New
Year will bring higher parking fines
BY JAMES RADA JR.
Thurmont News Editor
THURMONT,
Md. – The Thurmont Town Commissioners voted to raise parking
fines in May 2004. In January 2007, the new fines will finally
go into effect.
In the
nearly three years between the two dates, the fines have remained
unchanged because while the commissioners believed the fines
had been increased, an ordinance was needed to fully enact
the change.
“[Former
Police Chief] Terry Frushour didn’t do anything because
he said an ordinance was needed,” said Mayor Martin
Burns. “He was supposed to draft the ordinance, but
then he left.”
And the
increase fell into limbo until the issue was raised once again
with the Police Commission. When the commission decided to
look into recommending the fines be increased, Town Commissioner
Bill Blakeslee remembered the commissioners having done something
about it.
“We
approved it, but it needs an ordinance to implement,”
Blakeslee said.
A little
research uncovered that the commissioners had voted in May
2004 to increase parking fines. The fine will be increased
from $5 to $10 and if the vehicle has not been moved after
two hours, a second $30 ticket (total $40) will be issued.
Current
Police Chief Greg Eyler is working on a draft ordinance for
the commissioners’ approval.
“I’m
hoping we can begin enforcing it sometime at the beginning
of the year,” Eyler said.
