There is something wrong with our Washington state parks system in their attempt to raise money to keep the parks running. A simple parking violation for not having a Discover Pass nets $99.
My wife and I went on a charter salmon fishing trip on the Columbia River. We were to meet our guide at 5:30 a.m. at the Beacon Rock boat ramp, arriving at approximately 5:20 a.m. When we returned from fishing, there was a parking ticket to the tune of $99. If I send in proof of purchase of a Discover Pass the ticket would be $59. We were not even aware of the Discover Pass requirements. The law went into effect July 1, but even if we had noticed the signs requiring a pass, where would we get one at 5:20 a.m.?
I feel that this action is ludicrous and the amount of the fine does not fit the crime. If it required us to buy a Discover Pass after the fact in order to eliminate the ticket that would be fair. The parks department would get additional revenues and you would have a happy tax-paying citizen. As is, you have a very disgruntled tax-paying citizen. The current process is totally unfair.
Dennis L. Franklin
Camas
