WEIRTON - Weirton City Council unanimously approved a request for a handicap parking space at 313 S. 17th St. during its regular meeting on Monday.
The request came to council following the recommendation from the Weirton Traffic Commission to approve the request. However, council expressed concern over board members questioning the validity of the resident's disability during the Traffic Commission meeting in July when making the decision.
Although there was some disagreement with the request for the handicap parking space by several members of the Traffic Commission, the board decided to recommend the request at a 3-1 vote. Board members also suggested looking into the process to see if the specific disability could be listed as they weighed in on decisions to approve or deny the requests in the future.
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SPEAKING OUT — Ward 6 Councilman David Dalrymple expressed his displeasure with the Weirton Traffic Commission questioning the validity of the disability of the resident requesting a handicap parking space at 313 S. 17th St. Weirton City Council passed legislation Monday approving the request 7-0. -- Angelina Dickson
Ward 6 Councilman David Dalrymple, who showed support for the request through correspondence at the Traffic Commission meeting, said he spoke with the resident of 313 S. 17th St. who was upset over the comments made. He said it is not the responsibility of the Traffic Commission to question a person's handicap.
"This is not the first time I've heard of comments like that being made," he said. "It's a doctor's decision, not theirs."
Dalrymple said the situation would have normally been handled internally, but since the comments were made public he felt it needed to be addressed. He said he hopes those on the Traffic Commission will refrain from such open comments and respect the privacy of those making such requests.
The Weirton Traffic Commission is set to meet at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Weirton Municipal Building.
(Dickson can be contacted at adickson@weirtondailytimes.com)
