Designated parking spaces for hybrid vehicles?


Published on Sunday, November 1, 2009 1:49 PM MST

Editor:

Recently I had occasion to stop by the newly remodeled U.S. Forest Service building to pick up an item. Its location at the corner of Eighth Street and 14th Avenue also houses the Bureau of Land Management and the V.A. Clinic.

Upon entering the public parking lot in front of the building, I was dazed to see that eight of the 16 spaces were designated for handicap and hybrid vehicle parking only (four each)!

I accept the need for handicap parking, but can you believe four spaces for hybrid vehicle parking only? Give me a break! Is it just me, or is allocating 33-1/3 of its parking spaces to hybrids a little overkill, crazy and unnecessary? Do we even have that many hybrids in our entire area, much less all of them being there at the same time? Only government!

If you want a big laugh and (care to) see stupidity at its highest, go by the facility and check it out. If you find it as offensive as I do, call your representatives and tell them to quit trying to cram this Al Gore baloney down our throats and to provide a few "only" signs for our gas guzzlers and diesel trucks.

Marty Allred

Safford

Comments

23 comment(s)

    Russ wrote on Nov 9, 2009 4:32 PM:

    " Might I suggest that we divide the United States up into two areas? One for the hard driving, gas guzzling, heavy metal pounding, lifted 4x4's (such as my own) and the other for those sissyfied hybrids that get 40 mpgs but can't handle mud bogging, going through rivers, climbing over rocks or other really cool things. We will take everything but the cities and the rest of you can have whats left. Seems fair because you need paved roads wherever you go anyway. (Am mostly just kidding. So relax!) "

    Earth First wrote on Nov 9, 2009 1:44 PM:

    " Why would you hate a vehicle? Is it because your vehicle is part of the problem that is ruining the world for generations to come instead of being part of the solution? You need to get with the program. It's people like you who think they can do whatever harm to the Earth without any consequences that really turn my insides out. If you don't want to help keeping our Earth green, that's one thing, but to attempt to stop others from doing so is criminal. "

    Oh Please wrote on Nov 9, 2009 1:40 PM:

    " To Hybrid Hater,

    And then the hybrid owner will laugh all the way to the bank as you go to jail. Go ahead and do your worst. It is you that will have to pay for it. One, with the money to purchase a brand new hybrid or, hopefully, fully electric vehicle, and two, with a jail sentence for your ignorant act. Some people in this Valley appear to have never evolved past the Neanderthal stage of human development. "

    Hybrid hater wrote on Nov 9, 2009 9:13 AM:

    " Thats the gov. for you. Always thinking of a new and better way to screw over the honest, hardworking citizen. All those hybrids should be junked and sold for scrap and the money given back to us. Good thing I have a huge grill gaurd on my chevy 4x4 cause if i see one in a space I want Ill just ram it out of the way. Watch me. "

    To disgusted wrote on Nov 4, 2009 7:42 AM:

    " What would be your excuse if we were to use our own oil instead of buying it from foreign countries that are hostile to the United States.

    I would have to say that your attitude is a big part of the problem.

    It seems your ignorance is exceeded only by your illiteracy. "

    Black Smoke wrote on Nov 3, 2009 6:09 PM:

    " Hey disgusted I would like to see you tell the vicitms of 911 or any service member past or present that this war is over oil. Funny how Americans forget really quick. Were you one of the ones ready to stand up and fight, or run and hide? "

    Russ wrote on Nov 3, 2009 5:57 PM:

    " My big Dodge 4x4 Quad Cab has never ever intentionally or otherwise hurt, maimed, or killed a two legged creature. If parking ever becomes a problem I will just park on top of a hybrid. "

    disgusted wrote on Nov 3, 2009 12:41 PM:

    " you sir a a shining example of what is wrong in this country. your gas guzzling diesel truck helps get young americans shot, killed and permanently disfigured each and every day in iraq and afganistan in our never ending war to protect our oil interests. educatate yourself before you speak hillbilly! idiot. "

    Well... wrote on Nov 3, 2009 9:57 AM:

    " I love my Hybrid car. Never any trouble at all in almost two years. I also love my Yukon Denali. Best car I ever drove and would choose it over the Hybrid any day, but on a fixed income and high gas prices, the Hybrid is just common sense. "

    Black Cloud wrote on Nov 3, 2009 9:55 AM:

    " I must apologize for Bwana. I think he may have choked on some of my diesel exhaust. Haha. "

    LEED Comprehension wrote on Nov 2, 2009 11:34 PM:

    " Diane, I must be missing something. If federal guidlines require a certain amount of parking spaces meet "LEED" guidelines, then how can BLM/FS/VA ignore them? By your own admission, the building landlord was compelled to adhere to these rules, regardless if they made any sense or not.

    I realize it's another stupid government mandate, and the LEED acronym should more appropriately stand for another "Ludicrous Enforced Environmental Directive" from the same congrress that brought us a 2000 page healthcare bill.

    Maybe they didn't take the time to read the LEED bill either. "

    Ed wrote on Nov 2, 2009 8:30 PM:

    " Here's a good example of what Obama has in store for the future. Eventually it will be mandatory for all cars to be electric even though they are not really environmently friendly. Just another cog in the machinery of total control of our lives by the government. "

    jdp wrote on Nov 2, 2009 6:53 PM:

    " 4 out of 16 spaces is 25%, not 33-1/3%. nevertheless, privileged parking for hybrids is the stupidest thing i've ever heard of. "

    Hybrid Chicanery wrote on Nov 2, 2009 3:53 PM:

    " Sounds like gas and diesel powered vehicle owners are being discriminated against by the hybrid crowd. Think maybe there's somekind of vehicular civil rights chicanery going on here. Looks like a job for the ACLU.

    Gas and diesel owners of the world unite. You having nothing to lose but your parking space! "

    Saving Gas wrote on Nov 2, 2009 1:05 PM:

    " If hybrid vehicles get such great mileage shouldn't they be required to park further away from the building and let the less fuel efficient vehicles park closer? In the interest of saving gas, of course. "

    Look it up wrote on Nov 2, 2009 12:47 PM:

    " It has been proven that the damage caused to the environment from just making the parts for one hybrid is more than all the damage that a full size suv including a H2 Hummer can do. Yes it has been proven. Just look it up. "

    Diane wrote on Nov 2, 2009 12:46 PM:

    " I work in the BLM/FS/VA building and wanted to provide some background information about the parking area. The areas for hybrid vehicles were established by the building owner, not our agencies, and we have no control over them. We have the same situation in our employee parking lot. The building owner designated the hybrid spaces to comply with requirements for federal offices and adjacent areas to meet LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) guidelines, which include ways to save energy, water, and other resources. We, as agencies, will not enforce the hybrid parking areas. We're all too busy working! "

    Black Cloud wrote on Nov 2, 2009 12:44 PM:

    " Its becasue the Govt is now ran by a bunch of tree hugging hippies. I would like to get my 4x4 diesel and blow a bunch of black smoke on those hybrid hippie made cars "

    AZ wrote on Nov 2, 2009 9:30 AM:

    " continued...where they shouldnt be. Look at the Walmart parking lot for instance. A LOT of people park in the striped areas and those are NOT parking spaces. People who are not handicap park in the handicap designated spots. So really why have designated spots in the first place. Waist of paint the way I see it. "

    AZ wrote on Nov 2, 2009 9:28 AM:

    " I've seen desinated parking for expecting mothers too. Now that one and the handicap parking I can understand. But special parking for Hybrid owners, come on! I don't drive a gas guzzler, infact my car gets about 28 mpg. How about making special parking spaces for mothers with kids? Or even spaces really up close just for "lazy" people? I mean seriously folks, just stick to the handicap parking only. And even at that what difference does it make to desinate ANY parking in this town. The police do not enforce it if someone non handicapped is parked..continued "

    UFO Parking wrote on Nov 2, 2009 8:25 AM:

    " Way to go Marty! Only a government mindset can come up with something that ridiculous. While we're at it, why not set aside a few parking spaces for possible UFO visitors. Never know when they might need some kind of special permit to travel off-road trails.

    On the bright side, at least with their superior technology they would probably leave a smaller carbon footprint. That alone should qualify them for special parking privileges. Maybe Al Gore can make a movie about that and win another Oscar. "

    PimaTwo wrote on Nov 2, 2009 7:46 AM:

    " I'm guessin that the folks that fell for the Hybrid hype already paid for allot of parking spaces.
    My old car get 30+ MPG and doesn't cost me hardly anything to drive since it's paid for. It's a 2002 as well and has an automatic trans so it easy for everyone to actually drive.
    I work on vehicles and i'm telling you the hybrids are not all the reliable. There are parts on that car that will requre a Total Out to be able to afford their replacement.
    Just go full electric. "

    Well... wrote on Nov 1, 2009 10:20 PM:

    " I guess if I drove a big gas guzzling SUV like most people around here do, I would be upset too. But guess what? I drive a Hybrid...50 miles to the gallon and special parking privileges. Life just can't get any better!! "

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