Saturday, May 07, 2005
Disturbing developments in Mount Kisco, NY
Parking meter man Jason Burke is in big trouble. It seems that the Mount Kisco, NY public servant stole some $30,000 worth of quarters he collected over an eight month period. This in itself raises troubling questions about government oversight in this community.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing, a quarter weighs 5.7 grams. It therefore follows that $30,000 weighs about 1,508 pounds. A little research reveals that Mount Kisco is a rather small town (according to the very informative Mount Kisco Chamber of Commerce website). It doesn't reflect well on a municipality when, though with a population of less than 10,000, they can't keep track of three quarters of a ton of parking meter revenue.
In fairness to those in charge, this crime was apparently uncovered as a result of changes to meter collecting procedures. These were obviously overdue.
There's one other point I'd like to make. I've never held myself out as an expert on parking meter revenues but if $30,000 was not enough of a percentage of all such revenue to be easily noticed, I'd submit that Mount Kisco residents are being exploited for their parking dollars.
By the way. I know most of you are wondering: how much would that $30,000 worth of currency weigh if it were in pennies? Always your faithful servant, I calculate that at 2.5 grams per penny, that would be 16,535 pounds.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing, a quarter weighs 5.7 grams. It therefore follows that $30,000 weighs about 1,508 pounds. A little research reveals that Mount Kisco is a rather small town (according to the very informative Mount Kisco Chamber of Commerce website). It doesn't reflect well on a municipality when, though with a population of less than 10,000, they can't keep track of three quarters of a ton of parking meter revenue.
In fairness to those in charge, this crime was apparently uncovered as a result of changes to meter collecting procedures. These were obviously overdue.
There's one other point I'd like to make. I've never held myself out as an expert on parking meter revenues but if $30,000 was not enough of a percentage of all such revenue to be easily noticed, I'd submit that Mount Kisco residents are being exploited for their parking dollars.
By the way. I know most of you are wondering: how much would that $30,000 worth of currency weigh if it were in pennies? Always your faithful servant, I calculate that at 2.5 grams per penny, that would be 16,535 pounds.
