I talked to you regarding your editorial about a complainant in the Rockcliffe area being unfairly targeted for requesting the Town enforce its parking bylaw regarding a tandem axle tractor parked in a driveway on Morningstar Road. As I stated, all is not as it might appear when reading the editorial.
Some years ago I talked with a neighbour and learned the same complainant had solicited support for complaints on other matters; I suspect this may have happened with neighbours who live in the immediate vicinity of the owners of the tandem tractor.
This unit is on the highway more than it is parked, however, the owner complied with the bylaw and moved the unit. I imagine there is a cost and inconvenience to the owner for parking in a commercial lot and travelling back and forth to home at the start and end of his trips.
Interestingly, I recently saw another tractor unit parked elsewhere and began to reflect on the arbitrary way our Town enforces bylaws. The mayor’s recent comment that the Town is not legally obliged to enforce its bylaws is a lame excuse to justify the lack of enforcement.
All services come at a cost; however, not enforcing bylaws comes at a moral cost. A double standard is established which enables irresponsible people to routinely benefit from their transgressions while those who comply are at a disadvantage by comparison. Why should reasonable people obey laws when others appear to disobey them with impunity?
Pat Hampson, Oliver
