2008 Woodie Awards
Letters to the editor
Issue date: 8/26/08 Section: Editorials
Enforcement of parking tickets enrages alumnus
Two years ago I was a student at Miami University. In that time, there were many ups and a few downs about the culture and campus surrounded by small-town America. As many of you students have come to realize, parking in and around Oxford has become a continual problem. After leaving Miami more than two years ago, I never thought that I would have to deal with the parking police again. Almost comically, I have once again been proven wrong.
About two months ago, my parents-from whom I moved away from some time ago-received a notice saying that they were being sent to a collection agency if a sum of $33.00 was not remitted to the Oxford Police Department for an unpaid parking ticking from March 10, 2006. I was immediately contacted about said ticket; after vehemently denying said allegation I contacted the Oxford Police Division of Parking. They informed me that, indeed, I had an unpaid parking ticket and if payment was not sent to them immediately, my parents would be held accountable and their debt sent to collections.
While all of this has been going on, I have been unemployed and struggling to survive on the measly savings I have accumulated after only two years removed from my alma mater. While this isn't relevant to my unpaid ticket situation, it makes me believe that I will never again set foot again in Oxford. After all the money, hard work and diligence, this is how I am repaid? My response is: "No, señor!" While I don't hold the university accountable for any of this grievance, I do hold them accountable for the treatment a former student endured during my tenure there and ever since. I cannot recall how much money the OPD and the Miami University Parking Division sucked out of my wallet, but to let this continue to be an issue … to me, that is a very disturbing trend and something that may prove to be unforgivable. It's no wonder that the relationship between the town of Oxford and Miami University was and continues to be strained about many issues.
If, for nothing else than your knowledge, I feel it is prudent to inform the readers that the money they will enviably collect from me will probably be less than the fee it will cost them to pay the collection agency. And, all this will come as a penalty to you who-those that live in town and pay taxes. Way to go, Miami, you've dropped the ball once again.
MU '06 GRad
Two years ago I was a student at Miami University. In that time, there were many ups and a few downs about the culture and campus surrounded by small-town America. As many of you students have come to realize, parking in and around Oxford has become a continual problem. After leaving Miami more than two years ago, I never thought that I would have to deal with the parking police again. Almost comically, I have once again been proven wrong.
About two months ago, my parents-from whom I moved away from some time ago-received a notice saying that they were being sent to a collection agency if a sum of $33.00 was not remitted to the Oxford Police Department for an unpaid parking ticking from March 10, 2006. I was immediately contacted about said ticket; after vehemently denying said allegation I contacted the Oxford Police Division of Parking. They informed me that, indeed, I had an unpaid parking ticket and if payment was not sent to them immediately, my parents would be held accountable and their debt sent to collections.
While all of this has been going on, I have been unemployed and struggling to survive on the measly savings I have accumulated after only two years removed from my alma mater. While this isn't relevant to my unpaid ticket situation, it makes me believe that I will never again set foot again in Oxford. After all the money, hard work and diligence, this is how I am repaid? My response is: "No, señor!" While I don't hold the university accountable for any of this grievance, I do hold them accountable for the treatment a former student endured during my tenure there and ever since. I cannot recall how much money the OPD and the Miami University Parking Division sucked out of my wallet, but to let this continue to be an issue … to me, that is a very disturbing trend and something that may prove to be unforgivable. It's no wonder that the relationship between the town of Oxford and Miami University was and continues to be strained about many issues.
If, for nothing else than your knowledge, I feel it is prudent to inform the readers that the money they will enviably collect from me will probably be less than the fee it will cost them to pay the collection agency. And, all this will come as a penalty to you who-those that live in town and pay taxes. Way to go, Miami, you've dropped the ball once again.
MU '06 GRad
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 9
MU '07 Grad
posted 8/26/08 @ 6:07 AM EST
Quit complaining and pay your ticket. Maybe if you stop blaming everyone else for your problems you wouldn't be unemployed!
MU '00 Grad
posted 8/26/08 @ 7:41 AM EST
Maybe if you had learned how to follow the rules and regulations of the city and university you would not have had so much money "sucked out of your wallett. (Continued…)
mollautt
posted 8/26/08 @ 8:07 AM EST
=>Actually, the collection agency gets a % (between 25% and 40%) of whatever amounts they are able to collect. So, if they are getting one third, if you pay your bill they get 11 dollars. (Continued…)
Employee Responds
posted 8/26/08 @ 8:17 AM EST
Amazing how the OPD is coming back for a mere $33 when it is a well-known fact that the City has the highest paid hourly workers in Oxford.....far from the University staff!
You should be an employee on the campus where they keep slapping up parking garages which inevitably the employees will be forced to park in and pay some extravagant amount PER MONTH to come to work. (Continued…)
Dudley
posted 8/26/08 @ 9:20 AM EST
MU '92
posted 8/26/08 @ 10:49 AM EST
There is not a lot of sympathy here, and I don't think there should be. Take a little responsibility for your actions, and grow up. Maybe then someone will hire you. (Continued…)
MU '96
posted 8/26/08 @ 12:19 PM EST
It isn't a complex formula. Park in your designated area. Put money in the meter from 9-6 Mon-Sat. Don't park for more than 72 hours in any spot on the street. (Continued…)
Jack
posted 8/26/08 @ 9:09 PM EST
Way to be anonymous, pal.
Now get a freaking backbone and learn some responsibility.
Scott
posted 8/26/08 @ 10:31 PM EST
My question is this: Why are you angry at Miami for something Oxford did?
Secondly, if you owe money for something that you admitted you did, why haven't you paid it? Is there a municipality in America that lets people go without paying their tickets (assuming those violators can be located)? Why do you resent having to pay a ticket that you admit that you earned?
I'm just really confused here. (Continued…)
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