Has Avalon Gone Over the Top?

To The Editor:
On Tues., June 28, I was working on Flamingo Drive. Next door, a new home was being built. Now, I understand the need to keep the construction site “contained” in regard to mess, parking etc. I can also understand the neighbors’ complaints of noise, trash, parking, etc.
I was parked on the triangular island across from the home where I was working. I was approximately 24 feet from the stop sign and the curb was not painted. While there, I was made aware that a police officer was issuing me a ticket. I approached him and asked what the problem was, and was told that the law states 50 feet from a stop sign. I responded that the curb wasn’t painted, how could I know? I was told that the curb didn’t have to be painted for the law to apply.
The officer had written the ticket by then, so I had no choice but accept it. I made the officer aware that the vehicle behind me was also inside of 50 feet, and went to move my truck. When I got out, the officer announced that the other car, a BMW with Pennsylvania tags was 50.1, and got in his vehicle and off he went.
I got out my tape measure and got it on film at 44 feet. My problem here is twofold. Number one, I feel like I was profiled because I am in a truck and discriminated against for that reason, while the owner of the BMW was let go because it could have been the homeowner who is doing the complaining.
The second part of my complaint is I’ve been working around the Seven Mile Island for 20 plus years, and have become accustomed to using the yellow curbs as a guideline for parking. I don’t claim to know the motor vehicle code, and don’t care to learn it. Since this episode I’ve been looking carefully around and haven’t noticed one single curb that is not painted in all of Avalon.
Now I have no idea if the judge will accept unequal application of the law as a reason to let me off with a warning, but I do know this, Avalon’s application of these laws on the backs of those of us who helped make that real estate so valuable is appalling. The topper is this: $54 for a parking ticket! I guess the mayor is trying to balance a budget any way he can.
GARY DOYLE
Court House