We'd all like to see cleaner streets, but the city's practice -- instituted this year -- of towing cars that aren't moved for street cleaning is ridiculous. The City Council will hold a public hearing on the policy at City Hall on Monday at 6 p.m.More than 20,000 vehicles have been towed from Boston streets since the summer street-cleaning season began in mid-April, resulting in a windfall of more than $2 million for local towing companies.
I wrote about this back in July, noting that Dennis Royer, who runs the city's public works department, said in a Boston Globe story, "I don't want to tow a car. But we're still towing, because there always seems to be people who forget or don't know what's going on."
Should we really be penalizing people this much because they forget or don't know about street cleaning? Towing should be reserved for people who block hydrants, driveways, handicap ramps or who double park and leave the car. The hassle of retrieving one's car and paying $130 for the fine and the tow are exorbitant compared to the infraction. Raise the price of the ticket, but don't tow the car.
11 comments:
To Tell The Truth
Says;
Its all about the $ Benjamins$.
We as a people on the other side of the pond have always been treated as if we are not part of Boston.
We have the filtiest streets,the worst looking store fronts,and the fewest amount of Police officers on duty between 11:30 p.m. to 7 :45 a.m.
We have just about zero code enforcement of any kind.
But its always been about Money. Raise the tax rate,raise basic fees for permits,and licenses,tow these cars. For what ?
Supposidly because of the budget it takes to run the City.But thats not true ,because if it was ? Why then as they raise all these fines,and fees ,DO THEY GIVE THEMSELVES A RAISE?
Instead of cutting Political Hack jobs they raise the tax rate,and the fines,and fees.
Its always going to be about the almighty dollar.
Case in point as was pointed out a while ago .
The C.V.S.organization is taking over the Rite Aid / Brooks on Saratoga street,and are applying for a 24 hour a day license ,with 2 drive through lanes. One for prescriptions,and 1 for an A.T.M..
FACT/ PUBLIC RECORD:
The Vice President of C.V.S. told myself,and two other people after a meeting that he just gave the Mayor a check for 100,000.00 dollars. (to be used for the operating budget of the Umana Barnes School).
Enough with the highest tax rate ever,and the increase in fines,and fees,and these kind of $specialty permits$.
Did you see todays Herald ,the Mayor is going to try ,and live on 21 dollars a week in food stamps. What a joke!
No one can!
I am sure he pre stocked his food pantry.
Jimbo is right, towing should be for blocking hydrants,h.c.spots,and curbs,blocking intersections,and most of all,
THOSE BOSTON POLICE CARS THAT PARK EVERYDAY IN JUST ABOUT EVERY BUS STOP IN EAST BOSTON.
Try getting off at the Post office ,or Sunny Nottos,or the E.B.Savings bank.
These are reasons why we will never get what Charlestown,the North End,and Southie got.Class,and Respect !
Tow the Hacks.
GREAT!!!
I like to know if there is a conection or what kind of conections the people from Todisco tow trucks have with the city or any politician?
They ticket and tow the cars, and where is the money going? Not East Boston, because the streets are getting worst, the guy who cleans "some" streets doesn't go to streets that are very dirty. All this goes back to: Who in power cares about East Boston.
Um, how do you propose they actually clean the street then?
Sal Lamattina told me to my face that the only way to have our streets cleaner is to tow cars!
I would like to hear what more citizens feel about that comment.
I have seen some streets "after" the machine had been cleaning, and there still dirty... you can see the marks of the machine... also, what about the dirt on the sidewalks... the machine does no go there...
I have witnessed 2 incidents where a car was on the street as the tow truck was approaching and the owner came running out to move it. The tow truck drivers completely ingore the person and continue to put the car on the truck. In one of the incidents the owner sat and watched the driver chain up his car and then the driver was kind enough to give the owner a ride to the lot, with his car on the back, so he could get his car back!! These tow truck drivers are ruthless and reckless! And they do it because they get away with it. It's not about making the streets clean, its about them making money.
To tell the truth
Says
Go back and read the first post.
The relationship between the tow company,and the City has always been known as just another political connection.
I am amazed that people posting on this blog dont get it.
This is not an administration by,and for the people.
Its an administration of who knows who,and who owes who.
I suggest that all of you read Article 53 ,its East Bostons specific zoning code.You can get it by going to www.cityofboston.gov ,and clickopen the B.R.A.Link.You can download it for free.
All you need is for you to go to the store sign regulations,print it 3 pages,and walk around our business districts.
I estimate that about 90 % are in NON COMPLIANCE.
Wheres the enforcement?
If you read other cities business journals,they all down grade doing business in Boston.
Even the Boston Business Journal says its the most difficult place to invest in because of the Political red tape.
But hey stores like C.V.S.know how to play the game,write a check.
Why do any of you think our filthy streets ,that have been this way for years will ever change is mind boggling.
Its over for East Boston,we will never get the waterfront that every other part of the city has.
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
somethings's need to be done... something NEDD to change in East Boston. We need real leaders, either people or organizations, but the real leader, has or have to step up and in pro of East Boston, and until now, that person or organization, does not exist, and people with power don't care about East Boston. I put special attention yesterday and today early morning about the towing, Todisco drivers do not really care about anything, only the money they are making and keeping their conections. The person from the post before is right, there is no professional code from any government agency to enforce what we need in Eastie, someone really has to step up for our neighborhood.
I am so sick of people parking in front of my house, emptying their trash from their car out onto the sidewalk and gutter. TOW THEM ALL. Only the pigs complain who are the problem anyway. If you have to live in a city with thousands of other people, have the common sense to follow the rules, because those of us who actually do, are sick of those who don't. TOW 'EM ALL!!!!!!!!!!
To Tell The Truth
Says to Anon
East Boston has great Community Groups Like the Land Use Council,Jeffries Point Council,the Orient Heights Council.
However these are only citizens who donate thier time to Eastie.
Building,Signage,Health,,and Sanitary Codes are specific Laws that only the City of Boston can enforce.
Please do not blame those people who give so much,and get very little in return.
As we speak there are busineses open that do not have a single permit ,or right to be open,and the City knows. So why are they not forcibly shut down ,is the question you need to ask.
?????????????????????????
Mr., I know those community organization, and congratulations to them, but what I am trying to say, is that in East Boston, w need either a person or group whe really step up to our own issues, and to gain the trust and support of all different groups in East Boston. If Jennifer know who is the person parking and/or dumping trash, need to get that info and call the police or the city, call Sal's office and they will send someone to check that and to ticket that person.
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