By: Dylan Ray Major
The parking boot has caused frustration to the community of Buckhannon.
Photo by: Robbie Skinner
Parking in Buckhannon has been an issue for years now but it has been more of an issue lately. Parking is its own game here because there really is not anywhere to park on Main Street when people in the community are trying to go to local stores and or businesses. A lot of people do not know this but there is a city ordinance that says you cannot be parked in city limits after 3am to 6am. There are other many ordinances in the city as well, like you can only park in certain directions on the street; you can only park in certain marked areas if authorized, and many more.
The city has had the boot for years now and seems they only use it at certain times though. The majority of the time when they use it is when people have been parked in one spot for too long and or if a business has complained numerous times about a car parked for too long. They will also boot your vehicle for parking in unauthorized areas as well. A common spot people get booted at is the little side parking lot near Stonetower. People think it is okay to park there but that parking is strictly for people who work in one of the local office buildings. The only other serious time cars get booted is when there are parades in the city because the streets need to be 100% cleared off. The community is warned days/ weeks in advance not to park on the street. Their car either gets the boot or gets towed for failing to follow the city ordinances.
In order to get your boot off of your vehicle you have to pay a fine and call the street department and have them come out and take it off. The fine will vary depending where your car is parked with the boot on it and it will depend how many times your car has been booted.
Overall, the street department does not just boot people to boot them, they do it because people have broken the law and they have been authorized to boot the car. The parking boot has been around for years and it is more used to get the point across that your car will be booted if you break any of the city street ordinances. Therefore, just park where your vehicle is authorized to park and you will be fine at the end of the day. If your car does get the boot on it do not be difficult to call the street department and be cooperative and they will send you on our way.
I interviewed Autumn Molenhouse about the parking boot and this is what she had to say.
Why did you get the parking boot?
Molenhouse: “I parked in a no parking zone by Stone Tower but I thought I would be fine because I have parked there the last three years and never even got warned.”
How did you get the boot off?
Molenhouse: “I had to call the boot people and they came and took it off for me.”
What were the consequences?
Molenhouse: “All I had to do was pay a $125 fine and they took it off.”
What have you learned from this and do you have any advice for others?
Molenhouse: “I learned to watch where I park and make sure it is not a no parking zone and my advice to others would be watch your surroundings and do not be dumb.”
THE PHAROS 
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