[Rikkitik]

Greetings,

While returning from a visit with friends in Huntsville, TX I chose to see some backroads on the way home to Alabama. One of the fine examples of Louisiana hospitality that I encountered was with the Village of Dodson, Parish of Winn, LA. Let me simply say that they enforce traffic laws with tremendous zeal and intensity.

Beware as you enter the village for as soon as the posted speed limit drops to 45, there is a law enforcement official only a few feet from the sign issuing citations for exceeding the posted speed limit. A little research (after the fact) discovered they have achieved nationwide noteriety on www. speedtrap.org. This is a booming village of a total of 357 people per US census data.

As I prepare to send them my holiday donation to their coffers, I thought you may get a kick of out reading my letter to the mayor of Dodson.

Enjoy....and be very, very careful out there.

December 18, 2006

Grand Poo-bah
Village of Dodson, Parish of Winn
PO Box 86
Dodson, Louisiana 71422

Dear Grand Poo-bah,

I’m writing in response to the wonderful Season’s Greeting that I had the distinct displeasure of receiving from your fair village on December 17th, 2006. How magnificent it is to know that your fair village is under such intense police protection to ensure that none of your 357 residents are placed at risk by errant lawbreakers.

Although I may have cause to doubt the validity of the speeding citation issued by Officer Kelly, tis not the season to get embroiled in a bitter dispute over such matters. Our time and effort (and in my case – monies) can be much more productively applied to relishing the joy of the season and wishing for peace on earth and good will towards man.

Little did I realize as I entered the booming metropolis of Dodson, that I was transiting a village with such a national reputation. You and all members of your fair village must be proud to know that your village’s name is prominently mentioned as one of the showcase towns on www.speedtrap,org and the inspiring comments of those who have passed before me certainly place credit where credit is due.

I certainly hope that my donation to the coffers of your fair village will be placed to good use. Since your berg has eight families with children under the age of five living below the poverty level (per US Census Data), I would hope that some of the monies would go to ensure that at least they have a happy holiday season. It is also recommended that some of the monies be utilized to establish a health and wellness fund for your law enforcement officials. It was fairly obvious from my encounter with Officer Kelly that he could benefit from both a diet and exercise program as well as counseling on the dangers of the use of smokeless tobacco.

With serious intensity, I will endeavor to inform everyone of the great zeal with which your traffic laws are enforced. Happy Holidays to everyone in Dodson and of course let us all give thanks to the men and women of the Armed Forces in uniform who are protecting our great nation.

Sincerely,

 

[Big Wes]

Excellent! Good of you to send the letter to the Mayor, but maybe you should send a copy to their local newspaper to be published in the editors column, so all the people in Twitsville can read it. :lol:

Again a hearty Ata-Boy to you. 8)

 

[Slinkey]

:lol: :clap2: :lol:

 

[trialsman]

Might want to follow up in a couple months and make sure they didn't "accidentally" issue a warrant for failing to appear or failure to pay fine.

A surprise like that sometime in the future, when you get pulled over for something else, would certainly ruin your day.

 

[ShaneStump]

I travel from Bryan / College Station Texas to New Orleans many times a year. I have learned while in LA, to NOT GET OFF THE INTERSTATE! Just asking for trouble as the entire state of LA is either

1) A Speed Trap @ 45mph
2) SA peed Trap + Underconstruction

As soon as I cross over the Sabine River back into Texas, I start taking the Farm to Market roads most of the way home!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

Shane

 

[Silver Fox]

Very nice response. It may take some time for the mayor to find someone that can translate the letter for him. I would't count on hearing from anyone. Merry Christmas :xmas1:

 

[David M.]

You might want to cc a copy to their state of madness attorney general, if they have one.

 

[cosmic_chariot]

I live in Louisiana .. and I am well aware of lots of "REVENUE SHARING
TRAPS" ... in this state... its a slap in the face of our Tourism Industry..
I see it all the time here... and it seems the small town "OFFICALS"
have a PLUSH SLUSH FUND...
That is the reason I have a radar detector (Escort 8500) on my bike and auto... I understand if one would not speed... one would not get tickets..
but in this state .. ONE MILE OVER THE POSTED SPEED LIMIT CAN AND OFTEN WILL GET YOU A TICKET.... it would seem their citizens would benefit more for a officer to prevent real crime...but of coarse you and I know ... preventing real crime would not make any money for their SLUSH FUND...

cosmic

 

[Wi_Winger]

Rick......that was great, very thoughtful and funny.
Makes you feel that your going your part to improve the community considering your unwilling contribution.

 

[Wi_Winger]

BTW...........I'm semi-retired medical van driver for our vets and there are places here in the midwest were they will pull you over for 5 mph. over the posted limit and write a ticket rather then look at you.............don't ask how I know........but I just got a warning going 57 in a 55 mph.

Anyway to make a buck. :evil: :evil:

 

[Themobb]

Excellent! Good of you to send the letter to the Mayor, but maybe you should send a copy to their local newspaper to be published in the editors column, so all the people in Twitsville can read it. :lol:

Again a hearty Ata-Boy to you. 8)

Those that can read, that is...


Lance

 

[Rikkitik]

Greetings,

Hadn't thought of the newspaper angle but will see if there is anything close by to publish the letter.

A shame I got caught and it soured me on riding through rural Louisiana. Highway 34 would have been a great ride if I wasn't so steamed.

Sending the letter to the State Attorney General would do naught I'm afraid. Locals get to keep 80-90% of their ticket collections. Guess that's why the officer in a berg of 357 was riding in a spiffy new car with all the bells and whistles.

 

[tcr19]

Sounds like Rome, Ohio. Rome was a small town surrounded by the western suburbs of Columbus, OH. It had a similar reputation of aggressively enforcing speed limits to the mile over the posted limit. Rome also took the position that while 35 was a good speed in Columbus' suburbs, 25 was as fast as you should pass through their little burg.

They had even fewer residents than Dodson, and many of the residents were living well off the revenue from fines that somehow never found its way into the 'system', and instead found its way to the mayor and clerk of courts.

Finally, Rome came to an end when the state Attorney General launched an investigation, a new mayor was elected, some state laws on incorporation were modified, and Rome became unincorporated and could not have a police force.

 

[Wayniac]

I have this mental picture of the police chief of Dodson overseeing his force of two officers. He has the latest issue of LEO Revenue open to the advertisement for the Automatic Licence Plate Recognition and he has a big calculator on his desk. He spills his hot coffee in his lap and squirts grape jelly from his donut onto the polyester uniform he is so proud of after making his calculations.
Let see here.........(spits in empty water bottle) Up to 3000 plates per hour X $$$$$$ for (36 in a 35) X 24 hours in a day.............Holy crap!!! I gotta go tell the Grand Poo-bah!!!!!!!!

 

[luckyman]

About twenty five years ago Texas enacted a law which limits the amount of revenue a local government can collect from traffic fines to a percentage of their total budget. They also put a couple of county sheriffs in prison for extortion and official misconduct.

This hasn't totally eliminated speed traps in the State but it sure has stifled them pretty well.

Louisiana has their strong points. The State doesn't generally interfere into local government matters. Katrina illustrated one of the weaknesses of this approach. Speed traps are another. Overall, it is a wonderful State to visit.

 

[Bob in B'ham]

Minden, LA. is right on I10 and they work it to the limit, be very careful in this area at all times. I made my contribution already.

Bob

 

[gbegoon]

Yeah, I'd hold on to that cancelled check for a few years. Them baccy chewin good ol' boys might "remember" you next time through :cop2: ig1:
I am considered by many to be a world class smart-ass, but to you, sir, I humbly bow :bow: That has to be one of the most sarcastic, smart-asstic pieces of work I have ever had the pleasure to read!! I just hope you didn't waste it on someone who can't grasp the true depth of such a witty and well-written letter. Sir, my hat is off to you.

 

[shadow1060]

Did I miss something? Did you mention how fast you were going in the 45? Louisiana does not have the market cornered on this. Check out North Carolina. Highway 74 which runs from Hwy 129 (Deal's Gap) to Cherokee. I got stopped there but I was only given a warning. He never told me how much I was exceeding.

 

[copjr]

Hey WI Winger, you would not be talking about "Rosendale" now, would you?

:lol:

 

[Jay Hoover]

Had something very similar happen to me in Huntsville, TN. Not too far from the Big South Fork National Recreation Area. I made the mistake of mailing my donation without requesting proof of delivery. ( shame on me) Imagine my surprise when they issue a warrant for me to appear for contempt. Took my records and finally was able to reason with them over a $90 donation.

Make sure you spend a couple extra $$ and get proof of delivery.