Bluff City dodges new law. (Johnson City, Bristol: tax rates, live in, safe)

[rccrain]

TN recently passed a law that traffic cameras must have a one mile buffer between the speed camera and any speed limit change. This would have caused Bluff City's camera on 11-E to be an illegal speed trap.

Bluff City's reaction: expand their 45 MPH zone all the way back to the Bristol city limit. The only reason they are doing this is NOT safety but to protect their revenue stream, further confirming that they are the most corrupt municipality in Tennessee.

Further reading: Bluff City officials consider speed limit changes across town | TriCities.com

[jchometeam]

So slow down for 2 miles and you will not be harmed by this at all.

Look im not really in favor of these cameras but obviously the reason that the governments have them is the money. The thing is, if a government has to have money id much rather them get it this way than to raise taxes. This is a tax, but only to those who choose to pay it by being inpatient. Same basic concept as the lottery and increased tax rates on tobacco/alcohol- it is a voluntary tax for those who choose to pay it. Much better than the alternative.

[rccrain]

I fear you are too trusting of government. I would rather have the tax voted on and the government held accountable.

And suppose you weren't speeding, how are you supposed to defend yourself?

[jchometeam]

Trust me, Im probably in the lower 10th percentile in the country in trusting the government. I would be more inclined to trust the private company's cameras than the government's police. And the cameras are more subject to scrutiny than the police officers.

These government officials that decide these issues can be voted out- and if Bluff City residents do not want the cameras then they should be all means vote out everyone that votes for them. Police on the other hand are fairly independent.

Most (not all) people that are against speed enforcement cameras are against them not for fear of mistakes by the camera but because they do not want to be caught. The same people generally would be opposed to having an officer park on both sides of the road and enforce the speed limit strictly. Its simply that they do not think that they should be penalized for speeding.

[rccrain]

Originally Posted by jchometeam

Most (not all) people that are against speed enforcement cameras are against them not for fear of mistakes by the camera but because they do not want to be caught. The same people generally would be opposed to having an officer park on both sides of the road and enforce the speed limit strictly. Its simply that they do not think that they should be penalized for speeding.

I don't think that's a valid assumption, akin to saying if you protest taxes you want poor people to starve. I'd guess the folks that want 11-E to be an Autobahn is safely below 10%. Honestly, it's a very safe road, and there are other better ways to make it even safer. I'd also guess that greater than 50% of the local population are against speed cameras.

[jchometeam]

If greater than 50% of the Bluff City residents are against the cameras, then the cameras should not be in place. Vote against the commission (everyone who votes for it), make it clear why that they are being voted out, and make it clear that the next commission will also be voted out if they vote for the camera's renewal when it comes up next time. My assumption was that since they just had an election the cameras came up in the issues and they voted in people who fit their wants/needs. I defer on that issue since I live in Johnson City and do not have any voice in Bluff City politics. If more than 50% are opposed to the cameras and pro-camera people just got elected, that is not a sign of a corrupt government but rather a passive electorate

[rccrain]

Maybe the Bluff City people don't care about it because 95% of the tickets go to folks traveling from JC to Bristol.

My main concerns with these things are:
1. There is not a reasonable way to defend yourself if you are innocent. Additionally, you are punished for even trying.
2. It's bad for the local economy. About half of the fine goes to an out of state or global corporation, never to enter TN again. That's money not spent locally, creating local jobs.
3. The companies themselves are corrupt. They spend millions in lobbying, flawed studies, and paying off local officials.

[Jim37680]

Bluff City's actions regarding the annexation and speed enforcement on 11E are very reminiscent of the present day Somali pirates or the Barbary Coast (present day Libya) pirates of 200 years ago. Send in the Marines!

I don't speed through there and haven't had to make a political contribution so far.

[jchometeam]

We actually agree on this more than you think. I agree with that entire last post with each of your concerns. Our main fundamental disagreement is that I think Bluff City residents should be allowed to decide to put these things up if they wish. And I disagree with those that say that they are illegal/unconstitutional. I too dislike them for each of the reasons that you discribed below. But if the residents disagree and want their government to obtain this money this way instead of taxes even though it will never come back to TN, then they should be allowed to and it doesnt mean that the govt is corrupt or even mean spirited.

[dreamofmonterey]

Speed cameras catch a lot during race week | TriCities.com

TCA 55-8-152 statute only cites speed limit. Surplus revenue for the city.