The Honorable James Moran
8th District of Virginia
5115 B Franconia Road
Alexandria, VA 22310
Dear Representative Moran,
I am writing to ask you to not vote favorably toward any measure for the District of Columbia's self-management. I am asking you to consider this based on my absurd experience with the DC Division of Motor Vehicles and the Mayor's Office as well; and I also ask for your assistance in fixing this situation.
On September 22, 2001, I attended a wedding in Georgetown. I drove a rental car from Enterprise Rent-A-Car to the wedding. A valet company, Atlantic Services Group, parked the cars. Unbeknownst to me, my car was parked illegally by the valet company, and thus was given a ticket for $20.
I never saw the ticket, as the valet company took it and paid it (I found this information out later when I spoke with the Vice President of the valet company. He indicated that tickets are the cost of doing business for his company when trying to valet park in Georgetown.) In late October, I received a notice from Enterprise Rent-A-Car that indicated that I owed the DMV $40 (please see attached copy of letter and my check to the DMV dated October 20, 2001.) This was the first time I heard about the ticket. I paid the ticket immediately (note the date is October 20) and then called the valet company, where I learned that they had already paid $20 to the DMV. The VP sent me a copy of proof that they had paid and gave me a contact number for someone at DMV to get the money reimbursed.
I contacted the DMV, which is no mean feat, you should know. After you make it through the protracted voice mail, you wait until someone can help you. After myriad messages left on the voice mail of the contact recommended to me by the VP of the valet company (someone named Amy who never returns calls – 202-727-5000 x4020), I went through the main DMV number. Ultimately, on December 12, I found a person named Ms. Harris (202-727-5000 x4031). She told me that the DMV did show two payments for my ticket – a $20 payment from the valet company and my $40 payment as well. I asked her to apply for a full reimbursement for me. I faxed her my information and asked her if I could call in a week or two to find out the status of my reimbursement. I left messages and never received a return call. It was Christmas by this time, though, so in the holiday spirit, I calmed down and tried more in January. No dice.
January came and went with no information available. In February, I called the DMV and conversed with a Ms. Curley. She said that a reimbursement had been processed for me in early February – for $20. I indicated that a $40 refund was due to me, and so I faxed my information AGAIN to her. She said that I could contact a Ms. Tabor for information on my reimbursement. When I finally caught up with Ms. Tabor, she indicated that $20 was issued, and if I had an issue with that to speak with her supervisor. I left a message with her supervisor and did not hear back from anyone until today.
Today, I spoke with Ms. Karen Palmer (202-535-2702.) She indicated that the $20 was paid to Enterprise-Rent-A-Car and not to me. Why did the DMV pay them? I have absolutely no idea on earth. I asked whether I could get my $40. She indicated that she would see if the Treasurer could cut me a check for the remaining $20 and then she would have to see how they could get the other $20 back from Enterprise.
THIS IS INSANE! I have a masters in public policy and have even worked for the federal government for a few years, and yet I still do not understand this, as it goes completely beyond the realm of mismanagement.. If Joseph Heller were alive today, he could write a book about the DC DMV and make it a sequel to his master work “Catch-22.” If this agency is a microcosm of the whole of DC government, then I wonder whether anything works in DC.
Meanwhile, I went to the DC Mayor's web site and asked for assistance in the matter. After writing my letter and sending it to the Mayor's office, I received a page on the site indicating that I would get a case number and that a person would be contacting me shortly. That was late February; I am still waiting to hear from the Mayor's office.
Thus, I have two requests: 1) Please, please help me get my $40 reimbursed. 2) Please do not vote for DC sovereignty until the government gets its act together. I once believed in DC sovereignty wholeheartedly; but this experience is dimming my opinion of the government. I believe in the people of DC. The government? I am not so sure.
Thank you for your kind attention to this matter. I look forward to hearing from your office soon!