Appealing a trash ticket

[chenoameg.livejournal.com]

I'm appealing a trash ticket this week (long story). Any tips from others who have done so?

Comments

[mamajoan.livejournal.com]

I successfully appealed a ticket recently, but it's hard to know how to advise you without knowing the specifics. I could give tips on how to find the right room; it isn't clearly marked and is somewhat confusing. When you go into the building, you go up the stairs and down the hallway to the left, and there's a room that says something like "senior center," which is the room you want, but there's no sign saying e.g. "Come in here to appeal a ticket," or at least there wasn't on the day I was there. Nevertheless, the senior center room is the correct room. Unless they have changed it since I was there. ;)

Then you just go in, write your name on a sign-in sheet, and wait your turn. An administrative person will call your name and take you to the person hearing your appeal (I'm not sure of the official titles). I found them both very friendly and reasonable. In my case it took only about one minute to explain the situation, and the guy agreed to dismiss the ticket and told me that I would get something in the mail "soon." It was not soon. It was probably two months before I got the official notice in the mail, but I did get it.

Not sure if this is at all helpful, but that's all I've got. Good luck!

[jd-science.livejournal.com]

I have appealed two trash tickets - had one dismissed, had to pay the full amount on the other. It seems to depend on how sympathetic the person who's hearing your case is. In my successful appeal I explained that the obstruction was the fault of late-night vandals; in my unsuccessful one it was a bunch of move-out garbage - sometimes they are sympathetic on big move days, sometimes not. They show you the photo of the offense and you can explain your side, and then they say "OK, we'll be in touch." Pretty straightforward.

And yes, it has been taking a long time to get the decisions in the mail - my understanding is that the City Clerk's office is short-staffed and backed up right now on lots of issues.