Driver of the city owned car parked illegally in a handicapped space no longer with the city.

News 100 redBy Staff

February 3rd, 2020

BURLINGTON, ON

 

Well that’s the end of that story.

A tough city response to a stupid mistake by an employee or someone under contract; whichever – he or she is no longer with the city.

Statement from Vito Tolone, Director of Transportation Services, Vito Tolone issued a statement today saying:

Transit - Vito Tolone

Director of Transportation Services, Vito Tolone.

“This past weekend, several Burlington residents informed city officials through various social media platforms about a member of the City’s Parking Services team abusing accessible parking spaces specifically reserved for persons displaying a valid accessible parking permit.

city car 3

City car parked in a handicapped spot at Costco. That was a no no that cost the drive their job,

City of Burlington staff and their contractors are well aware of the behaviours and code of conduct expected when performing their jobs.

The actions of the individual in question are completely unacceptable and out of line with the values expected of Burlington city staff. All municipal parking bylaws are to be followed by everyone, with no exceptions.

As a result, the City of Burlington has followed up with disciplinary action and the individual involved will no longer be working for the City of Burlington. Transportation Services staff will be following up with the enforcement contractor to ensure this does not happen again. All parking tickets issued by subject enforcement officer will be reviewed to certify that they were issued in accordance with the City’s policies and procedures.

We’d like thank members of the public for bringing this matter forward and apologize for the inconvenience and distress this may have caused.”

You’re welcome Vito

And that closes that file.

Return to the Front page
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

7 comments to Driver of the city owned car parked illegally in a handicapped space no longer with the city.

  • Joe Gaetan

    While we are on the subject, the city mobility bus should not run red lights as well.

  • Charlie

    I personally agree with everyone’s comments, this does not warrant someone losing their employment, discipline yes, a fine yes. I also agree this didn’t need to be handled in a public platform like social media. Statements made are true this individual was not a City employee but rather an employee of a contracted company to enforce Parking. I still have faith and trust in City staff and will not allow one persons actions change that or unfairly categorize all other City employees.

  • g.fraser

    Wow,

    I am always amazed at the number of vehicles parked in Handicapped spaces who do not have a Handicapped sticker visible. But for someone to lose their job and source of income because of this mistake is a huge step. A reprimand, a citation, a significant fine, demerit points, a possible court appearance but too lose a job??

    Handicapped spaces are meant for those individuals who have a disability. NOT for family members, not for a quick dash-in and out, not because my car deserves more room.

    Handicap certificates should be linked to their License stickers and should need a Physician’s note declaring they are entitled to this space. This Physician’s note may need to be renewed as is their License sticker or just a one-time note from the Physician due to chronic disability.

    Anyone abusing the Handicapped space should receive a maximum fine and demerit points but not a job lose.

  • Joe Pyche

    Now if we can just get the Parking enforcement out of the tim hortons at harveter and walkers and working .to many times have I encountered more than one car parked for a extended period of time in front of the store.

  • Lynn Crosby

    I agree that a city employee should certainly not be parking in an accessible parking spot, and it’s quite remarkable that a member of parking enforcement of all people would have done so. Yet I find it somewhat disturbing how this all came to light … on social media, posting the photo to the Mayor and COB accounts on twitter and Facebook. At least there was no photo of the employee taken.

    I wonder what would have happened had the witness taken the photo but contacted City Hall privately and reported it. If the City didn’t act, then take it to the Mayor. If she didn’t act, then go public. I don’t know what my point is but I just find this uncomfortable somehow.

    • Eve St Clair

      First of al. Burlington contracts out Parking enforcement hence their would be a contract outlining responsibilities including following the city’s code of conduct. Yes what the contracted employee did was stupid.and discipline needed to be taken. I have previously done this job for another municipality and it stressed me out the number of times ,people would verbally assault you for doing your job or threaten to film you because you stopped at a local coffee shop for a washroom break The job never entitled you to park anywhere you were not supposed to. Today with instant news and social media has a lot of people worried being instant!y judged by an angry mob

  • Penny Hersh

    Parking enforcement is contracted out by the City. The employee involved is not a City employee. The City simply instructed the contractor not to have this person work at the City.

    My question is – Who provides the job guidelines and who is responsible for training these contracted employees?

    I agree that everyone knows that they should not park in accessible parking spots unless they are disabled and there is no question that this man needed to be disciplined for his actions.

    Personally, I don’t think this was handled properly.