Marion is Mayberry no more with speed cameras

The Mayberry, excuse me, Marion City Council and police chief are at it again. They have their their GATSO speed cameras and are giddy with excitement. They have disguised their speed cameras as red-light cameras. They were sold as being red-light cameras but now can catch speeders in two Marion locations. Never mind that Gatso will rake in $35 per ticket, Marion will get the rest. You get screwed, but they will get their money.

The entire justification for speed cameras was bogus to begin with. The intersections at which the red-light cameras are being installed account for 5 percent each of the total accidents in Marion. But somehow this justified red light cameras, which turned in to speed cameras, the ultimate money grab.

Mixed messaging seems to be something our City Council doesn’t understand. Come to Marion to visit our newly renovated downtown; bring your money to spend. A part of it will probably be spent on a speeding ticket, but that’s OK to them. Visit Lowe Park for an evening event, but watch out for the portable speed trap. The event is free. The speeding ticket will cost you $75.

Mark Hazlett

Marion