Thursday, March 27, 1997
All paid up
The city's worst parking scofflaw has made good on her 162
overdue tickets.
Jodell Wilder, owner of Jodelle's Hair & Attitudes, on
Friday paid a $2,500 lump sum to cover her fines and 50 percent
of her late charges. In exchange, the city agreed to forego the
remaining $720 she owed.
Assistant City Manager Roy McDaniel explained the agreement
avoided the need for a multiyear payment plan that would have
generated administrative costs.
"We wanted all of ours up front so we were willing to
accept a little less," McDaniel said. "In a forced issue
over three or four years, we could've gotten it all - maybe. You
never know."
The city generally requires offenders with big bills to pay
$100 down and $100 per month.
"For Jodell that would have been a long time," acting
City Attorney Sharon Hicks said. "It would have been a headache.
This was a good way to get it resolved. Having the money in the
bank is the best thing to do."
The compromise ended the need for a Tuesday morning hearing
in which the salon owner was to resolve her outstanding tickets.
As part of the agreement, the city is dismissing its claim
to $1,105 Wilder overpaid in taxes to the Taylor County Central
Appraisal District.
The appraisal district last month asked a county court at law
judge to decide whether the city's or Wilder's claim to the money
was valid.
Chief Appraiser Richard Petree explained an attorney or a mortgage
company appears to have inadvertently paid taxes twice on a piece
of property Wilder was either purchasing or refinancing. The city
laid claim to the money after learning Wilder had applied for
a refund.
Wilder declined to talk about the agreement.
"I'd hate to repeat what she said, but she doesn't want
to talk to you," said an employee who answered the phone.
In January, Wilder was undaunted by the city's threats to tow
her truck, saying the city could have her vehicle.
"I'll go buy a new one," she said. "I need to
find another place to park - my business included."
But Wilder has reportedly retreated to her leased parking place,
two blocks from her Pine Street salon. In doing so she has avoided
having her vehicle immobilized and towed and has not been ticketed
since the city began employing the notorious "boot"
six weeks ago.
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Copyright ©1997,
Abilene Reporter-News / Texnews / E.W. Scripps Publications
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