Pubdate: Sun, 04 Jul 2010 Source: Missoulian (MT) Copyright: 2010 Missoulian Contact: http://www.missoulian.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/720 Author: Joyce Chicoine PARKING, POT, MORE ARE PROBLEMS When I'm driving around Missoula or walking in my neighborhood, I have thoughts about things that need to be changed or cause some of us to be irritated. I'm talking about local issues or things people do that ruin our city's appearance, make it unsafe or just aren't fair. Something that frequently bothers me is the way people park in parking lots. I usually look for a spot where I can fit into the space provided and have easy access getting in and out of the car. When I come out of a store, it's not unusual to find someone has parked next to me over the line and I can't get inside my car without difficulty. A few times I've left a note on the other car complaining about their parking. Worse than that is a large pickup parking at an angle taking up two parking spaces. Then we have the people who are so lazy they can't take their shopping carts back to the store or leave them in a space provided. How often have you been unable to park in a spot because a shopping cart is left sitting there? Totally inconsiderate, I'd say. Why would anyone want to legalize marijuana? Do we really need more drug-saturated people driving on our streets or living next door? No matter what anyone says, weed alters the mind and smoking a lot of it changes all sensible and normal thinking and reasoning. Crimes that have occurred since medical marijuana was legalized in our state, shows me that our courts, police and government have added another form of criminal and social problems to our already overburdened system. The name medical marijuana does not impress me, but instead opens more doors for breaking the law and makes us all less safe. Isn't drunken driving enough to deal with in Montana. Think about someone driving who is not only drunk but using pot. When I moved to Missoula, I was surprised by the number of people using the sidewalks for a bike path. I always thought sidewalks were designed for pedestrians. How did the casual cyclist decide it's for their use? One of my neighbors who is visually impaired likes to walk for health reasons, but has to use the familiar route of a nearby sidewalk. Twice she has been hit and knocked down by a careless cyclist. It's common when coming out of the Missoula Senior Center to jump back to avoid a speeding cyclist who is using the sidewalk for their path. Many times when I've been walking and two to three young people on bikes approach me on the sidewalk, I refuse to move over for them to pass. I've been called names and sometimes threatened. Never have I seen a policeman tell a cyclist that he is not supposed to be riding on the sidewalk. Missoula has a large number of cars and trailers parked in front of houses or apartments for weeks or months. In some areas, they are permanently parked or abandoned. This is a major problem and ruins the look of a neighborhood and takes up available parking places. Along with the use of streets for storage of vehicles is the problem of people dumping trash, furniture and garbage in an alley or sometimes in a front yard. This is dangerous, unsightly and takes up needed space. If there are laws on the books, I don't think they are enforced and this makes our city less desirable and less safe. I hope you are someone who cares enough to call the local city offices if someone is destroying your neighborhood or using the streets for storage. The phone number for illegally parked cars is 552-6293 and for trailers it's 552-6300. The number for illegally dumped trash is 258-4755. If you have specific issues, you may have to ask for other phone numbers. I would love to hear from you if you have similar thoughts. I live here because I love the natural beauty and scenery of Missoula and hate to see it destroyed or damaged by people who just don't care. It doesn't hurt to pick up trash when walking or do anything possible to keep our city and streets clean and uncluttered. What do you think? - --- MAP posted-by: Matt