Blog

Predatory Parking

PREDATORY PARKING

 

Sometimes I have to do crazy ass things like move my office on April 1^st in the thick of tax season.  I would never make this choice if it wasn’t completely necessary, but my employee, my clientand I have all experienced predatory parking at 51 Union Street.

I took six months off from work starting in June of last year.  I had just sent my book, Rotten Fruit is Falling Down, to the publisher and we were working on a plan to bring Vinni home. I wasn’t planning on taking six whole months off, but then DCF kidnapped my child the day before we were supposed to leave for vacation.  A temporary pause turned into something much bigger as we fought to get my son back.

At first, I did’t know how to move forward or come back to Tax Duchess, but a friend stepped up to help me – I didn’t have to do tax season alone this year – I had Ann Marie by my side. Our first day together at work was the day after Christmas.  We completed our tax refresher course together.  We also found the parking passes that had been slid underneath my door during my absence.

“Do you think we will get towed?” Ann Marie asked.

“I don’t think so.  The parking lot is empty.  It’s the day after Christmas and we are the only ones at work today.”

Fast forward to several hours later and Pat’s Towing had towed both of our cars.  My landlord, Angelo Gianakas knew it was my car.  Pat’s ran the plate and asked Angelo if he wanted us towed. He said yes.

It cost $350 to have our cars released by Pat’sTowing.  Here I was trying to get back on my feet and get my business going again, but my landlord had implemented the worst parking policy in all the land!  He gave Pat’s Towing the power to tow us all – they mooch off the employees and clients of 51 Union Street.

I understand the parking lot needed regulation, but Pat’s Towing now knowingly tows people they know are not trespassing on that lot. The worst part isn’t even the money – a few days after the incident I got a letter in the mail from the Worcester Police Chief’s office saying I had trespassed at 51 Union St. Mail is very triggering for me, especially seeing something from the police, especially from the Chief of Police.

The police can’t arrest the pedophile that molested 4 kids in my family. The police can and will scold me through the mail – by telling me not to tresspass at the place where I pay rent.

I see hundreds of clients in and out during tax season.  I was worried about my clients getting towed so I took matters into my own hands. I gave each client a “Tax Duchess Parking Pass” when I sent out my tax packets. I thought I was being courteous by alerting Pat’s Towing and my landlord, who my clients were. My clients and I are not trespassing.

There have been incidents of non-safe people in my building, however.  Earlier this year, a dude was jerking off in the hallway on the second floor and scared the crap out of the woman who turned the corner and discovered him!  A week later, the pervert was back again and when the cops came, they recognized the creep – but perverts are a protected species in Massachusetts, unlike women and children.

Two weeks ago, a client stopped by to drop off her tax forms and chat about her doula business.  We spent about 20 minutes catching up and she was on her way – nowhere near the one-hour parking limit.  The lot was not full, with plenty of spots available.  Pat’s towed my client and charged her $175.  She emailed me about it.  I was instantly furious.

I reached out to my landlord, Angelo. “My client was only here for 30 minutes or less and had the Tax Duchess pass. This is unacceptable.”

He replied, “You can’t make up your own passes, follow the rules in place.”  I wasn’t trying to make my own parking rules.  I was operating my business as usual and letting the parking attendant know who my clients were. I immediately started looking for a new space.

Whenever someone does a crazy ass thing like take six months off from work or move their office on April 1^st during tax season – always remember there is probably a crazy ass situation going on.  I hope none of you ever experience DCF kidnapping your child or getting towed by your own landlord.

But for those who love supporting Pat’s Towing, check out 51 Union Street, Room 306.  It will be vacant shortly.  I pay $500 per month, utilities included – but remember – PARK AT YOUR OWN RISK!

To all of our amazing clients – we are thrilled to meet with you at 40 Jackson Street Suite 3400 in Worcester going forward.  It’s located in the Ivy Corset Building, which is completely dripping from floor to ceiling in gorgeous artwork.

Predatory parking feels like small dick energy,

Predatory parking costs more than just a fee,

Predatory parking hurts you and me,

Predatory parking made Tax Duchess leave.