Digital Stocks In The Public Square
I'm ashamed to admit that I look forward to the Chattanoogan's annual posting of the top individuals owing money to the City for parking fines (this year, a waitress at Big River, came out on top owing nearly $28K). It caters to our voyeuristic inclinations, and allows participation in/of that information with zero consequence (i.e. on the internet).
I can't help but think that there may be something cruel about the practice. If you owe $28K to the City for parking tickets, as punishment/leverage should the entire City know about it? And who releases these names to the public? Who makes that decision? I've got no doubt the government can, but why and even should they? Does it encourage people to pony up the $5K, $10K, or even $28K that they owe? Is it just and does it work?
And heck, why start the public listing at $5K. I'm sure if we were all honest we would admit that we would love to know if our cubicle-mates & neighbors secretly owed $1,500 bucks to the City in parking tickets. And of course The Chattanoogan, that bastion of would-be journalism, will be there to report it.
NOTE: still working out the RSS feeds. My apologies. We'll have a merged Bury the Lede & main blog feed soon.
Chattanooga News | By Josiah Roe | 07:57 AM
Comments
"And of course The Chattanooga, that bastion of would-be journalism, will be there to report it."
i often wonder, "when's it going to stop?"
Posted by: daniel at June 28, 2007 08:32 AM
Well, it's hard not to draw the conclusion that the City is having trouble enforcing these fines...or they're unable to decide how and when to enforce it.
Take the $28,000 total. That's in the school loan range and it sounds like they've only recently handed it over to collections. I missed 2-3 school loan payments in a row once and they sent that bill (under $500) to collections.
Posted by: Chris T. at June 28, 2007 09:22 AM
thank you for being so open, chris t. now that i know your criminal record, i'll be sure to stay far away from you.
Posted by: daniel at June 28, 2007 10:44 AM
I know i owe a few parking tickets to chatty.... hence why i left and moved to ATL.
Posted by: holton at June 28, 2007 10:48 AM
That was a long time ago, D to the B. My hope is that I can get my story out there so that others won't run into the same problems.
Posted by: Chris T. at June 28, 2007 10:54 AM
once criminal, always a criminal.
Posted by: daniel at June 28, 2007 11:06 AM
its impossible to work in a downtown restaurant here and not owe the city a large amount of your tips. Its kinda sad if you ask me.
Posted by: James at June 28, 2007 03:59 PM
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