To the editor:

On Tuesday I attended a prebid meeting held at the water treatment plant office on Wakarusa Drive. Many others attended, which completely filled the small parking lot in front of the building. All the spots were taken except the one designated for handicapped drivers. As I was entering the building, a city utility department pickup truck swung into the handicapped parking spot. As they entered the building, the driver and passenger openly joked about being handicapped although obviously neither man was.

On Wednesday, I witnessed a city parking meter attendant at Eighth and Vermont streets begin to write a ticket for a car that was parked at an expired meter when the owner of the car approached, greeted the attendant and exchanged a slight hug. After a few minutes of friendly conversation the attendant stood and waited for the owner of the car to enter the vehicle, dig out a coin and put it in the meter. They exchanged another slight hug and parted company.

I have worked downtown for years. I have seen this particular parking meter attendant issue tickets in the past even while the owner of the vehicle was rushing to approach and feed the meter. The ticket is always issued, however.

I believe that these events reflect a level of arrogance that some of our city employees enjoy openly flaunting. Unless you drive a city-owned vehicle or share a friendship with a parking attendant, you’d better just keep obeying the laws.

John Galt, Lawrence