Free parking: It's in the fine print

Pasadena Star-News reporter Fred Ortega tells us that parking signs in Pasadena are confusing motorists. Apparently, the drivers get two-free hours of parking, but you can't tell that by reading the signs.

But signs noting that patrons need not pay for the first two hours are nowhere to be found.

"Of course it is confusing," said Flor Almaguer, who works at Dental Plus + Dental Group near Del Mar and Lake. "I've seen people drive up and right away go to the machines and pay."

Here are what some readers have said about it:

--- I have lived in Pasadena almost all my 52 years. I stopped going to Old Town because of the parking. Last weekend I saw this parking mess on South Lake. I guess Arcadia and Monrovia gets all my business now. Just who is driving all the customers out of Pasadena? ---

--- Good Idea !!!lets go to Arcadia where they want our business. ---

--- South Lake was family friendly, now it is a burden. The parking metering/posting/enforcement is going to truly hurt some of the smaller shops. The only patrons to the district will be those who can walk from the surrounding apartments & condo’s. OFF TO SANTA ANITA WE GO!! ----