street sweeping and towing

[on-reserve.livejournal.com]

i wrote the new mayor to express my disgust with somerville's towing/street sweeping policy. i strongly urge anyone in agreement to also write a letter. it only takes a few minutes.

my letter:

November 18, 2003

Mayor Joseph Curtatone
93 Highland Avenue
Somerville, MA 02143

Dear Mayor:

It is my understanding that as Alderman, you supported the towing of vehicles to facilitate more effective street sweeping. I would like to express my outrage and frustration with this policy. It has nothing to do with keeping our city's streets cleaner and everything to do with making up for state funding shortfalls. It is a transparent policy that the citizens of Somerville see right through; we are neither duped nor amused.

This morning my partner's car was towed from in front of our house. Not including parking violation fees, it will cost us at minimum, $95 to get her car back. How much revenue will the city gain as a kickback from this? $10? $15? I understand we're in tough economic times and you're trying to find every last penny.

All I ask is -- why does the penny have to come, greatly inflated, via Pat's Auto Body? Why not just increase the resident parking sticker fees? I'd gladly pay $30/year (six times the current fee) for my resident parking sticker if I were reasonably sure that towing would only be used on the most dire of occasions (cars blocking hydrants, snow emergencies, etc.)

Just as the city is scrounging under a community sofa, digging for change to fund critical services, so too its residents are equally struggling to make ends meet. And you know what? I haven't even noticed any significant improvement in the cleanliness of my street since it started. This policy is nothing more than a scam, a shameless attempt to resolve tough budget decisions by taxing the citizens without actually seeking an elected-by-the-people tax increase override (which many would support!) or alternately, appealing vigorously to our state legislators to restore pre-cut funding levels.

As Alderman you supported this measure but as Mayor, I'm asking you cease it. It is not good policy. It is mean-spirited and an unfair burden on the citizens. It causes undue stress and financial strain on residents and our guests. And there are other ways.

Sincerely,
[My Name]
Registered Voter & Citizen of Somerville
[My Address]

Comments

[on-reserve.livejournal.com]

Write a letter expressing that sentiment! Please!