge and couldn’t enter the lot that way. So, I took another right and it became clear to me that I was lost.
The road was very wide, but all parking spots were full, so I pulled over where it was safe to look at Google Maps on my phone in order to find my way back to Westminster Hwy. Today, I received a $70 parking ticket for parking next to a yellow curb. I was only pulled over long enough to load up the map and to figure out where I must go, about 2.5 minutes. Is there no humanity from Richmond bylaw officers that they cannot help a lost citizen? I needed help, not a $70 ticket. Would it have been a different outcome if I had pulled out a massive tourist paper map and was looking all about?
Would the officer have helped me then? Shame on you City of Richmond, I have three kids and just had shoulder surgery. I just needed a helping hand. Paying this ticket will be the last dollars I ever spend in Richmond.
Christine Cellier
Langley
