I Thank You

I thank you Melanie of the Philadelphia Parking Authority, and Nicole Monson, Hearing Officer

I thank you Melanie of the Philadelphia Parking Authority. You answered the phone promptly and answered my questions knoweldgeably and courteously. Now let's hope I get a fair hearing today. I put money in the meter for I think it was an hour and a quarter but the meter took my money but didn't properly credit me with the time. I left a note on my windshield to this effect. When I got back, the note was still there along with a ticket. I asked you, Melanie, whether the parking enforcers have a quota to fill and you said you thought so. Hmmm. The last time I went to traffic court many years ago I knew I was in trouble when the judge hearing a case before mine on an expired meter case opined,"I don't believe you should have to pay a fine just for staying over time at a meter" and threw the case out. My matter was treated with similar disdain for the facts and the law. Let's see what happens.../what happened was an example of what's right with the City. Although there were many people waiting in line to resolve their tickets, we were treated with courtesy along the assembly line window where we registered, got our parking garage tickets validated, and assigned an order, first come first serve for the hearing. My hearing officer, Nicole Monson, was respectful and attentive to my testimony, provided me a copy of the note that I had left on my windshield and later mailed in to the hearing unit. Justice was served in the process in which my case was handled. Maybe other City departments can learn from the Bureau of Administrative Hearing Unit within the Office of Administrative Review (OAR) within the Finance Department.

One suggestion: allow 2 hours, not just one hour for parking in the garage adjacent the hearing office: that would be a touch more gracious and would allow someone such as I to have lunch at the Reading Terminal Market- in the end, if Market merchants benefit from a little increased traffic from [alleged] traffic violators, the city would see the benefit through increased tax revenue!

I thank you, Mr. Willie Ford for...

taking a vacant piece of land in your east Mt. Airy neighborhood and putting it to good use as a garden/small farm  for 13 years and for joining with me in a venture to purchase a part of it and for our small  harvest yesterday  of  purple top white globe turnips which today I vended at W eavers Way. YAY

I Thank You, Richard Snowden of Bowman Properties

I thank you, Richard Snowden of Bowman Properties for renting out of one of your storefronts to the Sneed Gallery and Photo Studio, at 8401 Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill (Philadelphia) I discovered the gallery when I passed the "Weapons of Mass Deception" wooden flag sculpture Mr. Sneed did with his school-age son, David,  propped up outside the store.  See weapons of deception sign

But I really would like if you would rent your vacant storefront properties before I issue a proposal, as an aspirant to the 8th District City Council seat,  that such property be subject to ongong levies proportional to their fair market value.

I recall how pleasant and courteous you always were when I worked part-time in an antique shop of yours on Germantown Avenue in Chestnut Hill. And I noticed the care and the delight you took in picking out objets as gifts for friends.

I welcome you to expand your circle of friends and yes, get involved in politics- did you ever go on the early morning jog with Mayor Street that you won at auction, was it?

I/We the Northwest community need your help as, I daresay, you need ours. Let's not continue this dialog in the papers and in the blogs.

Brian, tel:215-247-2270