Did San Jose city council member try to change law to help sell his electric car?
In San Jose, California, as in many cities, hybrids (at least those bought in the city) park free. This has lead to a $7,700 loss of revenue, monthly, for the city. That's not too much, in the larger picture, but a little more couldn't hurt, right? City council member Pete Constant wants zero emission vehicles to qualify for that free parking too, no matter where they were purchased. But the proposal was taken off the agenda by the city attorney. Why? A potential conflict of interest, as Pete is trying to sell his 2002 GEM."There's no determination that there's a conflict but just the appearance, I think, he decided to just kick this until we get this resolved," says Pete. Oh, good catch.
[Source: ABC 7 News]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
god j 11:22AM (10/18/2007)
WHF???
Hybrids, burning gasoline can park free, but if you don't burn gasoline then you have to pay?
You are giving smug drivers special rights for burning gas, and causing global warming, yes they actually give off carbon AND SMUGNESS
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why not the LS2/LS7? 12:32PM (10/18/2007)
Wow, it's sad to see the "smug" foolishness extend to this site.
The anti-hybrid brigade seems awfully organized, they seem a lot more vehement about the issue than the people who actually own hybrids.
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steven 1:32PM (10/18/2007)
@1: Please go back and read the linked article again. It doesn't say that.
@Lascelle: Please go back and read the linked article again. It doesn't say that. It appears that the car is now up for sale to eliminate the conflict of interest.
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Lascelles Linton 1:46PM (10/18/2007)
Steven, I think you might be right but I don't think it's totally clear in the news report. Do you know of another article that makes it clear that he is selling because that would resolve the conflict?
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Chris M 12:19AM (10/19/2007)
Both hybrids and EVs were eligable to apply for that free parking sign (it hangs from the rearview mirror), but only if they were purchased new in San Jose. Purchases outside of San Jose didn't count.
The proposed change was to allow those that purchased an EV outside of San Jose to also apply for the free parking.
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