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?
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About Me
- MATT KELLY
- I've been involved in local, state and national politics since 1981. I've served as a campaign volunteer, coordinator, candidate, and served on the Fredericksburg City Council for two terms 2002-2010. I decided not to run for a third term to spend more time with my family and pursue other interests such as painting, learning new and relatively useless things like how cigars are rolled, and deciphering the intricacies (if that is possible) of NASCA; and getting in touch with my inner child (see photo) so I can better relate to my grandchildren and bring a little unpredictability into our lives. Then in 2012 I "fell off the wagon." Tiring of my antics,and always being underfoot, my lovely wife told me to get out of the house and go do something. So I was elected to an At-Large seat on City Council in 20212. I was re-elected to my seat in May 2016. I do continue to try to maintain contact with my inner child every morning over coffee with friends. I am also trying to help more around the house. But I shall try to spare a few moments to pontificate on the issues of the day.
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2 comments:
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).
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
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