- From Cedar Hill to the New York Times.
Back in early July we alerted you to Matt Brakey’s anti-traffic camera campaigning.
If there’s one thing politicians of all stripes can agree on, it’s that traffic cameras are the work of the devil and smashing them to pieces is the best way to get America exercising again.
But promoting a ban on traffic cameras is also a fine way to seek the common ground on the campaign trail. It’s working for young Republican Matt Brakey, who’s running for Cuyahoga County Council in District 10 (Cleveland Heights, East Cleveland, Bratenahl, and Cleveland Wards 10 and 11), where Democrats outnumber Republicans 6 to 1.
During rush hour one day last week, Brakey and two friends were stationed at the top of Cedar Hill in Cleveland Heights, holding a banner that read “Ban red light cameras” along with the words “Principles Before Party.” They were greeted with a chorus of approving honks.
Now the New York Times has picked up on our young hero, detailing Brakey’s anti-traffic camera crusade within a larger piece about politicians around the country who are courting the vote of citizens fed up with the cameras and their expensive tickets.
Before we get into their account, we’d like to thank them for mining Scene & Heard for news tips and using a photo snapped by a Scene staffer. You’re welcome, ladies and gentlemen.
Anyway, onto the words:
The issue has bubbled up in places like Cleveland, where Matt Brakey, a 29-year-old businessman seeking a spot on the Cuyahoga County Council, has proclaimed his opposition to traffic cameras on his campaign Web site and at events like one he recently held at a busy intersection where he unfurled a banner announcing his stance.
“There were lots of honks,” said Mr. Brakey, a Republican and first-time candidate for office. “This issue really taps into the general dissatisfaction with government.”
Indeed, the outrage over the cameras echoes the general concerns about government that have fueled protests movements like the Tea Party.
But the protests also underscore the sting many Americans feel in these economic times at having to pay fines of $25, $50 or $100 for traffic infractions that, in some cases, they had no idea they committed.
“It’s a huge pocketbook issue,” Mr. Brakey said. “I’ve talked to people who can’t renew their driver’s license because they have all these tickets.”
You go, Matt. Fight that good fight.
This article appears in Aug 4-10, 2010.
its good to see some people wanting to get involved in such a issue that effects all poeple in every walk of life (for a change)
Great job, Matt. I’m not in your district but I’m really impressed with your approach and passion.
I’m actually of the opinion that those cameras can be really dangerous; when I approach an intersection with them, I’m constantly splitting my attention between my rearview, the crosswalk light, the traffic light, and the traffic in front of me and am poised to slam on my brakes should the light turn yellow. Because I don’t know how long I have on yellow, I’m afraid to enter an intersection at all on it. Aside from any privacy issues (e.g. the government pinpointing your whereabouts at any point in time) I resent that they discourage engagement in perfectly legal activity–entering an intersection on yellow. I also notice that, at least in Cleveland, the cameras seem to be posted in high volume rather than in actually dangerous areas (although city innocently officials disagree). For example, there’s one on Chester west of E. 55th that is clearly meant to catch rush-hour commuters. It’s stationed away from any intersection and industry and has no purpose other than to ding people traveling along the thoroughfare.
I don’t have a problem with red light cameras as much as speed cameras… and as far as I’m concerned, the problem isn’t the cameras, it’s the fact that speed limits are way too low over the entire Cleveland area. A top speed of 60mph in Cuyahoga? Crazy. Let people drive at a natural (not excessive) speed, and people won’t feel the need to speed (or jump through red lights) excessively to make up lost time.
If a politician campaigned on raising all speed limits by 10-15mph, I’d be behind them 100%.
The only ones that need to stay the same, are the 20mph school limits. Other than that, 30mph for residential, 40-45 for what is currently 35, and 70-75 for the current 60s.