Ford City Ordinance Officer Thriving So Far
Ford City Ordinance Enforcement Officer Michele Meixelberger checks her daily tickets outside Klingensmith’s Drug Store downtown yesterday
By Jonathan Weaver
Less than two weeks into her new job, Ford City’s Ordinance Enforcement Officer Michele Meixelberger is not only enjoying the job (and exercise), but helping downtown run smoother.
The Yatesboro native who has lived in Ford City for about 50 years started training with Ford City Police Sergeant Mark Brice at the end of April and now can be seen patrolling parking meters from Ford City Park to Ford City Junior-Senior High School about four blocks away.
While also working at the A&W in East Franklin Township, as a babysitter while at Shannock Valley High and as a cake decorator during her lifetime, Meixelberger said the ever-changing walking route appealed to her most.
“I liked the fact that it was part-time, but also, it seemed interesting. It seemed to be an active job and I like staying active – I’m not really someone that likes to sit behind a desk looking at a computer,” Meixelberger said. “I went in for an interview, was surprised I got hired.
I always saw myself as a very fit person, and I do like staying very active – that’s really why (the job) appealed to me so that I’m able to be mobile. Keeps you healthy that way.
“It’s been a process, but it’s actually been a lot of fun. I’m enjoying myself.
Meixelberger said she prepared herself by walking along her dirt block-long driveway.
“I try to switch it up every day – I try to plan a different route,” Meixelberger said. “I know they really want to enforce the ordinances on Ford Street to free up (parking) spaces for customers that have businesses along there, so that’s really my main concern at this point.”
Meixelberger’s work schedule varies – hour-wise and day-wise - during the week to keep the public honest.
She said her three adult children (including son, Eric, who still lives in Ford City) chuckled a little when they officially saw their mother in the navy blue uniform.
Meixelberger said she hasn’t heard much criticism from local customers, though, and people shouldn’t worry about approaching her or Borough Manager Eden Ratliff with any concerns.
Ratliff was not surprised by Meixelberger’s hire, nor with her work ethic and success so far. Last week, Ratliff said Meixelberger already wrote 50 tickets.
He said Meixelberger’s friendly interactions and willingness to learn made her an ideal candidate at her interview with council members.
“I think that she interviewed very well – she has good work history, and during the course of that interview, she was able to instill confidence in her ability to work hard and do well and learn the aspects of the job necessary to be successful,” Ratliff said. “I was not surprised when she was awarded the position.”
Tickets range in fine amounts between, for example, Fourth and Fifth Avenues, the municipal lot and Ford Street.
By waldo, June 2, 2015 @ 2:47 PM
Now that nobody is parking on Ford Street come out and bust some of these crappy yards and zoning violations. While I’m thinking about it maybe FC should mention farmers markets to the citizens. One more thing I noticed a lot of crossings where the lines are worn off any chance of hiring the phantom painter to fix them if he can do it without being run over by the speeding traffic on fifth avenue maybe we should hire someone to wave the checkered flag for the maniacs.