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Topic: Not a way to win fans: Parking

Topic: Not a way to win fans: Parking

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BillyTheCat
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Member Since: 10/6/2012
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Not a way to win fans: Parking

Posted: 12/18/2013 6:39:12 PM

According to Arkley's Twitter feed, parking services just hooked up OHIO game day staff and UMass radio crew. Kind of sad I can not make the game to see these fireworks! Anyone know where I can find a stream of their broadcast, I bet that will be a hoot!

ts1227
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Member Since: 2/28/2006
Location: Tallmadge, OH
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RE: Not a way to win fans: Parking

Posted: 12/20/2013 11:18:15 AM

Last Edited: 12/23/2013 6:03:42 PM by ts1227

bobcat695
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Parkersburg, WV
Post Count: 1,345

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RE: Not a way to win fans: Parking

Posted: 12/20/2013 1:35:27 PM

I guess my question is: What does this positively accomplish for Ohio University?

Especially during breaks, there are vast, open parking lots that nobody is using. Successful organizations do not make it difficult for their customers to do business with them. The constant, petty bullsh*t from Parking Services is like having a pile of dog crap by the front door. It's the first thing a visitor experiences and they make a quick judgement about the enitre product.

I received a $20 ticket one time while parking on the top deck of the new Baker Center garage. There was no signage stating that I had to park underneath, nor did the invitation I received state that I needed to park below. The irony is that we were invited to a special donor reception for the College of Business that night. I'm sure the guy writing the ticket thought it was funny to ticket a car with the license plate: OU_1804. I called Parking Services the next day and was told to not even bother appealing the fine. I paid the ticket, then sent a note to the Development Office explaining my next gift would be reduced by $20 for spite.

There has to be some order to parking, including having enough parking for athletic events. There is a ton of room for improvement in that department, starting with the top guy. Their tactics and public relations are as unfriendly as it gets.

"You can't un-fist a fist pump." - Saul Phillips 1/24/15

Bobcat86
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Member Since: 12/20/2013
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RE: Not a way to win fans: Parking

Posted: 12/20/2013 1:46:09 PM

Hello TS1227,

This is Marty Paulins - do I know you? You apparently know me because you publically posted in a way to be interpretted that you do? You posted in regards to cars being towed from under the Convo. Here is a link that I'd like you to see that was put in university communications, media, and social media:

http://www.ohio.edu/compass/stories/13-14/12/Convocation-Parking-Reminder.cfm

You'll see Parking towed cars in accordance with a decision made by OUPD and the Administration - not Parking. We simply do what we are told to do. I'm guessing similar to what you have to do with your employer or boss.

This past spring in Boston changed the way state and federal intelligence agencies view venues and events. OUPD acts upon information and directives they are receiving from these agencies. The vehicle Mr. Arkley references drove past 2 huge signs at the entrance of the Convo parking garage that stated "DO NOT PARK HERE". The event parking manager made several attempts to call individuals within the athletic department that he had cell numbers for to try to find the driver of this vehicle. His phone calls were not returned - but he did go the extra mile before eventually having to tow the car by order of the Police Department.

I always encourage people to give me or my staff a call when they don't understand or have questions concerning parking on campus. Parking only tows or tickets cars when they are in violation of University policy. It is University policy not Marty Paulins or Parking's Policy - University Policy. Our job is to enforce University policy. Its unfortunate when people don't follow the rules. We just do our job daily as you probably do too.

Please feel free to contact me if you ever have any questions. As you can see, there is always more to the story.

Have a happy & safe Holiday season,

Marty Paulins

Director Transportation and Parking Services

Ohio University

740-597-1586 email: paulinsm@ohio.edu

bobcat695
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Location: Parkersburg, WV
Post Count: 1,345

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RE: Not a way to win fans: Parking

Posted: 12/20/2013 1:51:40 PM

No way this thread ends well.

"You can't un-fist a fist pump." - Saul Phillips 1/24/15

Bobcat Love
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
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RE: Not a way to win fans: Parking

Posted: 12/20/2013 2:24:24 PM

This won't be a popular post, but the LOVE sides with Parking Services. 100%.

In my opinion, they don't give enough tickets OR tow enough cars. I listen to some of the insufferable people that attend these games - it's absolutely no surprise they don't know how or where to park their vehicles.

The fact that Marty came on here to answer that personal attack is a stroke of brilliance and well respected in my book.

I'm serious. There aren't any surprises when it comes to where to park and where not to park in Athens. Just because a lot is empty, doesn't mean you have the privilege of parking there. I've been coming to Athens for 19 years now and parking has yet to be an issue. Pretzels, yes. Parking, no.

I have NEVER had a problem with this department. I have a parking pass for every game, and wow, no tickets to date. I've gotten one ticket uptown because a meter expired 5 minutes before I got there. I paid it and moved on as I should have. I violated a rule, was punished, and served my time.

Big applause to Marty Paulins and his crew. Keep fighting the good fight.

OU77BCJ
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Member Since: 11/18/2010
Post Count: 83

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RE: Not a way to win fans: Parking

Posted: 12/20/2013 2:33:22 PM

Also agree. Good job Marty. Never have had a problem. Park where directed or my pass allows and go about my business. Guests, students or "athlete" do what is allowed or pay the price. Don't complain about breaking rules.

Bobcat Grad 86
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RE: Not a way to win fans: Parking

Posted: 12/20/2013 4:05:19 PM

They were probably running behind because they were at Peden putting another lock on the Ohio Football Equipment Truck while it loaded for the Bowl Game.

Anybody still have the picture of the lock on the wheel of the Truck and the story about all of the players getting parking tickets who had parked at Peden?

Bobcat86
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RE: Not a way to win fans: Parking

Posted: 12/20/2013 4:26:10 PM

Hello Bobcat Grad 86 - I'm glad someone showed me this site today. Yea - the ticketing of the football team was a bad one - student that did it no longer works here :) That one happened about 6 years ago and I had been here for about a month - processes changed quickly.

Boot on equipment truck - There had been a complaint filed with the Office of Civil rights against the university about genral accessablilty for those with disabilites. OCR had just visited the campus and one of the fixes they wanted to see was with handicap parking. So handicap parking had become an immediate issue. The equipment truck was repeatly parking in the handicap parking space outside Peden which isn't a violation of University Policy - it is a violation of state and federal law. After several warnings and citations, the parking of the truck in the handcap space continued. It was too big to be towed so it was booted.

It worked out well in the end as Parking and ICA found a solution to put in loading zones for that area (once we worked around all the fire lane restrictions for that area that we got hit with by the Fire Dept)

See - more to the story - Merry Christmas - Marty

Ryan Carey
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RE: Not a way to win fans: Parking

Posted: 12/20/2013 4:26:48 PM

Ryan M. Carey
BBA 2001

Bobcat Love
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
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RE: Not a way to win fans: Parking

Posted: 12/20/2013 4:31:56 PM

This is utterly fantastic.....Next?

Alan Swank
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Member Since: 12/11/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 7,234

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RE: Not a way to win fans: Parking

Posted: 12/20/2013 4:41:43 PM

I'm with Love and 77 on this one - line up and take your medicine boys. Probably the same folks who are against red light and speed cameras. Follow the rules and you won't have a problem or get a ticket. We may have to rename Marty - Paul Harvey - the rest of the story.

JSF
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Member Since: 1/29/2005
Location: Houston, TX
Post Count: 6,554

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RE: Not a way to win fans: Parking

Posted: 12/20/2013 5:47:20 PM

Bobcat86 wrote:

Boot on equipment truck - There had been a complaint filed with the Office of Civil rights against the university about genral accessablilty for those with disabilites. OCR had just visited the campus and one of the fixes they wanted to see was with handicap parking. So handicap parking had become an immediate issue. The equipment truck was repeatly parking in the handicap parking space outside Peden which isn't a violation of University Policy - it is a violation of state and federal law. After several warnings and citations, the parking of the truck in the handcap space continued. It was too big to be towed so it was booted.

Your solution to something blocking handicap parking was to make sure it couldn't move?

"Loyalty to a hometown or city is fleeting and interchangeable, but college is a stamp of identity."- Kyle Whelliston, One Beautiful Season.

My blog about depression and mental illness: https://bit.ly/3buGXH8

Alan Swank
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Member Since: 12/11/2004
Location: Athens, OH
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RE: Not a way to win fans: Parking

Posted: 12/20/2013 6:34:53 PM

JSF wrote:

Bobcat86 wrote:

Your solution to something blocking handicap parking was to make sure it couldn't move?

Yep and for the short period of time that that might have inconvenienced a handicap parker led to the creation of a loading zone - a win win for all. Maybe, just maybe, this guy knows what he's doing.

Casper71
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Member Since: 12/1/2006
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RE: Not a way to win fans: Parking

Posted: 12/20/2013 6:53:38 PM

I think Alan has the correct answer here. Too bad everyone doesn't work for a win-win situation in regards to many more issues.

Specifically, seems to me the Administration, ICA, Parking and the OUPD should have a pow wow and work something out that is best for all.

During breaks, I tend to agree that enforcing every regulation you have designed for when 20,000 kids are on Campus seems pretty foolish. There ought to be a way for the adults to figure out what makes more sense than ticketing, etc. during breaks when there are tons of empty spots available but one has to walk from a mile away to get to a game. That just seems non common sensical (if there is such a word).

Then again, maybe I am just biased since I will be traveling from Cincy with my son (a Longwood grad) for the game on the 30th and I don't want to walk past 500 empty parking places on the way to the Convo!

Last Edited: 12/21/2013 2:19:01 PM by Casper71

Andrew Ruck
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Member Since: 12/22/2004
Location: Columbus, OH
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RE: Not a way to win fans: Parking

Posted: 12/20/2013 9:46:15 PM

I could be wrong, but I think much of the rage is with the athletic department for not taking the necessary steps to ensure the right people (opponents, players, etc) get equipped with the necessary passes/instructions to avoid these situations...and not so much parking services that are simply enforcing rules.

Andrew Ruck
B.B.A. 2003

OhioStunter
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Member Since: 2/18/2005
Location: Chicago
Post Count: 2,516

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RE: Not a way to win fans: Parking

Posted: 12/20/2013 10:13:53 PM

Marty,
I do not know you. I'm certain that you take your job seriously and follow directives well. But it appears to me that there is a big disconnect between the Athletics Department and your department on where staff, athletes and media can park and/or what passes they need (if any). I'm not blaming any one side, but it sounds to me that perhaps someone from each department should get together on that. This isn't a one-time incident, but appears to be an ongoing issue. And it's an issue where nobody looks good.

I do appreciate you coming on this board to explain the situation. I respect that.

BillyTheCat
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Member Since: 10/6/2012
Post Count: 10,414

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RE: Not a way to win fans: Parking

Posted: 12/20/2013 10:59:34 PM

Alan Swank wrote:

JSF wrote:

Bobcat86 wrote:

Your solution to something blocking handicap parking was to make sure it couldn't move?

My only question on this issue is on a non game day, what is handicapped parking at Peden Stadium? How many handicapped football players and athletes are there.? Also, as proven by a Messenger article earlier this year, all of Parking services handicap spaces were illegally marked and NOT in compliance with the ORC, and not one ticket written would have held up in court.

Last Edited: 12/20/2013 11:09:17 PM by BillyTheCat

BillyTheCat
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RE: Not a way to win fans: Parking

Posted: 12/20/2013 11:05:00 PM

Alan Swank wrote:

JSF wrote:

Bobcat86 wrote:

Your solution to something blocking handicap parking was to make sure it couldn't move?

And also raised contract prices with UPS and FedEx as parking services mandidated that these businesses had to purchase parking passes to make deliveries, these cost were passed back to the University in the contracts, actually costing the University more money for services.

Add in that the football team had to rent buses this week at a cost a few thousand dollars, because football players were NOT allowed to park at Peden as they left for the Bowl Game. Another example of the University charging the University real money that drives up cost and budgets.

Brian Smith (No, not that one)
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RE: Not a way to win fans: Parking

Posted: 12/21/2013 1:15:53 AM

Bobcat Love wrote:

In my opinion, they don't give enough tickets OR tow enough cars.

You don't win friends with:

a) salad
b) parking tickets
c) towing opposing broadcast crew's car
d) salad

Last Edited: 12/21/2013 1:24:03 AM by Brian Smith (No, not that one)

perimeterpost
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Member Since: 7/6/2010
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RE: Not a way to win fans: Parking

Posted: 12/21/2013 2:52:43 AM

MY STATE. MY TEAM.

OUVan
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Location: Bethesda, MD
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RE: Not a way to win fans: Parking

Posted: 12/21/2013 3:21:56 AM

Bobcat Love wrote:

I'm sorry but IMO this is complete crap. You don't tow friggen cars that have never had a parking ticket before if they are parked in an underused lot because they don't have the right parking sticker on December 18th. If you must you ticket these cars. Unless they are blocking traffic or are habitual offenders you don't tow cars. If the UMass broadcasting team makes a habit of stopping in Athens and parking illegally I could understand their vehicle being towed. If they are parking in the middle of Richland Avenue I can understand their car being towed. You are 100% correct that people should know better and should have to pay the price but you have add context into the discussion. When there is nobody in town what is the ugency to tow? The letter of the law says they are in the right. But on December 18th common sense says they are not. On September 18th maybe. And if you don't regularly come to Athens there are surprises when it comes to parking. They aren't a surprise to you because you do it regularly.

This kind of thing happens a lot in the corporate world. You have an entire department that is so hell bent on one measurement that they have lost focus on what their overall purpose is or what they are trying to accomplish. I wasn't in Athens on Wednesday so I may totally in the wrong. Maybe there were a lot of people who had parking passes that couldn't park in their regular spots because of the interlopers. My guess is however that this wasn't the case. Towing cars should not be the default. Just because you can doesn't mean you should.

BillyTheCat
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RE: Not a way to win fans: Parking

Posted: 12/21/2013 4:50:06 AM

The "safety" excuse for towing given by our parking enforcement poster makes me ask a couple of questions. A. Were the areas in question cleared for safety reason? B. were cars that then parked in said area checked by appropriate law enforcement for safety? If yes to A and no to B, how does that practice keep anyone or anything safe. And I will agree, towing a 1st time offender is pretty harsh.

OrlandoCat
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Location: United States
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RE: Not a way to win fans: Parking

Posted: 12/21/2013 7:47:07 AM

Bobcat Grad 86 wrote:

After the Rutgers game in '06 the football team had to fly back to Columbus instead of Parkersburg where they took off from because of heavy fog in the area. We then sat on the plane on the runway for 4 hours while the busses, who were at Parkersburg, drove to Columbus to meet us. We didn't arrive back to campus until very early Sunday morning (I forget the exact time), and to our delight, parking tickets on our cars.

Serveral times after lifting there would be an attendant out there waiting for the clock to strike 6 am so they could ticket our cars. Once we caught somebody trying to put a ticket on our cars prior to 6am.

colobobcat66
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RE: Not a way to win fans: Parking

Posted: 12/21/2013 8:36:40 AM

I don't have a dog in this fight, but is it too much to ask that common sense be used in okaying parking changes after hours or when students are not in session. It would seem to me that parking restrictions be eased during those times so that any pass anywhere could be used. Handicap parking places would probably never change and wouldn't have to because they are not the majority if spaces.
Of course, in a post-9/11 world, safety issues near places with lots of people does come into play, but that can be dealt with as a separate issue.

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