Les, you have my sympathy - but this little tale may make you feel a bit better.
In Northampton, the parking enforcement was contracted to a private company whose workers were on commission. Equipped with mopeds, they would hide behind walls and hedges, and around corners (I kid you not) waiting for a car to park wrongly then dart out on their moped, slap a ticket on the windscreen and zoom off before the startled motorist even had time to register their presence.
This all came to a head one night when a dozen or more councillors attended a charity meal at a Chinese restaurant, and their cars got ticketed although it was Sunday night, after 7p.m. They protested that it was a charity event (a free meal for them??), they protested that it was Sunday, that it was in the evening, that they weren't causing an obstruction - all to no avail, they had to pay up. Great mirth around the town!
Not too long after that, the contract was not renewed. Can't imagine why!
You may not be able to get your money back, but a letter to the local paper about the town being unwelcoming to those that bring in trade may at least rattle a few cages.
Duncan
