For speed trap’ note on check angers mayor

troy2000 · 03-09-2006, 01:27 AM

Comment riles leader of town that gets 30 percent of revenue from tickets

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - After motorist T. Allen Morgan got a speeding ticket in Coopertown — a town known for its heavy-handed traffic enforcement — he tried to pay his ticket like a good citizen.

But he added a little note on his check that angered Mayor Danny Crosby. The mayor refused to accept the check, sparking the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to launch an investigation Monday.

Crosby told Morgan that he had to either write another check that didn't have the words "for speed trap" written in bold letters or face the charges in traffic court.

At the request of District Attorney General John Carney, the TBI is investigating if Crosby acted illegally by denying Morgan's payment, TBI spokeswoman Jennifer Johnson said.

"As mayor of this city, if I accept that check from that gentleman, I'm admitting we run a speed trap, and that's a bald-faced lie," Crosby said Tuesday.

Coopertown lies about 20 miles northwest of Nashville on a state highway used by motorists to travel between interstates 24 and 65. The town generates nearly 30 percent of its revenue from traffic tickets.

Last month AAA officials said the automobile association was considering adding Coopertown to its list of national "strict enforcement areas," an honor shared by only seven other cities.

Shaun · 03-09-2006, 06:31 AM

This little town is 15 minutes from me and I have been driving through the speed trap every day the last two weeks to get to the airport. Yes its a speed trap they have 1/8th of a mile of the highway as well and they will put units out on it

Big Dog · 03-09-2006, 07:10 AM

Mighty touchy mayor! I once had a tiff with a company, charging me something they shouldn't. I finally paid the dang thing to get it over with, but I wrote "For unnecessary payment of illicit and illegal bill" on the check. I never heard back from them. They got their money.

We have a speed trap here that nailed a buddy a couple weeks ago. I know it's there, always about once a month when they need to fill the town coffers. I take it easy there.

Chris · 03-09-2006, 07:42 AM

After my $400 ticket for speeding through a workzone when no one was working I sure do notice my speed at all times now.

Rave · 03-09-2006, 09:32 AM

I say **** the mayor and Coopertown,they should have to pay the man 10,000 bucks and anyone else they denied for paying with a check no matter what it had in the note.
The mayor is obviously a criminal and should be jailed for extortion,bastid!:nod:

iflylow74 · 03-09-2006, 09:56 AM

The man payed his debt, if they don't want to accept it, thats their problem. He did his part!!!!

We have a town in N.E. Arkansas on the interstate going to Memphis that is exactly like that. They have been sued a few times for issuing tickets on the interstate.

Mooseman684 · 03-09-2006, 10:50 AM

Here in Alaska, I have My own K band Police radar gun and when I clocked the Local Magistrate speeding I put her name in the Localpaper( she is anti-Constitutional !) Even the Local State Troopers Got a Kick out of That one!
I clock More Government vehicles speeding than anything else !

BattleRifleG3 · 03-09-2006, 11:19 AM

"I am angry at you so I won't accept your payment!"

Wow. That's bright.

Stopper · 03-09-2006, 01:44 PM

what an idgit. What was he supposed to do when his lively hood is threatened?? 30% is ALOT, speed trap for sure!

Ctwo · 03-09-2006, 03:05 PM

what is a speed trap, i mean how does it work?

I have put things like for: Ankle Grabbing, Fiscal Rape, Hand Job, Extortion...:P

troylaplante · 03-09-2006, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris

After my $400 ticket for speeding through a workzone when no one was working I sure do notice my speed at all times now.

I would be able to tell that you travel the Triangle area just by that post. Been there, got one myself a dozen years or so ago. The day after Christmas on I-440, while still under construction, I got pulled. The orange barrels were pulled off the road, very little traffic...except the blue and white with a light bar.

troy2000 · 03-09-2006, 04:08 PM

In California, the fine for any traffic offense committed in a construction zone is doubled. I'm not familiar with other areas; is it the same?

Joey l mur · 03-09-2006, 04:18 PM

In fact a truck driver I worked with was fined $500.oo U.S Basickly $800 Canadin for 4 miles over the speed limit in a construction zone.

cmoore · 03-09-2006, 06:57 PM

I think it's ridiculous that he got pulled over for 4MPH over. I drive by Ann Arbor, MI on the way to school and if you're not doing 85 in the 70MPH zone, you're likely to get rear-ended or run off the road. Funny thing is, even when I'm doing 80, the state boys still pass me. Here in MI, fines are doubled in work zones. As for not accepting the check, the guy paid in a legal way, the city won't be able to get very far for non-payment.

Father Time · 03-09-2006, 08:34 PM

Also in Michigan, the work zones are in effect even when the workers aren't there.

Joey l mur · 03-10-2006, 11:03 PM

You think it is bad for cars the limit for trucks on I 94 is 55 mph in Michigan.

troy2000 · 03-10-2006, 11:28 PM

Try 45 mph for trucks in Texas. And it's a looong way.

Or maybe it's 50 mph; it's been years since I took a truck across.

wirehunt · 03-11-2006, 05:51 AM

It's just another tax system, it cost me around 1000 bucks a year in tickets. Bad luck me. But over here the cops get done a lot by the speed camera,s as well

SPOCAHP ANAR · 03-11-2006, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wirehunt

But over here the cops get done a lot by the speed camera,s as well

The redlight cameras; always fight the ticket! In NC the ticket was 50$; 15 for the city and 35 for the camera company. If you actually stood up for your right to afront your accuser and faught the ticket then the city would lose money due to the actual cost of having to present their case. Story on local news reported this. ALWAYS FIGHT THE TICKET!

Joey l mur · 03-11-2006, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPOCAHP ANAR

The redlight cameras; always fight the ticket! In NC the ticket was 50$; 15 for the city and 35 for the camera company. If you actually stood up for your right to afront your accuser and faught the ticket then the city would lose money due to the actual cost of having to present their case. Story on local news reported this. ALWAYS FIGHT THE TICKET!

Princible is princible however it would cost me 1000 to 2000 dollars to fight a $35.oo ticket. If the ticket is not on my licence it is not worth my while. :full:

03-09-2006, 01:27 AM	#1
troy2000 Resident Armed Liberal Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 9,142 Trader Rating: (0)	For speed trap’ note on check angers mayor Comment riles leader of town that gets 30 percent of revenue from tickets NASHVILLE, Tenn. - After motorist T. Allen Morgan got a speeding ticket in Coopertown — a town known for its heavy-handed traffic enforcement — he tried to pay his ticket like a good citizen. But he added a little note on his check that angered Mayor Danny Crosby. The mayor refused to accept the check, sparking the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to launch an investigation Monday. Crosby told Morgan that he had to either write another check that didn't have the words "for speed trap" written in bold letters or face the charges in traffic court. At the request of District Attorney General John Carney, the TBI is investigating if Crosby acted illegally by denying Morgan's payment, TBI spokeswoman Jennifer Johnson said. "As mayor of this city, if I accept that check from that gentleman, I'm admitting we run a speed trap, and that's a bald-faced lie," Crosby said Tuesday. Coopertown lies about 20 miles northwest of Nashville on a state highway used by motorists to travel between interstates 24 and 65. The town generates nearly 30 percent of its revenue from traffic tickets. Last month AAA officials said the automobile association was considering adding Coopertown to its list of national "strict enforcement areas," an honor shared by only seven other cities.

03-09-2006, 06:31 AM	#2
Shaun Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 8,585 Trader Rating: (0)	This little town is 15 minutes from me and I have been driving through the speed trap every day the last two weeks to get to the airport. Yes its a speed trap they have 1/8th of a mile of the highway as well and they will put units out on it __________________ "Homeland Security is the responsibility of an armed citizen" ME http://webpages.charter.net/s.s.v/

03-09-2006, 07:10 AM	#3
Big Dog Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tallahassee, Florida Posts: 10,071 Trader Rating: (0)	Mighty touchy mayor! I once had a tiff with a company, charging me something they shouldn't. I finally paid the dang thing to get it over with, but I wrote "For unnecessary payment of illicit and illegal bill" on the check. I never heard back from them. They got their money. We have a speed trap here that nailed a buddy a couple weeks ago. I know it's there, always about once a month when they need to fill the town coffers. I take it easy there. __________________ Moderator of: AR15/M16, M14/M1A, New/Beginning Shooters and Militaria/Collectables.

03-09-2006, 09:32 AM	#5
Rave Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 6,744 Trader Rating: (0)	I say **** the mayor and Coopertown,they should have to pay the man 10,000 bucks and anyone else they denied for paying with a check no matter what it had in the note. The mayor is obviously a criminal and should be jailed for extortion,bastid!:nod: __________________ USAF '62-'66 .

03-09-2006, 09:56 AM	#6
iflylow74 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Arkansaw Posts: 1,007 Trader Rating: (0)	The man payed his debt, if they don't want to accept it, thats their problem. He did his part!!!! We have a town in N.E. Arkansas on the interstate going to Memphis that is exactly like that. They have been sued a few times for issuing tickets on the interstate. __________________ Most things aren't a matter of can or can't, but a matter of want to or don't want to. -me

03-09-2006, 07:42 AM	#4
Chris HMFIC Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 3,834,136 Trader Rating: (0)	After my $400 ticket for speeding through a workzone when no one was working I sure do notice my speed at all times now.

03-09-2006, 10:50 AM	#7
Mooseman684 Super Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Alaska Wilderness Posts: 9,283 Trader Rating: (0)	Here in Alaska, I have My own K band Police radar gun and when I clocked the Local Magistrate speeding I put her name in the Localpaper( she is anti-Constitutional !) Even the Local State Troopers Got a Kick out of That one! I clock More Government vehicles speeding than anything else ! __________________ You know you might be facing your doom,when all you get is a click when you're expecting a BOOM!

03-09-2006, 11:19 AM	#8
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,401 Trader Rating: (0)	"I am angry at you so I won't accept your payment!" Wow. That's bright. __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

03-09-2006, 01:44 PM	#9
Stopper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Kansass Posts: 2,210 Trader Rating: (0)	what an idgit. What was he supposed to do when his lively hood is threatened?? 30% is ALOT, speed trap for sure! __________________ They should have stopped at "Congress shall make no law"

03-09-2006, 03:05 PM	#10
Ctwo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 344 Trader Rating: (0)	what is a speed trap, i mean how does it work? I have put things like for: Ankle Grabbing, Fiscal Rape, Hand Job, Extortion...:P

03-09-2006, 04:08 PM	#12
troy2000 Resident Armed Liberal Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 9,142 Trader Rating: (0)	In California, the fine for any traffic offense committed in a construction zone is doubled. I'm not familiar with other areas; is it the same?

03-09-2006, 04:18 PM	#13
Joey l mur Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 302 Trader Rating: (0)	Yes In fact a truck driver I worked with was fined $500.oo U.S Basickly $800 Canadin for 4 miles over the speed limit in a construction zone.

03-09-2006, 06:57 PM	#14
cmoore Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 64 Trader Rating: (0)	I think it's ridiculous that he got pulled over for 4MPH over. I drive by Ann Arbor, MI on the way to school and if you're not doing 85 in the 70MPH zone, you're likely to get rear-ended or run off the road. Funny thing is, even when I'm doing 80, the state boys still pass me. Here in MI, fines are doubled in work zones. As for not accepting the check, the guy paid in a legal way, the city won't be able to get very far for non-payment.

03-09-2006, 08:34 PM	#15
Father Time Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 375 Trader Rating: (0)	Also in Michigan, the work zones are in effect even when the workers aren't there.

03-10-2006, 11:03 PM	#16
Joey l mur Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 302 Trader Rating: (0)	55 You think it is bad for cars the limit for trucks on I 94 is 55 mph in Michigan.

03-10-2006, 11:28 PM	#17
troy2000 Resident Armed Liberal Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 9,142 Trader Rating: (0)	Try 45 mph for trucks in Texas. And it's a looong way. Or maybe it's 50 mph; it's been years since I took a truck across. Last edited by troy2000; 03-10-2006 at 11:35 PM.

03-11-2006, 05:51 AM	#18
wirehunt Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Otago New Zealand Posts: 641 Trader Rating: (0)	It's just another tax system, it cost me around 1000 bucks a year in tickets. Bad luck me. But over here the cops get done a lot by the speed camera,s as well __________________ Happy Hunting