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

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.

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?

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. 

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.

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.

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.

You don't win friends with:

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

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.