TOWED: The other side of the story

I begrudgingly submit this response to Jill Buckland, however blatant lies that smear a business surely warrant a rebuttal. Jill’s complaint was the Coeur d’Alene Athletic Club towed her car on Friday night while she was downtown and further claimed the gym was closed and a suburban was blocking the Private Parking sign.

Your car, one of just four, was towed prior to 7:30 p.m. Kindly check your receipt from Recovery Masters.

Friday night the Athletic Club is open until 11 p.m. Yes, you called to recover your car after 12:30 a.m., but that has no bearing on why and when you were towed. You state you came to watch the parade that started at 4:30 p.m.

The suburban (Escalade) that parked directly in the middle of the lot entrance did so AFTER you parked. You either drove directly around the sign and did not see it, or ignored it.

What began the unfortunate course of events was one vehicle parked so irresponsibly that two members vehicles were blocked in and could not leave. Understand that the Escalade did not park in an actual parking spot because none remained, for the general public or our paying members. Our priority is of course our club members and if they are unable to use the private lot we are left with no recourse.

The newspaper you submitted your letter to also has a private lot, less than 100 yards away, and the end result of unauthorized parking is eerily similar. I’m surprised they printed that to begin with.

JON GRINDE

Coeur d’Alene