Thank you for shopping locally. That'll be $52.00 please.

I try to be a good Los Gatos citizen and patronize my local businesses.  Yes, it's sometimes more expensive but again, I want to support small businesses whenever possible.  

This evening, I had to work late and thought it would be nice to bring home some dinner for my son.  There were plenty of other restaurants on the way home but I ordered take out food from a restaurant on N. Santa Cruz instead.  After going around the block several times, I finally found a parking spot.  I parked, ran in, picked up our dinner and came right out.  I noticed the "meter man" behind my car as I was walking up and he drove away very quickly.  Lo and behold, there was a parking ticket for $52.00!  It was dark outside and I didn't even see the sign posted.  I was only gone for three minutes!  This is preposterous and it appears that the meter vehicles are waiting in the shadows to ticket anyone who parks there.  

I've learned my lesson.  Next time, I'll stop in San Jose on the way home where the business has a parking lot.  If that's how the town rewards it's customers, then I've shopped locally for the last time.