Metrolink Citation...Update!!

So, how about this for fast service: I received a call this morning from Jackie Cosby at Metrolink regarding my citation appeal. She said that I needed to provide a check to Metrolink for the cost of the one-way ride between Burbank and Union Station -- that is, five bucks. Once she received that, Cosby said she would look to see if I had any other citations (I don't), and assuming that I didn't, she would recommend that my case be dismissed.

She said that it is ultimately the judge's call whether to dismiss my case or not. However, 98 percent of the time (her estimation), the case is dismissed if Metrolink requests it. Very nice.

The Burbank Follower

CAR CRASH TRAPS TWO
A car overturned early this morning on I-5 near the Buena Vista Street off-ramp. Two occupants were briefly trapped, but both will apparently be OK. AP. MyFoxLA. KNBC. Leader. (Leader article weirldy states the accident occured Saturday... Breaking news about the future! I love it!)

***Update*** Leader says they'll fix the problem.

Metrolink Citation...

So, as I mentioned before, I got a ticket for fare evasion in November. I couldn't find my ticket when the conductor asked for it, so he gave me a citation. Sigh. This happened on Nov. 15, and since that time, I have not received the usual courtesy notice informing me of the details of my violation, my rights under the law, etc. (On a side note, does "courtesy notice" seem like a misnomer to anyone else? Courtesy would be a dismissal of this damned ticket... but I digress.)

The reason, I believe, I have not gotten my official notice is because the conductor wrote down my address incorrectly.... Very incorrectly. When I asked, via Metrolink's customer service email system, how I could find out details of my citation absent such a notice, was told that I needed to simply show up at court on the state stated on the ticket. All questions would be answered at that time.

The anonymous Metrolink response also told me that I could formally request that Metrolink dismiss its complaint against me. I have done so, and the results of that letter are pasted below. My understanding is that I will receive a response within 10 business days. When I get it, I'll share it with y'all. Wish me luck!

Daniel Evans
xxxx
Burbank, CA 91506

Metrolink-Customer Service
Attn: Citation Appeals
700 S. Flower St., Ste. 2600
Los Angeles, CA 90017-4104

December 6, 2007

RE: Citation #C001633

VIA FAX & US MAIL

To Whom It May Concern:

My name is Daniel Evans, and I am writing to formally appeal the issuance of the above numbered citation. As requested, I have enclosed a copy of the citation, as well as documentation I believe will be helpful in your determination of this matter.

To date, I have no received any information from the court on this matter. The reason for this, I believe, rests in part of the carelessness and inattentiveness of the citing authority. In particular, the following details about my person are incorrect (please refer to the attached copy of my driver’s license):

- My address is xxx N. xxxx Pl, Burbank not xxx N. xxxx Pl., Burbank
- My eyes are blue, not brown
- I hold a CM1 license, not an M1 license

I believe the above details make the citation itself suspect, and subject to further scrutiny by your agency.

I am a regular rider of Metrolink, as can be shown by the attached copy of bank statements. Since late October 2007, I have purchased 10-trip tickets from Burbank to LA Union Station on the following dates: Oct. 25, Nov. 6, Nov. 11 and Dec. 4. When the conductor asked for a copy of my ticket on Nov. 15, I was unable to produce it because I had misplaced it. In fact, it is still lost.

Because of the above factors, I respectfully request that citation #C001633 be dismissed. I am clearly a regular rider, and one that regularly pays his fare. In addition, the errors on the citation itself make it legally suspect.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Yours,

Daniel Evans

The Burbank Follower

DAILY NEWS TAKE ON HOMELESS SHELTER
The Valley paper follows The Leader on the homeless shelter story. Daily News.

BLOG FOR AND BY THE HOMELESS
LA's Homeless Blog, not surprisingly, also has a take on the whole Burbank shelter issue. Other takes: Glendale News-Press, Glendale Church of Christ.

AND REMEMBER...
I am a professional photographer, specializing in weddings, events, product photography and all sorts of nifty stuff. Click here to see my website, and here to see my photoblog. Thanks for visiting, and please keep me in mind for any of your photo needs! www.danevans.org * danielevansphoto.wordpress.com

The Burbank Follower

12-YEAR-OLD POST RESPONSE TO AUSTIN COOK TRAGEDY
Middle-schooler Megan McKenna posts her thoughts about Austin Cook, the Burbank pre-teen who died during a school running exercise last month. McKenna thinks that the obsession with childhood health may have, in part, caused the tragedy. Daily News.

BURBANKBUS RIDERSHIP UP
Ridership is apparently at record levels for BurbankBus. Leader.

HOMELESS SHELTER TO BE OPENED
The City Council votes, 4-0, to open the Burbank Armoy to the homeless. Councilman David Gordon absteins, saying he wishes he had more time to analyze the potential impact. Would that analysis occur in your warm bed, Mr. Gordan? Leader. Not everyone is happy about this decision. Leader letter.

Not Too Much News Today...

There doesn't seem to be all that much going on in good ole Burbank today (or, rather, yesterday). A lack of news has never stopped this blog from sallying forth, however, so here's a few of the things on my mind currently:

Lasik: I'm quite tired of wearing glasses. I have an appointment this Saturday to check out one of the many and varied Lasik surgery centers. It's called LasikFirst in Hawthorne. Has anyone out there heard about them? The most attractive thing about them, so far, is that they want $999 for the surgery, while other places seem to be charging twice or three times that amount. I don't necessarily want to go on the cheap for my eyes, but I don't exactly want to pay more than necessary, either.

Also, since I am a photographer (check out my work at www.danevans.org or my photoblog), I wonder whether or not having the lasik surgery done would be tax deductible. I think I'll have to call my tax guy and find out. Seems like a reasonable question.

Shopping: I'm trying to figure out what the hell to get people for Christmas. Donna has already (and repeatedly) said that she doesn't want to spend too much, as she's going to be taking off much of next year and part of 2009 to complete her teaching credential. To me, 2009 seems waaay too far in advance to be worried about, but I do have to say she is probably right to be thinking ahead.

Still, this leaves me in a quandary. How much to spend? On whom? For what? Hey, I didn't say this post was going to be interesting. I'm just trying to write in it more often, if only to get the cobwebs out of my brain.

Amtrak Follow Up

As I mentioned in a previous post, I was required, much to my chagrin, to purchase an additional set of tickets after losing my non-transferable Amtrak tickets. Details of that debacle can be found here.

I shot off a letter to Amtrak requesting a refund of the double-purchased tickets, arguing that, since no one besides me could use the tickets, it made little sense for me to purchase another set. To be honest, I had no expectation that this would go anywhere. I mean, I did lose the tickets. Life sucks, get a helmet.

But less than 48 hours after filing my online complaint, I received a phone call from Amtrak customer support. After verifying that I had, indeed, purchased two sets of tickets, the service rep told me that I would receive a voucher for future travel equal to the cost of the unused tickets. Very nice. I am quite impressed. Good job Amtrak. Good job indeed.