NO PARKING SIGN MEANS LAWYERS TOO

CHARLESTON, Mo. -- As far as the Mississippi County Commission is concerned, the 30-minute parking signs around the courthouse apply to everyone, and anyone parking in a 30-minute space around the courthouse longer than that deserves to pay their ticket even lawyers.

Commissioners reviewed a letter from Charleston's city manager, David Brewer, during Thursday's meeting which said city police have begun issuing parking tickets to those who misuse the 30-minute spaces.

According to Brewer, however, it was suggested by a judge that a ticket issued to a lawyer be rescinded because he was in court at the time.

Brewer sarcastically asked the commission if the signs needed to be changed to read "30-minute parking only -- except for lawyers." Jim Blumenberg, presiding commissioner, said the commissioners themselves and the other county officers and employees must walk a bit further to their cars to comply with the signs and see no reason why attorneys or anyone else should be exempted. The enforcement is, however, "out of our hands," said Blumenberg.

Richard Couch, director of public safety, said that it is not within his power to "rip up" a ticket, and that as far as he knows the citation was sent with the other tickets to the city attorney.

The letter from Brewer also said the prison construction company had been reminded of their obligation to maintain their property's ditch and advised the ditch should be shaped before the road alongside it is finished.