Paying WV traffic fine is a pain in the rear

Thanks to Fifth Third Bank for helping. No thanks to Kentland Bank. And a little about Princeton, WV politics.

OK, so first let me update you on the traffic ticket from Princeton, WV. It seemed fishy to me that when I called the number on the back of the ticket, all I got was a recording from the magistrate’s office telling me how much fines were for tickets. They must give out a LOT of tickets.

Then, when I pressed the “O” button, as instructed, to speak to someone live, I got the same recording. Tried it a few times. Same thing every time.

There was an option to get a directory, so I chose it. However, there was no directory,just instructions to spell the person’s last name. I spelled “Smith” and got a recording from a cheerful sounding young woman. I left a message, asking her to call my cell. That was yesterday morning. No call from her.

So the back of the ticket says I have one week to call them or send them $170.80 or my license will be taken by Tennessee authorities. Since calling them is futile, I decided to send in the money, then think bad thoughts about them. You can, too, if you want.

The ticket requires a cashiers check or whatever. So I stopped in Kentland Bank in Lafayette, Indiana today to buy one. I got cash out of their ATM to pay for it. Apparently, they couldn’t sell one to me because I don’t have an account there. I stopped by to ask the manager about this and he said they didn’t do this to protect them from laundered money. Since the money came form their ATM machine, I guess that’s the laundry he was talking about.

So I went two blocks down the street to Fifth Third Bank, something we don’t have in Tennessee, and told them my predicament. Barb and T (I’ve forgotten his name, but have it in my car … will brag on him more later … came to my rescue!

If you’re adding up scores, here’s the way I score them:

Princeton, West Virginia Magistrate’s Office: Scoundrels

Kentland Bank: Worthless

Fifth Third Bank: My Heroes

Oh, I got a great story about local police from one of the managers at Fifth Third Bank. I’ll save it for another post.

You guys are my heroes!