I am writing this editorial in response to the Sept. 8 political cartoon, and the Sept. 12 column by Sara Ziegler titled, “When Your Car Disappears” that were published in the Iowa State Daily.

As an employee of more than two years at the lowa State University Department of Public Safety, Parking Division, I feel as if we are being unfairly depicted in your newspaper.

In the Sept. 8 cartoon, you made an effort to insult us by portraying us as Nazis. You are not creative; this is not a new term. We are probably referred to by that name more than any other. However, that does not make it right!

In your cartoon, you associated us with people who are responsible for the death of over 600,000 people and other disgusting human atrocities.

Don’t you think that is a bit extreme to compare law enforcement officers to Nazis? lt is just plain offensive. My other problem with the cartoon is that it implied that we write tickets for the following racist reasons: “not Aryan,” “eyes not blue,” “dislikes the fuhrer.” The cartoon eludes to parking tickets being issued by race! Obviously, there is nothing further from the truth.

As for the article by Sara Ziegler, I sensed nothing but whining, immaturity and bitterness because you are not allowed to park everywhere you want. This university would see mass confusion if everyone were allowed to park wherever they wanted. It is our job to keep both students and staff parking their vehicles in an orderly fashion. If one is unclear as to the parking rules and regulations, they could easily come to the Parking System Offices in the Armory, where someone would gladly explain. Or there is a copy of the rules on reserve at the Parks Library. When I started working for DPS in August of 1995, I must admit I did feel as though I was working for the enemy, because I, too, have had a few parking tickets.

Within two weeks of starting my job, I came to the conclusion that if a parking ticket is issued, it is the fault of the driver. If it is not, the ticket will be revoked through the office of appeals.

If an appeal is denied, there is still the second option of an administrative hearing. Many people, like Sara Ziegler, think it is excusable to park illegally for just a few minutes for “running in buildings, dropping off books and picking up people.”

If you are parked for five minutes or five hours, you are still parked illegally and there is no way for a DPS parking officer to know how long you have been parked. We do understand that these are needs of the students, and that is why there are several metered parking lots throughout campus.

As for your automobile getting towed, I am sorry that it happened; I know it is an unpleasant situation for anyone. However, there is some reason YOU got towed. Also, it is your responsibility to know the location of your car, and you should be thankful that Parking Systems called you.

What l found the most immature about the article was that you chose to prejudge the character of the employees of DPS Parking Division.

I have never met more nice, friendly people than my co-workers, and I have made friends with the other students and full-time adult employees; they are human!

Alexander E. Zachary

Senior

Architecture

Department of Public Safety

Parking Division Appeals Office