This Week in Easton, October 28 to 31

A week of frights and candy is upon us...plus a few other things. Enjoy!

Monday, October 28

City of Easton 2014 Budget Review Session: 6 p.m. Expected revenue for the coming year is to be the topic of discussion by city council, with all city department directors set to be present. City Hall, city council chambers, sixth floor, 1 South Third St.

Open Mic Night: 6 to 10 p.m. P.A. will be provided, please bring yourself, your songs and your instruments. Come to play or just come to enjoy the music. "BYOB okay, but please, no soda or food." New Seasons Event Center, 905b Line St. Email SlideTheBlues@gmail.com for more info.

Palmer Township Shade Tree Committee meeting: 6:30 p.m. In the Palmer Library meeting room, at the Municipal Complex, 1 Weller Place (off of Newburg Road), Palmer Township.

Wilson Borough Council meeting: 7 p.m. 2040 Hay Terrace, Wilson Borough.

Forks Township Historical Society Meeting: 7 p.m. Ned Heindel will present "Folk Medicine of the Pennsylvania Germans." All are welcome, handicap accessible. Faith Lutheran Church, 2012 Sullivan Trail, Forks Township. 610-253-1035

"Bashar al-Assad and the Disintegration of Syria": 7:30 p.m. Talk by David Lesch, who is the author of 12 books, has been quoted in newspapers and magazines worldwide, and is a frequent commentator on Middle East issues on numerous well-known media outlets. In addition, he has appeared at and been a consultant to the United Nations on a variety of Middle East issues and met on a regular basis between 2004 and 2009 with Syrian President Bashar al-Asad, as well as consulting with the Bush and the Obama administration officials on an ongoing basis on U.S. relations with Syria. A reception and book signing will follow the talk. Free and open to the public. Lafayette College, in Colton Chapel, with the reception and book signing in the lobby at Kirby Hall of Civil Rights. Click here for a Lafayette College campus map.

Trivia Night: 8 p.m. Two Rivers Brewing Company, 542 Northampton St. 610-829-1131 or www.tworiversbrewing.com

Tuesday, October 29

 Naturalist Walk: 9 to 11 a.m. Join Preserve Manager and Natural Lands Trust Wildlife Coordinator Tim Burris to explore the 200-acre Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary. Please wear sturdy walking shoes and bring your water bottle. Walks will meet in the parking lot at Mariton. We will proceed in misty conditions but cancel in case of downpour or lightening. This event is free, but please preregister. Mariton Wildlife Sanctuary, 240 Sunnyside Road, Williams Township. For more information, please email Tim at timburris@natlands.org

Duplicate Bridge: 11:30 a.m. Temple Covenant of Peace, 1451 Northampton St.

Easton Area School Board meeting: 7 p.m. Education Center, board room, 1801 Bushkill Drive, Forks Township.

Make a Floral Pumpkin Topiary: 7 p.m. Open to all, but class size is limited. $12 materials charge (cash only), registration required. Children under 9 years old must be accompanied by an adult. Handicapped accessible. Easton Area Public Library, Catherine Drake Meeting Room (lower level), 515 Church St. Call Jennifer Stocker to register at 610-258-2917, ext. 310 or register on the event calendar at www.eastonpl.org

Panel Discussion - "Marriage Equality Update: Post-DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act)": 7 p.m. The last of Lafayette College's planned events for LGBT History month. Free and open to the public. Lafayette College, Farinon College Center, in the Marlo Room. Click here for a Lafayette College campus map.

Line Dancing: 7 to 9:30 p.m. Beginner lessons 7:15 p.m. Open dancing follows. $5 per person. Tatamy Fire Company, 164 Bushkill St., Tatamy. 610-759-2786 or www.purecountrydancers.com

Trivia Night: 7 to 10 p.m. Hosted by comedienne Liz Russo. The Easton Fire Department will be guest bar tending from 5 to 7 p.m. too! Rivals, 5 Lehn's Court. 610-392-2932 or www.rivalseaston.com

Bingo: 7 to 10:30 p.m. Our Lady of Lebanon Maronite Catholic Church, corner of South Fourth and Ferry streets.

Wednesday, October 30

 Non-Fiction Book Group meeting: 7 p.m. This month's selection is "Over-Dressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion" by Elizabeth L. Cline. Learn how stores came to be filled with ridiculously cheap clothing that won’t hold up through a season of washing. Easton Public Library, Marx Room, 515 Church St. www.eastonpl.org

Free Texas Hold'em: 7 & 9 p.m. Registration is 15 minutes prior to each game. La Pazza, 1251 Ferry St. 610-515-0888 or www.lapazza.com

Tower Suite: 7 p.m. Vintage Restaurant at The Club at Morgan Hill, 100 Clubhouse Drive. 610-923-8480 or www.vintagerestaurantandbar.com

 Waver Wednesday: 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. All new wave, dark wave, indie and electronica music, with DJ Brad Scott Smith and DJ Mumbler. 80s themed costume party tonight too!  Two Rivers Brewing Company, 542 Northampton St. 610-829-1131 or www.tworiversbrewing.com

Open Mic with Scott Harrington: 9:30 p.m. Porters' Pub, 700 Northampton St. 610-250-6561 or www.porterspubeaston.com

Thursday, October 31

'Cause we know this is just how all the little angels that
ring your doorbell tonight are going to look...right?

Happy Halloween!


Trick-or-Treat time tonight is 6 to 8 p.m. for the City of Easton, Wilson Borough, West Easton, Glendon Borough, Palmer Township, Forks Township, and Williams Township, as well as in Stockertown and Tatamy.

Cops 'n Kids Reading Room open: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Children receive three free books for visiting. Easton Area Community Center, back entrance, 901 Washington St. 610-250-6562

Trunk or Treat: 6 to 8 p.m. Bible inspired activities. Green Pastures Community Church, 28 North 10th St. 610-253-8001

"Light the Night": 6 to 8 p.m. Fun activities and safe trick-or-treating. Rain or shine, hosted by Easton Weed and Seed. Centennial Park, on the corner of South 12th and Ferry streets.

"Return of the Living Mullet" Halloween Party: 8 p.m. to midnight. "Best in Show" prize for the best mullet, music jams, and "scary fun". Those wearing a mullet will get a free Jell-O shot too. Be over 21. La Pazza, 1251 Ferry St. 610-515-0888 or www.lapazza.com

Halloween Party: 8 p.m. to midnight. Get your freak on! With the Easton Record Exchange. Black & Blue, 683 Walnut St. 610-438-3604 or www.blackandblueeaston.com

24th annual Halloween Bash: All evening. A pumpkin carving contest ("we'll supply the pumpkins, sharp knives and alcohol. You supply the talent!"), bobbing for apples, and a costume contest are all part of the fun for those over 21. Porters' Pub, 700 Northampton St. 610-250-6561 or www.porterspubeaston.com

Halloween Costume Party: With Lelica, Trio Feat, Doug Hawk, and BD Lenz. Prizes for best costume. Maxim's 22, 322 Northampton St. 610-252-2622 or www.maxims22.com

Halloween Party: 9:30 p.m. With DJ Richie R. Pearly Bakers, 11 Centre Square. 610-253-9949 or www.pearlybakers.net

"This Week in Easton" lists what's happening during the weekdays, from special events to who's playing to government meetings, all in one handy place. Not just in the City of Easton, but for the entire greater Easton area...Published every Monday morning!

Is there a community or entertainment event you'd like to see here? Are you organizing something you'd like to have posted? Did we miss something? Email us!

Last updated on Tuesday, October 29 at 12:53 a.m.

Bacon Fest II: Porcine Art Submissions Sought, King of the Chops to Be Crowned

The Easton Farmers' Market is putting out the call for artists of two different sorts to come and take part in Bacon Fest II, set to take place on Saturday, November 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Centre Square.

Fine artists are invited to participate in "Art Du Cochon" (Art of the Pig) by entering original drawings, paintings, sculpture or mixed media pieces that portray pigs, swine or hogs. Paintings must be 16-by-20-inches or larger, and mixed media pieces or sculpture must be “bigger than a bread box.” Artists  are encouraged to utilize found objects or salvage when possible.

Entries will be placed on display at Bacon Fest II. Artists can choose to sell their piece with a 15 percent commission going to Easton Farmers’ Market. All art will remain supervised throughout the festival, and a volunteer will be on site to handles sales. 

Three prizes will be awarded: a first prize of $200, a second prize of $100, and a third prize consisting of one pound of bacon from Breakaway Farms and a $25 gift card to Two Rivers Brewing Company.

All entries must be received no later than Thursday November 7 and can be delivered to the Easton Farmers’ Market information tent on Saturdays or to the Easton Farmers’ Market office at 35 South Third St., Monday thru Friday during regular business hours.

Those with a flair for music are invited to channel their inner Elvis during the "Hunka, Hunka Burnin’ Bacon Competition" at Bacon Fest II, and vie for judges' favor to become "King of the Chops".

Contestants will be judged on voice, dance moves, and their ability to build the best bacon, peanut butter and banana sandwich, an Elvis favorite.

A panel of judges will choose the winner based on appearance, performance, and the taste and quality of the sandwich.

For more information on either Bacon Fest II event, visit the festival website at www.pabaconfest.com or call the Easton Farmers' Market office at 610-330-9942.

Palmer Man Murdered Woman in West Ward Last Month, Police Say

Khamir De’Lapara, 20, of the will be charged
with criminal homicide in the shooting death
of Amanda Stratford, who was found shot to
death in a green pickup truck parked in the
Peach Street alley near Ferry and South
13th streets in Easton's West Ward
on September 22.
Contributed photo

A man arrested and charged with drug offenses after a raid at a South Side Easton residence early this morning is the person that murdered Amanda Stratford, who was found shot to death in a pickup truck on Peach Street late at night on September 22, police say.

Khamir De’Lapara, 20, of the will be charged with criminal homicide in the case, Easton Police Lieutenant Matt Gerrould said in a media release Friday afternoon. He said the charges came after EPD Crime Unit detectives continued the investigation after a warranted search early this morning at 315 Palmer St. and have determined that De’Lapara shot Stratford resulting in her death.

De’Lapara, of the 2700 block of Victoria Lane in Palmer Township, is expected to be arraigned on charges later today, police said earlier.

Two Arrested in South Side Drug Raid

Easton police arrested two people early this morning during a warranted search of a home in the city's South Side neighborhood.

Authorities say Kelly Craven, 31, and Kahmir DeLapara, 20, were both arrested after the Easton Police Special Response Unit and Vice Unit discovered undisclosed amounts of heroin, crack cocaine, and marijuana at 315 Palmer St. They added the drugs were packaged in a manner consistent with intent to resell the substances.

Both were taken into custody and are going to be charged with possession with intent to deliver heroin, cocaine, and marijuana, as well as conspiracy to possess heroin.

Each is expected to be arraigned today in front of District Magistate Daniel Corpora.

Easton Police Crime Unit detectives also assisted during the search, in hopes of locating possible evidence relating to the homicide death of Amanda Stratford, which occurred on September 22 on Peach Street in the city's West Ward district , police said. No one has yet been charged in the crime.

No one was injured during the raid, police noted.

Weekend Guide, October 25 to 27

Ghosts and goblins are afoot this weekend...Boo!

Friday, October 25

 

Film Screening and Discussion - "Kissing Jessica Stein": 2 p.m. Free and open to the public. Lafayette College, Hugel Science Center, Room 100. Click here for a campus map. Click here for more information about LGBT History Month events at Lafayette College.

Halloween Bash: Begins at 5 p.m. Headliner Gloominous Doom will be joined by Super Truck, Chinga, Skinneo, Vengents, and Anticitizen, promising a headbanging good time all night. Mothers Bar & Grill, 3 Lehn's Court. 610-253-1012


Easton Rovers vs. Whitehall High School: Kickoff at 7 p.m. Tickets are $6 per person, $3 for seniors and kids in grades K through 12. Cottingham Stadium, 12th and Northampton streets. Click here for more ticket information.

"Heaven and Hell" Halloween Party, Philadelphia Funk Authority, DJ LAX: Band at 7:30 p.m., DJ at 10:30 p.m. $500 in cash prizes for costumes are promised too. Rivals Sports Bar & Nightclub, 5 Lehn's Court. www.rivalseaston.com

FON (Family OUT Night): 8 p.m. to midnight. LGBT social with complimentary buffet. Featuring DJ April spinning up some ole skool jams. For those over 21. La Pazza Bar, 13th and Ferry streets. 610-515-0888 or www.lapazza.com

10th Annual Haunted Easton Tour: 8 p.m. "Join our guides and ghouls for hysterics and history in the labyrinth streets of Easton; reaping centuries of fact and fiction." Tickets are $10 per person. No pets, strollers, or smoking on the tour. This tour is not for the faint of heart; it's a brisk walk through a labrynth of back alleys in Easton's Historic Downtown. Tour is not recommended for young children due to scary stories and adult language. All children must be accompanied by an adult and pay the full ticket price. Tour runs rain or shine. Additional tour set for Saturday, Oct. 26. Tour meets on Centre Square, in front of the Crayola Experience. Click here for more details or to purchase advance  tickets online.

Lelica & BD Lenz: 8 p.m. Valenca, 64-66 Centre Square. 610-923-5142 or www.valencaonthesquare.com

George Kilby Jr.: 8 p.m. The Riegelsville Inn, 12 Delaware Road, Riegelsville. 610-749-0100 or www.riegelsvilleinn.com

Brian Dean  Moore: 9 p.m. Colonial Pizza & Spaghetti House, 136-138 Spring Garden St. 610-252-3033 or www.colonialpizzapub.com

Mike Lorenz: 9 p.m. Two Rivers Brewing Company, 542 Northampton St. 610-829-1131 or www.tworiversbrewing.com

Halloween Costume Party with DJ Chopper: 9 p.m. Riegelsville Tavern, 1274 Easton Road, Riegelsville. 610-510-3030 or www.riegelsvilletavern.com

Start Making Rent: 10 p.m. Porters' Pub, 700 Northampton St. 610-250-6561 or www.porterspubeaston.com

J2: 10 p.m. Pearly Baker's Alehouse, 11 Centre Square. 610-253-9949 or www.pearlybakers.net

DJ John McCluskey: 10 p.m. Dub's on Fifth, 402 South Fifth St., West Easton. 610-438-3827 or www.dubson5th.com

Saturday, October 26

16th Annual Scarecrow Festival at the Easton Farmers' Market: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. A scarecrow building contest is the highlight--for $10, including all you need, including expert assistance from the EFM scarecrow techs, build your own scarecrow that can be either left to display on the Centre Square or taken home with you after the event. Contest categories include the funniest, most artful, scariest, most glamorous, and cutest scarecrows, along with the best character look-alike scarecrow and the one judged to be the best designed by a group. Judging takes place at 1:30 p.m. Other activities throughout the day include a pumpkin bake-off at 11 a.m., live music featuring Chuck Shaffer and Fool Moon Howlin', pumpkin painting, pumpkin bowling, Halloween games, harvest storytime and a giant corn play pit. For more information, visit www.EastonFarmersMarket.com

Championship CFA Cat Show: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 225 pedigree cats and household pets judged, meet the cats and exhibitors and shop for unique cat items. Admission is $6 per person, $5 for seniors and kids, or $20 for a family of four. Charles Chrin Community Center, 4100 Green Pond Road, Palmer Township. 610-252-2098

Plant a Tree: 9:30 a.m. to noon. Join the City of Easton, the Easton Environmental Advisory Council and volunteers from Lafayette College for some neighborhood beautification in Easton’s South Side, planting trees and sprucing up Pioneer Park. All volunteers are welcome. If possible, volunteers should bring a shovel and a pair of work gloves. Some extra tools and gloves will be available. Wearing sturdy shoes and long pants is recommended. Rain or shine. Pioneer Park, Lincoln and Milton streets.

Little Free Library Dedication: 10 a.m. Four new Little Free Libraries will be unveiled, to be placed in Downtown Easton locations. Centre Square. Click here for more details. 

Jay's Halloween Bowling Fund Raiser: 4 to 10 p.m. A fund raiser for the Bowen Family, whose father passed away suddenly in May of 2013, leaving behind a wife and five children, the youngest of who was born in September 2013.  All proceeds benefits the family.  50/50 drawing and a silent raffle.  Costumes encouraged & prizes for costumes. Bar-Don Lanes, 3700 Nicholas St., Palmer Township.  610-258-0221

Hungarian Dinner: 4:30 to 7 p.m. Eat in or take out. $15 per person, $8 for students, kids under 6 are free. First Presbyterian Church, 333 Spring Garden St. 610-253-3579 or 610-258-6136

Art Opening - "Season of Transition": 5 to 8 p.m. Works by Virginia Abbott, Rigo Peralta, and Bobby Zeik. RE:find, 437 Northampton St. 610-829-1313 or www.refindeaston.com

Northampton County Miracle League Trick-or-Treat: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Rain date is 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27. Charles Chrin Community Center, 4100 Green Pond Road, Palmer Township. 610-252-2098

Winter Wonderland at Masquerade Gala: 6 to 11 p.m. Multi-course dinner, dancing, awards for best costumes, games, live and silent auctions, more. Formal attire and mask are suggested. Tickets are $150 per person or $275 per couple. Benefits the American Lung Association. The Eastonian Holiday Inn Express Ballroom, 90 Kunkle Drive in Palmer Township. www.lunginfo.org/masquerade.

Free Texas Hold'em: 7 & 9 p.m. Registration is 15 minutes prior to each game. La Pazza, 1251 Ferry St. 610-515-0888 or www.lapazza.com

"Heaven and Hell" Halloween Party, Uncle Rocco, DJ Mike West: Band at 7:30 p.m., DJ at 10 p.m. $500 in cash prizes for costumes are promised too. Rivals Sports Bar & Nightclub, 5 Lehn's Court. www.rivalseaston.com

10th Annual Haunted Easton Tour: 8 p.m. "Join our guides and ghouls for hysterics and history in the labyrinth streets of Easton; reaping centuries of fact and fiction." Tickets are $10 per person. No pets, strollers, or smoking on the tour. This tour is not for the faint of heart; it's a brisk walk through a labrynth of back alleys in Easton's Historic Downtown. Tour is not recommended for young children due to scary stories and adult language. All children must be accompanied by an adult and pay the full ticket price. Tour runs rain or shine. Tour meets on Centre Square, in front of the Crayola Experience. Click here for more details or to purchase advance  tickets online.

The Barrel House Brothers: 8 p.m. Black and Blue, 683 Walnut St. 610-438-3604 or www.blackandblueeaston.com

Orange and Black Dance: 8 to 11 p.m. Music by King Henry & The Showmen, wear something orange or black or a Halloween costume, prizes awarded. Charles Chrin Community Center, 4100 Green Pond Road, Palmer Township. 610-258-4461

The Big Wahu: 8 to 11 p.m. Caribbean and contemporary music. Mesa Modern Mexican, 42 South Third St. 610-829-2101 or www.mesamexican.com

Node: 8 p.m. The Riegelsville Inn, 12 Delaware Road, Riegelsville. 610-749-0100 or www.riegelsvilleinn.com

Steve Brosky & Jimmy Meyers: 9 p.m. Two Rivers Brewing Company, 542 Northampton St. 610-829-1131 or www.tworiversbrewing.com

Second Chance Rodeo: 9 p.m. Riegelsville Tavern, 1274 Easton Road, Riegelsville. 610-510-3030 or www.riegelsvilletavern.com

The Roux: 10 p.m. Porters' Pub, 700 Northampton St. 610-250-6561 or www.porterspubeaston.com

Another Lousy Cover Band: 10 p.m. Pearly Baker's Alehouse, 11 Centre Square. 610-253-9949 or www.pearlybakers.net

Halloween Party, with Truth and Soul: 10 p.m. Dub's on Fifth, 402 South Fifth St., West Easton. 610-438-3827 or www.dubson5th.com

Halloween Bash: Up to $500 in cash and prizes will be awarded for the best costumes, with Jamal Knight entertaining the crowd all night. Drinky's, 5 Centre Square. www.drinkys.com

Batuque's Bloody Halloween Bash: 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. Dance party featuring DJ Teez, wicked drink specials, tasty tricks and treats. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door, must be 21 to attend. Best costume contest at midnight. Batuque, 154 Northampton St., 610-250-7171 or www.batuquepa.com

Sunday, October 27

Championship CFA Cat Show: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 225 pedigree cats and household pets judged, meet the cats and exhibitors and shop for unique cat items. Admission is $6 per person, $5 for seniors and kids, or $20 for a family of four. Charles Chrin Community Center, 4100 Green Pond Road, Palmer Township. 610-252-2098

DJ Brad Scott Smith with DJ Mumbler: Noon to 4 p.m., during brunch. Valenca, 64-66 Centre Square. 610-923-5141 or www.valencarestauranteaston.com

The Great Halloween Parade of Phillipsburg/Easton: 3 p.m. This year's parade is expected to draw a crowd of more than 5,000 as local groups and individuals scarily strut their stuff in celebration of the spookiest day of the year. Beginning in Phillipsburg, NJ, at McKeen Street, the parade proceeds over the free bridge to Easton and up Northampton Street, ultimately ending in Centre Square.

Allentown Band: 3 p.m. Featuring Lauren Curnow, mezzo soprano, and Jeffrey Curnow, associate principal trumpet with Philadelphia Orchestra. Music of Wagner, Bizet, Dvorak, Gould, Gershwin, Sousa and more. General admission is $20 at the door, seniors and students are $12. Trinity Episcopal Church, 234 Spring Garden St. 610-253-0792

Halloween Block Party: 4 to 8 p.m. Rivals Sports Bar & Nightclub, 5 Lehn's Court. www.rivalseaston.com

BC Combo: 5:30 p.m. Bella Luna, 3417 Sullivan Trail, Forks Township. 610-253-7458

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Easton City Council Endorses Immigration Reform

By Christina Georgiou

About 50 people attended a rally in support of immigration reform on
Easton's Centre Square last evening. The rally was hosted by
Organizing For Action—Lehigh Valley and sponsored by
National Council of La Raza and the Service Employees International Union.
Image from the Organizing for Action - Lehigh Valley Facebook page

Easton's city council passed a resolution Wednesday evening urging Congress to enact comprehensive immigration reform, saying that changes to the law are necessary to keep families together, uphold the nation's democratic values, promote economic growth, and create a fair immigration system.

The resolution notes that the city "is a diverse community historically built on the social, cultural, economic and political contributions of immigrant communities over its more than 260 years" and "values the positive contributions of all residents, including immigrants."

It further states that "Growth in the City of Easton’s population and small businesses over recent decades has been significantly driven by immigrants, who bring new life and investment to our City’s neighborhoods and commercial corridors" and, "Above all, we believe in the human dignity of all Easton’s residents."

The move comes on the heels of a rally in Easton's Centre Square Tuesday evening that was hosted by Organizing For Action—Lehigh Valley and sponsored by National Council of La Raza and the Service Employees International Union. About 50 people attended the event, including Easton Mayor Sal Panto, Vice-mayor Ken Brown, and Councilman Jeff Warren.

All three praised the resolution, saying that immigration reform is sorely needed, and they hope Congress acts to create a pathway for undocumented residents to become legal U.S. citizens.

Panto praised Congressman Matt Cartwright (D-PA17) for supporting such changes and said he hopes Congressman Charlie Dent (R-PA15) will reconsider his opposition to reforming immigration laws. He added that the matter should not be a partisan issue.

"All we're asking for is a legal pathway for people to become citizens," Panto said, noting that immigrants have contributed much to America, including important technology and pharmaceutical contributions.

"To be clear, we're not talking about illegal immigration. We're talking about law-abiding people who want to become citizens," he added.

"It was a pleasure to be in Centre Square yesterday with such passionate individuals," Warren said. "Nobody in America should ahv to hide in the shadows of despair. Just recognizing this and passing this speaks volumes."

"I truly believe that this is not a border issue, but a human issue," Brown said. "I had the opportunity to travel with my wife to her home country of Guatemala and see for myself. I'm proud to be part of this...and I believe our voices will be heard."

Copies of the resolution will be delivered to Senators Robert Casey and Pat Toomey, Congressman Matt Cartwright, State Representative Bob Freeman, and State Senators Lisa Boscola and Robert Mensch, as well as Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett.

New City Ordinance Will Allow More Time to Pay Tickets

By Christina Georgiou

Introduced at the City of Easton council meeting Wednesday evening, a new ordinance will modify the existing provisions and allow up to 90 days for those who receive parking tickets to pay their fines before the ticket is sent to the local magistrate's office. Currently, the limit is 60 days.

But, while council members seem favorably disposed to the new measure, which is set to be voted on at their next regular meeting in two weeks, some questioned the logic of the fine schedule.

Councilman Roger Ruggles noted that the fine for parking in three College Hill registered permit parking zones without a permit escalates to a $110 fine if paid 61 to 90 days after the ticket was issued, while other violations escalate to a $95 penalty in the same time period. Both sets of infractions initially carry a $50 fine, if paid within one business day of the violation.

"Someone could park in front of a fire hydrant and they'd pay less of a penalty than this," he said. "I just don't understand why these are the most severe penalties on the list, when I see things on the list that to my mind are much more severe."

Councilman Jeff Warren, who introduced the bill, said he agreed that some of the escalating fine amounts should be looked at and possibly changed before it's passed.

Mayor Sal Panto agreed as well, noting that one infraction on the list, "unauthorized parking on private property" may not be enforceable, as the city isn't allowed to issue tickets to vehicles that aren't in a public space.

City Administrator Glenn Steckman said he'd have the police department review the matter and provide city council members with the results of their review.

Minor changes to the bill could be accomplished with amendments before its passage, the council noted, though if substantial changes are made, it will have to be re-introduced before council votes on the measure.

Increasing the limit of time people have to pay parking fines is part of the city's plan to allow online and electronic payment of those penalties, Steckman said.