Editor’s note: This Johnnie St. Vrain column was published originally in August of 2011.

Dear Johnnie: Why do doctors give out handicapped permits to people who don’t need them?

Though I certainly appreciate the efforts the volunteers at the Longmont Police Department make in keeping people without handicapped permits from parking in those designated spots, I question doctors’ criteria to assign these permits.

I see people all the time drive up and put the permit on the window and then get out of the vehicle and walk without any noticeable problem into a store. On the other hand, I see people with walking difficulties hobbling from a parking spot farther back trying to get to the store.

It just doesn’t seem right to me — if you are disabled and have need of a closer parking space, then

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