Who Is The Director of Public Communications At Hudson City Hall?

Just over one month ago, I successfully appealed one of two parking tickets HPD had issued my car in January (neither of them being the one shown above***).  The two appeals both took place on the same day in front of City Judge John Connor in what is known as the Parking Bureau's "Level 2 Appeal" which anyone can opt for following denials of original written appeals to the bureau (which the City Attorney ultimately handles).  City Attorney Andy Howard was there in court, representing the Hudson Parking Bureau, as he tried to persuade the judge that I should pay both $15 tickets. (How much do you suppose the city paid Andy to do this?)  I showed up with pictures and tons of evidence to counter Andy's claims, accomplishing half of what I set out to do.  Howard and I were finished for the day in court and shook hands outside before we went about our days.

A few days later, I received a general form notice in the mail from the court reminding me that I had 30 days to pay my unsuccessfully appealed $15 ticket to the court (the form is standard for all violation tickets to be paid to the court, not just parking tickets.)  Wondering why I couldn't just pay the ticket at the Parking Bureau inside City Hall, I got Kim at the Parking Bureau on the phone.  She told me that my ticket could only be paid to the court, explaining that "once the appeal goes to the court, we can no longer handle payment."  I asked her if she knew whether the money from my ticket would be ultimately going to the court or eventually make its way to the Parking Bureau.  She did not know, nor did she seem to care where my money would wind up.  (I don't blame her for not wanting to know.)  I thanked her for the information and said goodbye.

At about 10 am on the day before payment of my ticket was due, I went to 701 Union Street to hand over my fine and be done with the ticket for good.  I made it through the metal detector (!!!), past the two security guards, and approached the glass barrier at the City Court Office.  A worker, who was a new face to me there, approached the window.  I slid a $20 bill, the smallest denomination I had with me, through the slot and gave him my name.  He took my money, looked up my ticket on a nearby computer, then told me that he could not accept my payment since they were not able to offer change. 

"You mean always, or just today?" I asked.

"Always." 

"Does it say anywhere on the notice I received in the mail that you don't offer change and that exact amounts are required to pay tickets?" I asked. 

He was not sure if the notice had any such information, nor was he able to check if it did.

There was no sign anywhere on the glass, the counter or the walls indicating that the City Court Office does not hand out cash change or that paying with cash required the exact amount.  Pissed off and incredulous, I told the fellow that I would try to return later in the day with the exact amount.  Then I left, grumbling and shaking my head.  In the very quiet lobby, I told the security guards that I would be back soon.

I returned to the court office in the afternoon, this time with three Lincolns in my pocket but without the notice, which I could not find.  Thankfully, once again, the same two security guards making at least $30 dollars an hour allowed me access to the office with the bulletproof glass window after I made it through the metal detector once again.  I handed my three $5 bills to the same fellow, and he began typing on the nearby computer keyboard.  No more than 30 seconds later he told me that there was a problem and that he would have to call his supervisor who was not in the office.  

"Okay, I'll wait in the lobby," I said, a bit miffed.  "Here we go again," I thought to myself.

I walked back into the lobby to chat with one of the two security guards at the metal detector, both of whom were waiting for anyone -- please, anyone! -- to come their way so that they would have something to do.  That conversation (which might be part of a HUDseen article someday) lasted at least 4 minutes.  I returned to the fellow in the court office who told me that the computer was not able to handle my transaction and that I would have to come back the next day.  It was a good thing that I was in a good mood that afternoon, otherwise I might have flipped my wig right then and there and caused quite a scene, allowing the police officers in the building to throw me in the holding cel (not to mention giving the security guards something to do!).  The fellow handed me back my legal currency with an apology, and I requested a call the following day to let me know if I could pay my ticket then, the day it was due.  He took my number and said he would call by noon whatever the situation with the computer was.

The next morning I got a call from the same court office worker, assuring me that my payment could now be handled.

I soon returned to 701 Union for the third time in two days to pay my $15 ticket with cash (it's a good thing I don't work in Albany!), being sure to have the exact amount with me again.  Once again, thank goodness, I had no problems at the metal detector or with the guards.  Instead of the new fellow at the court office, though, I got one of the clerks by the name of Rebecca (I believe) to take care of my payment.  She has a wonderful smile, and I couldn't help but smile back, even though I was a bit on edge and annoyed, as you might imagine.  She took my 3 Lincolns and within a minute handed me my receipt of payment.  I thanked her.  But, of course, I had to ask her: "Do you know if the notice I got in the mail indicates that your office doesn't give out cash change?  I can't find my notice, but I don't recall it saying anything of the sort when I read it a few weeks ago."

Rebecca was not sure if their ticket payment notice indicates that they require the exact amount of money when paying in cash, telling me that her office does not create the notices, that the State of New York Court System does.  She also could not check to see what the notice had written on it, apparently not having one available. Agreeing with me that it would be helpful to have that information on the notice if it isn't there, Rebecca said she would "look into it."

"Wouldn't it also be helpful to have a sign here on the glass indicating that you don't offer cash change of any kind?" I asked.

"No," she replied, with a subtle wink and that deadly smile.  "It would just block my view."

I laughed and Rebecca kept smiling. I thanked her and the bored-looking security guards making $30 or $40 an hour, then FINALLY left the building a free man!  Rolling my eyes and shaking my head, but free, and with no reason to return to 701 Union anytime too soon.

A few days later I found that ticket notice that I had misplaced.  This is what is written in the first payment option section of all the ticket payment reminder notices the Hudson City Court sends out: "Cash:  In Person Only - Do Not Mail Cash. NO PARTIAL PAYMENTS ARE ACCEPTED without prior approval by the judge." 

There was nothing written about exact amount of payment or the court office's inability to provide change of any kind, paper or coin.  Why was I not at all surprised?!  Do you think there will be someday?

*** Notice the direction the parked car on State Street with a ticket is facing.   HPD was notified soon after the car was seen parking the wrong way after crossing into the opposite lane of traffic to do so, and the ticket was issued within 20 minutes.