To self-serve and protect -- our own interests...

[inkarn8.livejournal.com]

Does anyone know why the City would ticket Somerville's own residents for expired inspection stickers? -- Two tickets 3 days apart? If I owned a driveway, they would not have done this... Can't they stick to the spirit of protecting our residential parking spots from outsiders? How about a warning instead, or a friendly reminder? And then a few days to get a sticker...

And why do they ticket cars after the street cleaner has already passed? I don't get any of those tickets for that reason, but it seems silly to not be able to park after the cleaner has clearly already passed... Is anyone else interested in getting some of these unfriendly policies changed? Also, why do we pay an extra Internet fee to pay tickets and update parking passes for a service which clearly must save the city time and money from waiting on us in person? How does the city award the contract to an Internet company which is making so much money for so little service?

Does anyone have a list of local politicians that support these policies and another list of who would rather see changes made?

Thanks so much!

Comments

RE: Re: *sigh*

[inkarn8.livejournal.com]

Probably the next thing that isn't fair... or right. And that should be changed. I have also had, and paid parking tickets, without complaining. So this is not really about me "getting busted"...

Re: Re: *sigh*

[pierceheart.livejournal.com]

Except that in this case, it actually IS fair that you were ticketed, but you seem to be unable to accept that.

RE: Re: Re: *sigh*

[inkarn8.livejournal.com]

You are right, I can't accept it in this case, with reason: I don't believe the policy is good. It doesn't help the community and a warning would have serve the same purpose as far as making sure cars are inspected.. There is evidence that it could contribute to gentrification and unfairly effect people who don't own driveways or who rent... Other communities have much more supportive policies in place. What changed in 2011 to make this new policy a benefit to the people of Somerville?

Do YOU believe this a good policy? Would you be apposed to changing to something similar to what Texas has: And if so why or why not? ... Calling me a whinner, whether I am or not, is not productive..

'Texas law (until March 2015 when the law will change) allows you to obtain an Administrative Dismissal of an Expired Inspection ticket if the following terms are met:

1) The Expired Inspection is remedied within 20 working days;
2) The Inspection Sticker was NOT expired for more than 60 days at the time of the ticket; and
3) You pay the $20 Administrative Dismissal Fee

edit, changed it from Texas registration policy to Texas Inspection policy...

[aerynne.livejournal.com]

I don't see what renting has to do with any of this. You have an entire month to get a new sticker. More, since you can get your car re-inspected early. I've certainly failed to get my inspection done before it expired in the past, but that was my problem.

You seem to feel that this policy is unfair because the way the law is enforced changed three years ago. The change was enacted through our city's democratic process and residents had the opportunity to attend the budget meetings and call their aldermen. In fact, you still do, if you'd like to advocate for another change. That's how this works. The money the city receives from these fines is going towards running the city-absolutely beneficial for all residents.

[inkarn8.livejournal.com]

I am assuming renters are forced to park out on the street more than owners... I could be wrong. People parked in driveways will probably discover their inspection sticker expired before Somerville gets to them...

That is really good advice about informing your Alderman and letting them know what you think. Thanks.

RE: Re: Re: *sigh*

[craigindaville.livejournal.com]

Do YOU believe this a good policy? Would you be apposed to changing to something similar to what Texas has: And if so why or why not? ... Calling me a whinner, whether I am or not, is not productive..

Yes. As stated before, but you just don't like the answer, it encourages drivers to get their inspections done, which in turn helps ensure that cars driving in MA meet minimum safety and emissions standards. It is good policy. Period.

As also stated, creating a system where municipalities have to set up either written warning systems or appeals processes just for dealing with this would be a burden, and in the end wouldn't save the resident much money and would certainly waste time. Your beloved Texas still charges $20 just to appeal the ticket, and there would likely be an in-person requirement for waiving it which is time both of city resources and the resident's availability during business hours.

In my opinion, and the opinion of many on this forum, and the opinion of the Board of Aldermen, this is a silly use of resources for a straightforward fine that both encourages people to follow existing law and helps fund the city services that all residents and visitors to Somerville take advantage of.