New signs for Elder Parking spaces went up on the Osage Nation Campus this month.
Thanks to a law sponsored by Congressional Speaker Angela Pratt, there are now two Elder Parking spaces for every 25 parking spaces at each Osage Nation government building. The only buildings that won’t have elder parking spaces are those with less than 25 parking spaces.
More than 25 signs have currently been installed, but more than 50 signs will go up throughout Osage County for all Osage Nation buildings that qualify, said Justin Carr, director for the Nation’s Roads Department.
Process
According to ONCA 16-49 (Pratt), an elder is designated as an Osage tribal member over the age of 65. However, not just anyone over the age of 65 can park in the elder space, the elder must apply for a sticker decal. The applications can be found at any department located within the Welcome Center in Pawhuska, and are easy to fill out, said Greg Carpenter, director of the ON Tax Commission. The forms are also electronically available on the Tax Commission’s website at https://www.osagenation-nsn.gov/what-we-do/tax-commission
Carpenter said the elder only need to show proof they are over the age of 65, proof they are an Osage tribal member and a valid photo ID, and their application will be approved immediately. If the elder mails in their application, it will take a couple of days for the elder to receive the decal in the mail. The decals are free of charge. However, a $25 fee will be charged for any replacement decals.
According to Carpenter, the permit features a dark grey background with the word ELDER and a unique permit number. The permit is to be installed on either the bottom left of the rear window or the left side of the back bumper, it is not to be placed on the license plate.
The law also states violators who park in the designated spots without a permit, or fraudulently use the permit, are subject to a civil fine of up to $500. The Osage Nation Police Department has been authorized to ticket vehicles parking without the proper decals, according to Carpenter.
For more information, contact the Osage Nation Tax Commission at (918) 287-5393.
By
Shannon Shaw Duty
Original Publish Date: 2017-06-21 00:00:00