October 26th, 2011
This past summer, I wrote an article on the municipal surcharge bureau (MSB). (My perceptive readers and grammar hawks, will notice I didn’t capitalize the name. Immature I realize, but I’m desperate for a way to lash out at these people).The MSB is essentially a collections agency for the State of Texas, and the Department of Public Safety, in the vaunted tradition of the biblical Roman tax collectors and the sheriff of Nottingham. I’ve already recounted the tale of my registration infraction and how I was required to pay penalties, both to the City of Tyler and to the State Capital in Austin. Largely out of spite I decided to make my one hundred four dollar payment to MSB in installments… I mean if I’m going to be ripped off, why not make it as inconvenient as possible for the thief, right?
Well as it turned out, recent financial challenges made it necessary for me to request an extension in order to avoid a suspension of my license. Upon making the request I was condescendingly lectured to by the vogon on the other end of the line, that the extension was only being granted as a courtesy, and the next payment would have to be on time. “That’s ok,” I replied; “this is my last payment.” “Well, actually,” it replied hesitantly, “you’ll be required to make another payment of one hundred dollars next year… uh… a… and the following year” the unisex voice stammered, clearly nervous about breaking the news. I hit the ceiling. “Are you kidding me?!” I yelled. “I’m afraid not,” it squeaked. “According to the driver responsibility act of two thousand whatever…” and it proceeded to quote me chapter and verse of some recent legal code, no one but an expert in legal blather could possibly understand.
I’m becoming more and more aware of how buried we are becoming in stupid red tape which serves only to complicate our lives and separate us from our money, in exchange for absolutely nothing! And unfortunately, no one can seem to stop it because its government that’s doing it! If only we could manage to elect representatives willing to divest the government of at least a portion of other people’s money. Until then, maybe we should all start to pay these fines in pennies! The bean counters may actually enjoy counting them.
To read my original article on the municipal surcharge bureau, click on the following link Municipal Surcharge Bureau and the Driver Responsibility Program in Texas
Tags: Blather, Chapter And Verse, City Of Tyler, Collections Agency, Department Of Public Safety, Driver Responsibility, Financial Challenges, Grammar, Hawks, Infraction, Installments, One Hundred Dollars, Perceptive Readers, Red Tape, Responsibility Act, Sheriff Of Nottingham, State Of Texas, Surcharge, Tax Collectors, Thief, Tyler Texas, Vogon
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August 14th, 2011
In case you missed it, summer is winding down (although temperatures outside don’t yet reflect the fact), and the fall school year is about to start. Some of the area private schools are starting the 17th, but most public institutions are kicking off on the 22nd. With this in mind the City of Tyler is reminding its citizens that starting Monday, its school zones will be going back into action. Area commuters would probably be wise to alter their routes if necessary and or possible. The zones can be a source of frustration if you find yourself in a time crunch on the way to work in the morning. They will be in operation from approximately 7:30 to 9:00 am, and 2:30 to 4:45 pm, depending on the school and its hours of operation. Different schools have plans to deal with traffic flow, but the city is reminding drivers to be alert at pedestrian crosswalks, and to look out for crossing guards directing traffic.
It’s also worth mentioning that cell phone use is prohibited in any and school zones. Financial penalties so these offences are much higher for those ticketing in Tyler’s school zones. For more info on the TISD schedules or that of Grace Christian School, (evidently that particular zone can be a headache for those who have to contend with it), go to www.tylerisd.org or www.gracetyler.org .
Tags: Cell Phone Use, Citizens, City Of Tyler, Commuters, Directing Traffic, Grace Christian School, Headache, Pedestrian Crosswalks, Private Schools, Public Institutions, School Year, Source Of Frustration, Temperatures, Time Crunch, Traffic Flow, Tyler Texas
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August 1st, 2011
Ok admittedly this is not a terribly new story, but I’m only just now getting to writing on it, so readers will have to please bear with me as it’s an important story for our area. Representatives from Tyler and Lindale met in June and hammered out an agreement between the two cities which defined their Extra Territorial Jurisdictions (ETJ). The ETJ is the surrounding area outside the city limits into which the city anticipates it will grow. Tyler’s ETJ is obviously larger (about five miles) than that of its sister city (about one mile) due to its size. The primary reason for the agreement is that both communities anticipate good growth along highway 69 and interstate 20. The continued expansion of loop 49 is also expected to help spur growth. The “treaty” will allow both towns to grow in such away, that they can reap the maximum benefit from their proximity to the important freeways. As they grow into their ETJs the border (Tyler’s northern and Lindale’s southern), will be defined more or less permanently.
For a more detailed report on the story visit the City of Tyler’s webpage at http://www.cityoftyler.org/Home/tabid/36/ctl/NewsArticle/mid/865/CategoryID/10/NewsID/1378/Default.aspx .
Tags: Area Representatives, Benefit From, Border, Categoryid, City Limits, City Of Tyler, Etj, Freeways, Highway 69, Maximum Benefit, Met, Newsarticle, Proximity, Sister City, Spur, Territorial Jurisdictions, Tyler Texas, Webpage
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June 9th, 2011
The city of Tyler is great for golfers as there are many golf courses in the area at all different price levels. Golf courses are often times looking for new ways to drum up business and so it is not too hard to find coupons and discounts for local Tyler golf courses every so often.
A good place to go check for local Tyler TX golf course coupons is at EastTexas.biz. This website specializes in creating exclusive offers and coupons for Tyler’s favorite events, activities, attractions, restaurants, and businesses.
One of the attractions EastTexas.biz goes after to create valuable coupon offers for is local golf courses in our area.
If you would like to see what golf coupon offers are currently available through EastTxas.biz please visit this link: Tyler TX Golf Course Coupons and here are some local golf course business listings: Golf courses in East Texas
Tags: Business Courses, Business Listings, City Of Tyler, Coupons Discounts, Course Business, East Texas, East Texas Golf Courses, Exclusive Offers, Golf Business, Golf Coupons, Golf Course, Golf Courses, Golfers, Local Business, Local Coupons, Local Golf, New Ways, Restaurants, Tyler TX, Tyler TX Golf, Tyler TX golf course coupons, Tyler TX golf courses
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May 28th, 2011
On June 2nd, Tyler will be holding its much praised Downtown Art Walk. The concept is basically this: ten downtown businesses open their doors for more than thirty local artists to display their original wares. Patrons can browse the shops for free and catch a glimpse of the kind of art their fellow East Texans are producing. There is also a public mural, where visitors to the event, can leave their own artistic mark. The mural will be on display on a temporary basis on the Tyler Square.
This event offers an opportunity for everyone. Art lovers from all over East Texas will come spend money here. The city of Tyler has the chance to continue its rejuvenation of the downtown square. Business owners there, get some great advertising (particularly those participating in the Art Walk). And of course the artists themselves receive some much deserved recognition. The businesses opening their doors to the artists include: Downtown Coffee Lounge, Subway,Balance Studio, Gallery Main Street, Cue:creative, Mango Express, Edward Jones Investments, East Texas Symphony Orchestra, Jakes, Salon Verve, and of course, T.B. Butler Plaza. I won’t list the artists, (there are too many) but suffice to say there should be something for everyone. There are also a number of sponsors of the event, including: The City of Tyler, Tyler Junior College and Austin Bank. The Art Walk’s hours run from 4pm until 8pm on June 2nd. Hopefully the turnout will continue to be large.
Tags: 4pm, Art Lovers, Butler Plaza, City Of Tyler, Coffee Lounge, Deserved Recognition, East Texans, East Texas, East Texas Symphony, Edward Jones Investments, Great Advertising, Local Artists, Public Mural, Rejuvenation, Salon Verve, Tyler Art, Tyler Junior College, Tyler Square, Tyler Texas, Tyler Tyler, Wares
Posted in Tyler Businesses | No Comments »
Municipal Surcharge Bureau, Again!
October 26th, 2011Well as it turned out, recent financial challenges made it necessary for me to request an extension in order to avoid a suspension of my license. Upon making the request I was condescendingly lectured to by the vogon on the other end of the line, that the extension was only being granted as a courtesy, and the next payment would have to be on time. “That’s ok,” I replied; “this is my last payment.” “Well, actually,” it replied hesitantly, “you’ll be required to make another payment of one hundred dollars next year… uh… a… and the following year” the unisex voice stammered, clearly nervous about breaking the news. I hit the ceiling. “Are you kidding me?!” I yelled. “I’m afraid not,” it squeaked. “According to the driver responsibility act of two thousand whatever…” and it proceeded to quote me chapter and verse of some recent legal code, no one but an expert in legal blather could possibly understand.
I’m becoming more and more aware of how buried we are becoming in stupid red tape which serves only to complicate our lives and separate us from our money, in exchange for absolutely nothing! And unfortunately, no one can seem to stop it because its government that’s doing it! If only we could manage to elect representatives willing to divest the government of at least a portion of other people’s money. Until then, maybe we should all start to pay these fines in pennies! The bean counters may actually enjoy counting them.
To read my original article on the municipal surcharge bureau, click on the following link Municipal Surcharge Bureau and the Driver Responsibility Program in Texas
Tags: Blather, Chapter And Verse, City Of Tyler, Collections Agency, Department Of Public Safety, Driver Responsibility, Financial Challenges, Grammar, Hawks, Infraction, Installments, One Hundred Dollars, Perceptive Readers, Red Tape, Responsibility Act, Sheriff Of Nottingham, State Of Texas, Surcharge, Tax Collectors, Thief, Tyler Texas, Vogon
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