Dear Claudienne

I am a taxi driver. On February 24, 2014, I parked the taxi on Slipe Road in the vicinity of the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) in an area reserved for taxis. Where I parked there was a sign that read ‘Taxis Only’. I went into the KPH and when I came out an hour later and went to the location where I had left the vehicle, it was gone.

Vendors who were on the sidewalk informed me that when they saw my taxi being removed by a wrecker working for the Kingston and St Andrew Corporation (KSAC) they pointed out that my vehicle was properly parked in the area reserved for taxis. They said that the driver of the wrecker told them that they did not work with them and they were to “mind onoo own business”.

I went to the KSAC pound on Church Street and tried to explain that the wrecker had removed my vehicle from an area at the KPH reserved for taxis. However, the attendant said that he had to accept the wrecker driver’s report.

When I informed the owner of the taxi that the vehicle was in the pound he went to the KSAC. They told him that the car was towed away because it was parked too close to the pedestrian crossing.

I was told by the receptionist at the KSAC that I had to pay the pound and wrecker fees. She said that after the fees were paid I could write a letter and my complaint would be investigated.

Could you please take up this matter with the KSAC for me as I make a living from driving the vehicle. I am sure that I was legitimately parked when they towed away the car.

LR

Dear LR

When Tell Claudienne told the Acting Town Clerk your plight, she requested that you write a report of the incident. After you left a written report at the KSAC and paid the fees, we spoke to the traffic superintendent and gave her your telephone number. We note that she contacted you and arranged for you to accompany her to point out where you were parked when the vehicle was towed away. The traffic superintendent who visited the location on Monday March 17 in the company of the traffic warden and yourself said that the warden has admitted that she made an error. Apparently two ‘Taxi Only’ signs demarcated the area where the taxis should park. However, the traffic warden said that she noticed only one of the ‘Taxi Only’ signsand failed to observe that there was another sign and that you were parked within the area reserved for taxis near to the second sign. The superintendent said that she will make a recommendation to the town clerk for you to be refunded the fees that you paid.

Good luck.

Dear Claudienne

I live in England and for over a year I have been trying to get a birth certificate from the Registrar General’s Department (RGD) for my mother. My mom’s birth certificate was paid for over a year ago, but I am yet to see it. I asked a consulting agency to help me but they are not making any headway with the RGD. Could you please contact the consulting agency for me to get an update.

Thanks.

GK

Dear GK

We spoke with the RGD and your mother, and the RGD did contact your mother. Tell Claudienne also contacted the consulting agency and they said that they have now obtained two copies of your mother’s birth certificate from the RGD.

Good luck.

Have a problem with a store, utility, a company: telephone 936-9436 or write to: Tell Claudienne c/o Sunday Finance, Jamaica Observer, 40-42 1/2 Beechwood Avenue, Kingston 5; or e-mail: edwardsc@jamaicaobserver.com. Please include a contact phone number.