(Monkey) Business As Usual in Boston
Please do not let this story destroy your faith in the integrity of our city's public officials. Yes, I realize that would require both the initial existence of said integrity and a measurable amount of your faith therein, but what say you just humor me and play along?
City workers skate on parking tickets
I. Am. Stunned.
Who could have possibly imagined that the Mayor's weak, limp-dicked approach just one year ago to this EXACT SAME FRIGGIN' PROBLEM would prove to be entirely ineffective? (pausing to count raised hands)
Flashback to April 2004:
And what was our courageous leader's iron-fisted disciplinary response back then?
Well, that had quite the impact, Tom. You really taught those crazy kids a lesson they wouldn't soon forget. I mean, God forbid you should actually fire any of these bums. Why that might send the message that corruption among our public officials - folks who earn their salaries from the hard work of the taxpayers of the city - is somehow unacceptable. Oh, the horror.
I guess all the recent talk of cracking down on parking violators by doubling fines and increasing the frequency of towing of scofflaw's vehicles would only entail us regular folks getting the thumbscrews, and not members of Menino's inner circle of hacks and political insiders.
Why am I not surprised?
City workers skate on parking tickets
Scofflaw municipal workers have racked up more than $26,000 in parking tickets over the past seven months - nearly all of which are unpaid - for leaving their city-owned vehicles in crosswalks, bus stops, handicapped spots and in front of hydrants, a Herald review has found.
[snip]
Of the $26,815 in fines for the 467 tickets received by city workers, $11,868 has already been wiped from the books, records show.
The Department of Public Works led the way with 86 violations for $4,530 in fines. The Department of Neighborhood Development was second with 68 tickets for $4,270, followed by the School Department with 67 for $2,825.
The Transportation Department was fourth with 56 violations for $3,085. Joe Kelly, executive director of off-street parking facilities, was responsible for 30 of those tickets, most for parking in a no stopping/standing zone on New Chardon Street. Kelly was the only employee identified by name. Officials said they were still trying to identify other employees ticketed.
I. Am. Stunned.
Who could have possibly imagined that the Mayor's weak, limp-dicked approach just one year ago to this EXACT SAME FRIGGIN' PROBLEM would prove to be entirely ineffective? (pausing to count raised hands)
Flashback to April 2004:
Seven city workers were suspended yesterday, including the manager of Mayor Thomas M. Menino's 2001 reelection campaign, after police uncovered a widespread scam in which parking tickets given to municipal employees were routinely fixed.
Peter C. O'Sullivan, director of Menino's street furniture program, had 15 parking tickets totaling $808 dismissed without cause or even a hearing, according to City Hall officials.
The second biggest offender was Michael Kelley, the former campaign manager who now works on the city's Rental Housing Resource Center. He had 13 tickets totaling $564 dismissed, the officials said.
And what was our courageous leader's iron-fisted disciplinary response back then?
All the employees were suspended one day without pay for each fixed ticket, the officials said. In addition, the tickets were reinstated, and the employees were required to pay any late penalties that had accrued.
[snip]
"These are young kids, making a mistake so early in their careers," Menino said.
Well, that had quite the impact, Tom. You really taught those crazy kids a lesson they wouldn't soon forget. I mean, God forbid you should actually fire any of these bums. Why that might send the message that corruption among our public officials - folks who earn their salaries from the hard work of the taxpayers of the city - is somehow unacceptable. Oh, the horror.
I guess all the recent talk of cracking down on parking violators by doubling fines and increasing the frequency of towing of scofflaw's vehicles would only entail us regular folks getting the thumbscrews, and not members of Menino's inner circle of hacks and political insiders.
Why am I not surprised?
