Philadelphia's Malicious PARKING TICKET SCAM

[Freedom Fighter]

PHILADELPHIA'S MALICIOUS PARKING TICKET SCAM

Parking spaces reserved for the handicapped are desirable, but
from the number of them in Philadelphia PA one would think half
its population is in wheelchairs. These spaces do not exist
through kindness though, but as an unscrupulously administered
means of raising revenue through exhorbitant fines. And this
"city of brotherly love" is not above having its cops write
completely UNJUSTIFIED $300 FINE TICKETS on out-of-state
residents' cars as a means of extortion!

I live in NYC and occasionally visit Philadelphia. I do not get
parking tickets because I always carefully read and obey the
signs. I was amazed one Sunday in January 2004 to find my car
ticketed for parking in a space reserved for the handicapped at
some times, but not on Sunday, when the facility I was parked
in front of (801 Arch Street) was closed. A bright orange "TOW"
sticker was glued to my rear window, but fortunately I got
there before they came to steal my car. And to this day I have
not been able to completely remove these vandals' glue from my
window.

I have PHOTOS that PROVE I WAS LEGALLY PARKED and falsely
ticketed!

I responded promptly with a certified letter stating my
innocence. I received a reply "- suspending any further action
pending the outcome of this investigation," and stating,
"PLEASE DISREGARD ANY FURTHER NOTICES YOU MAY
RECEIVE BEFORE A FINAL DETERMINATION IS MADE
CONCERNING THIS."

That was DELIBERATE LIE NUMBER TWO, the first lie being the
ticket itself. Further action was NOT suspended as I was told;
HARASSMENT AND THREATS then began. First a NOTICE OF
DEFAULT, adding a $38 penalty to the $300 fine. Then an OFFICIAL
NOTIFICATION AND FINAL ORDER. I continued to do as instructed -
disregard further notices pending a final determination. Next
came a CIVIL DEFAULT ORDER threatening to sieze my car, and
then a COLLECTION AGENCY warning containing more threats. Next
came a CREDIT RATING WARNING, followed soon afterwards by "YOUR
ACCOUNT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO A CREDIT BUREAU," which if
true would constitute LIBEL, as no official determination had yet been made.

At this point I replied with a strong letter insisting that the
harassment stop and that a final determination be rendered.
That came quickly - finding me LIABLE for the alleged
violation! I was told I had the right to appeal, and if I did
so I would be informed of the hearing date. Guilty until proven
innocent!

I submitted a notarized sworn statement testifying to my
innocence, and indicating that merely examining the signs at the given
location would
exonerate me. I received a reply setting a hearing date and stating that I
may attend,
but if I did not the review would proceed in my absence and I would be
notified of the final determination. Two weeks before the
hearing date however I received another letter CONTRADICTING
THIS, stating, "IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR, YOU WILL BE FOUND
LIABLE FOR THE FULL AMOUNT OF ALL APPLICABLE FINES
AND PENALTIES."

Philadelphia is over 90 MILES from my New York City home. They
demand that I take a day off and travel there and back to prove
my innocence, though they are incapable of proving me guilty -
and should I fail to appear, that alone proves my guilt! This
confirmed the suspicion that my out-of-state license plates
were why I was chosen for a false violation ticket - easy prey.
Or so these extortionists thought!

I found a means of having the signs photographed to prove my
innocence, postponed the hearing, and sent in the photos. This
brought my total expenses caused by Philadelphia's deceitful
extortion attempt to roughly $70 - plus about a thousand
dollars worth of inconvenience and aggravation.

The hearing was rescheduled for April 19th. Two weeks prior to
this I get another letter, again stating "IF YOU FAIL TO
APPEAR, YOU WILL BE FOUND LIABLE FOR THE FULL AMOUNT
OF ALL APPLICABLE FINES AND PENALTIES." A few days before the
hearing however I get yet another letter saying if I do not attend the
review will proceed in my absence and I will be notified in
writing of the final determination.

I did not attend the hearing. I received no notification of the
outcome, but one month after the hearing date I received
another threatening letter demanding payment of the $338, and
only two days later another such letter. I responded with a
certified mail request for the hearing outcome notification due
me, and that the harassment for payment cease.

My request was received but ignored. One month later I receive
another threatening letter on a letterhead from the "CITY OF
PHILADELPHIA LAW DEPARTMENT" - but the envelope it came in was
from the Parking Violations Branch, as were all the other
letters I received. It now became clear that the "Bureau of
Administrative Adjudication" I had been dealing with does not
adjudicate at all - IT IS MERELY AN UNSCRUPULOUS
COLLECTION AGENCY!

Seeing I could get no justice from these local-level thieves, I
then wrote to Pennsylvania Governor Rendell regarding the
matter. My letter contained all of the above information. I
received a buck-passing reply from the Department of Community
and Economic Development, from which I quote: " - resolving
disputes regarding parking ordinances are matters of local
jurisdiction and must be resolved at that level - you may wish
to consult an attorney to provide further advice on this
matter."

One hundred dollars or more for a lawyer? No thanks! Let the
bastards come to New York and try to make me pay. I'll deal
with them like the lowlife criminals that they are!


"When governments fear the people, there is liberty. When the
people fear the government, there is tyranny." - Thomas
Jefferson

[mcs]

I personally can't believe you wrote about this. My friend had the same
exact experience. Get this On arch street he thought he saw a space. I was
there with him. The writing on sign didn't give me any indication it was for
handicapped. or Reserved. But we thought this was might suspicious because
the meter was smaller and it took some coins and other it did not. No where
on it did it say only for handicapped. Five minutes we were goine and 300
dollar fine. Again when I heard the policy about parking tickets and they
could boot your car for this , I immediately thought of scam. Someone was
waiting for us to leave so to tack on a huge fine .. 300 dollars. I could
not believe this craziness. But this just goes to show you, I still will not
consider this a conspiracy. Polluting us yes cause Ihave seen much more
conclusive evidence.
About parking or coming down town, haha, this city sucks so often its
pathetic. I wouldn't complain if they just did something about the quality
of the air . I don't have to park down there on their streets.

Post by Freedom Fighter
PHILADELPHIA'S MALICIOUS PARKING TICKET SCAM
Parking spaces reserved for the handicapped are desirable, but
from the number of them in Philadelphia PA one would think half
its population is in wheelchairs. These spaces do not exist
through kindness though, but as an unscrupulously administered
means of raising revenue through exhorbitant fines. And this
"city of brotherly love" is not above having its cops write
completely UNJUSTIFIED $300 FINE TICKETS on out-of-state
residents' cars as a means of extortion!
I live in NYC and occasionally visit Philadelphia. I do not get
parking tickets because I always carefully read and obey the
signs. I was amazed one Sunday in January 2004 to find my car
ticketed for parking in a space reserved for the handicapped at
some times, but not on Sunday, when the facility I was parked
in front of (801 Arch Street) was closed. A bright orange "TOW"
sticker was glued to my rear window, but fortunately I got
there before they came to steal my car. And to this day I have
not been able to completely remove these vandals' glue from my
window.
I have PHOTOS that PROVE I WAS LEGALLY PARKED and falsely
ticketed!
I responded promptly with a certified letter stating my
innocence. I received a reply "- suspending any further action
pending the outcome of this investigation," and stating,
"PLEASE DISREGARD ANY FURTHER NOTICES YOU MAY
RECEIVE BEFORE A FINAL DETERMINATION IS MADE
CONCERNING THIS."
That was DELIBERATE LIE NUMBER TWO, the first lie being the
ticket itself. Further action was NOT suspended as I was told;
HARASSMENT AND THREATS then began. First a NOTICE OF
DEFAULT, adding a $38 penalty to the $300 fine. Then an OFFICIAL
NOTIFICATION AND FINAL ORDER. I continued to do as instructed -
disregard further notices pending a final determination. Next
came a CIVIL DEFAULT ORDER threatening to sieze my car, and
then a COLLECTION AGENCY warning containing more threats. Next
came a CREDIT RATING WARNING, followed soon afterwards by "YOUR
ACCOUNT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO A CREDIT BUREAU," which if
true would constitute LIBEL, as no official determination had yet been made.
At this point I replied with a strong letter insisting that the
harassment stop and that a final determination be rendered.
That came quickly - finding me LIABLE for the alleged
violation! I was told I had the right to appeal, and if I did
so I would be informed of the hearing date. Guilty until proven
innocent!
I submitted a notarized sworn statement testifying to my
innocence, and indicating that merely examining the signs at the given
location would
exonerate me. I received a reply setting a hearing date and stating that I
may attend,
but if I did not the review would proceed in my absence and I would be
notified of the final determination. Two weeks before the
hearing date however I received another letter CONTRADICTING
THIS, stating, "IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR, YOU WILL BE FOUND
LIABLE FOR THE FULL AMOUNT OF ALL APPLICABLE FINES
AND PENALTIES."
Philadelphia is over 90 MILES from my New York City home. They
demand that I take a day off and travel there and back to prove
my innocence, though they are incapable of proving me guilty -
and should I fail to appear, that alone proves my guilt! This
confirmed the suspicion that my out-of-state license plates
were why I was chosen for a false violation ticket - easy prey.
Or so these extortionists thought!
I found a means of having the signs photographed to prove my
innocence, postponed the hearing, and sent in the photos. This
brought my total expenses caused by Philadelphia's deceitful
extortion attempt to roughly $70 - plus about a thousand
dollars worth of inconvenience and aggravation.
The hearing was rescheduled for April 19th. Two weeks prior to
this I get another letter, again stating "IF YOU FAIL TO
APPEAR, YOU WILL BE FOUND LIABLE FOR THE FULL AMOUNT
OF ALL APPLICABLE FINES AND PENALTIES." A few days before the
hearing however I get yet another letter saying if I do not attend the
review will proceed in my absence and I will be notified in
writing of the final determination.
I did not attend the hearing. I received no notification of the
outcome, but one month after the hearing date I received
another threatening letter demanding payment of the $338, and
only two days later another such letter. I responded with a
certified mail request for the hearing outcome notification due
me, and that the harassment for payment cease.
My request was received but ignored. One month later I receive
another threatening letter on a letterhead from the "CITY OF
PHILADELPHIA LAW DEPARTMENT" - but the envelope it came in was
from the Parking Violations Branch, as were all the other
letters I received. It now became clear that the "Bureau of
Administrative Adjudication" I had been dealing with does not
adjudicate at all - IT IS MERELY AN UNSCRUPULOUS
COLLECTION AGENCY!
Seeing I could get no justice from these local-level thieves, I
then wrote to Pennsylvania Governor Rendell regarding the
matter. My letter contained all of the above information. I
received a buck-passing reply from the Department of Community
and Economic Development, from which I quote: " - resolving
disputes regarding parking ordinances are matters of local
jurisdiction and must be resolved at that level - you may wish
to consult an attorney to provide further advice on this
matter."
One hundred dollars or more for a lawyer? No thanks! Let the
bastards come to New York and try to make me pay. I'll deal
with them like the lowlife criminals that they are!
"When governments fear the people, there is liberty. When the
people fear the government, there is tyranny." - Thomas
Jefferson

[Freedom Fighter]

Post by mcs
I personally can't believe you wrote about this. My friend had the same
exact experience. Get this On arch street he thought he saw a space. I was
there with him. The writing on sign didn't give me any indication it was for
handicapped. or Reserved. But we thought this was might suspicious because
the meter was smaller and it took some coins and other it did not. No where
on it did it say only for handicapped. Five minutes we were goine and 300
dollar fine. Again when I heard the policy about parking tickets and they
could boot your car for this , I immediately thought of scam. Someone was
waiting for us to leave so to tack on a huge fine .. 300 dollars. I could
not believe this craziness. But this just goes to show you, I still will not
consider this a conspiracy. Polluting us yes cause Ihave seen much more
conclusive evidence.

I don't think it is a "conspiracy" in the sense of corporate-government or
government-organized crime, but it definitely is a scam being perpetrated by
Philadelphia's corrupt bureaucracy. They may be doing it within the local
laws, or almost so, and may have weasel-worded the local laws to allow such
entrapment. It amounts to robbery though, and I for one REFUSE to be robbed!
Let the scumbags come to New York, find my well-secured car, and try to boot
or steal it. I know what New York law permits the citizen to do in
self-defense against theft or vandalism, and I am not afraid to do it!

Post by mcs
About parking or coming down town, haha, this city sucks so often its
pathetic. I wouldn't complain if they just did something about the quality
of the air . I don't have to park down there on their streets.

Most urban areas have traffic and parking problems, but in New York the
signs are pretty clear and if you obey them you're safe. If you get an
unjustified ticket here you have a chance of getting justice in court. Not
in Philadelphia!

"When governments fear the people, there is liberty. When the people fear
the government, there is tyranny."
- Thomas Jefferson

Didn't someone once say that 200 years is too long to go without a
revolution?

[Karen Y Byrd]

Post by Freedom Fighter

Post by mcs
I personally can't believe you wrote about this. My friend had the same
exact experience. Get this On arch street he thought he saw a space. I was
there with him. The writing on sign didn't give me any indication it was for
handicapped. or Reserved. But we thought this was might suspicious because
the meter was smaller and it took some coins and other it did not. No where
on it did it say only for handicapped. Five minutes we were goine and 300
dollar fine. Again when I heard the policy about parking tickets and they
could boot your car for this , I immediately thought of scam. Someone was
waiting for us to leave so to tack on a huge fine .. 300 dollars. I could
not believe this craziness. But this just goes to show you, I still will not
consider this a conspiracy. Polluting us yes cause Ihave seen much more
conclusive evidence.

I don't think it is a "conspiracy" in the sense of corporate-government or
government-organized crime, but it definitely is a scam being perpetrated by
Philadelphia's corrupt bureaucracy.

One more effing time learn the facts. Phila. doesn't manage parking authority.

[bebopper]

That's something to brag about ???

- bebopper

Post by Karen Y Byrd
One more effing time learn the facts. Phila. doesn't manage parking authority.

[Karen Y Byrd]

Post by bebopper
That's something to brag about ???

Nope. But the poster seems to assuming that he needs to blame
the city enrirely for what he thinks is an injustice.

Post by bebopper
- bebopper

Post by Karen Y Byrd
One more effing time learn the facts. Phila. doesn't manage parking authority.

[bebopper]

Other cities MANAGE their parking authorities rather than let
them degenerate into uncontrollable fiefdoms of patronage and
nepotism.

I agree the city as a whole is not to blame, and Philadelphia
has hundreds of wonderful and admirable qualities. But if you think
the poster has not suffered an injustice (assuming the facts are
represented honestly), you could probably justify bombing the MOVE
house. Being proud of your city is one thing. Blindly defending
incompetence and foul play is another ....

- bebopper

Post by Karen Y Byrd

Post by bebopper
That's something to brag about ???

Nope. But the poster seems to assuming that he needs to blame
the city enrirely for what he thinks is an injustice.

Post by bebopper
- bebopper

Post by Karen Y Byrd
One more effing time learn the facts. Phila. doesn't manage parking authority.

[Art Clemons]

Post by bebopper
Other cities MANAGE their parking authorities rather than let
them degenerate into uncontrollable fiefdoms of patronage and
nepotism.

I guess you've missed Chicago, Boston at one time, and others with parking
enforcers not part of a police department. Also, Philly's new setup is
another patronage haven, it's just that republicans now have control of a
source of patronage in mostly democratic Philadelphia, and theoretically
patronage was not part of parking enforcement before.

[bebopper]

Theoretically ??? Oh,so sorry.. I thought we were discussing
reality. Shame on me....

- bebopper


On Sat, 16 Jul 2005 13:48:31 -0400, Art Clemons

Post by Art Clemons
, and theoretically
patronage was not part of parking enforcement before.

[Matthew Russotto]

Post by bebopper
Theoretically ??? Oh,so sorry.. I thought we were discussing
reality. Shame on me....

Here's reality:

After being slapped upside the head by the Parking Authority last time
I was in the city bringing down some art (and was unable to park
legally due to the legal spots and loading zones being occupied by
dumpsters and the like), I foolishly returned doing the same thing.
This time I found a loading zone, parked in it, and unloaded. Then,
because I foolishly wanted to remain in the city for some time, I
found (mirabile dictu!) and moved to a legal parking spot. And paid
the meter. And made sure I got back before the time would have
expired. And got a parking ticket AGAIN. Not a simple $20 meter
expired ticket (though in fact the meter had expired ahead of time,
surprise surprise). Not a $25 "parking prohibited" ticket, nor a $35
"no stopping" ticket. No, this time it was a $100 ticket... for an
expired registration. Which #1 isn't true, and #2 is between myself and
PennDOT anyway.

I'm not going to pay this one. If the Joe and John want the money,
they can get it the old fashioned way -- hired goons. I did my best
to follow the rules, and got screwed anyway. I bet if I'd parked
illegally I'd have gotten a smaller ticket.

Next time I find myself required to come into the city, I'm parking on
the sidewalk. If I'm going to be ticketed anyway, I might as well
park close. Next time I _think_ I want something in the city, I'm
checking the Internet instead.

It seems SEPTA is the best reason for driving in the city, and
the Parking Authority is the best reason for using SEPTA.

[John Hogan]

Post by bebopper
But if you think
the poster has not suffered an injustice (assuming the facts are
represented honestly), you could probably justify bombing the MOVE
house.

Yes, do let's keep things in perspective here. A parking ticket based on
confusing signage is exactly like burning down an entire block of houses.

John Hogan
Biddle Law Library/AFSCME Local 590

[bebopper]

To a sophist, yes ....

Post by John Hogan

Post by bebopper
But if you think
the poster has not suffered an injustice (assuming the facts are
represented honestly), you could probably justify bombing the MOVE
house.

Yes, do let's keep things in perspective here. A parking ticket based on
confusing signage is exactly like burning down an entire block of houses.
John Hogan
Biddle Law Library/AFSCME Local 590

[Karen Y Byrd]

Post by mcs
I personally can't believe you wrote about this. My friend had the same
exact experience. Get this On arch street he thought he saw a space. I was
there with him. The writing on sign didn't give me any indication it was for
handicapped. or Reserved. But we thought this was might suspicious because
the meter was smaller and it took some coins and other it did not. No where
on it did it say only for handicapped.

Since you are so consumed by the whole pollution-in-Philly riff
you, apparently, missed the the fact that the handicapped
meters, wrt street parking, had been lowered and painted blue
for a few years ago! There's nothing new about it.

Post by mcs
About parking or coming down town, haha, this city sucks so often its
pathetic.

No, YOU think it sucks. You think it's pathetic
when YOU can't look in the mirror and figure out who the
pathetic one really is.

Post by mcs
I wouldn't complain if they just did something about the quality
of the air .

We've already explained over months of time that a lot
of pollution that arrives here doesn't even come from
PA or the USA for matter. It comes from sources we
don't have any local control over.

[mcs]

Post by Karen Y Byrd

Post by mcs
I personally can't believe you wrote about this. My friend had the same
exact experience. Get this On arch street he thought he saw a space. I was
there with him. The writing on sign didn't give me any indication it was for
handicapped. or Reserved. But we thought this was might suspicious because
the meter was smaller and it took some coins and other it did not. No where
on it did it say only for handicapped.

Since you are so consumed by the whole pollution-in-Philly riff
you, apparently, missed the the fact that the handicapped
meters, wrt street parking, had been lowered and painted blue
for a few years ago! There's nothing new about it.

Post by mcs
About parking or coming down town, haha, this city sucks so often its
pathetic.

No, YOU think it sucks. You think it's pathetic
when YOU can't look in the mirror and figure out who the
pathetic one really is.

Post by mcs
I wouldn't complain if they just did something about the quality
of the air .

We've already explained over months of time that a lot
of pollution that arrives here doesn't even come from
PA or the USA for matter. It comes from sources we
don't have any local control over.
Is that why some states are suing Karen? Buzz . Is that why epa wants to

know what they can do to lower the pollution? Is that why the head of
monitoring agency sent planes to monitor the air during one day of a
blackout and noticed when power plants were down the air was up to 90
percent cleaner. The states hope to use that evidence to prove their case.
Can go on and on. Philly is a snake pit. It use to be as of a few years ago
one day in three or four was good now its months and months. The experiments
and consequences have never been studied. People are getting cancer and
dying here allot. Many people are taking their asthma meds. Many people are
moving away from Philly as fast as they are bringing in less educated
refugees who know NO BETTER and I SUGGEST anyone from out of the state if
you see such a person to suggest how horrible air might negatively affect
their lives. If our own leaders don't care, then hey their crazier then I
even imagined.

[mcs]

On further review on the sign it does mention handicapped but It was mighty
mighty hard to decipher this from other regular signs. This was just a set
up and it happened to us too.

Post by mcs
I personally can't believe you wrote about this. My friend had the same
exact experience. Get this On arch street he thought he saw a space. I was
there with him. The writing on sign didn't give me any indication it was

for

Post by mcs
handicapped. or Reserved. But we thought this was might suspicious because
the meter was smaller and it took some coins and other it did not. No

where

Post by mcs
on it did it say only for handicapped. Five minutes we were goine and 300
dollar fine. Again when I heard the policy about parking tickets and they
could boot your car for this , I immediately thought of scam. Someone was
waiting for us to leave so to tack on a huge fine .. 300 dollars. I could
not believe this craziness. But this just goes to show you, I still will

not

Post by mcs
consider this a conspiracy. Polluting us yes cause Ihave seen much more
conclusive evidence.
About parking or coming down town, haha, this city sucks so often its
pathetic. I wouldn't complain if they just did something about the quality
of the air . I don't have to park down there on their streets.

Post by Freedom Fighter
PHILADELPHIA'S MALICIOUS PARKING TICKET SCAM
Parking spaces reserved for the handicapped are desirable, but
from the number of them in Philadelphia PA one would think half
its population is in wheelchairs. These spaces do not exist
through kindness though, but as an unscrupulously administered
means of raising revenue through exhorbitant fines. And this
"city of brotherly love" is not above having its cops write
completely UNJUSTIFIED $300 FINE TICKETS on out-of-state
residents' cars as a means of extortion!
I live in NYC and occasionally visit Philadelphia. I do not get
parking tickets because I always carefully read and obey the
signs. I was amazed one Sunday in January 2004 to find my car
ticketed for parking in a space reserved for the handicapped at
some times, but not on Sunday, when the facility I was parked
in front of (801 Arch Street) was closed. A bright orange "TOW"
sticker was glued to my rear window, but fortunately I got
there before they came to steal my car. And to this day I have
not been able to completely remove these vandals' glue from my
window.
I have PHOTOS that PROVE I WAS LEGALLY PARKED and falsely
ticketed!
I responded promptly with a certified letter stating my
innocence. I received a reply "- suspending any further action
pending the outcome of this investigation," and stating,
"PLEASE DISREGARD ANY FURTHER NOTICES YOU MAY
RECEIVE BEFORE A FINAL DETERMINATION IS MADE
CONCERNING THIS."
That was DELIBERATE LIE NUMBER TWO, the first lie being the
ticket itself. Further action was NOT suspended as I was told;
HARASSMENT AND THREATS then began. First a NOTICE OF
DEFAULT, adding a $38 penalty to the $300 fine. Then an OFFICIAL
NOTIFICATION AND FINAL ORDER. I continued to do as instructed -
disregard further notices pending a final determination. Next
came a CIVIL DEFAULT ORDER threatening to sieze my car, and
then a COLLECTION AGENCY warning containing more threats. Next
came a CREDIT RATING WARNING, followed soon afterwards by "YOUR
ACCOUNT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO A CREDIT BUREAU," which if
true would constitute LIBEL, as no official determination had yet been

made.

Post by Freedom Fighter
At this point I replied with a strong letter insisting that the
harassment stop and that a final determination be rendered.
That came quickly - finding me LIABLE for the alleged
violation! I was told I had the right to appeal, and if I did
so I would be informed of the hearing date. Guilty until proven
innocent!
I submitted a notarized sworn statement testifying to my
innocence, and indicating that merely examining the signs at the given
location would
exonerate me. I received a reply setting a hearing date and stating that

I

Post by mcs

Post by Freedom Fighter
may attend,
but if I did not the review would proceed in my absence and I would be
notified of the final determination. Two weeks before the
hearing date however I received another letter CONTRADICTING
THIS, stating, "IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR, YOU WILL BE FOUND
LIABLE FOR THE FULL AMOUNT OF ALL APPLICABLE FINES
AND PENALTIES."
Philadelphia is over 90 MILES from my New York City home. They
demand that I take a day off and travel there and back to prove
my innocence, though they are incapable of proving me guilty -
and should I fail to appear, that alone proves my guilt! This
confirmed the suspicion that my out-of-state license plates
were why I was chosen for a false violation ticket - easy prey.
Or so these extortionists thought!
I found a means of having the signs photographed to prove my
innocence, postponed the hearing, and sent in the photos. This
brought my total expenses caused by Philadelphia's deceitful
extortion attempt to roughly $70 - plus about a thousand
dollars worth of inconvenience and aggravation.
The hearing was rescheduled for April 19th. Two weeks prior to
this I get another letter, again stating "IF YOU FAIL TO
APPEAR, YOU WILL BE FOUND LIABLE FOR THE FULL AMOUNT
OF ALL APPLICABLE FINES AND PENALTIES." A few days before the
hearing however I get yet another letter saying if I do not attend the
review will proceed in my absence and I will be notified in
writing of the final determination.
I did not attend the hearing. I received no notification of the
outcome, but one month after the hearing date I received
another threatening letter demanding payment of the $338, and
only two days later another such letter. I responded with a
certified mail request for the hearing outcome notification due
me, and that the harassment for payment cease.
My request was received but ignored. One month later I receive
another threatening letter on a letterhead from the "CITY OF
PHILADELPHIA LAW DEPARTMENT" - but the envelope it came in was
from the Parking Violations Branch, as were all the other
letters I received. It now became clear that the "Bureau of
Administrative Adjudication" I had been dealing with does not
adjudicate at all - IT IS MERELY AN UNSCRUPULOUS
COLLECTION AGENCY!
Seeing I could get no justice from these local-level thieves, I
then wrote to Pennsylvania Governor Rendell regarding the
matter. My letter contained all of the above information. I
received a buck-passing reply from the Department of Community
and Economic Development, from which I quote: " - resolving
disputes regarding parking ordinances are matters of local
jurisdiction and must be resolved at that level - you may wish
to consult an attorney to provide further advice on this
matter."
One hundred dollars or more for a lawyer? No thanks! Let the
bastards come to New York and try to make me pay. I'll deal
with them like the lowlife criminals that they are!
"When governments fear the people, there is liberty. When the
people fear the government, there is tyranny." - Thomas
Jefferson

[mcs]

On further review on the sign it does mention handicapped but It was mighty
mighty hard to decipher this from other regular signs. It certainly was hard
to see for handicapped only.This was just a set
up and it happened to us too. and 300 dollars too. Amazing robbery.

Post by Freedom Fighter
PHILADELPHIA'S MALICIOUS PARKING TICKET SCAM
Parking spaces reserved for the handicapped are desirable, but
from the number of them in Philadelphia PA one would think half
its population is in wheelchairs. These spaces do not exist
through kindness though, but as an unscrupulously administered
means of raising revenue through exhorbitant fines. And this
"city of brotherly love" is not above having its cops write
completely UNJUSTIFIED $300 FINE TICKETS on out-of-state
residents' cars as a means of extortion!
I live in NYC and occasionally visit Philadelphia. I do not get
parking tickets because I always carefully read and obey the
signs. I was amazed one Sunday in January 2004 to find my car
ticketed for parking in a space reserved for the handicapped at
some times, but not on Sunday, when the facility I was parked
in front of (801 Arch Street) was closed. A bright orange "TOW"
sticker was glued to my rear window, but fortunately I got
there before they came to steal my car. And to this day I have
not been able to completely remove these vandals' glue from my
window.
I have PHOTOS that PROVE I WAS LEGALLY PARKED and falsely
ticketed!
I responded promptly with a certified letter stating my
innocence. I received a reply "- suspending any further action
pending the outcome of this investigation," and stating,
"PLEASE DISREGARD ANY FURTHER NOTICES YOU MAY
RECEIVE BEFORE A FINAL DETERMINATION IS MADE
CONCERNING THIS."
That was DELIBERATE LIE NUMBER TWO, the first lie being the
ticket itself. Further action was NOT suspended as I was told;
HARASSMENT AND THREATS then began. First a NOTICE OF
DEFAULT, adding a $38 penalty to the $300 fine. Then an OFFICIAL
NOTIFICATION AND FINAL ORDER. I continued to do as instructed -
disregard further notices pending a final determination. Next
came a CIVIL DEFAULT ORDER threatening to sieze my car, and
then a COLLECTION AGENCY warning containing more threats. Next
came a CREDIT RATING WARNING, followed soon afterwards by "YOUR
ACCOUNT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO A CREDIT BUREAU," which if
true would constitute LIBEL, as no official determination had yet been made.
At this point I replied with a strong letter insisting that the
harassment stop and that a final determination be rendered.
That came quickly - finding me LIABLE for the alleged
violation! I was told I had the right to appeal, and if I did
so I would be informed of the hearing date. Guilty until proven
innocent!
I submitted a notarized sworn statement testifying to my
innocence, and indicating that merely examining the signs at the given
location would
exonerate me. I received a reply setting a hearing date and stating that I
may attend,
but if I did not the review would proceed in my absence and I would be
notified of the final determination. Two weeks before the
hearing date however I received another letter CONTRADICTING
THIS, stating, "IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR, YOU WILL BE FOUND
LIABLE FOR THE FULL AMOUNT OF ALL APPLICABLE FINES
AND PENALTIES."
Philadelphia is over 90 MILES from my New York City home. They
demand that I take a day off and travel there and back to prove
my innocence, though they are incapable of proving me guilty -
and should I fail to appear, that alone proves my guilt! This
confirmed the suspicion that my out-of-state license plates
were why I was chosen for a false violation ticket - easy prey.
Or so these extortionists thought!
I found a means of having the signs photographed to prove my
innocence, postponed the hearing, and sent in the photos. This
brought my total expenses caused by Philadelphia's deceitful
extortion attempt to roughly $70 - plus about a thousand
dollars worth of inconvenience and aggravation.
The hearing was rescheduled for April 19th. Two weeks prior to
this I get another letter, again stating "IF YOU FAIL TO
APPEAR, YOU WILL BE FOUND LIABLE FOR THE FULL AMOUNT
OF ALL APPLICABLE FINES AND PENALTIES." A few days before the
hearing however I get yet another letter saying if I do not attend the
review will proceed in my absence and I will be notified in
writing of the final determination.
I did not attend the hearing. I received no notification of the
outcome, but one month after the hearing date I received
another threatening letter demanding payment of the $338, and
only two days later another such letter. I responded with a
certified mail request for the hearing outcome notification due
me, and that the harassment for payment cease.
My request was received but ignored. One month later I receive
another threatening letter on a letterhead from the "CITY OF
PHILADELPHIA LAW DEPARTMENT" - but the envelope it came in was
from the Parking Violations Branch, as were all the other
letters I received. It now became clear that the "Bureau of
Administrative Adjudication" I had been dealing with does not
adjudicate at all - IT IS MERELY AN UNSCRUPULOUS
COLLECTION AGENCY!
Seeing I could get no justice from these local-level thieves, I
then wrote to Pennsylvania Governor Rendell regarding the
matter. My letter contained all of the above information. I
received a buck-passing reply from the Department of Community
and Economic Development, from which I quote: " - resolving
disputes regarding parking ordinances are matters of local
jurisdiction and must be resolved at that level - you may wish
to consult an attorney to provide further advice on this
matter."
One hundred dollars or more for a lawyer? No thanks! Let the
bastards come to New York and try to make me pay. I'll deal
with them like the lowlife criminals that they are!
"When governments fear the people, there is liberty. When the
people fear the government, there is tyranny." - Thomas
Jefferson

[Karen Y Byrd]

Post by mcs
On further review on the sign it does mention handicapped but It was mighty
mighty hard to decipher this from other regular signs. It certainly was hard
to see for handicapped only.This was just a set
up and it happened to us too. and 300 dollars too. Amazing robbery.

It's all because you don't have a life(I mean how could you when
you spend every blessed moment yakking about pollution) that you are clueless
about handicapped parking signs and meters which have been
present on city streets for years now.

[Liz]

Post by Freedom Fighter
PHILADELPHIA'S MALICIOUS PARKING TICKET SCAM

<snip>>

Post by Freedom Fighter
I have PHOTOS that PROVE I WAS LEGALLY PARKED and falsely
ticketed!

I sympathize with your dilemma, but this is typical Philadelphia
Parking Authority crappola. Last month we parked in front of a
Philadelphia restaurant (Cuba Libre) where the bottom part of the
parking sign indicated "metered parking Mon. through Sun. 8:00 a.m. til
10:00 p.m. At 4:00 p.m. we fed the meter to cover us for 3 hours of
parking. When we went back to our car at 5:45 to add more quarters the
car was not there. We asked inside the restaurant whether they knew
what was going on with our car and she said to ask a guy out front.
Turns out he was one of two valet parkers and he smugly said that our
car had been towed because we were parked in a valet parking zone.
Upon re-reading the parking sign we saw "valet parking only 5:00 p.m.
til 3:00 a.m." We had to pay $13.00 for a taxi ride down to deep South
Philly, pay $100 to retrieve our car, plus another $25 parking ticket!
We have written to complain about the confusing, overlapping signage,
and have a hearing scheduled for 7/19. Both my husband and I are
self-employed and will lose quite a bit of income by attending this
hearing. Nonetheless, we feel that if we all roll over and play dead,
this plays directly into the hands of the Phila. Parking Authority, and
we'd rather lose several hours' income than take this lying down. My
husband made a special trip downtown to take pictures of the signs.
Funny thing, the sign closer to the corner was correctly worded,
showing that one could park there from 8 a.m. til 5:00 p.m., and then
the valet parking was from 5:00 p.m. til 3:00 a.m. How come the very
next sign couldn't be worded the same way? We certainly would not have
parked in that spot had we seen the valet part of the sign. Maybe
we're weird, but we both thought that the bottom part of a sign with
multiple parts was the one to follow as it had been added on last. We
feel this is a deliberate case of entrapment. My husband has written
to Mayor John Street, our joke of a mayor, stating that we will no
longer come into the city to dine or to take in movies and plays, as we
have done quite frequently over the years. The city has become a joke
since Street took office and we can't see any chance of improvement
until he and his goons are gone for good.

Liz
Flourtown, PA

[Karen Y Byrd]

Post by Liz
My husband has written
to Mayor John Street,

Why? You would have been better off writing John Perzel
who does have something to do with what's
going on with the, really miss-named, "Philadelphia"
Parking Authority. The parking authority is run
by PA not the Phila.

Post by Liz
our joke of a mayor,

Technically speaking since you, apparently, don't live in the
city he's not your mayor.

Post by Liz
stating that we will no
longer come into the city to dine or to take in movies and plays, as we
have done quite frequently over the years. The city has become a joke
since Street took office and we can't see any chance of improvement
until he and his goons are gone for good.

You know what, and, yes, I'm aware that housing trends are not
entirely local and, yes, I know that real estate tax abatement is a factor,
I've see a heck of LOT more new housing construction and rehabbing
in the last few years, under the Street administration,
in the city than was going on through 8 years of Rendell.
Rendell let abandoned city structures stay abandoned.
He let abandoned cars stay abandoned.

I'm not a big fan of Street mostly because he has
a terrible personality. But I will be fair to him
in that there's a lot of positive energy in the city
that didn't exist back in 90s when Fast Eddie was
trying to convince us that it did exist.
I think Rendell was WAY over-rated. His
performance as gov. proves it.

[Art Clemons]

Post by Karen Y Byrd
I'm not a big fan of Street mostly because he has
a terrible personality. But I will be fair to him
in that there's a lot of positive energy in the city
that didn't exist back in 90s when Fast Eddie was
trying to convince us that it did exist.
I think Rendell was WAY over-rated. His
performance as gov. proves it.

I suspect that you're underrating Rendell. He has a republican legislature
which is mostly disinclined to cooperate with him except when forced to.
Rendell also has an agenda of cooperation whenever possible, that was true
while he was mayor and even more so now. You have to view him in context.
It's also amusing watching people slowly realize that Street is a competent
but not charismatic mayor or that he has changed from the firebrand he was
back in the 70's.

[Karen Y Byrd]

Post by Art Clemons

Post by Karen Y Byrd
I'm not a big fan of Street mostly because he has
a terrible personality. But I will be fair to him
in that there's a lot of positive energy in the city
that didn't exist back in 90s when Fast Eddie was
trying to convince us that it did exist.
I think Rendell was WAY over-rated. His
performance as gov. proves it.

I suspect that you're underrating Rendell.

We'll see whether he gets re-elected or not.

Post by Art Clemons
He has a republican legislature
which is mostly disinclined to cooperate with him except when forced to.
Rendell also has an agenda of cooperation whenever possible, that was true
while he was mayor and even more so now. You have to view him in context.

I do view him in context and still think he's over-rated
and I still think Street, no matter his personality
(and the play-to-pay jazz) has been a better mayor overall.

Post by Art Clemons
It's also amusing watching people slowly realize that Street is a competent

I never doubted his ability. I just think he's
one of those HNICs(I'm sure you know what those letters
stand for!) kind of guys and I can't stand his
demeanor.

Just because I think his personality stinks doesn't mean
I think he can't do the job.

Post by Art Clemons
but not charismatic mayor or that he has changed from the firebrand he was
back in the 70's.

I'm glad he gave up that firebrand stuff but it didn't
make him any less arrogant.

[Matthew Russotto]

Post by Karen Y Byrd
Why? You would have been better off writing John Perzel
who does have something to do with what's
going on with the, really miss-named, "Philadelphia"
Parking Authority. The parking authority is run
by PA not the Phila.

That, IIRC, was a strict quid-pro-quo deal a while back. I don't know
what the other side of it was, but it USED to be a city agency. They
haven't changed their M.O. since then. And the city still gets the
money; when you pay parking tickets, it goes to the city, not the PPA.

Post by Karen Y Byrd
I've see a heck of LOT more new housing construction and rehabbing
in the last few years, under the Street administration,
in the city than was going on through 8 years of Rendell.

A bubble that's going to burst as Street goes to squeeze more taxes
out of the new owners.

[Karen Y Byrd]

On Mon, 11 Jul 2005 16:07:49 -0500,

Post by Matthew Russotto

Post by Karen Y Byrd
I've see a heck of LOT more new housing construction and rehabbing
in the last few years, under the Street administration,
in the city than was going on through 8 years of Rendell.

A bubble that's going to burst as Street goes to squeeze more taxes
out of the new owners.

Street will no longer be mayor when that happens. The abatements
are for 10 years.

[Art Clemons]

Post by Karen Y Byrd
Street will no longer be mayor when that happens. The abatements
are for 10 years.

There is a factor that you're ignoring, and that's the raised assessment and
increased property taxes from the folks near the tax abated housing. Lots
of folks are paying more in property taxes.

[Matthew Russotto]

Post by Art Clemons

Post by Karen Y Byrd
Street will no longer be mayor when that happens. The abatements
are for 10 years.

There is a factor that you're ignoring, and that's the raised assessment and
increased property taxes from the folks near the tax abated housing. Lots
of folks are paying more in property taxes.

That's a "feature" -- the idea is to force those folks out and get new
development there too. The trick is to figure out how Street's
cronies profit from that.

[Art Clemons]

Post by Matthew Russotto
That's a "feature" -- the idea is to force those folks out and get new
development there too. The trick is to figure out how Street's
cronies profit from that.

Despite the feds apparently following up on everything that Street does,
they seem unable to find a handle to prosecute. Since every politician
known has folks who profit from that individual being elected, what is your
point. Property tax assessments are rising, helped along greatly by
speculation and tax-abatements raising purchase prices. The fact that your
new neighbor's house is now worth $500,000.00 when you only paid $75,000
for your house eight years ago means that your taxes rise on the supposed
enhanced value.

[Matthew Russotto]

Post by Art Clemons

Post by Matthew Russotto
That's a "feature" -- the idea is to force those folks out and get new
development there too. The trick is to figure out how Street's
cronies profit from that.

Despite the feds apparently following up on everything that Street does,
they seem unable to find a handle to prosecute.

So you're saying Street doesn't engage in cronyism?

Post by Art Clemons
Since every politician
known has folks who profit from that individual being elected, what is your
point. Property tax assessments are rising, helped along greatly by
speculation and tax-abatements raising purchase prices. The fact that your
new neighbor's house is now worth $500,000.00 when you only paid $75,000
for your house eight years ago means that your taxes rise on the supposed
enhanced value.

Right. And that means you are forced to sell out to someone who can
develop the property into something which will justify the higher
property taxes. That developer gets the lion's share of the profit,
of course; despite the higher assessed value, you can't sell it for a
great premium because it's unimproved.

[Art Clemons]

Post by Matthew Russotto
So you're saying Street doesn't engage in cronyism?

No, note what you quoted below. Every politician is beholden to some group
or groups of voters and supporters, whether discussing National, State or
local office.

Post by Matthew Russotto

Post by Art Clemons
Since every politician
known has folks who profit from that individual being elected, what is your
point. Property tax assessments are rising, helped along greatly by
speculation and tax-abatements raising purchase prices. The fact that
your new neighbor's house is now worth $500,000.00 when you only paid
$75,000 for your house eight years ago means that your taxes rise on the
supposed enhanced value.

Right. And that means you are forced to sell out to someone who can
develop the property into something which will justify the higher
property taxes. That developer gets the lion's share of the profit,
of course; despite the higher assessed value, you can't sell it for a
great premium because it's unimproved.

I don't recall that happening besides, let me note that Fair Market Value
would include the enhancement in price since you moved in. Problems arise
when there are great income disparities between those who have long resided
in an area and the new arrivals. Taxes going up for someone barely able to
afford the mortgage, upkeep and the like could be a real disaster. Most
of the time when housing gets displaced in Philadelphia, the value of the
homes displaced is quite low, that's part of why it works so well for
eminent domain when it occurs.

Speculators and those already invested don't normally force out folks, care
to name a neighborhood where that's happened in Philly? It normally takes
eminent domain for a developer. What does happen in Philly is that
"investors" come along to "save" a house in foreclosure, then kick out the
owners in a few months or years upon the slightest excuse.

[Jeff]

Post by Art Clemons

Post by Matthew Russotto
That's a "feature" -- the idea is to force those folks out and get new
development there too. The trick is to figure out how Street's
cronies profit from that.

Despite the feds apparently following up on everything that Street does,
they seem unable to find a handle to prosecute. Since every politician
known has folks who profit from that individual being elected, what is your
point.

That the mayor's a crook, he's just a more slippery crook than usual.
He seemed to have the foresight to know that a crook should conduct bug
sweeps to ward off investigators, for example. Bug sweeps! In City Hall!

Property tax assessments are rising, helped along greatly by

Post by Art Clemons
speculation and tax-abatements raising purchase prices. The fact that your
new neighbor's house is now worth $500,000.00 when you only paid $75,000
for your house eight years ago means that your taxes rise on the supposed
enhanced value.

Ummm, when property tax assessments go up (which they normally do) the
tax or millage rate should go down by a roughly corresponding level.
Our house has appreciated substantially in value over the last 15 years,
but our property taxes have had a much slower rise. As the assessments
went up, the tax rate has gone down. It's not a 1:1 match, because the
taxes do go up somewhat from year to year, presumably to pay the higher
cost of salary increases, healthcare benefits, expenses etc. each year.
But not anywhere near the increases of property values.

[Art Clemons]

Post by Jeff
That the mayor's a crook, he's just a more slippery crook than usual.
He seemed to have the foresight to know that a crook should conduct bug
sweeps to ward off investigators, for example. Bug sweeps! In City Hall!

You're making a claim which you and the feds cannot prove. Yes, we know he
tolerates nepotism, but that's true of any politician with power.

Post by Jeff
Property tax assessments are rising, helped along greatly by

Post by Art Clemons
speculation and tax-abatements raising purchase prices. The fact that
your new neighbor's house is now worth $500,000.00 when you only paid
$75,000 for your house eight years ago means that your taxes rise on the
supposed enhanced value.

Ummm, when property tax assessments go up (which they normally do) the
tax or millage rate should go down by a roughly corresponding level.
Our house has appreciated substantially in value over the last 15 years,
but our property taxes have had a much slower rise. As the assessments
went up, the tax rate has gone down. It's not a 1:1 match, because the
taxes do go up somewhat from year to year, presumably to pay the higher
cost of salary increases, healthcare benefits, expenses etc. each year.
But not anywhere near the increases of property values.

I suggest you check, realty tax in Philly is producing more income.

[Jeff]

Post by Art Clemons

Post by Jeff
That the mayor's a crook, he's just a more slippery crook than usual.
He seemed to have the foresight to know that a crook should conduct bug
sweeps to ward off investigators, for example. Bug sweeps! In City Hall!

You're making a claim which you and the feds cannot prove. Yes, we know he
tolerates nepotism, but that's true of any politician with power.

Umm, several of the mayor's cronies have now not only been indicted, but
have also been convicted. I suspect that it is possible that the crook
in the City Hall will go down eventually. Can I prove here that he is a
crook? No more than you can prove that "any politiican with power"
tolates nepotism.

Post by Art Clemons

Post by Jeff
Property tax assessments are rising, helped along greatly by

Post by Art Clemons
speculation and tax-abatements raising purchase prices. The fact that
your new neighbor's house is now worth $500,000.00 when you only paid
$75,000 for your house eight years ago means that your taxes rise on the
supposed enhanced value.

Ummm, when property tax assessments go up (which they normally do) the
tax or millage rate should go down by a roughly corresponding level.
Our house has appreciated substantially in value over the last 15 years,
but our property taxes have had a much slower rise. As the assessments
went up, the tax rate has gone down. It's not a 1:1 match, because the
taxes do go up somewhat from year to year, presumably to pay the higher
cost of salary increases, healthcare benefits, expenses etc. each year.
But not anywhere near the increases of property values.

I suggest you check, realty tax in Philly is producing more income.

I don't really know (or really care too much) what the tax situation IN
PHILLY is, however I do know that our tax rate (outside StreetTown) has
gone down as property values have gone up. The taxes do produce some
more income each year though.

[Felix Falkon of [e-mail]]

Post by Jeff
Umm, several of the mayor's cronies have now not only been indicted, but
have also been convicted. I suspect that it is possible that the crook
in the City Hall will go down eventually. Can I prove here that he is a
crook? No more than you can prove that "any politiican with power"
tolates nepotism.

Even though Truman's famous sign THE BUCK STOPS HERE isn't sitting on the
mayor's desk, it's still true in both sense$ of the word.

[Karen Y Byrd]

Post by Liz

Post by Freedom Fighter
PHILADELPHIA'S MALICIOUS PARKING TICKET SCAM

<snip>>

Post by Freedom Fighter
I have PHOTOS that PROVE I WAS LEGALLY PARKED and falsely
ticketed!

I sympathize with your dilemma, but this is typical Philadelphia
Parking Authority crappola.

[...]

Post by Liz
to Mayor John Street, our joke of a mayor, stating that we will no
longer come into the city to dine or to take in movies and plays, as we
have done quite frequently over the years. The city has become a joke
since Street took office and we can't see any chance of improvement
until he and his goons are gone for good.

Question. What is the ratio of good city experiences
you're had vs bad city experinces?

I'm not trying to gloss over any bad esperiences including
this stuff with having your car towed. I would have
been MAD if that had happenned to me.

But, like a lot of Phila. area residents, too many of us
have a tendency to never acknowledge good experiences.
We tend to not give praise when it's due. We tend to
focus only on bad experiences which then end up,
unfortunately, cancelng out the good times
we've had.

It's the kind of local, negative mentality that is surprised
that the July 4th weekend, with the added addition of
Live 8, went so well. Well, the truth is the city has
been doing big celebrations on the Parkway for
years... granted none have been as big as Live 8. But
still the city has a great track record with these
things. How often is the city praised for it?
Not nearly enough!

[Liz]

Post by Karen Y Byrd

Post by Liz
I sympathize with your dilemma, but this is typical Philadelphia
Parking Authority crappola.

[...]

Post by Liz
to Mayor John Street, our joke of a mayor, stating that we will no
longer come into the city to dine or to take in movies and plays, as we
have done quite frequently over the years. The city has become a joke
since Street took office and we can't see any chance of improvement
until he and his goons are gone for good.

Question. What is the ratio of good city experiences
you're had vs bad city experinces?

Probably close to 5:1 (with the five being positive). However, our
experience came on the heels of another negative experience 10 days earlier.
We had tickets to a play (Coming Out) at the Phila. Theater Co. for 2:30
that Sunday (6/12). We took the Schuylkill and my DH told our friend who
was driving that the South St. exit would probably be best. Unfortunate,
there was a log jam at the South St. exit and we sat in line for 4 traffic
light changes before we could make our left. The traffic was
bumper-to-bumper, and when we got to the first cross street (sorry, I'm
street name impaired), instead of going straight as we intended all traffic
was forced to go right...then south 2 blocks to a sharp left...then north 2
more blocks back to South Street (where we started), then left, back over
the bridge to right back onto the Schuylkill!!! By the time we got back
onto track, into the parking lot (which, by the way, had run out of tickets
so the driver had to go to another lot a block a way to get a ticket!), and
into our seats at the theater we were 20 minutes late, to the chagrin of our
fellow theater goers. Now, can someone tell me why the Phila. police (who
were in present in multiple numbers, sitting on walls and drinking
coffee/soda) could not have posted a police car at the left lane of the
South Street exit of the Schuylkill so unsuspecting drivers would have been
spared this ridiculous detour?

I was born and raised in Philly, and have never lived more than 6 miles from
the hospital where I was born more years ago than I like to think about. I
may no longer live in the city, but I'm still a Fillfydelphian, to the core,
and it hurts me to see how this city has deteriorated. Granted, I'm not
experiencing the entire city, and okay, maybe John Street has accomplished
something in sections of the city unfamiliar to me, but as far as I'm
concerned, the negatives of driving into Center City ro see a play or eat at
a restaurant far outweigh the positives. In the future we'll stay in our
own neck of the woods where our car won't be towed to the tune of $100.00
(plus $25.. parking ticket). And by the way, there isn't enough money in
the world to bring us old folks (61) into the city for Live 8 with its rap
and hiphop "music," and the Sir Elton John concert was on TV so why fight
the crowds to see him live?

Liz

[Karen Y Byrd]

Post by Liz
I was born and raised in Philly, and have never lived more than 6 miles from
the hospital where I was born more years ago than I like to think about. I
may no longer live in the city, but I'm still a Fillfydelphian, to the core,
and it hurts me to see how this city has deteriorated.

Wow, perception is really something isn't it? I mean that sincerely.
I'm not trying to be a smart-ass.

I've lived in the city for 10 years(after having spent most
of my life in 'burbs) and I see more inprovements, at least,
where I tend to hang out over the last few years than I saw
in latter part of the 90s.

In my own near neighborhood alone(which is east Spring Garden)
I've seen these since 2001:

New townhouses on Fairmount Ave.

New townhouses just south on Fairmount, along 17th St.
The condo conversion of 640 N. Broad(ongoing).

The old Glaxo-SmithKline "yellow mother" headquarters(completely
renovated) and occupied by at least 3 tenants including
I. Blue Cross.

The John B. Stetson Mansion rehabbed. It's in the 1700 block
of Spring Garden(God only knows what it sold
for... probably around $1 million).

Electrical Union completely rehabbing the free-standing
house(NW corner of 17th and Spring Garden. It was an
abandoned eyesore before with weeds/trash all around.

A new townhouse project(not yet started) at 16th and Green.

I could go on and on especially in many areas that I know well: Old City,
Fishtown, N. Liberties, S. Phila(Bella Vista/Italian Market.,
Univ. City, Grays Ferry,
Pennsport/ Queen Village.

Consider, too, that not a single office tower in Center City
was built when
Rendell was mayor. Now we have the incredible Cira Centre
and soon we'll have the ComCast Tower. I do realize that we really
NEED more job creation in the city. But I see these structures
as positive signs that that could happen.

Post by Liz
Granted, I'm not
experiencing the entire city, and okay, maybe John Street has accomplished
something in sections of the city unfamiliar to me, but as far as I'm
concerned, the negatives of driving into Center City ro see a play or eat at
a restaurant far outweigh the positives.

Even when I lived in the 'burbs, I lived in places where
mass transit was convenient so I rarely drove into the city.
And today... I don't need to go on any expressway very often
anymore. Most of what I need is a subway/el ride away or I walk.
I do have a car because it is convenient sometimes but it's not a must
have.

Post by Liz
In the future we'll stay in our
own neck of the woods where our car won't be towed to the tune of $100.00
(plus $25.. parking ticket).

God, I wish that had not happened to you!

Post by Liz
And by the way, there isn't enough money in
the world to bring us old folks (61) into the city for Live 8 with its rap
and hiphop "music," and the Sir Elton John concert was on TV so why fight
the crowds to see him live?

I'm 55... almost 56 so there's no way I was going to that
stuff! :-) And I live practically next door to anything going
on on the Parkway.

I went to a Phillies game on 7/2.

Make no mistake I don't really like John Street because
I think he could be better than he is. He did nothing about cronyism
which is really disappointing to me. I voted for Sam Katz
twice.

Street will be gone in 2 years, thank goodness!
But the place he spends so much time, City Hall,
is almost done being cleaned. I mean we are seeing
that building the was it looked 100 years ago when it
was new.

KByrd

[Karen Y Byrd]

Post by Liz
I was born and raised in Philly, and have never lived more than 6 miles from
the hospital where I was born more years ago than I like to think about. I
may no longer live in the city, but I'm still a Fillfydelphian, to the core,
and it hurts me to see how this city has deteriorated.

Other than these traffic/parking insanities can you explain why
you think the city is deteriorating when we are in the midst
of residential building boom? Something we haven't had
in this town in decades.

I read this morning that more condos projects are planned along
Columbus Blvd(well... there have been ideas to build near the
B. Franklin Bridge for ages but it may actually happen now)

There's a condo project going on at the foot of Spring Garden as it meets
Columbus Blvd/Delaware Ave in the location where an UGLY citytrash
incinerator used to be.

I've also read about projects further up the river near Tacony.
So it's not just Center City and near Center City.

In the article about the new river front condo project businesses
in Center City near Rittenhouse Sq talk about how they've
had to extend hours because of increased people.

I have this theory... the traffic headaches you experienced
could be as a result of there being more traffic as
Center City gains more people and things to do.

One thing that happened after 9/11 is that we did get
a bit of an infusion of New Yorkers who suddenly found
out that they could live in Philly/near Philly and
actually have some amenities that they were used to.
Mexicans who are now so present in S. Philly came
here from Queens(NYC) after 9/11.

[Liz]

Post by Karen Y Byrd
Other than these traffic/parking insanities can you explain why
you think the city is deteriorating when we are in the midst
of residential building boom? Something we haven't had
in this town in decades.
I read this morning that more condos projects are planned along
Columbus Blvd(well... there have been ideas to build near the
B. Franklin Bridge for ages but it may actually happen now)
There's a condo project going on at the foot of Spring Garden as it meets
Columbus Blvd/Delaware Ave in the location where an UGLY citytrash
incinerator used to be.
I've also read about projects further up the river near Tacony.
So it's not just Center City and near Center City.
In the article about the new river front condo project businesses
in Center City near Rittenhouse Sq talk about how they've
had to extend hours because of increased people.
I have this theory... the traffic headaches you experienced
could be as a result of there being more traffic as
Center City gains more people and things to do.

In your mind, pouring more people into the city is a sign of progress. In
my mind, until they (and I don't know who "they" might be) figure out how to
handle all the increased traffic these additional inhabitants will generate,
Philadelphia will become even less user friendly.

Liz

[Karen Y Byrd]

Post by Liz
In your mind, pouring more people into the city is a sign of progress.

You bet I do.

The Dali exhibit, for example, attracted people from all over. I chatted
with a fellow from Australian on the Route 38 Septa bus
who came here just to see the
Dali show.

When I was growing up (50s-60s) the very idea of
anybody coming to Phila. to see much of anything was
patently ridiculous.

Post by Liz
In
my mind, until they (and I don't know who "they" might be) figure out how to
handle all the increased traffic these additional inhabitants will generate,
Philadelphia will become even less user friendly.

One thing they might consider doing is to simply to get out
of their cars and walk. Phila. is very walkable.
I still have a car but I hardly ever use it because
I walk a lot and use Septa.

A healthy person should be able to walk from river to
river, across Center City, in 25-30 minutes.

[Liz]

Post by Karen Y Byrd
One thing they might consider doing is to simply to get out
of their cars and walk. Phila. is very walkable.
I still have a car but I hardly ever use it because
I walk a lot and use Septa.
A healthy person should be able to walk from river to
river, across Center City, in 25-30 minutes.

As an ex-runner, I did that distance more times than I can count in half
that time. Unfortunately, all that running took its toll on my body and in
2/02 I underwent a right total hip replacement, which my orthopedist
admitted I came upon honestly <G>. Now I'm scheduled to have my left hip
replaced in mid-October. Hopefully with physical therapy and resumption of
my routine exercise program I'll once again be able to walk from river to
river by early 2006, but for the time being I'm forced to use a car when
travelling into the city.

Liz

[Karen Y Byrd]

Post by Liz

Post by Karen Y Byrd
One thing they might consider doing is to simply to get out
of their cars and walk. Phila. is very walkable.
I still have a car but I hardly ever use it because
I walk a lot and use Septa.
A healthy person should be able to walk from river to
river, across Center City, in 25-30 minutes.

As an ex-runner, I did that distance more times than I can count in half
that time. Unfortunately, all that running took its toll on my body and in
2/02 I underwent a right total hip replacement, which my orthopedist
admitted I came upon honestly <G>. Now I'm scheduled to have my left hip
replaced in mid-October. Hopefully with physical therapy and resumption of
my routine exercise program I'll once again be able to walk from river to
river by early 2006, but for the time being I'm forced to use a car when
travelling into the city.

Well, that explains a lot!

I've been blessed with healthy joints so far and I've
always walked a lot... even when I lived in the 'burbs.

Good luck to you!