Latest news with #GordonClark
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Land trust to purchase, preserve Bay Area nude beach property
(KRON) — The Peninsula Open Space Trust announced Tuesday that it has entered an agreement to purchase San Gregorio Ranch for $10 million. The 195-acre San Mateo County coastline property, which has become known for its clothing-optional beach, will 'provide people and nature with so much in the decades to come,' POST President Gordon Clark said. POST expects to close on the property just north of San Gregorio State Beach in May 2026, according to a news release. The nonprofit land trust said it is seeking to raise $14 million to cover the cost of the property, along with developments to support public access and future stewardship. Whale entangled in crab trap lines off Monterey coast freed after 6 months 'San Gregorio Ranch is a stunning and beloved coastal property, with incredible ocean views, important native grasslands and beach access,' said Clark. 'Purchasing it outright means that POST can protect it from development and ensure continuous, safe public access. It also means that this sensitive landscape and its many conservation values will be cared for so that all can experience the beauty and wonder of San Mateo County's coast.' While the ranch has become one of California's best-known nude beaches, the ocean breeze sweeps past more than just bare-bottomed naturists. According to POST, San Gregorio Ranch 'boasts one of the region's largest stands of American dune grass' and 'features excellent habitat for numerous native species, such as California king snake, California red-legged frog, acorn woodpecker, American badger, California quail and more.' The trust will continue to study the species and habitats on the property ahead of the closing date, the news release stated, to guide its plans for public access and stewardship. San Gregorio Ranch could also be used to create a connection for the California Coastal Trail in the future, POST said. The segment of Highway 1 that runs along the property has been the site of multiple fatalities involving bicyclists. 'With POST's acquisition of San Gregorio Ranch, POST creates an opportunity to route the CCT through the property in the future, establishing a safer connection,' the nonprofit said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
I was fined £250 after hospital parking machine said I didn't need to pay
A motorist faces a £252 parking bill from a hospital visit three years ago – despite being told he did not have to pay. Gordon Clark, 71, and his wife Jennifer visited the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead on August 12, 2022 to see a friend and stayed for an hour and 13 minutes. They arrived at 6.09pm and left at 7.22pm, but when they entered the registration details of the Renault Captur in the machine Mr Clark said the message displayed on the parking machine read: 'No payment required'. He said he was shocked weeks later to receive a fixed penalty notice charge for £40 from ParkingEye, the company that manages the hospital's car parks using number plate recognition technology. He said: 'I checked the registration with my wife and I inputted the number again and received the same message. 'We left the car park and returned home only to receive a parking charge notice through the post two weeks later. 'I have disputed this with ParkingEye. However, their blind faith in the infallibility of their equipment has kept them pursuing me since, questioning my honesty and integrity. 'My wife and I are both retired and have always paid our dues.' Mr Clark, who worked as a construction consultant, lives in Medburn near Ponteland. He said: 'I have asked ParkingEye to request an explanation from their equipment supplier as to how this has happened and also how many other motorists have experienced the same issue. 'I have never received a response but have instead received many letters stating they maintain their position followed by threatening letters from a third-party debt collection agency and a court letter for over £250 for a less than £3 parking fee. 'As far as we were concerned there was no charge. As a matter of principle, I do not want to pay it. I am absolutely incensed.' Mr Clark said he intends to fight the matter in court if necessary. He said: 'The debt collection agency's language is getting more and more threatening. We don't believe we are alone, there will be other people like us out there. 'I think most people have caved in because they can't be bothered with the hassle. This has caused me a lot of aggro. I am having chemotherapy at the minute and my wife is recovering from major surgery. It is something we don't flaming need. It is so frustrating. I just wish I had taken a picture of the damn thing.' Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, said ParkingEye was an independent contractor responsible for managing the parking arrangements on the site. A spokesperson for the trust said: 'While we do not have the full details of Mr Clark's case and so cannot comment on his situation, we are sorry for any distress caused by this issue. ParkingEye is an independent contractor which manages the car parking payment and penalty notice system on our behalf. 'If patients or visitors speak to us about parking issues, we will always try to assist, particularly where people have had problems with the payment system or exemptions. 'Although Gateshead Health is not involved in the operational management or the enforcement of ParkingEye's policies, nor in the issuance of fines, we will offer advice and assistance where possible.' ParkingEye has been contacted for comment but not responded. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
30-03-2025
- Automotive
- Telegraph
I was fined £250 after hospital parking machine said I didn't need to pay
A motorist faces a £252 parking bill from a hospital visit three years ago – despite being told he did not have to pay. Gordon Clark, 71, and his wife Jennifer visited the Queen Elizabeth Hospita l in Gateshead on August 12, 2022 to see a friend and stayed for an hour and 13 minutes. They arrived at 6.09pm and left at 7.22pm, but when they entered the registration details of the Renault Captur in the machine Mr Clark said the message displayed on the parking machine read: 'No payment required'. He said he was shocked weeks later to receive a fixed penalty notice charge for £40 from ParkingEye, the company that manages the hospital's car parks using number plate recognition technology. He said: 'I checked the registration with my wife and I inputted the number again and received the same message. 'We left the car park and returned home only to receive a parking charge notice through the post two weeks later. 'I have disputed this with ParkingEye. However, their blind faith in the infallibility of their equipment has kept them pursuing me since, questioning my honesty and integrity. 'My wife and I are both retired and have always paid our dues.' Mr Clark, who worked as a construction consultant, lives in Medburn near Ponteland. He said: 'I have asked ParkingEye to request an explanation from their equipment supplier as to how this has happened and also how many other motorists have experienced the same issue. I am absolutely incensed 'I have never received a response but have instead received many letters stating they maintain their position followed by threatening letters from a third-party debt collection agency and a court letter for over £250 for a less than £3 parking fee. 'As far as we were concerned there was no charge. As a matter of principle, I do not want to pay it. I am absolutely incensed.' Mr Clark said he intends to fight the matter in court if necessary. He said: 'The debt collection agency's language is getting more and more threatening. We don't believe we are alone, there will be other people like us out there. 'I think most people have caved in because they can't be bothered with the hassle. This has caused me a lot of aggro. I am having chemotherapy at the minute and my wife is recovering from major surgery. It is something we don't flaming need. It is so frustrating. I just wish I had taken a picture of the damn thing.' We are sorry for any distress Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, said ParkingEye was an independent contractor responsible for managing the parking arrangements on the site. A spokesperson for the trust said: 'While we do not have the full details of Mr Clark's case and so cannot comment on his situation, we are sorry for any distress caused by this issue. ParkingEye is an independent contractor which manages the car parking payment and penalty notice system on our behalf. 'If patients or visitors speak to us about parking issues, we will always try to assist, particularly where people have had problems with the payment system or exemptions. 'Although Gateshead Health is not involved in the operational management or the enforcement of ParkingEye's policies, nor in the issuance of fines, we will offer advice and assistance where possible.'
