It Was a Cloudy, Rainy Day...

Ann Mendez, an elderly Point Loma woman, has been on a tiresome crusade, appealing a parking citation for failing to curb her wheels.

According to Mendez, she parked on Voltaire Street near Chatsworth Boulevard on a cloudy and rainy day and there were no visible signs indicating that vehicles should curb their wheels. Mendez says that she tried to appeal her ticket several times but has continuously been rebuffed by the City. After failed appeals, she says her fine has increased to a point that it would be difficult to pay on her fixed income.

On March 23, she appeared before the San Diego City Council to speak about her situation during the non-agenda public-comment portion of the meeting and to ask the city council for assistance.

“This is totally senseless,” stated Mendez. “There is no curb to put your wheels to, the sidewalk and the street are level.” Mendez mentioned that she later noticed the level sidewalk was stamped with a notice to curb wheels (this length of Voltaire is on a moderate grade).

“Nobody can see it. It’s stamped on a dirty sidewalk.” Mendez asked the city council to send her to someone who can see the irrationality of enforcement of the fine.

Councilmember Carl DeMaio noted that he has heard about similar concerns from other constituents. He asked that her comments be directed to the city attorney’s office and told her that she would be contacted shortly.