600 tickets for parking in their own driveway

[diggler649]

The title of this news article is misleading. Personally, I don't feel sorry for these people as they are clearly in the wrong.

http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1100817--600-tickets-for-parking-in-their-own-driveway?bn=1


How many parking tickets are one too many?

Twenty, 50, 100? Try 600.

That’s the number of tickets — possibly even more —one Markham couple has accumulated over the past six years, totalling, they say, about $25,000.

“It’s at least a hundred tickets every year,” said Jeffrey Burke, adding most tickets are from “parking in our own driveway. My wife and I feel we are being targeted.” He got two tickets in one day some weeks ago, he said.

Markham officials, however, tell a different story.

Bill Wiles, the town’s bylaw manager, says the couple’s cars have been ticketed for blocking the sidewalk, for encroaching on the street, for parking overnight on the street when it’s not allowed.

“We’ve cautioned them but … I’ve never seen a case like this,” he said.

Burke, 31, his wife Pamela Defino, 30, and their toddler daughter, Vasilika, live in a detached home on Saffron St. in north Markham. Their one-car garage home has a small driveway, split by the sidewalk.

Burke says he can park his truck, a GMC Sierra, between the garage door and the sidewalk but there’s no place for his wife’s car, a BMW SUV. The garage is full of construction equipment, he said, and the SUV would be difficult to park inside it regardless.

That leaves them with no choice but to park the SUV in the space between the sidewalk and road, he said. “The tires are still on the driveway…maybe the bumper sticks out a bit on the street.” But it doesn’t interfere with traffic, he added.

“We don’t want tickets, any tickets … that too for parking in our own driveway but we don’t know what to do,” said Burke, who is in the construction business.

The 600-plus tickets have been written up for eight cars and nine licence plates over the years. The couple says they have explored every alternative, including buying a smaller car. The fines keep coming, Burke said.

There is no overnight street parking allowed in their neighbourhood.

“My wife was in an accident and has still not gone back to work because of it, so we can’t look for relocated parking too,” Burke said. He says he has paid off as much as $23,000 in fines.

Wiles said there are outstanding fines of about $12,000, so far as he knows.

“About 40 per cent are because of the cost that incurred when they didn’t pay or dispute and were convicted in absentia,” he said. That added another $16.50 to a $35 or $40 ticket.

Wiles said he hasn’t been to the home but has seen photos taken by officers issuing tickets where the vehicle was clearly obstructing the road, he said. A number of tickets were issued to a pickup truck that was sticking out well into the road, he said.

The bylaw requires residents not to park in such a way as to obstruct the sidewalk or the road, he said. If the car’s tires are on the sidewalk or the road, there is a good chance of a fine, he said.

“You know, it’s the neighbours who have called up a lot of times to complain,” Wiles said.

For Burke’s neighbours on Saffron St., the news of the accumulated fines came as no surprise.

“They always got the tickets. We see them every morning,” Carmela Viggiani told yorkregion.com.

Viggiani, who lives across the street, says the pickup truck was parked between the sidewalk and the road for a few years. The couple has changed that practice now, she said.

Viggiani says she never complained about the parking issue but can’t understand why her neighbours kept doing it.

“If I got two or three tickets, I would never do that again,” said another neighbour, who didn’t want his name in the paper.

“They had to be fined,” he said. “But they kept parking that way. They should have been tackled a long time ago.”

[Maymybonneliveforever]

There was mention of buying a smaller car so why not put the construction material in a storage facility and park one of the cars in the garage. Wouldn't that be much cheaper then $25,000.00. I heard somewhat "where there's a will, there's a way". If you know that an action will definitely get you a fine, why not find a solution before you get another fine. I guess they don't mind spending away that money.


Thanks for sharing Diggler

[yao416]

Fight it!

[mtseymourguy]

send them to jail. some people are selfish pigs. bumper sticking out on road will kill someone.

[diggler649]

send them to jail. some people are selfish pigs. bumper sticking out on road will kill someone.

LOL. Although a bit extreme, I do agree with you that it's very selfish to block the sidewalk/road. Happens in my hood all the time and I hate having to go onto the road when I'm walking my dog because some selfish noob blocked the sidewalk.

[Ojam]

They use the same excuses that this guy (http://forums.redflagdeals.com/parking-ticket-pay-dispute-1086731/) did in his thread.

[Albin]

LOL. Although a bit extreme, I do agree with you that it's very selfish to block the sidewalk/road. Happens in my hood all the time and I hate having to go onto the road when I'm walking my dog because some selfish noob blocked the sidewalk.

+1. They deserve the tickets for blocking the sidewalk. With $23000 worth of fines, they can easily but that into a down payment to get a bigger house. Such a waste of money.

[Insider]

lol wonder if the point of the article was to illicit sympathy from readers? I sure as hell don't. there are plenty of alternatives. doesn't it go something like, the city owns the driveway between the sidewalk and the road?

[vero95]

either they are dumb or the tickets are tax deductible and cheaper than moving to another house

[ShadowVlican]

send them to jail. some people are selfish pigs. bumper sticking out on road will kill someone.
+1 think of the children!!!

[Winkle]

+1. They deserve the tickets for blocking the sidewalk. With $23000 worth of fines, they can easily but that into a down payment to get a bigger house. Such a waste of money.

Precisely, if they can afford a huge truck, a big expensive SUV and to pay off $23K in fines, they can easily afford the monthly cost of renting a storage facility to put their construction equipment in to free up the garage, or to build a large storage shed in their backyard, or as mentioned, move up to a house with a bigger garage and driveway.

Oh well, I'm sure the city is more then happy to keep slapping them with tickets and collecting the fines.

[golden]

This couple is so stupid of choosing to pay fine instead of using other solutions, such as buying a smaller 2nd car, clear the garage, moving to another place with longer driveway. I do not feel sorry for them one bit. They deserve it.

[vero95]

Precisely, if they can afford a huge truck, a big expensive SUV and to pay off $23K in fines, they can easily afford the monthly cost of renting a storage facility to put their construction equipment in to free up the garage, or to build a large storage shed in their backyard, or as mentioned, move up to a house with a bigger garage and driveway.

Oh well, I'm sure the city is more then happy to keep slapping them with tickets and collecting the fines.

most probably the costs will be the same therefore they do that
also it's more convinient to have the equipment in the garage

[at1212b]

This couple is obviously is messed up, but the funny thing is, they or the paper expected some kind of sympathy.

I'm surprised more people up there aren't experiencing this type of stuff more in Markham which I understand is notorious regarding their by-law parking rules. Not to this extreme but similar.

[Tomy]

lol stupid couple.. im surprised they could afford such a nice place and could afford the fines.

i do have sympathy... for the toddler for having dumb parents :(

[gman]

They are the one who allowed 600 tickets. They could have done a lot before reaching 50 tickets. Trade in the SUV and get a Smart car would fix the problem.

[will888]

Silly story about silly people. If the town is intent on putting an end to this, they should not issue any more tickets unless there is a plan in place to collect. No use wasting other tax payer's money to issue more tickets.

[gherikill]

Why doesn't he park on a angle?

[blakjak]

Just get rid of the cars and take a cab or hire a limo to take you where you need to go. It would probably be cheaper in the long run. :D:D

[Stock R]

Why doesn't he park on a angle?

Neighbours who call that often to ticket someone would probably still complain.

[5dark]

Neighbours who call that often to ticket someone would probably still complain.

Is parking on an angle in your own driveway an offence?

[malecoke]

typical media trying to hype up the story.....what does the mom holding a baby has to do with parking tickets?

[5dark]

600 tickets for parking in the road and sidewalk.

Not such an exciting story. I hope the couple is reading the comment section for this Star sob story.

[rf134a]

They are the one who allowed 600 tickets. They could have done a lot before reaching 50 tickets. Trade in the SUV and get a Smart car would fix the problem.

But anything smaller than an X5 is death trap! Think of the wife! :-0:lol:

[guigz]

Is parking on an angle in your own driveway an offence?

Only a visual one.

[FrogPrince]

Oh no! The poor barbie doll can't fit her BMW in her driveway. What a cruel world!

[time space]

No sympathy - some jail time might smarten them up.

[Jon04CTS]

Trade in the SUV and get a Smart car would fix the problem.

I'd pay $25k in fines before I'd ever buy a Smart.

[calgaryhhr]

Oh no! The poor barbie doll can't fit her BMW in her driveway. What a cruel world!

Barbie doll?? Hardly! Did you see the picture of her in the article. I wouldn't associate her with Barbie.

Anyways, correct me if I am wrong but in many jurisdications isn't it an offence to park a vehicle between the sidewalk and the roadway even if there happens to be an extended driveway segment? I always thought that was case.

[alkaseltzer01]

Barbie doll?? Hardly! Did you see the picture of her in the article. I wouldn't associate her with Barbie.

Anyways, correct me if I am wrong but in many jurisdications isn't it an offence to park a vehicle between the sidewalk and the roadway even if there happens to be an extended driveway segment? I always thought that was case.

Yah, in my area the space between the sidewalk and the road is not considered legal parking. Even if the car fits, does not block the sidewalk or the road. It's not private property but city property. I bet that they've ruffled some feathers in the neighbourhood and people are calling the bylaw officers to ticket them. 200 + comments on thestar.com, mostly agreeing to the fact that they should be ticketed.

[time space]

“We don’t want tickets, any tickets … that too for parking in our own driveway but we don’t know what to do,” said Burke, who is in the construction business.
Ummm... construct a bigger garage?

[diggler649]

Here's another version of the story from Yorkregion.com.

"Hells ya, I'm furious." WTF. Do people still use that slang?



Couple fined $25,000 parking in own driveway

A Markham family says they have received more than $25,000 in parking tickets for parking in their own driveway.
Newlyweds Pamela Defino and Jefferey Burke, who each have a vehicle, moved into their home in the Greensborough neighbourhood in 2005. In that time, Ms Defino, 30, said Markham bylaw officers have unfairly targeted the couple.

“The tally of all the tickets we have gotten is at least $25,000,” she said. “It’s excessive. We’re a young family trying to make ends meet on a single income.”

The detached home on Saffron Street has a small driveway, split by a sidewalk. It’s difficult to park a car in the space between the sidewalk and road without interfering with traffic, Ms Defino said.

625 tickets

The couple, who use their garage for storage, switched to smaller vehicles. But the tickets didn’t stop.
“We want all this stuff to stop. We got tickets coming out of the yin-yang,” she said.

“Hells ya, I’m furious. I can’t even park on my own driveway without getting a ticket.”

Ms Defino doesn’t even begin to estimate the number of tickets she has received. “You do the math,” she said. At $40 a ticket, $25,000 worth of parking tickets works out to about 625 tickets.

Markham bylaw manager Bill Wiles said he has never handled a case like this before. “It’s apparent that they have received the tickets and taken no action to comply,” he said.

The most Mr. Wiles has seen people accumulate in parking tickets is around $1,000. In those cases, he said the person came in and resolved the issue. “We can’t demand a person come in here,” he said. “The first step is to meet with us.”

Mr. Wiles said the town has received complaints about Ms Defino’s house a number of times. The pictures shown to him by officers issuing tickets represented clear infractions where the vehicle was clearly obstructing the road, he said. Mr. Wiles added a number of tickets were issued to a pickup truck, part of which was well into the road.

He said the bylaw requires you to not obstruct the sidewalk or the road. If your tires are on the sidewalk or the road, you are in all likelihood going to be fined, he said.

While Mr. Wiles didn’t have an exact figure on how much the couple still owed, he did say there was $2,000 outstanding on one of the licence plates. He said he would have the total outstanding balance of the seven remaining licence plates for cars the couple has owned over the six-year period by Monday.
It’s no surprise for Carmela Viggiani that Ms Defino has received so many tickets.

“They always got the tickets. We see them every morning,” she said.

Ms Viggiani, who lives across the street, remembered the pickup truck parked in between the sidewalk and the road for a few years. She said they have changed that now.

She never cared or complained about how they would park but didn’t understand why they kept doing it. “They have a baby now so maybe they put the brain on,” she suggested.

For her part, Ms Defino said she has gone into serious debt to attempt to pay the tickets. “I have paid more than $20,000,” she said. “I had to take a line of credit and max out a credit card. I can’t afford this.”

She said she wants her money back because she feels she has been treated unfairly. While Mr. Wiles agreed a portion of the parking tickets has been paid, he didn’t commit to a total amount.

“Something has to happen to protect the people of Markham,” said Ms Defino.

In her neighbourhood no overnight street parking is allowed. While residents in Cornell, Angus Glen and Cathedraltown can purchase overnight street parking permits, Mr. Wiles said residents in Ms Defino’s neighbourhood voted against such a permit.

“On this street, you can’t park on the road. I can’t park in my own driveway, which is too small for the average size car. So where am I suppose to park?” she said.

“I have called the town numerous times and made complaints in e-mails. There was no response.”

Mr. Wiles said he offered to meet with Ms Defino in the spring to come to some sort of resolution, but no follow-up occurred. He said they are trying to arrange a meeting next week and is hopeful they can resolve the dispute.

Ms Defino’s wish is for this “fiasco” to be put in the rear-view mirror. “Help us out a little and work with us. Tell us what we need to do,” she said.

[blakjak]

“The tally of all the tickets we have gotten is at least $25,000,” she said. “It’s excessive. We’re a young family trying to make ends meet on a single income.”

...yet they have a GMC Sierra and a BMW X-Series. Just the fuel bill alone for these two vehicles does not help a "young family trying to make ends meet", lol.

[Sylvestre]

“On this street, you can’t park on the road. I can’t park in my own driveway, which is too small for the average size car. So where am I suppose to park?” she said.


since when are two SUVs "average"?

[urir10]

Ummm... construct a bigger garage?

... or get rid of the bmw

[gman]

I'd pay $25k in fines before I'd ever buy a Smart.

In that case, if you were them, you will pay that $25k fine and then buy a Smart. They are almost there because they claimed they paid $20K already.

[sandikosh]

Typical family these days. Live life beyond their means! I say charged them for wasting newspaper space that coud have been used for advertising!

[calgaryhhr]

... or get rid of the bmw

In the YorkRegion.com article the author wrote that, "the couple, who use their garage for storage, switched to smaller vehicles. But the tickets didn’t stop." I wonder what she was driving before? A Hummer? A Yukon XL?

[SMNH]

I have read all the comments on RFD and Toronto star and I am happy that they are getting **** from everyone, they deserve it !!!!!!

Guess their plan to get sympathy from us backfired...Hope she and that dumb hubby of her are happy with their 15 minutes of lousy fame :D


PS... I would sell my place and move to someplace else where no one knows me after that kind of humiliation, online and in newspaper by random peoples of Canada.

[SMNH]

Update:


http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1101280--markham-offers-mercy-to-600-ticket-couple?bn=1


:mad::mad::mad::mad::facepalm::facepalm::facepalm: :facepalm::facepalm:

[Jon04CTS]

Typical family these days. Live life beyond their means! I say charged them for wasting newspaper space that coud have been used for advertising!

They've had the $ to pay $20k in parking fines. That is not living beyond their means.

[calgaryhhr]

They've had the $ to pay $20k in parking fines. That is not living beyond their means.

It says they had to get a line of credit and max out credit cards to pay the fines. Doesn't seem like they are sitting on a couch filled with cash.

[Jon04CTS]

It says they had to get a line of credit and max out credit cards to pay the fines. Doesn't seem like they are sitting on a couch filled with cash.

Not saying they're sitting on a pile of cash, but if they're living beyond their means I doubt they'd qualify for a line of credit.

[aqnd]

I love it when things like this backfire on people :p

They're clearly in the wrong, and the public sees it too.
Makes for good news though, so the paper doesn't care. It draws attention.

[navyseals]

Update:


http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1101280--markham-offers-mercy-to-600-ticket-couple?bn=1


:mad::mad::mad::mad::facepalm::facepalm::facepalm: :facepalm::facepalm:

Looking at that picture though it seems the house is one of those well-sized houses and whoever built the house forgot to put in a driveway after they finished completing the house. That is one tiny driveway...almost an afterthought (oh oops we forgot to build the garage and driveway, let's just build it here)

They're still dumb though.

[jordanr19871]

Not saying they're sitting on a pile of cash, but if they're living beyond their means I doubt they'd qualify for a line of credit.


“My wife was in an accident and has still not gone back to work because of it, so we can’t look for relocated parking too,” Burke said. He says he has paid off as much as $23,000 in fines.

1 income to support a family + pay the fines i don't think hes doing too bad?
the suv could of been paid off before she got into the accident?
he probably uses the sierra for work so how would the wife go do errands etc with a baby in a smart car?
is that even legal?

somehow i think 'living beyond their means' is going a little far

i could get a 2001 bmw x5 for 10k
finance that over 5 years and its only 228 a month (1.75 8 hour shifts a month) would that be living beyond my means?
or would i look smart for being able to afford a bmw at a young age?

and also it seems like they've been trying to find a solution but no car will fit?

Burke and Defino have racked up 600-plus parking tickets over the past six years, totalling, they say, about $25,000. The tickets have been written up for eight different vehicles and nine different licence plates

[navyseals]

1 income to support a family + pay the fines i don't think hes doing too bad?
the suv could of been paid off before she got into the accident?
he probably uses the sierra for work so how would the wife go do errands etc with a baby in a smart car?
is that even legal?

somehow i think 'living beyond their means' is going a little far

i could get a 2001 bmw x5 for 10k
finance that over 5 years and its only 228 a month (1.75 8 hour shifts a month) would that be living beyond my means?
or would i look smart for being able to afford a bmw at a young age?

and also it seems like they've been trying to find a solution but no car will fit?

Pretty good bet a Toyota Corolla size car can easily fit in the space between the road and the sidewalk from the picture. If they're stupid enough to get 600 tickets, then I'm sure they were stupid enough to try at least 6 different large SUV's to park in that space. They were probably like "Oh no my Chevy Suburban won't fit?...OK maybe the Ford Excursion will let's try that...nope...hmmm maybe Dodge Durango..nope that didn't fit.... Nissan Armada? hmm lets get something small... a BMW X5!!! Brilliant!

[Jon04CTS]

Pretty good bet a Toyota Corolla size car can easily fit in the space between the road and the sidewalk from the picture. If they're stupid enough to get 600 tickets, then I'm sure they were stupid enough to try at least 6 different large SUV's to park in that space. They were probably like "Oh no my Chevy Suburban won't fit?...OK maybe the Ford Excursion will let's try that...nope...hmmm maybe Dodge Durango..nope that didn't fit.... Nissan Armada? hmm lets get something small... a BMW X5!!! Brilliant!

I take it you live on their street and know exactly what happened, right? http://www.mustangworld.com/forums/images/smilies/tard.gif

[navyseals]

I take it you live on their street and know exactly what happened, right? http://www.mustangworld.com/forums/images/smilies/tard.gif

No but you think they would have learned by the time they even got to 50 tickets and I mean their neighbours complained as well so that doesn't help their case either.

[boyoflondon]

I just don't understand some people. Not sure what they are trying to prove here, but it just keeps costing them more and more every day.

[Jon Lai]

Update:


http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1101280--markham-offers-mercy-to-600-ticket-couple?bn=1


:mad::mad::mad::mad::facepalm::facepalm::facepalm: :facepalm::facepalm:

No way. Less income for my town, this sucks. We need more money! (So I can pay less taxes)

[rf134a]

They say they have explored every alternative, including buying a smaller car.

I'd like to see evidence of those. Time for them to trade the X5 for a beige corolla. :razz:
They may have explored the alternative, but definitely did not act on it. :rolleyes:

[oksir]

why would they even care? 25000 is not alot.

[sandikosh]

why would they even care? 25000 is not alot.

25,000 is not alot? For someone as rich as you are, it isn't much, but 25,000 is enough for them to go public with it! I'm sure those editors didn't go hunting for news to print.

I think I'm going to open a protest page in Facebook and get that guy booted out of his job!

[time space]

Update:


http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1101280--markham-offers-mercy-to-600-ticket-couple?bn=1


:mad::mad::mad::mad::facepalm::facepalm::facepalm: :facepalm::facepalm:


The solution came quickly.

On Tuesday morning, Bill Wiles, Markham’s bylaw manager, stopped by at Jeffrey Burke and Pamela Defino’s home on Saffron St., carefully looked at their car parked perpendicular to the street, between the sidewalk and the road, a bit of the bumper sticking out, and said he would tolerate that.

Just that, not more.

“As long as it’s not a big car, like a pickup truck, and the four tires are on the driveway, even if some portion is sticking into the street, we’ll be fine,” said Wiles.

I find that hard to believe.

If a car driving down the street hits this "portion is sticking into the street", who will be liable? Sounds to me like it will be the city of Markham.

[Albin]

They may have explored the alternative, but definitely did not act on it. :rolleyes:

LOL, yeah exactly!!!


I find that hard to believe.

If a car driving down the street hits this "portion is sticking into the street", who will be liable? Sounds to me like it will be the city of Markham.

Hard to say, if a car was parked on the side of the road, which blocks more of the street than having a portion stick out, and then a car hits it, who's liable then? The driver will be, but that's arguable.

[Jon04CTS]

If a car driving down the street hits this "portion is sticking into the street", who will be liable? Sounds to me like it will be the city of Markham.

If a driver hits a stationary object they shouldn't be driving at all.

[vaportech]

I find that hard to believe.

If a car driving down the street hits this "portion is sticking into the street", who will be liable? Sounds to me like it will be the city of Markham.

The person who hit it is liable. Doesnt matter if it is parked illegally or not.

[gman]

why would they even care? 25000 is not alot.

You should talk to this guy so that north pole can talk to south pole.

http://forums.redflagdeals.com/pulling-rrsps-pay-off-debt-1117117/#post13911843

[5dark]

Update:


http://www.thestar.com/news/article/1101280--markham-offers-mercy-to-600-ticket-couple?bn=1


:mad::mad::mad::mad::facepalm::facepalm::facepalm: :facepalm::facepalm:

So is the city going to stop ticketing everyone who doesn't know how to park their vehicles or just these two dummies?

Why are they even being given leniency, would a contractor get leniency if they deliberately racked up $25k in construction related fines?

[golden]

Title should change into something like this : 600 tickets for parking on their own driveway with front and tail sticking out, blocking sidewalk and part of the road.

[go]

I'd pay $25k in fines before I'd ever buy a Smart.

I will buy a smart car before i will ever be seen in a ugly Crapylac

[adamtheman]

Don't even get me started on parking. There are more fights over parking than anything else. The townhouse complex I used to live in had constant battles, almost coming to fist fights, over visitor parking being abused. Each townhouse had the same as this (1 car garage + 1 space out front). A lot of families have more than 2 vehicles and so the visitor spots began getting abused and it was messy. What these people are doing isn't right, but they aren't "stupid". They need the garage for equipment, and they need 2 cars. The solution isn't as simple as just moving. They should get one of those hydraulic lift-ramps for their driveway, that lifts the car up and the other car can park underneath it. Then the neighbours can enjoy looking at that giant ugly piece of equipment all day.
http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00MeFEUyCdGBgw/2-Post-Hydraulic-Car-Parking-Lift-DTPP607-.jpg:D

[urir10]

Don't even get me started on parking. There are more fights over parking than anything else. The townhouse complex I used to live in had constant battles, almost coming to fist fights, over visitor parking being abused. Each townhouse had the same as this (1 car garage + 1 space out front). A lot of families have more than 2 vehicles and so the visitor spots began getting abused and it was messy. What these people are doing isn't right, but they aren't "stupid". They need the garage for equipment, and they need 2 cars. The solution isn't as simple as just moving. They should get one of those hydraulic lift-ramps for their driveway, that lifts the car up and the other car can park underneath it. Then the neighbours can enjoy looking at that giant ugly piece of equipment all day.
:D

They aren't stupid for having two cars or junk in the garage, they are stupid for going to the media with that and try to blame the city for something that is obviously a spoiled kids rant.

As for the lift, i wonder how that thing performs in the winter lol, its one thing if your door is frozen but what if that thing is frozen.

[spike1128]

Don't even get me started on parking. There are more fights over parking than anything else. The townhouse complex I used to live in had constant battles, almost coming to fist fights, over visitor parking being abused. Each townhouse had the same as this (1 car garage + 1 space out front). A lot of families have more than 2 vehicles and so the visitor spots began getting abused and it was messy. What these people are doing isn't right, but they aren't "stupid". They need the garage for equipment, and they need 2 cars. The solution isn't as simple as just moving. They should get one of those hydraulic lift-ramps for their driveway, that lifts the car up and the other car can park underneath it. Then the neighbours can enjoy looking at that giant ugly piece of equipment all day.
http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00MeFEUyCdGBgw/2-Post-Hydraulic-Car-Parking-Lift-DTPP607-.jpg:D

I am not sure what you are getting at for "moving" is not a solution. It's totally a solution. For the money those two clowns spend on their trucks, they can sell it downside to a blingless ride, and use the money to buy a double garage house with driveway. They can know put more junk in their garage, which is more like storage. Park two cars in the front. Done deal.

About the townhouse parking abuse. It's about them outgrowing their house and parking but refuses to upsize to something bigger.

[Jon Lai]

I am not sure what you are getting at for "moving" is not a solution. It's totally a solution. For the money those two clowns spend on their trucks, they can sell it downside to a blingless ride, and use the money to buy a double garage house with driveway. They can know put more junk in their garage, which is more like storage. Park two cars in the front. Done deal.

About the townhouse parking abuse. It's about them outgrowing their house and parking but refuses to upsize to something bigger.

+1

Either move or cut down on the cars. It's really not that big of a problem.

[gman]

Don't even get me started on parking. There are more fights over parking than anything else. The townhouse complex I used to live in had constant battles, almost coming to fist fights, over visitor parking being abused. Each townhouse had the same as this (1 car garage + 1 space out front). A lot of families have more than 2 vehicles and so the visitor spots began getting abused and it was messy. What these people are doing isn't right, but they aren't "stupid". They need the garage for equipment, and they need 2 cars. The solution isn't as simple as just moving. They should get one of those hydraulic lift-ramps for their driveway, that lifts the car up and the other car can park underneath it. Then the neighbours can enjoy looking at that giant ugly piece of equipment all day.
http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00MeFEUyCdGBgw/2-Post-Hydraulic-Car-Parking-Lift-DTPP607-.jpg:D

Well, first, that needs a level flat ground and most driveway is not level.
Second, the bylaw probably disallow you to put anything but a car on the driveway.
Third, if the neighbours are pissed, one night, the upper level can be lowered while the bottom car is still there. Or, damage it enough so that the upper car can't be lowered.
Forth, they are stupid. Any person who has enough IQ would have done something before they got 50 tickets.

[ottofly]

They are the one who allowed 600 tickets. They could have done a lot before reaching 50 tickets. Trade in the SUV and get a Smart car would fix the problem.

Buddy, I would never ever ride in a Smart car let alone buy one. Where are they suppose to put the toddler, in the trunk? You think you'd stand a chance in a collision with your run of the mill mid size sedan like a Camry??

Hard to feel sorry for the couple after 600 tickets but the city should get with the times. Cars are getting bigger. I have neighbors that have 4-5 cars and not all fit in the driveway. I would imagine they pay taxes every year. Some parking on at least one side of the street should be made available.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKSPxQjPOm0

[Jon Lai]

Buddy, I would never ever ride in a Smart car let alone buy one. Where are they suppose to put the toddler, in the trunk? You think you'd stand a chance in a collision with your run of the mill mid size sedan like a Camry??

Hard to feel sorry for the couple after 600 tickets but the city should get with the times. Cars are getting bigger. I have neighbors that have 4-5 cars and not all fit in the driveway. I would imagine they pay taxes every year. Some parking on at least one side of the street should be made available.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sKSPxQjPOm0

A couple with such a low IQ as to rack up 600 tickets should not bear children.

[ottofly]

A couple with such a low IQ as to rack up 600 tickets should not bear children.

Yeah and you're the perfect judge of intellect with over 30,000 posts on an internet forum.
Since when does IQ level have anything to do with bearing children? :facepalm:

[5dark]

Yeah and you're the perfect judge of intellect with over 30,000 posts on an internet forum.
Since when does IQ level have anything to do with bearing children? :facepalm:

Since when does post count have anything to do with intellect?

What kind of values do you think the parents will instill in the kid when they expect the city bylaws to conform to them and not the other way around?

[qaz393]

even im dumb enough to know that the driveway between the side walk and street, you cannot park there over night.

Does anyone know the rule about parking at that part if the street says no parking/stopping/standing. (not night time 2am-5am)

[Ojam]

Buddy, I would never ever ride in a Smart car let alone buy one. Where are they suppose to put the toddler, in the trunk? You think you'd stand a chance in a collision with your run of the mill mid size sedan like a Camry??


Nobody needs a full sizes SUV, there could be an argument for the truck depending on the owners profession, but a full sized SUV is just a luxury item. Don't have room for it, but need something with room to transport your kid, a waggon is a good alternative. Move the work equipment from the garage to a storage box. There are lots of different solutions this couple could have used that didn't involve going to the media and having the city make an exception for them. They just didn't want to because they are entitled douche bags.

[gman]

even im dumb enough to know that the driveway between the side walk and street, you cannot park there over night.

Does anyone know the rule about parking at that part if the street says no parking/stopping/standing. (not night time 2am-5am)

Yes, you can. In Markham (where you live), you can.

[qaz393]

Yes, you can. In Markham (where you live), you can.

you CAN but you will be ticketed. bad grammar. Can is ability and May is permission.

[gman]

you CAN but you will be ticketed. bad grammar. Can is ability and May is permission.

http://www.markham.ca/NR/rdonlyres/0796B279-3D25-4473-AB18-6A6511664D48/0/drivewaybrochure.pdf

You are permitted.

[qaz393]

http://www.markham.ca/NR/rdonlyres/0796B279-3D25-4473-AB18-6A6511664D48/0/drivewaybrochure.pdf

You are permitted.

interesting, but just to clarify, at night time you may not park there right?? that broucher doesnt say anything

[gman]

interesting, but just to clarify, at night time you may not park there right?? that broucher doesnt say anything

As far as I know, yes, you can. Limiting you only to do that in day time would be stupid. You can park on the street in the day time anyway.

[gman]

Pay attention to:

section 5, No person should park motor vehicle;

....
(j) on any boulevard, except where the vehicle is parked on a designated access to private property at right angles or parallel to the traveled portion of the highway. (Amended by By-Law No. 2008-01)

http://www.markham.ca/NR/rdonlyres/C437531D-20AC-493B-98AF-44D91B506189/0/bylaw_2005188_080806.pdf

[Jon Lai]

Yeah and you're the perfect judge of intellect with over 30,000 posts on an internet forum.
Since when does IQ level have anything to do with bearing children? :facepalm:

I'm pretty sure everyone who responded in the thread unanimously agreed that this couple is stupid.

Plus, Darwin says stupid people shouldn't bear children.

[ottofly]

Nobody needs a full sizes SUV, there could be an argument for the truck depending on the owners profession, but a full sized SUV is just a luxury item. Don't have room for it, but need something with room to transport your kid, a waggon is a good alternative. Move the work equipment from the garage to a storage box. There are lots of different solutions this couple could have used that didn't involve going to the media and having the city make an exception for them. They just didn't want to because they are entitled douche bags.

Get real buddy.

What makes you an authority on what people should drive? An SUV is not always a luxury item. If the guy has a toddler and is starting a family SUV is the way to go. A wagon is not an alternative for a growing family and besides, many wagons/vans are the same length as that SUV. Have you seen the size of 1 or 2 strollers, baby seats, hockey gear/sticks and all the other junk parents haul around for their kids? Obviously you don't because you probably don't have any otherwise you and the rest of the bashers here wouldn't be suggesting deathtrap Smart cars for a growing family. :facepalm:

I do agree about going to the media, probably meant to prove a point. This is 2012, cars are getting bigger not smaller and many families have 2+ cars. The city also has to be reasonable, lenient and provide available spaces on the street for tax paying residents. I mean 600 tickets, in Canada, is this some sort of dictatorship? :facepalm:

[gman]

Get real buddy.

What makes you an authority on what people should drive? An SUV is not always a luxury item. If the guy has a toddler and is starting a family SUV is the way to go. A wagon is not an alternative for a growing family and besides, many wagons/vans are the same length as that SUV. Have you seen the size of 1 or 2 strollers, baby seats, hockey gear/sticks and all the other junk parents haul around for their kids? Obviously you don't because you probably don't have any otherwise you and the rest of the bashers here wouldn't be suggesting deathtrap Smart cars for a growing family. :facepalm:

I do agree about going to the media, probably meant to prove a point. This is 2012, cars are getting bigger not smaller and many families have 2+ cars. The city also has to be reasonable, lenient and provide available spaces on the street for tax paying residents. I mean 600 tickets, in Canada, is this some sort of dictatorship? :facepalm:

Their house can park 2 cars. They could empty the garage and park the SUV. They chose not to.
If they want more than 2 cars, get a house that can park 2+ cars.
Tax payer should NOT pay to give more space to the people who could not plan ahead.
Again, they are stupid. Any normal person would do something before they reach 50 tickets. Again, their house can park 2 cars. It was their choice to put stuff to the garage instead of a car. They knew they have parking issue and they chose to buy a SUV. A smaller SUV like a RAV4 would fit. They should buy what can fit. We have no authority to tell what they should drive. The person has the authority and duty to find a car that would fit their established restriction.

[qaz393]

Get real buddy.

What makes you an authority on what people should drive? An SUV is not always a luxury item. If the guy has a toddler and is starting a family SUV is the way to go. A wagon is not an alternative for a growing family and besides, many wagons/vans are the same length as that SUV. Have you seen the size of 1 or 2 strollers, baby seats, hockey gear/sticks and all the other junk parents haul around for their kids? Obviously you don't because you probably don't have any otherwise you and the rest of the bashers here wouldn't be suggesting deathtrap Smart cars for a growing family. :facepalm:

I do agree about going to the media, probably meant to prove a point. This is 2012, cars are getting bigger not smaller and many families have 2+ cars. The city also has to be reasonable, lenient and provide available spaces on the street for tax paying residents. I mean 600 tickets, in Canada, is this some sort of dictatorship? :facepalm:

smart cars are very safe compared to other compact japanese cars.

its their problem for having that many cars. if the city settles for less, who is paying for the labor/gas for city to write these tickets. this family should have took some action BEFORE they bought the second car.

[qaz393]

I hope these people get liens on their HOUSE and the TITLE and other ASSETS. Good luck to their future!!!

[Ojam]

Get real buddy.

What makes you an authority on what people should drive? An SUV is not always a luxury item. If the guy has a toddler and is starting a family SUV is the way to go. A wagon is not an alternative for a growing family and besides, many wagons/vans are the same length as that SUV. Have you seen the size of 1 or 2 strollers, baby seats, hockey gear/sticks and all the other junk parents haul around for their kids? Obviously you don't because you probably don't have any otherwise you and the rest of the bashers here wouldn't be suggesting deathtrap Smart cars for a growing family. :facepalm:

I do agree about going to the media, probably meant to prove a point. This is 2012, cars are getting bigger not smaller and many families have 2+ cars. The city also has to be reasonable, lenient and provide available spaces on the street for tax paying residents. I mean 600 tickets, in Canada, is this some sort of dictatorship? :facepalm:

This post is full of so much failure it's pathetic. When did I ever say I was an authority? Right, not once, but they made their decision when it came to how many cars and how large they were. There are perfectly reasonable options for them, they chose not to explore them. One poster used the smart car as an example, now everybody else that thinks these parents are d-bags are suggesting them? Nice try, but again a pathetic failure. As been mentioned they were permitted to park Parallel to the street and again they chose not too. :facepalm:

600 tickets = dictatorship? Again what a pathetic and juvenile was of looking at the world, I'm sure the people living in real dictatorships having to scrounge for food and worry about ending up in a mass grave appreciates your insensitive view point. Oh wait they probably don't have the luxury of the internet that you have. Grow up. :facepalm:

[adidas5on5]

parking is a pain in Markham. a lot of people dont even have the space to park the smallest cars in between the road and sidewalk. relocating is not always an option.

[Jon Lai]

parking is a pain in Markham. a lot of people dont even have the space to park the smallest cars in between the road and sidewalk. relocating is not always an option.

But locating correctly the first time, is.

[adidas5on5]

But locating correctly the first time, is.

Alright tell me this. When you first buy a house with your spouse are you going to worry about parking space 10, 15 years from now when your child grows up and becomes a driver?? Or better yet, are you anticipating the yrt to go on strike and leave everyone w/o a car stranded?

(im that child btw and I recently had to purchase a vehicle myself just so i could get between school and home. and some people like me are going to have to park like that.Not by choice but because we were forced to. )

Edit: p.s. if anyone has parking/driveway spot for rent in markham please let me know!lol im lookinngg

[D-Roc]

Alright tell me this. When you first buy a house with your spouse are you going to worry about parking space 10, 15 years from now when your child grows up and becomes a driver?? Or better yet, are you anticipating the yrt to go on strike and leave everyone w/o a car stranded?



In short....Yes.

We did. You have to consider far into the future when make such a large purchase/investment. You would be a fool if you did not.

[spf1971]

Alright tell me this. When you first buy a house with your spouse are you going to worry about parking space 10, 15 years from now when your child grows up and becomes a driver?? Or better yet, are you anticipating the yrt to go on strike and leave everyone w/o a car stranded?

(im that child btw and I recently had to purchase a vehicle myself just so i could get between school and home. and some people like me are going to have to park like that.Not by choice but because we were forced to. )

Edit: p.s. if anyone has parking/driveway spot for rent in markham please let me know!lol im lookinngg

That's the problem, you are claiming that you are forced to do something. You're not! There are other options; you can move, you can take a bus, you can take a taxi, you can car pool. Just because owning a car is the easiest option doesn't make it the only one.

[time space]

Get real buddy.

What makes you an authority on what people should drive? An SUV is not always a luxury item. If the guy has a toddler and is starting a family SUV is the way to go.

Actually, research (http://www.amazon.com/High-Mighty-SUVs-Dangerous-Vehicles/dp/1586481231) has now conclusively proven that people who own SUV's but don't live on a mountain ranch are dimwitted. ;)

[spike1128]

Actually, research (http://www.amazon.com/High-Mighty-SUVs-Dangerous-Vehicles/dp/1586481231) has now conclusively proven that people who own SUV's but don't live on a mountain ranch are dimwitted. ;)

We can safely assume Ottofly does the same sort of thing, that's why he/she is defending that couple's position. A X6 SUV is not designed for a family to grow into (since it only carries 4 ppl, it carries less people than an average sedan). He/she think a X6 is a minivan or something.

I tell you what those 4 seater SUV are for. For telling everyone else that I am a baller; that if I am a terrible driver and runs into you, my family will be fine and you will be dead.

[Busybuyer888]

We can safely assume Ottofly does the same sort of thing, that's why he/she is defending that couple's position. A X6 SUV is not designed for a family to grow into (since it only carries 4 ppl, it carries less people than an average sedan). He/she think a X6 is a minivan or something.

I tell you what those 4 seater SUV are for. For telling everyone else that I am a baller; that if I am a terrible driver and runs into you, my family will be fine and you will be dead.

The sad thing is many SUV in the GTA are purchased with that mindset.

My car salesperson, whom I've dealt with for over 10 years, told me come snowfall - he gets a the most request for these large vehicles. They sell out quickly. Families feel they are safer inside these beasts if the car skids or gets into an accident.

I was shocked when I heard it. Instead of upgrading driver skill or getting winter tires people buy TANKS. I guess it shows the mindset of a large percentage of our population.

[Jon Lai]

Alright tell me this. When you first buy a house with your spouse are you going to worry about parking space 10, 15 years from now when your child grows up and becomes a driver?? Or better yet, are you anticipating the yrt to go on strike and leave everyone w/o a car stranded?

(im that child btw and I recently had to purchase a vehicle myself just so i could get between school and home. and some people like me are going to have to park like that.Not by choice but because we were forced to. )

Edit: p.s. if anyone has parking/driveway spot for rent in markham please let me know!lol im lookinngg

Yes. If I am starting a family with my spouse, and we plan on having kids, we will buy a house that can fit us comfortably - most likely a house 2000 sq.ft+. We'd also likely pick a neighbourhood with a great school network. Otherwise, we would probably live in a 1000 sq.ft. condo downtown instead, and live a better lifestyle. If we accidentally started a family, we'd most likely plan to move to our ideal family house instead of trying to form the family in our condo downtown. Was that so hard?

Transit strike is temporary. I find it hard to believe that you bought a car JUST BECAUSE the YRT went on strike. That doesn't sound like a smart decision to me - what about when YRT strike is over? Also, the fact that you have so much disposable income implies you and your family can most likely afford to relocate to a bigger home with more parking/garage space comfortably with minimal mortgage. Heck, primary insurance on a student is easily $3-4K+ a year!

Instead of buying a car, you could have asked your parents to drop you off to a bus stop where there are still bus routes operating (there's still about half of YRT routes in service), or ask a friend to carpool with you. There are options - nobody's forcing you to do anything.

[gman]

Alright tell me this. When you first buy a house with your spouse are you going to worry about parking space 10, 15 years from now when your child grows up and becomes a driver?? Or better yet, are you anticipating the yrt to go on strike and leave everyone w/o a car stranded?

(im that child btw and I recently had to purchase a vehicle myself just so i could get between school and home. and some people like me are going to have to park like that.Not by choice but because we were forced to. )

Edit: p.s. if anyone has parking/driveway spot for rent in markham please let me know!lol im lookinngg

Yes. I bought a house in 94. My elder daughter was 3. My younger daughter was less than 1 year old.

I made sure a few things before the purchase. That is called research and planning.
I got a double garage. Actually, I would say it is a 1.5 garage but neighbours do manage to put 2 cars in.
I got a driveway with no side walk so that I can park 4 full size cars.
I make sure the street is wide.
I make sure the neighbour's driveway would be as big as mine (so that they would have less chance to park on the street too).
I make sure the street is for local traffic. It is a cresent.
My family had only one person had driver licence, me.

There is something calls visitors. There is something calls parties. All these require parking spaces.

[tebore]

After 23K you'd think they'd be smart enough to buy a storage shed in the back or rent one for the equipment.

Or reno the house to make the garage bigger

They sure don't have my sympathy.

[FrogPrince]

Alright tell me this. When you first buy a house with your spouse are you going to worry about parking space 10, 15 years from now when your child grows up and becomes a driver?? Or better yet, are you anticipating the yrt to go on strike and leave everyone w/o a car stranded?

(im that child btw and I recently had to purchase a vehicle myself just so i could get between school and home. and some people like me are going to have to park like that.Not by choice but because we were forced to. )

Edit: p.s. if anyone has parking/driveway spot for rent in markham please let me know!lol im lookinngg

Yes, I certainly did. I thought of those things and more.

This is something you do when you become an adult. Plan ahead.

[adidas5on5]

That's the problem, you are claiming that you are forced to do something. You're not! There are other options; you can move, you can take a bus, you can take a taxi, you can car pool. Just because owning a car is the easiest option doesn't make it the only one.

Well I was just specifying for my case that I was "forced" to. I can see your location is Newfoundland so you are probably not aware that our transit system (YRT), has been on strike for over 8 weeks. Also, it would not be feasible to take a taxi EVERYDAY for a student. That point is completely invalid, it would cost less to buy a used car and drive.


Yes. I bought a house in 94. My elder daughter was 3. My younger daughter was less than 1 year old.

I made sure a few things before the purchase. That is called research and planning.
I got a double garage. Actually, I would say it is a 1.5 garage but neighbours do manage to put 2 cars in.
I got a driveway with no side walk so that I can park 4 full size cars.
I make sure the street is wide.
I make sure the neighbour's driveway would be as big as mine (so that they would have less chance to park on the street too).
I make sure the street is for local traffic. It is a cresent.
My family had only one person had driver licence, me.

There is something calls visitors. There is something calls parties. All these require parking spaces.

You purchased the house used. It is near impossible to check for those things when you purchase a new house.

Yes. If I am starting a family with my spouse, and we plan on having kids, we will buy a house that can fit us comfortably - most likely a house 2000 sq.ft+. We'd also likely pick a neighbourhood with a great school network. Otherwise, we would probably live in a 1000 sq.ft. condo downtown instead, and live a better lifestyle. If we accidentally started a family, we'd most likely plan to move to our ideal family house instead of trying to form the family in our condo downtown. Was that so hard?

Transit strike is temporary. I find it hard to believe that you bought a car JUST BECAUSE the YRT went on strike. That doesn't sound like a smart decision to me - what about when YRT strike is over? Also, the fact that you have so much disposable income implies you and your family can most likely afford to relocate to a bigger home with more parking/garage space comfortably with minimal mortgage. Heck, primary insurance on a student is easily $3-4K+ a year!

Instead of buying a car, you could have asked your parents to drop you off to a bus stop where there are still bus routes operating (there's still about half of YRT routes in service), or ask a friend to carpool with you. There are options - nobody's forcing you to do anything.

Okay I accept the first bit its fair argument. But please, I never mentioned I got a car because of the strike. I got a car because I need to get from school to home. You don't know where I go to school, and/or how much I got the car for. Please don't assume anything about my family. I purchased the beater myself and I also have a job myself, and I work hard to pay for everything myself. Also, "half of the routes" you are talking about are only operating in Vaughn and surrounding areas. Markham does not have busses operating. And its not like I bought the car the day after the strike initiated. I've waited weeks and it is clear that it is at a stalemate. No one knows how long it would go on for. I also have no problem selling the car afterwards whatsoever. Carpooling is good only if you can find someone who has a similar class schedule with you. Its not like work where everyone goes in and gets off at the same time EVERY DAY.

[spf1971]

Well I was just specifying for my case that I was "forced" to. I can see your location is Newfoundland so you are probably not aware that our transit system (YRT), has been on strike for over 8 weeks. Also, it would not be feasible to take a taxi EVERYDAY for a student. That point is completely invalid, it would cost less to buy a used car and drive.




What I am aware of is the fact that where I live, we don't have any mass transit. While I have a car, that doesn't mean that there aren't any other options to get from point A to point B. I could walk, I could ride a bike, I could take a taxi, I could get a ride from someone else. The fact that it costs less to buy a used car versus take taxis does not in any way mean you have to own a car, it simply means that it is cheaper. Once again, the fact you choose to own a car and park a certain way does not mean you are forced to do so. It might be cheaper, it might be easier, it might be more advantageous; but it is not your only option and you are not forced to do so.

Personally, I own a car not because it's cheaper but because it makes my life easier. I accept all implication of that; insurance, purchase cost, registration, gas, parking etc as an adult. I know people who live in big cities and don't own cars. To me it would be weird not owning a car, but it works for them. Again, that's their choice. Nobody is forcing them to not own a car, and nobody is forcing me to own a car.

Owning a car is a choice; the sooner you realize that, the better off you'll be.

[Jon Lai]

Okay I accept the first bit its fair argument. But please, I never mentioned I got a car because of the strike. I got a car because I need to get from school to home. You don't know where I go to school, and/or how much I got the car for. Please don't assume anything about my family. I purchased the beater myself and I also have a job myself, and I work hard to pay for everything myself. Also, "half of the routes" you are talking about are only operating in Vaughn and surrounding areas. Markham does not have busses operating. And its not like I bought the car the day after the strike initiated. I've waited weeks and it is clear that it is at a stalemate. No one knows how long it would go on for. I also have no problem selling the car afterwards whatsoever. Carpooling is good only if you can find someone who has a similar class schedule with you. Its not like work where everyone goes in and gets off at the same time EVERY DAY.

Sounds to me like you bought the car because of the strike.



http://www.yrt.ca/en/serviceupdates/resources/YRT_Viva_available_services_map_south-web.pdf

I see routes operating in Markham.

[Ojam]

Carpooling is good only if you can find someone who has a similar class schedule with you. Its not like work where everyone goes in and gets off at the same time EVERY DAY.

BS, all you need to car pool is one person with a starting time before or equal to yours and somebody else that is leaving at or after your last class, make friends in your classes and it gets easier, post on bulletin boards that you are willing to chip in $20 a week in gas. Lots of carpooling options available.

Looks to me as if parents that don't plan ahead raise kids that don't plan ahead. and what's this about impossible to check for those things when you purchase a new house? Seriously? :facepalm:

[gman]

You purchased the house used. It is near impossible to check for those things when you purchase a new house.

I purchased the house before it was built. I am the first owner.

Of course, you can check all these. The site plan is right there down to where the light pole, electricity green box, telephone box and fire hydrant will be. Yes, all these are part of the consideration.

Which one of these you have problem to figure out before the house is built?


I got a double garage. Actually, I would say it is a 1.5 garage but neighbours do manage to put 2 cars in. (you better figure this out without any effort)
I got a driveway with no side walk so that I can park 4 full size cars. (you better figure this out without any effort)
I make sure the street is wide. (The information is there)
I make sure the neighbour's driveway would be as big as mine (so that they would have less chance to park on the street too). (if you know all the models are double garage, it is pretty obvious their driveway will be as big as mine)
I make sure the street is for local traffic. It is a cresent. (you better figure this out without any effort)

[gman]

Okay I accept the first bit its fair argument. But please, I never mentioned I got a car because of the strike. I got a car because I need to get from school to home. You don't know where I go to school, and/or how much I got the car for. Please don't assume anything about my family. I purchased the beater myself and I also have a job myself, and I work hard to pay for everything myself. Also, "half of the routes" you are talking about are only operating in Vaughn and surrounding areas. Markham does not have busses operating. And its not like I bought the car the day after the strike initiated. I've waited weeks and it is clear that it is at a stalemate. No one knows how long it would go on for. I also have no problem selling the car afterwards whatsoever. Carpooling is good only if you can find someone who has a similar class schedule with you. Its not like work where everyone goes in and gets off at the same time EVERY DAY.

Markham has buses running. It is only not in the part of Markham you are living.
I see buses every morning. I see people waiting in the bus stop.
My daughter takes bus to go home from school when she decides not to walk.