A silver lining emerges from a tourist’s towing misfortune
There are brighter days ahead for tourists in Oceanside for the towing of rental cars. With all the left curves life brings our way, there are times when unexpected good deeds surface to the forefront.
Much gratitude for the follow-up initiative of City Manager, Steven Jepsen and Captain Ray Bechler of the Oceanside Police Department, for taking a vested interest in one tourist’s misfortune, to improve the process and protocol when a rental car is towed in Oceanside. Progress is often made through tough life lessons and due diligence. This was no exception!
Towing and recovery procedures are currently under review by city officials, and with the upcoming 4th of July holiday, when a parking violation results in the towing of a rental car, the protocol formerly enforced by the city municipality should no longer impede the release of a rental car.
The city of Oceanside’s representatives, who work to advocate positive change, are a true testament to the core values found on the city’s website ci.oceanside.ca.us/, particularly those of Integrity, Excellent Customer Service, Teamwork and Leadership!
Paula J. Margus,
Virginia
RE: No Paradise
I was appalled at the story of Paula Margus’ problems in the June 6, 2014 article “No Paradise for a Tourist’s First Visit to Oceanside.”
What a horrendous experience for a tourist whose rental car was towed when she unknowingly parked in an area designated once a week for a farmer’s market.
Perhaps this happens to many motorists and is preventable.
The city could set out orange cones and maybe a couple of sawhorses on the day of the market to signal that this is a no-parking zone that day.
When the towing company asked for a notarized letter from the car owner (Avis Rent-a-Car) to release the car to the renter, this requirement is a common occurrence which the rental company, I am sure, has dealt with on a regular basis and should have a policy in place to handle the situation.
If they don’t have a notary on staff, then a phone call to a mobile notary should have been made.
Mobile notaries abound in San Diego county but this is something that a tourist might not know.
We give same-day service, very often same-hour service.
For the rental company to let the car stay in impound for over a week before obtaining a notarized letter, knowing that towing companies are charging a king’s ransom per day, is cruel and heartless.
Also the fact that Pauline called Avis 34 times to get an update on the situation, and Avis still did nothing shows Avis’ complete incompetence and neglect.
So Avis, I will definitely not be renting a car from you, and perhaps others will feel the same way.
Paula, I am sorry that your vacation experience in Oceanside was such a terrible one. Consider this a virtual hug from a San Diego County resident.
Charlotte Mitchell, Notary on Wheels, San Diego
‘Kook’ entropy
When they unveiled the Cardiff Kook a whole lot of people really hated it, particularly in the surfing community. The most often stated complaint was it didn’t really look like a surfer actually surfing. He looked like… well, a kook.
Another complaint was that the sculptor was not local to the coastal area.
A point well taken as there is many talented, capable local artists who should have been considered for the piece.
They would have at the very least depicted someone actually surfing. Instead we got some inlander’s ignorance of the style and grace of wave ridding.
But then something cool happened. local critics and detractors started dressing up the kook in clever, funny and sometimes, elaborate ways.
Oddly, it really alleviated some of the rising anger over the statue. It was fun to see what they would come up with next.
The situation is now changed. The mundane has crept in. Mediocrity oozed over the kook like the monster from the movie, “The Blob.”
No longer are the dress-ups filled with wit and sarcasm.
It has become a venue for little Bobby’s birthday or ads for some retail endeavor that, frankly, no one but four or five people care about. What was once on the edge with humor and style is now blah, annoying and boring.
But I suppose that is the way of things. Once edgy and gritty music becomes elevator muzac played in a dentist’s office or Wal-Mart.
Scandalous Rock and Roll degrades into commercial Pop. It must be the universe seeking equilibrium and sadly, “Kook,” entropy has increased.
Dave Fletcher,
Cardiff
