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Jennifer HemmingsenI'm a columnist and member of The Gazette's editorial board. I live in Iowa City. Twitter: @jhemmingsen, or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hemmingsenyah |
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What “Mad Dad” said about I380 speed cameras
A speed camera on a road sign north of the H Avenue NE interchange on Interstate 380 in Cedar Rapids. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
I got a call last week from John Johnson – the guy whose Jan. 5 letter to the editor (“I-380 speeding tickets hurting C.R. merchants”) drew howls of protest from readers, not because of his opposition to Cedar Rapids speed cameras, but because he paid his daughter’s fine. He and I disagree about whether traffic enforcement cameras are a good idea, but we both were surprised by how his points about their use were buried under an avalanche of parenting advice.
I thought it was odd that readers seized on what they saw as Johnson’s parenting flaws and all but ignored his argument about the cameras. Writer after writer has bemoaned the poor example they felt Johnson set by telling his daughter he’d pay her ticket if she promised to shop in Coralville, instead of driving the monitored roadways from Kirkwood (where she’s going to school) and Cedar Rapids stores. The letters still are coming.
Johnson told me he’s been getting calls and letters at home, too. One handwritten note he showed me suggested he “apologize to the people of Cedar Rapids.”
Those writers missed the point, Johnson told me (incidentally, he says his daughter is a fantastic and responsible young woman) see the note he wrote to me below.
Johnson thinks its the civil fines that don’t teach drivers anything. He had a very specific lesson in mind: He wanted his daughter, who is 20, to pay attention to how government’s got its finger in everything.
“The schools can’t teach everything to a kid, and that’s where a parent steps in, he said. I brought her something to the table to show her it wasn’t right.”
Johnson, a professonal driver, said he doesn’t buy the argument that speed cameras are about safety. He thinks it’s another example of government meddling.
I asked Johnson if he considered himself politically conservative. “Oh, yeah,” he answered. The family is very active in political issues.
And he’s taught his daughter not to back away from an argument; to stand up for what she thinks is right.
But would he still pay her fine if he had it all to do over? Absolutely, he said.
“I did more than the right thing,” he told me. ”I’m so glad I did it this way.”
Here’s a statement he sent me to share with all the folks who have read his letter and wagged their finger over his decision:
“I’d like to thank all you fine people who have taken the time to reply to my letter about your speed cameras, especially the ones offering up parenting tips. I just don’t know how I was able to raise a daughter who helps her mother decorate the home and her dad bust down truck tires. A daughter who was class president, National Honor Society, did volunteer work at the nursing home, clerked at Kum and Go, raised money and organized a teen dance at Hobo Day, County Fair Queen, had several craft items go to State Fair via 4H program, is on the Kirkwood Dean’s list and a Kirkwood Student Advisor. If only I had taken away the keys and grounded her to teach her a lesson.
“While I hoped to teach her a lesson about how speed cameras infringe on our Constitutional rights you fine people have taught her how some are willing to give up liberty for perceived safety, let alone try and run other people’s lives. Sure your cameras may have lowered the speed, but how far are you willing to let a government trample your rights? And if it was all about safety she would have had points on her driver’s license and increased insurance rate as if an officer had stopped her in person. But no, half the money went to the police pension and the other to the owners of the camera. Do you really want to go down a road where you have a PD working on a for profit basis? I know it has done wonders for our political system.
“In my truck I own, the technology exists the lets the company I am leased to know if the headlights are on, seatbelt use, fuel level, idle time, average speed, top speed, braking force, air temp and thanks to GPS tracking my exact location every minute of the day. And even on days off, with nothing to do with the truck, I still have to account for and report to the company what I was doing, all per Federal law. So how much liberty are you willing to give up for safety? What if Cedar Rapids leaders passed a law if you have an auto licensed in CR it must be equipped with a system like I have that can issue a “ticket” because you did not come to a complete stop at the Wal-Mart parking lot exit 12/29/2011 at 15:45 eastbound onto Walker Street. Before you say that will never happen, 2 things come to mind. The ban on smoking was only going to be on flights of 4 hours or more and casinos would only be on rivers.
“Both she and I have learned many things from this and not to speed in CR is way down on the list. First and foremost is just how far people are willing to try and run other people lives and the extreme way they are willing to do it. We at the Johnson home really have enjoy the hand written notes demanding I apologize to the people of Cedar Rapids and questioning my parenting skills, all unsigned.
“One lesson I didn’t have to teach my daughter. If you have something to say, have the courage to sign your name.
“PS. Windsor Heights want to put a speed camera on I 235 for “safety”. All 8/10s of a mile that 235 goes thru the city. Tell me again how it is not for the money.”
Wait, so he’s mad about the government meddling in everything and to teach a lesson, he’s coercing his daughter to shop in Coralville, where a huge percentage of the commercial property is in a TIF district?
Whoa there Missy. You may not think I am a professional driver. You may think I’m a bad parent. You may not like my dog Bubba Smoke Talladega. And for all I know you may not even like my mom’s meatloaf but when you run down NASCAR you have crossed the line. Tony Stewart, the 2011 Sprint Cup Champion, is a true American hero much like George Patton, Jermiah Johnson {no relation}, John Wayne and the late great Dale Earnhardt. I shudder to think what you will say next against this great nation of ours, That the World Wrestling matches are fixed?
This was written for fun so as Sarah Palin told Chris Christie, don’t get your panties in a wad.
But I do have a couple of serious points for you. If i’m not a professional driver, in your opinion, do I have to give back those safety and on time awards I’ve got over the years? And when it comes to being a bad parent I think it is being really irresponsible not to be saving for their college expense and not leaving them thousand in debt the day they hit the job market. I know before she was even born I started saving and stuck with it for 19 years.
Your thoughts
Why are we giving this guy MORE attention? His daughter didn’t get a ticket because of government meddling, she got a ticket because she was speeding! Love or hate the cameras (a little of both for me…), that s-curve is so much safer with them there because cars have slowed down. He might be a professional driver (yeah, right – what is it, Nascar?) but I’m a law-abiding citizen who commutes the s-curve with my kids every day.
For me the issue is parenting and just by luck his daughter is so far OK. I’m just glad they are going to stay away from CR if all they want to do is race through the s-curve. This article doesn’t help him at all. He’s still a bad parent.
Why so condescending about his job? There are many professional drivers who undertake a central and vital role in our economy: the efficient transportation of goods and services. Your statement made a good enough point without your side jab. The inclusion of “yeah, right – what is it, Nascar?” turned me off from everything you said. It makes it impossible to take your views in a critical manner.
I could make snide remarks about professional actors, professional musicians, professional chefs, professional engineers, professional pilots or independent non-profit organization management professionals, but I will not stoop to that level to make a point.
Many people have professions and/or experiences that give them unique perspectives on our world, albeit perspectives that you might disagree with. That doesn’t give you the right to tear down the individual with differing ideas.
TL;DR I would rather have a forum wherein we discuss and dispute ideas rather than attack other people.
Oh, I’m not condescending about his job – I think for him to call himself a professional driver is an insult to every other professional driver out there – they all seem to respect the law and care about the safety of others. I’m not making “snide remarks” about professional drivers, just this guy.
First rule of holes: When you’re in one, stop digging.
Nope. Not buying it. Just making more excuses.
First, if the city makes bags of money because people are speeding, that’s entirely the speeders’ fault. If the city can fund all operations by fining speeders, that’s OK by me. The whole, “its just for the money” argument is irrelevant. Its just another excuse. Don’t speed and the city gets nothing and the cameras go away.
And maybe “Mad Dad” is unaware of how many accidents were occurring on that stretch of road. Stories of trucks hitting the guardrails etc. seemed to be a weekly occurrence several years ago.
Second, maybe you should also teach your daughter that her rights end where another’s begins. Speeding and putting me, my kids, and everyone else at risk is _not_ her right. Being free from the threat your daughter posed by speeding is my right.
And still no mention of taking responsibility for having broken the law and putting others at risk. Did you or did you not even mention safety when using this event as a teaching tool? There are many examples one can use to argue against government intrusion, but making the point based on getting caught speeding and then taking it public… You deserve all the feedback you’ve received.
Will, I couldn’t have said it better.
I do have questions for “Mad Dad”, exactly how is the use of traffic cameras unconstitutional? What liberties are being infringed upon?
I may be arguing both sides of the fence here, but I do think there are some legitimate concerns. Not about privacy (in my opinion), but about due process.
I would start by asking a simple question (that I can’t answer). Is the evidence from the camera sufficient for a conviction in a court of law?
If not, then I’d say the cameras are useless.
If it is sufficient, then people should still be allowed their “day in court” if they want it. That’s the part of the process that seems to be lacking (based on my limited understanding). You don’t have a chance to plead your case in court, you are simply fined or “billed”. There is an extra-judicial appeal process, but that is not a court of law. If you don’t pay the fine, it gets reported like an unpaid bill on your credit report. There is no judicial process involved at any step that I’m aware of.
So I think there are some issues that need to be ironed out. I see the benefit of the cameras and I think they have a legitimate use. But I also see the potential for error/abuse. And I think we all want people to have sufficient recourse it they believe they’ve been wrongly accused.
The Due process stuff is trumped up..
http://www.cedar-rapids.org/government/departments/police/Documents/61.138%20ATE%20Ordinance.pdf
if you look at the ordinance, basically the city sends you a bill first. (not even technically an ordinance violation)
there are basically two paths to appeal:
1.) you can appeal to a city appointed board
2.) You can demand the city writes you a ticket (cites you for an infraction of the municipal code) and you can take it to Small Claims Court.. where you will probably still be found guilty (mostly because you are, although there could be valid defenses) and get to pay court costs too.
Either way, there is due process, there is a clear path to go to the Linn County Courthouse and contest the charge… not sure what else people are looking for
Thanks for the info. That does a pretty good job of taking away the “due process” argument.
When I claim it denies “Due Process” I don’t mean ability to appeal or face the accuser. By due process, I refer to the more lenient standard of ‘burden of proof’ that is only needed by the City in a civil case (clear, satisfactory, and convincing evidence). The standard of proof against a defendant in a criminal court is “beyond a reasonable doubt’- (ie under a criminal speeding/led-light violation, the city must prove beyond a reasonable doubt it was the accused person who was guilty of speeding or running the red-light- not just that they are owner of vehicle) In other words, in Iowa it has never been a “crime” to own a vehicle that is speeding or runs a red-light…but in Cedar Rapids is!!.
According to current Iowa motor vehicle law 321.235 any motor vehicle violation that occurs on Iowa roads must be uniform across the entire state. Speeding and red-light violations are criminal infractions according to Iowa law, not civil infractions. When cities unilaterally make their own speeding/red-light laws with arbitrary civil penalties this denies the proper amount of due process to the accused for a speeding/red-light violation in Iowa because it moves the Iowa roadway traffic infraction from a normal criminal violation where the burden of proof the City must meet to prove guilt is much is higher, to a civil violation where the burden of proof against the accused defendant is much lower. I hope that makes sense, I still does not seem like I am explaining it correctly.
My biggest concern with the I380 speed cameras is the possibility they may cause inconsistent speeds. I would like to see a study conducted (preferably by a student research group or a Masters candidate), or the results of a previously conducted study investigating the effects these speed cameras have on traffic pattern irregularities. (ie shockwaves: http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13402)
I’ll have to see if I can find some data, but common sense and experience both tell me the speed cameras cause more consistent speed. Instead of people going anywhere from 50-70 through the area, you get a range of 50-60. Plus people aren’t suddenly slowing for the first curve, then speeding up on the short straightaway, then slowing down again for the second curve, then speeding up again.
I don’t drive that stretch very often, but the change is dramatic in driver behavior. There’s not nearly as much passing and lane changing going on, and you no longer see the cars flying past others -They slowly crawl by them.
“you fine people have taught her how some are willing to give up liberty for perceived safety, let alone try and run other people’s lives”
That’s funny, since Mr. Johnson says he’s “conservative,” but it is people who share that label who assure us photo ID requirements to cast a vote “protect against potential fraud,” and those same folks have no problem telling women on public assistance which birth control methods we will pay for.
And, I take it Mr. Johnson also favors decriminalization, or at least defederalization, of drug laws?
Mr. Johnson,
I applaud your comments and the spirit that most Americans will never realize as they walk around in a cloud of self indulging brain numbing experience that just gets every time they pull their head out of the sand.
I had a professor tell me one time that if you want to know the truth go to the source, then follow the money, because the are connected; always. And so goes with these cameras and the motive behind them.
Spot on are you about this bening just the start of the end, this country pays billions of dollars each year for both public and private entities to relay information about individuals and groups alike under the guise that they are protecting us form ourselves, do we all remember Congress’ recent action to exempt AT&T from criminal and civil damages for illegally sniffing American’s private information “ALL” internet traffic from a San Fransisco operations center and passing that information to the very entities I am referring to for what seems to be Okay by so many people in this country but, why did they need Congress to pass a law exempting them from criminal and civil courts ?
Because 255 Million people have allowed their government at all levels to break the law, even here in Cedar Rapids and for what noble cause ? So these people can live the American Dream of being video tape regardless of violation or NOT, once they remove the sand from their eyes and ears.
In some states its illegal to video tape a vehicle on a Federal Highway and do you know why ?
BECAUSE ITS ILLEGAL EVERYWHERE !!!!!
But, there is hope as tomorrow, Thursday Feb. 2, 2012, at 2:00 pm in Room 103 at the Iowa Capital Building a meeting of the Iowa House Transportation Committee will consider and vote on HF-2048. I hope they vote for the ban and I have sent them various documents why they should.
The whole problem with these cameras are the Iowa Supreme Court in Seymour v. City of Davenport (2008) ruled on only one aspect as the lower courts wold not allow the Constitutional aspects as clauses of that suit. Hopefully, the Legislature will vote to land a ban bill on Governor Branstad’s desk before July 1, 2012 as the Governor’s pen is ready.
And, if I can find 24 more people in Cedar Rapids area who would like to file a Class Action suit feel free to contact me and we can get everyone’s money back.
Robert (Rob) Cooper
P.O. Box 5
Marion, IA 52302
319-804-1920
rob@CedarRapidsRadio.com
http://Cedar-Rapids.us
Hear is a related document on City of Cedar Rapids Website:
http://www.cedar-rapids.org/city-council/citycouncilrecords/petitions_letters/REQUEST%20CEASE%20AND%20DESIST%20OF%20AUTOMATED%20TRAFFIC-RED%20LIGHT%20CAMERA%20FEES.pdf
“I applaud your comments and the spirit that most Americans will never realize as they walk around in a cloud of self indulging brain numbing experience that just gets every time they pull their head out of the sand.”
Really Rob?
Mr. Johnson, your public statement reveals you still do not understand the criticism being directed towards your handling of this situation. In my opinion, it can be summed up as this.
Your daughter was ticketed for driving at least 11 MPH over the speed limit through the City of Cedar Rapids. Rather than recognize the real danger your daughter put herself, and others in, you choose to make the incident all about the traffic cameras.
I have a question for your John, had your daughter been pulled over for speeding, would you still try to fault the officer? Or would you, finally use your experience as a professional driver to impress upon your daughter the importance of following traffic laws and driving safely?
Also, you complain about the regulations you face working as a truck driver. Personally, I doubt your list of grievances because I think most of the vehicle monitoring equipment is installed for the benefit of the company you work for, rather than Federal Regulation.
As for having to keep an Hours of Service Log Book. There is a very good reason for that. As a truck driver you are allowed so many hours of commercial driving per day, followed by specific periods of rest. Your log book, which must include your days off documents these periods of time.
Driving a 80,000 pound vehicle requires your full attention and when you are tired from driving too many hours you cannot maintain the attention required to safely operate your vehicle.
It may not be a perfect solution, even with the regulation of your driving hours many people are killed and injured every day. But I am certain it is what keeps drivers, and companies from forcing drivers, to log far too many hours behind the wheel.
Personally, I think these regulations you complain about so bitterly are intended specifically for people like you. Those who lack the good sense to understand your personal limits and the limits and dangers of the vehicles you’re operating.
Yes Joel, Really !
How do you think this country got in to $75 Trillions of promised entitlement debt over the next 20 years ?
How the City Could Give $7.5 Million to Truenorth (As reported in this newspaper many times) for a building that was valued at $1.5 Million and FEMA maxed such purchase at $3.5 Million ? But, the city did it anyway.
How the mayor can state, “The Cedar Rapids Citizens are not paying for it”, REALLY ????
Do you know that each councilor on your City Council has a state mandated requirement to have the City Audited by the Iowa State Auditor when they have reasonable belief (Hence – Registered Owner Guilt) of criminal activity in their City Government.
Unlawful use of $10.5 Million in CDBG Disaster Aid by City of Cedar Rapids as they were told on March 10, 2010 – 9 people silent on City Council for almost 2 years after the fact and no audits, NONE but, these people can not use “Head in Sand” as an viable defense.
http://www.hud.gov/offices/oig/reports/files/ig1071001.pdf
I thank you for your question about “Really” and check out these docs.
http://Cedar-Rapids.us
The 2009 Chamber Foundation IRS 990 filing lists the 400 businesses of which 305 ineligible businesses (As reported in the OIG Audit Report) received as much as $50,000.00 and in one case as mentioned in the above OIG Audit Report, two “Related” businesses used the same loan documents to obtain two separate $50,000.00 grants. Now, if I or anyone else “A Citizen” did this we would be charged, convicted and in prison for defrauding the U.S. Government.
So why is it ? that all is quite on the your City Council, at all levels of State and local government about this alleged fraud, not by me but, by a HUD Office of Inspector General Auditor ?
“Cedar Rapids Citizens Have Head in Sand”, YA THINK ?
“How the City Could Give $7.5 Million to Truenorth (As reported in this newspaper many times) for a building that was valued at $1.5 Million and FEMA maxed such purchase at $3.5 Million ? But, the city did it anyway.”
How? The agreement required TrueNorth to reinvest the $7.5 million back into the building TrueNorth purchased from the city, the old library.
You’re asking the wrong question anyway. Seems to me, if you want to purchase a piece of property, the free market dictates you come to an agreement that is acceptable with the owners of the property. Why would TrueNorth sell their property only to go into debt moving into another property?
I think what Mayor Corbet meant was, it is not coming from taxes collected by the city.
“Now, if I or anyone else “A Citizen” did this we would be charged, convicted and in prison for defrauding the U.S. Government.”
I’ve read elsewhere you claim the speed cameras violate your right to equal protection under the constitution, in spite of court rulings otherwise. I’m not confident in your legal judgment on this matter.
BTW, your first link doesn’t work and your second opens to an emply folder named, My 4shared.
““Cedar Rapids Citizens Have Head in Sand”, YA THINK ?”
No Rob, I wouldn’t presume to believe that the citizens of Cedar Rapids have their head in the sand. That would be rude and arrogant.
Speeding is illegal. It is also reckless and unethical because it risks the lives of others for purely selfish reasons. There is no right to exceed the speed limit.
That said, the father did no harm. Because he knows his daughter better than any of us, he did what he felt was best for her. To question his words and actions without seeking to understand why is also reckless. Instead, we all should be grateful his daughter was not harmed.
Joel,
“How? The agreement required TrueNorth to reinvest the $7.5 million back into the building TrueNorth purchased from the city, the old library.”
Do you feel that this statement would be more likely to represent what really happended, “Invest City Public Funds in a building given to TrueNorth for Free”. ?
TrueNorth gives city $750,000
City gives TrueNorth 10 times that much, $7.5 Million for a building worth no more than $3.5 Million to invest in to the Old Library that TrueNorth actual out of pocket cost them, How Much ?
What was TrueNorth’s out of pocket cost for the old library ?
ZERO – ZIP – NOTA -NOTHING – “its a shell game”.
1. No City Resolution was ever passed by Council for the purchase price of $7.5 Million, Why ?
2. TrueNorth did not own the property at 421 4th Ave. SE until just one month before the city asked for proposals. (The Deeds are on the County Recorder’s website).
3. The city never stated “WE WILL GIVE MILLIONS away TO REBUILD OUR OLD LIBRARY” in their Public Notice, Why ?
And no Iowa Chapter 28E agreement was used as required by Iowa Codes 28E.2, 28E.4, 28E. 5 and 28E.7 between iowa political subivisions “Govermental bodies’ and any private entity . Read them… Understand how this deal was not lawful as conducted.
The use of public moneys on projects require “Competative Bidding” and “Public Notices” of which none were done by City or TrueNorth.
I am Right, My attorney says I’m Right. These city councilor’s owe the citizens of Cedar Rapids $8,250,000.00 . That’s $825,000 each.
Prove me wrong ! I have the law on my side and I would be happy to walk you through it. I won’t go as far as what Ms. Vernon said about Taylor Nelson not understanding the City Budget, as they don’t want you to understand. Unless you know the law you will never know the truth about such things.
Rob Cooper
Certified Process Analyst
Regulatory Compliance Liaison
rob@CedarRapidsRadio.com
Flagged for violating the ROEs against advertising on here, Rob. You’re also off-topic, as TrueNorth has nothing to do with the traffic cameras.
Oh, and no one has to prove you wrong. You made the claim, you back it up. Don’t ask anyone else to “prove you wrong.”
The cameras lowered speed, they didn’t stop speeding. 11 mph over to receive a citation. Would that mean the cameras are not accurate or the $75 fine is the point when both operator and city make money? Was Mr. Johnson right or wrong, I’m not going to second guess him as he knows his daughter better than anyone on this forum, and by his list of her accomplishments looks like she’s had good guidance.
Lori,
I don’t run commercial anything anymore.
Joel, said there is money for the East side Flood Protection and this is simply not true.
My last post is nothing but an example of how the city spent more LOST funds on Development that one might not know.
Sorry for getting off topic.
“Rob Cooper
Certified Process Analyst
Regulatory Compliance Liaison
rob@CedarRapidsRadio.com”
I’m pretty sure that counts as advertising yourself, Rob.
Lori,
You have made comments before about people not using their real names as required by terms of use.
I am not selling anything other than I am qualified to make the statements; and I did not just fall off a turnip truck.
I checked in my Tinfoil hat 20 plus years ago when I hooked up with 2 Federal OSHA inspectors in So. California; worked with the Los Angeles Count District Attorney’s Office on environmental concerns; assisted the Environmental Protection Agency in recovering $200 Million in mis-spent funds by the State of Oklahoma. And all my other work is classified.
So, I am not selling me or anything else. Hence: Ron Corbett has Mayor and a phone number and email address too; Right ?
Thank You for bringing this to the Gazettes Attention; I will abide by their decision; I suggest you do the same by not using my contact information in your posts; please.
“Rob Cooper
Certified Process Analyst
Regulatory Compliance Liaison
rob@CedarRapidsRadio.com”
Using your real name is indeed a rule of thumb here Rob, but that’s not what I’m talking about, and my using it in one comment was menat ot point out that part of your comment which I see as self-advertising on your part.
You may not think you’re not “selling” anything on here by flashing your job title and email address under your comments, but some people likely see it as just that, you advertising yourself and your credentials. At the very least, it’s shameless self-promotion on your part, but it looks more like advertising to the casual observer, and that’s something that’s clearly prohibited in the ROEs.
Point Taken Lori,
However, “the Gazette requires us to use our real names; Right ? There not my rules. My Name is My Name is what I am; An experienced professional.
And, there are 3 Robert J. Cooper’s in Cedar Rapids area, so I only do it to protect my words as I am required to use my “Real Name” as requested.
So far you and not the Gazette are complaining.
I do not use my credentials all the time, its my choice; its their rules..
Is “Certified Process Analyst, Regulatory Compliance Liaison, rob@CedarRapidsRadio.com” a part of your legal name Rob? I doubt so, and our legal name is all that we are supposed to use ion this site.
If you wanted to reference your credentials in the middle of your comment in a general way (is “as a certified production analyst I…”), fine, but I still fail to see how (andsee no explanation from you) how using those credentials here has any relevance in the argument at hand.
That should have read: (ie “as a certified production analyst I…”)
Again Lori – Point Taken,
So far you are the only one who has a problem with it. The many phone calls I have received tell a different story.
Lets let the Gazette decide what I will or will not do.
If you get my point Rob, then why are you continuing to comment on this?
I don’t know about you, but I’ve moved on.
DITO !!!! Lori
Yawn….
http://thegazette.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/Bennett-cartoon2-560×373.jpg
What the HECK does that have to do with the traffic cameras!?