This letter is response to the sidewalk parking issues on Marco.
After reading all the recent interviews, columns and comments pertaining to the issues, there was very little mentioned in any of them about all the sidewalk parking laws and ordinances that exist. Then listing to the comments made at the Oct. 5 City Council meeting on this issue, made by councilman and public speakers, it was made very clear that the majority of them have no idea about all the laws that prohibit sidewalk parking.
This is a 24/7 out of control sidewalk parking situation on Marco Island, it is nothing new, it’s been going on the entire 20 years I’ve lived here and gets worse every year. (I live here 365 days a year).
My interest in this situation and comments are based on first hand life experiences, common sense, real facts and the law.
I’m not writing this letter to offend friends, neighbors and council nor am I trying to upset anyone. But I’m tired of being made to feel like a second class citizen, you Islanders don’t walk your dogs in the street to poop, well I’m not going to be forced in the streets anymore to push my wheelchair, because of inconsiderate narrow minded individuals who think there’s absolutely nothing wrong with parking automobiles, motorcycles, etc. on and over our sidewalks.
According to Webster’s dictionary a sidewalk and a driveway are defined as:
Sidewalk: A Paved Walkway for pedestrians at the side of a street. Date 1739. Sometimes called a pavement defined as a: A paved surface: artificially covered surface of a public thoroughfare. Date 13th Century.
Driveway: A private road giving Access from a public way to a building on abutting grounds. Date 1871.
Therefore Webster’s definitions of theses two words when put together, with a little common sense and logic, in my opinion tell us that, to go into or out of a driveway, one must go over a public way and a sidewalk is a defined as a paved public walkway for pedestrians, who are the public. I hate to inform you all whether you like it or not there are laws that strictly prohibit the obstruction of public walk ways, by parking automobiles, motorcycles etc. on and over the sidewalks in any way shape or form, you will be violating theses laws.
I know it requires at least a PhD in information technology theses days to figure out that two plus two equals four. What I did not realize was how many people are unable to decipher the fact that you are not in your driveway until you have passed over a public walkway-sidewalk, notice I didn’t call it your sidewalk. If theses definitions are wrong, I guess Marco Island must have its own dictionary that I’m unaware of, if there is such a special dictionary would someone please send me one ASAP, I’ll pay for it. Once again I’m not trying to harass, insult, or make people feel stupid when it comes to this issue you people have already done enough of that on your own.
In reading the latest controversy written on this subject, I see that Islanders are now blaming Police Chief Carr saying he didn’t Educate Islanders enough on this sidewalk parking subject and Councilman Chuck Kiester tells Islanders not to blame the recent parking law crackdown on our police nor Code Enforcement officers. They were simply following orders given by City Council to get tough on violations of our already existing laws/ordinances.
It boggles my mind how anyone who is in possession of a legal drivers license can say they’ve never been educated on sidewalk parking laws and ordinances, when every drivers manual from every state in our nation has a section on where parking is not allowed!
Trust me on this one residents and City Council you do not have a leg to stand on if you try in any way shape or form to change the sidewalk parking laws.
Charles J. McKenna
Marco Island
Scripps Interactive Newspaper Group
©2010 The E.W. Scripps Co.