Case Date:

12/18/2017

I am writing to complain about being towed from Bedrak Cafe parking lot at 8:30p by Tow Time and being charged $215. This is an extortion rate. The Bedrak Cafe has signs posted but you cannot see them when it is dark. They are tiny and dark in color. We were not given warning that we would be towed and then to be charged such an exorbitant amount is unreasonable. My fiance met me and we had 2 other friends that parked there. We were gone from our cars less than 20 minutes and 3 of the 4 cars were gone and the 4th one was in the process of being towed. The towing company has to be lying in wait for anyone to park there and then stealing your car and charging you this astronomical price. He then basically threatened us stating if we did not pay him immediately that it would cost us $20-40 more and that we would have to make an appointment to get the cars back at their convenience. This is extortion, we felt intimidated, and backed into a corner. Then on top of this he tells us that he has a contract with the owner of Bedrak Cafe to keep the lot cleaned out of all cars except when they are open. So how much of a kick back is Bedrak getting from Tow Time. And where is Tow Time located. I could not find a Bloomington address for Tow Time. What is the city regulations on parking and fees for being towed? This makes the city of Bloomington look very bad. No one will want to go down town if you cannot park in a lot where the business is closed. This is outrageous!

Case Date:

2/23/2017

"Dear Mr. Hamilton, As my council representative has been ineffective and unsuccessful in dealing with this problem, I am calling on your office for help. For over two years the resident of 1316 South Palmer Avenue has been running a used car lot at his house. There are usually no less than six cars parked in front of his house and across the street from his house at any one time. At least one or two usually have no plates. In addition, his yard is a total mess. He doesn't care about the trash that accumulates in it. If this were a problem in Elm Heights, it would have been taken care of in one day. I understand that one can sell a car from one's property, but this man needs to find a lot that is zoned for selling multiple used cars, and move his business to that place. Please help in moving this used car lot from our street. It is an eye sore and it brings down my property value. The rest of the houses in that block, and on Palmer are very well maintained and clean. Thank you very much in advance for your attention to this matter. Best regards, Michael McCafferty"