The North York woman said she had parked at the plaza last Tuesday to exchange money at a business next door and buy lunch at the plaza’s Pizza Pizza outlet.

Ms Alavinasab said she was in the money exchange building for less than five minutes and heading to the pizza store when she saw “four big guys” hooking her car to a tow.

The tow operator told her that since she was eight-and-a-half months pregnant, he would unhook the vehicle but only if she paid cash up front, and at first, she agreed. Then when she learned he expected $678 cash, to be paid behind the building, she balked.

If she chose not to pay immediately, the tow operator would take the car to a Newmarket lot and she would be charged the $678 plus an extra $100 a day until she removed it. When she said she didn’t have the money, he suggested she return to the money exchange and withdraw it.

It all sounded fishy and unfair to her, but she paid and now plans to take Martin’s Towing and Storage to small claims court.

“I want to try every way to have this stopped,” she said. “I don’t want this to happen to other people.”

Amir Azad is also fighting tow charges after an incident at the same plaza last Monday involving police and Ward 2 Councillor Carmine Perrelli.

Mr. Azad’s elderly father had parked in the plaza and was entering a building nearby when he discovered his car being towed.

He was handed an invoice for $678 and told he’d be charged an additional $100 per day that the car was in the Newmarket storage lot.

The tow operator said the company, Martin’s Towing, could return the car to him, but that extra service would cost him an additional $100.

Mr. Azad said his father noticed a man in a suit with a Town of Richmond Hill pin in his lapel, pointing to various cars that were subsequently hooked up to a tow truck. (see video online)

When Mr. Azad arrived and began arguing with the tow operator about the fees, the man intervened, saying the towers were engaged in a “perfectly legal” activity, according to Mr. Azad.

He identified himself as Councillor Perrelli and said he was acting as a concerned citizen.

Mr. Azad, a Richmond Hill resident, googled Mr. Perrelli and was dismayed to learn the councillor had objected to the town’s proposed towing bylaw.

“I believe I was guilty, but not for $678. There should be standard charges for towing vehicles... With my last breath I’m going to ensure this tow bylaw goes through. And I want to know why this guy [Perrelli] is standing in the parking lot all day. My tax money is paying his salary.”

Some local councillors also question Mr. Perrelli’s role in the dispute.

“I find it very strange that a member of council would be involved in towing cars from private property,” said Regional Councillor Vito Spatafora. “How he can perceive this is in the best interest of residents? It has caused great concern in the community.”

While witnesses said they’d seen Mr. Perrelli several times last week in the parking lot, the councillor said in an interview he could not recall if he’d been there that day.

“I don’t remember where I was Monday or Tuesday ... or what I said, what was the context. I don’t keep a recording or make notes.”

In the same telephone interview, he first denied he was helping plaza owners stop drivers from parking illegally in their lot; then said in fact, he was helping the landlord of the plaza with a parking problem.

“I answered the call of my resident ... Once in a while, I stop by in the plaza and I observe to see how it’s going, just observing,” he said. “I am in no way advocating on behalf of the landlord or tow truck operators or police or the town.”

Maria Amato, landlord for the property, which her father owns, said she contacted the councillor to help with the long-standing issue of illegal parking, which, because it is private property, is not a matter for the town or police.

“We have signs everywhere, but people are totally refusing to pay any attention ... My tenants are losing business because they have no parking... My parking lot is not the parking lot for all Yonge Street.”

‘GRATEFUL HE’S HELPING US’

Ms Amato, a Markham resident, said Mr. Perrelli has been the only one able to help. He gave her a list of towing companies, she said, and she hired Martin’s Towing. “Mr. Perrelli comes and makes sure everything’s right ... I’m so grateful he’s helping us and guiding us.

“I have no control over [tow fees]. I can’t tell a business owner how much he’s supposed to charge.”

Angelo Delgiudice, owner of Colors Hair and Skin Studio in the plaza, agreed.

“Mr. Perrelli has been a gentleman and a half. He’s working hard to help us.”

Mr. Delgiudice said parking at the plaza has been a nightmare.

He has watched drivers park in front of his salon and walk to the salon down the street. “That’s like spitting in my face.”

As for the tow fees, he said, “I’m sure they can justify what they’re charging”.

Tow operator Armond Martin defended the fees, noting the cars were being towed on dollies.

“That’s how much it costs us to operate,” he said.

An average of four vehicles have been towed each day during the past week, he said, but numbers have been steadily decreasing, an indication the aggressive approach is working.

“Everyone’s complaining. Well, they all admit they parked illegally.”

Mr. Martin said he didn’t ask Mr. Perrelli to intervene, but the councillor has become a friend during the past couple of years.

MADE CAMPAIGN DONATION

Mr. Perrelli’s campaign contributions list for the 2010 election shows Martin’s Towing as one of the top individual donations of $750.

Mr. Spatafora, who first put the motion to council in June 2011 for a draft tow truck bylaw, says he’s concerned by what he sees as tow drivers taking advantage of the law at the plaza.

“There’s no limit to what they can charge at this point in time.”

He noted the proposed tow truck licensing bylaw is to be presented to council Oct. 21.

Councillor Lynn Foster, whose ward also includes downtown businesses, said she’s not happy with the tow operators’ aggressive approach.

“Even if it turns out to be legally OK, it’s not morally OK, lying in wait like this, setting a trap. It’s shameful. How does this in any way help downtown businesses we’re trying to rehabilitate, when everyone’s afraid to park anywhere, knowing tow trucks are likely haunting the place, ready to take their cars away?”

But Mr. Perrelli said his involvement is good for the town core.

The plaza landlord and tenants are happy with the improved situation, he said, and now he is helping other shop owners by preparing a map indicating where their customers can park.

“We have to find a way to help all the other owners in the area, and find parking for them.”