By The Gungahlin Grinch.

Arrraaahhhh!!

It may come as a huge shock to some people, but those no parking/no standing signs that dot the Gungahlin landscape DO serve a purpose. Now let the Grinch think... what could it be? Ah yes, perhaps they are put there as an artificial IQ test. Actually the Grinch hopes not, otherwise some Gungahlin residents would have a score more akin to a low scoring soccer (sorry football) game.

Here is a really radical Grinch thought (yes, he has them from time to time) - perhaps these signs are put up to:

1. improve public safety

2. improve traffic flow

Illegal parking around local shops

The local shop car parking scene really gets the Grinch's blood boiling every time. What is it with some people? "I'm only getting a few things" they will say if ever challenged for parking against red curbs, no parking signs etc. So the @*%@ is 99% of everyone else!

The Grinch is particularly fed up with the illegal parking in Gribble Street. The area between the video store and the pizza shops are especially galling to him. There is a NO PARKING sign on the video shop side of the road for a bloody good reason. With cars parked on both sides of the road an anorexic Paris Hilton would struggle to squeeze through. It's only a matter of time before someone is hurt because of this dangerous practice, and it better not be The Grinch!

For the slow witted amongst us - or those who think hiring/dropping off a video is as important as curing cancer - the side of the road that has the video store on it is NO PARKING!! Get it? The Grinch better not see any more cars parked here - he may just (finally) loose his temper!

Illegal parking around Schools

Ah school! A place of learning for the region's growing minds. A place of understanding, tolerance and peace - yeah right, not during the traditional kid drop off and pick up! - Just how arrogant are some parents?

Off they go, driving to school, obeying every rule in the book until they get within 300 metres of the school - then it is on for young and old!

They jostle for position in a display of driving our own Mark Webber would be proud of. Weaving in and out of traffic to be the first into the school car park. They have to be first as no other parent could possibly be as busy or as important as them. They drop the kids off with such speed even the Ferrari pit crew would be proud!

They park as close to the school as possible. The Grinch thinks it's a good job the schools have fences, as he is sure some of them would park next to the teachers desk if they could! They "don't see" the Set Down/Pick Up only, NO PARKING sign just three metres from them. Out of the car they get, into the school they dash, only to return a few minutes later for round two of the Gungahlin Grand Prix!

Seriously guys (sorry, in 80% of cases it's the gals) get a grip. Everyone is as important as everyone else. The world is not (trust the Grinch here) just yours, and if you are a few minutes late the Grinch doesn't think this will cause the world to implode.

The Grinch's Answer?

If we can't convince the pig headed amongst us to stick to the parking laws, perhaps the solution would be to issue them with a "special license". No the Grinch doesn't mean a special "you're a dick head" license (hey, now there's an idea!) but a license that raises them to the status they (think) they deserve. At least this way, we may not get as annoyed when we see them parking illegally. The "Special License" could read like this;

"This is special license. It allows the bearer to park wherever they want, whenever they want, regardless of the posted sign, or the absolute inconvenience caused to other road users having to negotiate around their vehicle".

"Furthermore, this license will alter the conscience of the bearer to such an extent that they will be totally oblivious to other road users stares, gestures or rude words whilst carrying this license".

The Grinch can see it now - He comes across a car parked illegally next to the video shop in Gribble Street. He gets out of his (legally) parked car, ready to slash the tyres of the (illegally parked) vehicle, when out comes the cars owner (a skinny, fit, blonde, about 25) waving the "special license". It will make the Grinch feel so much better. He will probably even offer to hold the videos and pizza while she fumbles for the keys.....

So what do you think? The Grinch isn't always right. There was this one time back in 1945.....

By The Gungahlin Grinch. Arrraaahhhh!! It may come as a huge shock to some people, but those no parking/no standing signs that dot the Gungahlin landscape DO serve a purpose. Now let the Grinch think... what could it be? Ah yes, perhaps they are put there as an artificial IQ test. Actually the Grinch hopes not, otherwise some Gungahlin residents would have a score more akin to a low scoring soccer (sorry football) game. Here is a really radical Grinch thought (yes, he has them from time to time) - perhaps these signs are put up to: 1. improve public safety 2. improve traffic flow Illegal parking around local shops The local shop car parking scene really gets the Grinch's blood boiling every time. What is it with some people? "I'm only getting a few things" they will say if ever challenged for parking against red curbs, no parking signs etc. So the @*%@ is 99% of everyone else! The Grinch is particularly fed up with the illegal parking in Gribble Street. The area between the video store and the pizza shops are especially galling to him. There is a NO PARKING sign on the video shop side of the road for a bloody good reason. With cars parked on both sides of the road an anorexic Paris Hilton would struggle to squeeze through. It's only a matter of time before someone is hurt because of this dangerous practice, and it better not be The Grinch! For the slow witted amongst us - or those who think hiring/dropping off a video is as important as curing cancer - the side of the road that has the video store on it is NO PARKING!! Get it? The Grinch better not see any more cars parked here - he may just (finally) loose his temper! Illegal parking around Schools Ah school! A place of learning for the region's growing minds. A place of understanding, tolerance and peace - yeah right, not during the traditional kid drop off and pick up! - Just how arrogant are some parents? Off they go, driving to school, obeying every rule in the book until they get within 300 metres of the school - then it is on for young and old! They jostle for position in a display of driving our own Mark Webber would be proud of. Weaving in and out of traffic to be the first into the school car park. They have to be first as no other parent could possibly be as busy or as important as them. They drop the kids off with such speed even the Ferrari pit crew would be proud! They park as close to the school as possible. The Grinch thinks it's a good job the schools have fences, as he is sure some of them would park next to the teachers desk if they could! They "don't see" the Set Down/Pick Up only, NO PARKING sign just three metres from them. Out of the car they get, into the school they dash, only to return a few minutes later for round two of the Gungahlin Grand Prix! Seriously guys (sorry, in 80% of cases it's the gals) get a grip. Everyone is as important as everyone else. The world is not (trust the Grinch here) just yours, and if you are a few minutes late the Grinch doesn't think this will cause the world to implode. The Grinch's Answer? If we can't convince the pig headed amongst us to stick to the parking laws, perhaps the solution would be to issue them with a "special license". No the Grinch doesn't mean a special "you're a dick head" license (hey, now there's an idea!) but a license that raises them to the status they (think) they deserve. At least this way, we may not get as annoyed when we see them parking illegally. The "Special License" could read like this; "This is special license. It allows the bearer to park wherever they want, whenever they want, regardless of the posted sign, or the absolute inconvenience caused to other road users having to negotiate around their vehicle". "Furthermore, this license will alter the conscience of the bearer to such an extent that they will be totally oblivious to other road users stares, gestures or rude words whilst carrying this license". The Grinch can see it now - He comes across a car parked illegally next to the video shop in Gribble Street. He gets out of his (legally) parked car, ready to slash the tyres of the (illegally parked) vehicle, when out comes the cars owner (a skinny, fit, blonde, about 25) waving the "special license". It will make the Grinch feel so much better. He will probably even offer to hold the videos and pizza while she fumbles for the keys..... So what do you think? The Grinch isn't always right. There was this one time back in 1945.....