No parking zone?

Students surprised to find tickets on cars

by RYAN WHEELER
staff writer

New lot, same story.

The cry by some students for more parking seemed to be answered last month.

A recently demolished pawn shop left a bare spot of dirt and a side strip of pavement behind on the corner of Third Avenue and 16th Street. Marshall students eager for more space moved in almost immediately, filling up the empty side strip with 10 to 15 cars a day.

Monday afternoon students returned to those cars to find that dreaded tan paper flapping under the wipers of each car.

Wellsburg senior January Vargo was livid at the sight.

"Tell me where there is a sign that says no parking," she said. "This is ridiculous. Look at all the spots open in the teachers lot and we get ticketed here."

The Pinkerton Security officer handing out tickets stated the strip did not have any yellow lines designating parking places.

Jim Terry, director or public safety, said the lot was not available for parking when the pawn shop owned it and did not become available after Marshall purchased the land.

"Students know that is a Marshall lot. If they don't have a permit, they can't park there," he said.

That did not change anything for Vargo.

"I've parked here since they tore the building down and have not received a ticket until today."

Terry said the cars have been ticketed before.

"When the pawn shop owned it, they towed you," he said. "This is a Marshall lot."

Students who receive tickets can appeal at the Parking Office behind the Joseph M. Gillette Welcome Center on Third Avenue.