Port Colborne will let residents turn parking tickets into take-out food orders
Published January 21, 2022 at 12:40 pm
Port Colborne is letting residents take something they hate – parking tickets – and turning them into something everyone loves – free take-out food.
The city admitted they first saw the initiative up in the City of Barrie but regardless of its origins, it’s unconventionally brilliant and more importantly, it’s helping local eateries, struggling through the pandemic restrictions.
Port Colborne said they issued over 25 parking tickets to cars impeding the roads during the 50 cm Sunday-Monday snowstorm. Those cars were slapped with $75 tickets.
Ticket holders have the option of going into Port Colborne restaurants and ordering $75 or more worth of food between January 21 to 30. They can then submit the meal receipts and parking ticket to the city fire hall at 3 Killaly Way before February 2.
And just like that, the parking ticket diappears – a win-win for the ticket holders and local restaurant.
“This was the first significant snowfall we have had this year, and for quite a few years. Although tickets were issued to vehicle owners interfering with snowplow operations, we wanted to use this opportunity to educate about our policy by also supporting our local restaurants currently operating under public health restrictions until January 31”, said Scott Lawson, the city’s director of the community safety and enforcement department.
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And to reward residents who knocked themselves shoveling their way out of the blizzard, the largest the city has seen in over two decades, they have the chance to win a $75 gift certificate from a local eatery, as well.
“To show appreciation for Port Colborne residents who spent countless hours shoveling snow, the city is also holding a contest for anyone who may be too tired to cook,” said the city.
Any resident that orders take-out from a Port Colborne restaurant between January 21 to 30 and either posts a photo of their take-out order on the City’s Facebook contest post, tags the City in a public post on social media, or emails the photo to [email protected], along with mentioning the restaurant they ordered from, will be entered into a contest to win a $75 gift certificate from a Port Colborne restaurant of their choice.
“Since the beginning of COVID-19, the City of Port Colborne has worked to support local businesses and this is another example of our city-wide efforts”, said Bram Cotton, the city’s economic development officer. “We will continue to support our residents and businesses throughout this pandemic, and whatever weather events come our way, as we are a community anchored in resilience.”