Sep 3, 2014 By Donna Paul Bessken 3 min read

This is not a complaint, rather it is a brief comment on my recent visit to the Uniontown Public Library and the events which followed.

First of all, I am not aware of any other library with parking meters in the lot. I thought “public” meant access for all. Perhaps I was mistaken.

Nonetheless, I put my quarters into the machine, I only had two quarters. After working in the library for about two hours on my church’s bulletin, I found a ticket on the windshield. Oh, great.

The print was tiny, the ink was dim, but the message was clear. I had overstayed my welcome. As I continued to read the very long thin document, I learned that every minute I delayed, my fine could increase at a rate of $5 per hour and more. I now know why people get irked by parking tickets, especially flimsy ones.

It would be easier to pay the total cost of $50. Easier, but not smart.

So I drove off in search of the Uniontown Parking Authority, since the ticket did not tell me where to go to pay it. Hmm.

After driving around several one-way streets, and up and down hills, I found a place to park across from the biggest building around.

I went up the well-worn and slick stairs clinging to the railing. The sheriff’s deputy approved my entry through the metal detector.

I asked him where do I pay my parking ticket?

His first answer was: “Not here. That is city business.”

I replied, “I’m from out of town, where do I need to go before it costs me more to get there?”

He replied, “It’s city business. Go to the police station.”

I asked, “Where?”

Obviously, weary of this long conversation, he said, “Behind this building.”

I asked, “Can I walk through this building to get there?”

Seeming annoyed by my continued presence, he said, “Out that door to the right, down the first street.”

Hmm. At no time was it very busy at his station.

I said,” Thank you” and proceeded to trip down the front courthouse steps. Holding onto the rail saved me. I thought, well, that was good, there will be no need to file a suit to the county for falling down their steps.

Sore from the near tumble, I began counting how many “opportunities to trip” I had between their door and the police station. Twnety-five. I wondered whose sidewalks they were.

Arriving at the police station, I see a sign that says they no longer process parking tickets at this location. Go to City Hall.

OK, now I am feeling like a ping pong ball in somebody’s bad dream.

I enter the building and tell my tale to the officer at the desk.

Slowly and carefully, she read the ticket and said, “I have not seen these new tickets before.”

I asked if I could pay my fine. Thank God, she said, “Yes, I will take care of it for you and deliver it to City Hall.”

I gave her an invisible gold star for being the first friendly person I met in Uniontown. I headed back out into the sun to count the same 25 opportunities to trip as I walked uphill to my car across from the county courthouse.

Thank you, Uniontown, for your memorable welcome.

Peacefully, your new neighbor from Alabama,

Donna Paul Bessken is a resident of Hartsell, Ala., and is planning to relocate to Farmington.