This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker was all smiles during a March news conference unveiling the new parking kiosk system he said would solve all the problems motorists had with faulty machines and undeserved tickets.

He had taken plenty of heat for the system's mishaps in the three years since his administration rolled out the parking kiosks.

Well, maybe it's time to go back to the drawing board — again.

Mark Silver recently sent the mayor a copy of the downtown parking ticket he received, along with the receipt he had gotten when he parked there. He sent a copy to me, too.

Here's what the $25 ticket says: Violation — expired meter. Issue date — Oct. 30. Time — 6:27 p.m. Space — 4412.

Here's what Silver's receipt says: Oct. 30, 6:10 p.m. Paid — $3. Space — 4412. Expires — 7:40 p.m.

Oops.

Turn of events • I recently wrote about a resident at Murray's Chestnut Place Condominiums who was fined $75 by the homeowners' association board for displaying her American flag outside her residence during times that were not designated by the board.

That violated the HOA's rules.

Here is the rest of the story:

After she was fined, some residents, including Murray Mayor Ted Eyre, formed a flag line at the condo complex, all carrying their own U.S. flags in support of the out-of-compliance culprit.

The board president got so much grief that she resigned, although many have sympathy for her since she was just enforcing the HOA's rules.

Her replacement? Erin Worthen, the woman who was fined $75 for displaying her flag.

Ya feelin' lucky, punk? • A sign recently spotted on the front door of the K-TALK radio station in Sandy features a picture of a pistol inside a circle with the warning: "Guns are welcome on premises. Please keep all weapons holstered unless need arises. In such cases, judicial marksmanship is appreciated."

Another sign says: "Please be aware that the staff is armed and trained and will use force to protect ourselves."

Keeping up with the times? • The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is looking for a social science researcher and, according to the ad it placed on the LinkedIn business network site, would like to fill the position by January.

The job description explains that the candidate — preferably someone with an advanced degree in social and behavioral sciences — would provide the general authorities and other Mormon administrators with "timely, relevant and reliable information to help them respond to the diverse challenges and opportunities of a fast-growing church in a rapidly changing world. This information enables church leaders to focus their efforts to greater effect in helping individuals and families come unto Christ."

Considering the recent policy change that keeps children of same-sex couples out of the Utah-based faith until they are adults and the public reaction to that shift, the sooner a social science trend adviser gets on board, the better.

The more things change … • My Tribune colleague Robert Kirby, a bit of a historian, found this item recently while researching old newspaper clippings.

In March 1933, a massive quake in California killed 150 people and caused millions in damages. Nobody in Utah felt a thing or was injured, but here's how the LDS Church-owned Deseret News headlined it on the top of its front page.

"Quake Kills LDS Woman; All Utahns Reported Safe."

Those clever UDOT folks • The Utah Department of Transportation fielded a few more calls than usual Monday from motorists commuting on Interstates 15 and 80.

UDOT's message on the informational electronic signs had an unusual piece of advice: "Get your head out of your apps."

Judging by the number of calls to UDOT bosses, not everyone appreciated the pun.