New Haven Independent

Posted by: Why | January 23, 2007 9:59 PM

Why would [he] stand in front of a moving vehicle?

Posted by: Ned | January 24, 2007 8:04 AM

I'm sure that just like all of the other perps profiled in the Independent, the driver will just insist that she made a "mistake", got religion, and now everyone should forgive her and feel sorry for her...

Posted by: Cedar Hill Resident | January 24, 2007 2:00 PM

I do not think it was moving at the time he was in front of it "why".
Wow you got a picture of it.
And she of all people worked for the city. I see where is was afraid of losing her car but.... that was just a really dumb move because her job can be at risk now. 500.00 is alot of money she had to of known she owed it.

Posted by: Beckey | January 31, 2007 10:42 PM

This same guy towed my car when I was running late to pick up my child from day care. I got in the car, started to pull out and he ran in front of me, showed me his badge and told me to get out of the car. You would have thought I was being surrounded by a S.W.A.T. Team. I explained to him that I had to go get my kid and he said, "yeah everyone had to go get thier kid" (I was actually given a warning by my job for being out the day I went to get my car) It was freezing outside and I was being left with no way to pick up my child and no way to get her home if I did. I had just spent my last pennies on food. When I tried to explain this, the driver from Lombard's towing started making fun of me. When I mentioned this to the tax collector he said they weren't and then smirked that them. This is a bad practice overall. Especially since it wouldn't have happened had I been in church. However, when it comes to caring for the children of New Haven, suddenly taxes are more important. This guy was knowingly going to let a child stay out in the cold. He says it's just his job and that he understands. What I dont understand is how he is ok with what he is doing. I realize I should have paid my taxes. I'm by no means saying it was ok not to. However, I don't feel that it's ok to just take my car when I'm trying to get to my kid and I've just spent my last pennies to feed her. Sometimes we have to choose between car taxes and feeding our kids. The last thing I said to the guy before I walked away was, "I hope you suffer" He laughed at me. Well Mr. Tax collector. Your suffering now. Just like my child and I did on that cold night when you were just doing your job.

Posted by: Al | February 7, 2007 11:56 AM

Pay your taxes and you won't have a problem. This woman who ran down the tax collector should spend about 90 days in jail. She could have killed him!

Posted by: Edward_H | February 18, 2007 11:41 AM

Your child was out in the cold because you decided not to pay your taxes, blame yourself not the tax collector. Everyone who owns a car knows you must pay taxes on it. If the taxes are too much of a struggle to pay in one shot how about saving a little bit of money each month to pay them? What about buying a car with taxes you can actually afford? Are you entitled to an exception to having your car towed because you have a child? Is the city supposed to stop towing tax scofflaws once the temperature goes below 40 degrees? Paying your taxes is part of being a responsible adult. What kind of lesson are you teaching your child by not paying what you admittedly owe? Hopefully you both learned a lesson about civic duty.

Posted by: guest | February 21, 2007 1:18 PM

I'm curious what make and year your car is beckey.

I would believe that there are people struggling to pay the tax and choosing between food and taxes. And no one should need convincing that city officials can be sarcastic and disrespectful - that's some kind of permenent new haven disorder.

What I find most interesting is that the people most freaking out about their taxes and running people over, so far, are people who are driving expensive or moderately expensive late model cars.

On Crown it was a 2005 -- of course the taxes are going to be higher on it than on a 2000 or 2002 or something.

The other one on Saltonstall was a shocking BMW SUV.

I ask you -- is there a HOUSE on saltonstall worth more than that car?

C'mon.

If you can't afford a BMW SUV, DON'T BUY ONE. Very simple.