What kind of logic lets somebody run up a $1,440 parking ticket tab?

Why should we feel sorry for someone who has run up a $1,440 parking ticket bill?

We’re told that a man who works in downtown Lawrence has such a long list of parking violations that he’s having to whittle away, we hope, to settle a bill of around $1,440. He contends he needs to park near his work. So he gets overdue notices and then doesn’t deal with them.

What about the hundreds of other people who work or shop or frequent metered locations in Lawrence and dutifully feed the meters? Why should they have any sympathy for someone who doesn’t?

The man with the huge bill contends he’s being teased and that some are even criticizing him. All well and good. He merits some kind of derision along with being forced to pay up.

So there are limited parking options in the fellow’s work area. Others deal with that every day in a legal manner. He complains that others who have run up big parking ticket bills no longer live here and have skipped out without paying. Let’s hope traffic officers are on the alert if they happen to return and will serve them warrants.

What kind of thinking allows somebody to run up a $1,440 parking ticket bill? We’re supposed to show any sympathy for him, or consider him some kind of anti-hero because he’s been bucking “the system”?

No pity or admiration is due. Just pay up, please.