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Mr. Philip Ing
Regional Director
New York Department of Transportation
Dear Mr. Ing:
Today at 9:15 AM, on the 20th of May, I was passing through New York on business - I am from out of state - had an interaction with one of your "officers" at the Hudson Parkway toll booth at Inwood Hill Park which desperately needs to be brought to your attention.
On occasion, I try to perform a random act of kindness, and have cards to pass out on such occasions - so I told the toll booth collector that I'd like to pay the toll for the car behind me, and asked him if he would give them the card, indicating that they had been "hit", and to pay it forward as opportunity presents itself.
First, this agent on duty told me he wasn't allowed to hand out anything to anybody - without even looking at the card. Fine... you have policies and I can understand why this could legally be a problem. Could he just tell the person behind me that I had paid the toll for them? No, he couldn't do that either. When I told him he was making it awfully hard to try to do a random good deed, he threatened to give me a ticket because I had a magnetic sign on my car advertising my business, which apparently contravenes some sort of parkway statute. I told him that I'd take it off as soon as I got to a rest area, and he demanded that I remove it on the spot.
First of all, what in the world is that all about? This is America, not Russia, and nobody has the right to tell me what I can put on my car - not a tollbooth agent, not the state of New York, and not the President of the United States. You're telling me that vehicles with advertising painted on them can't use the parkway? How in thunder would anybody know about this rule if they are just passing through? If there is such a statute, which I doubt, it's patently absurd.
Secondly, the fact that he wasn't interested in the sign on the other side was proof enough that this individual had only one intention - to throw his weight around. In short, he's a bully.
People like this should not be allowed anywhere near authority. This "man" - and please note that I use that term loosely, as a true man would have shown a much larger measure of humanity and common sense - is a disgrace to the honor of every official who has ever given their lives in the line of duty; he shames the badge that he wears; and gives the city and state of New York a terribly bad reputation. I found this incident offensive in the extreme. If this is how I'm to be treated for trying to brighten someone else's day, you can be sure I will avoid New York like the plague in future, and will advise all I know to do the same.
The world we live in is increasingly being taken over by the mediocre, mindless drone. I and many others whom I know are striving to counter this trend, and build a world where everyone wins, a world that works for everyone. I expect those who are hired to serve and protect to be committed to the same ideals.
A hard copy of this letter has been dispatched to your office by certified mail. Your response to this incident will determine what kind of publicity you get from me in the days to come.
Regional Director
New York Department of Transportation
Dear Mr. Ing:
Today at 9:15 AM, on the 20th of May, I was passing through New York on business - I am from out of state - had an interaction with one of your "officers" at the Hudson Parkway toll booth at Inwood Hill Park which desperately needs to be brought to your attention.
On occasion, I try to perform a random act of kindness, and have cards to pass out on such occasions - so I told the toll booth collector that I'd like to pay the toll for the car behind me, and asked him if he would give them the card, indicating that they had been "hit", and to pay it forward as opportunity presents itself.
First, this agent on duty told me he wasn't allowed to hand out anything to anybody - without even looking at the card. Fine... you have policies and I can understand why this could legally be a problem. Could he just tell the person behind me that I had paid the toll for them? No, he couldn't do that either. When I told him he was making it awfully hard to try to do a random good deed, he threatened to give me a ticket because I had a magnetic sign on my car advertising my business, which apparently contravenes some sort of parkway statute. I told him that I'd take it off as soon as I got to a rest area, and he demanded that I remove it on the spot.
First of all, what in the world is that all about? This is America, not Russia, and nobody has the right to tell me what I can put on my car - not a tollbooth agent, not the state of New York, and not the President of the United States. You're telling me that vehicles with advertising painted on them can't use the parkway? How in thunder would anybody know about this rule if they are just passing through? If there is such a statute, which I doubt, it's patently absurd.
Secondly, the fact that he wasn't interested in the sign on the other side was proof enough that this individual had only one intention - to throw his weight around. In short, he's a bully.
People like this should not be allowed anywhere near authority. This "man" - and please note that I use that term loosely, as a true man would have shown a much larger measure of humanity and common sense - is a disgrace to the honor of every official who has ever given their lives in the line of duty; he shames the badge that he wears; and gives the city and state of New York a terribly bad reputation. I found this incident offensive in the extreme. If this is how I'm to be treated for trying to brighten someone else's day, you can be sure I will avoid New York like the plague in future, and will advise all I know to do the same.
The world we live in is increasingly being taken over by the mediocre, mindless drone. I and many others whom I know are striving to counter this trend, and build a world where everyone wins, a world that works for everyone. I expect those who are hired to serve and protect to be committed to the same ideals.
A hard copy of this letter has been dispatched to your office by certified mail. Your response to this incident will determine what kind of publicity you get from me in the days to come.
