The subjects for this blog will be related to local, regional and, on occasion, state politics. It is NOT associated with any political party or special interest group. It is my hope that all sides will boldly venture into the arena to do battle on behalf of their candidate or to defend a position. As is the case in the rough and tumble world of politics rules will be kept to a minimum. However, keep the comments at least PG rated. If you resort to name calling you are admitting defeat.

Friday, May 2, 2008

UNBELIEVABLE!

On April 25th the Free Lance Star, in a story entitled-- Checking the Facts
http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2008/042008/04252008/374410 laid out the inaccuracies of Mrs. Girvan’s position on Auto Chalk. Mrs. Girvan’s response—post that same inaccurate information on her web site-- Autochalk aka "Robocop" - It's about Spending Priorities
http://www.girvanformayor.com/robocopstats.htm

In addition to the multiple inaccuracies pointed out in the FLS story Mrs. Girvan goes on to ADD a few more. “This system penalizes tourists & visitors - the very customers we're trying to encourage to visit downtown.” Mrs. Girvan KNOWS, and residents should know, that first time offenders, usually tourists, ARE NOT GIVEN A TICKET. They receive a warning letter along with information pointing out where parking is located downtown.

As for revenue, even with first time tickets being waived, it has increased since Auto Chalk went into operation. In a presentation before the College Heights Civic Association LAST NIGHT, Chief Nye reported that revenues to date for tickets are UP $20,000.00 over last year!

On her website Mrs. Girvan implies that the system has been ineffective because most of the tickets issued are hand written. The reason for this has also been explained on more than one occasion to Mrs. Girvan—because it takes less time to cover downtown, parking enforcement officers have more time to check for violations around the train station and the University.

I would invite readers to read the Free Lance Star story linked above for more of the details regarding the inaccuracies of Mrs. Girvan’s statements on Auto Chalk.


Mrs. Girvan KNEW that she was putting out inaccurate information. Even after the story appeared in the Free Lance Star she continues to put out inaccurate information. What does this say about her credibility?

2 comments:

Bryan said...

I have posted a citizen's (me) analysis of Autochalk from a financial and productivity standpoint at InTheBurg:
http://burgnews.blogspot.com/2008/03/autochalk-love-ithate-it.html

Girvan fails to represent that the Jan numbers are only for 3 months (month #1 was a warning only month).

She even put a * next to revenue, with some vague statement about fuel mileage - implying something about payback, but with ZERO evidense of fuel costs. I applaud the city for using a hybrid vehicle. Not to mention, I've seen this officer respond to other events with Autochalk, making it the most fuel efficient police vehicle.

She also fails to acknowlege that the heavy equipment money was spent months (if not a year) after the autochalk money. From what I've read (go to the council minutes), it wasn't emphasised at the time of the autochalk decision. Girvan's IDEA for the money was red light cameras. Convenient how her story has changed on that too, according to her website she would have rather bought the heavy equipment. Maybe that would have been a good idea, if she had actually brought it up at the autochalk meeting!

Matt, I'm behind you 100% on this one. May not like the tickets, but it works, and it's an efficient use of money. Encourage other departments to look for ways to expend their current dollars to save $ in the future, and be more efficient like the parking dept.

Ideas: Switch to a permanent parking decal with VIN/PLATE # so that enforcement costs almost nothing. Have everyone use bulk mailing. Vehicle replacement with hybrids/hydrogen. Ads on Fred or Fred Stops. Web based gov't (so that people like me stop calling asking for information).

Bryan said...

Left off the best idea, in VDOT projects on secondary rds (fall hill) ditch the stoplights, and install traffic circles. Article on safety & reduced costs here:
http://burgnews.blogspot.com/2008/04/traffic-solutions-circling.html