With the Main Street Iowa facade project and a probable TIF district coming, most of Guthrie Center is under a renovation. However, many, including Mayor Denny Kunkle believe the fresh image of the city could be marred by broken down vehicles perpetually parked on city streets, “It’s an ongoing thing. Every once in a while, somebody parks a vehicle somewhere, and leaves it for extended periods of times. Usually it’s not a big deal, but if it’s been there two or three weeks, people start to complain, so we have to get after them and make sure it doesn’t happen again.”
Though towing and ticketing is certainly a legal option, Kunkle says he doesn’t necessarily want to go that route right away, though he’s not opposed to getting the police involved, “I’ve always told our police department on issues like that, yeah you’ve got a badge, and you can write a parking ticket, but give them a chance, get a hold of them, give them 24 or 48 hours and give them a chance to move it.”
Kunkle says the issue is problematic around the city, and is more than just a few repeat offenders.