A heart-warming end to the story of a man and his car
SEATTLE -- The Problem Solvers are happy to report a 91-year-old Ballard man got his car back.
The city had towed Burt Miller's car from right outside his house because he had parked it there too long.
"I don't see my car," said Miller as he looked out his picture window along 28th Avenue Northwest in Ballard.
When Miller's car disappeared two weeks ago, Miller learned the hard way that any car parked more than 72 hours on a Seattle street can be considered abandoned and, as a result, towed and impounded.
"I couldn't believe it," said Miller.
A neighbor complained. Because of memory loss Burt can't drive, so he parked his pride and joy where he could still see it.
Neither he nor his caretaker heard of the city rule.
The Head of the Parking Enforcement told the Problem Solvers their officers can exercise discretion and instead of three days, the city waited five days before they towed Miller's car. The city tags and tows cars based on complaints, and averages more than 30,000 calls every year.
"This could happen to anybody in Seattle who leaves their car and goes on vacation. Naughty neighbor calls up and the next thing you know they end up with a $500 bill," said John Hellyer, Miller's caregiver.
It cost Miller $500 to get his car back, that is until our Problem Solver got the towing company's attention. The owner insisted on refunding Miller's money; but wanted to remain anonymous.
"Oh, that's nice. I didn't expect it," said Miller giddily.
Miller got his money back from the towing company and he got his car back from the city.
One problem: the starter stopped working and repairs will cost him another $500, but he won't have to pay it.
You see, Miller has made a tough decision. He's giving his car away.
"I don't figure I'll drive it again anyway," he said.
"It's his way of moving on," said his caretaker.
"I'm the recipient of the car," said a local auto mechanic known as "Wolf."
When, Wolf, a Ballard auto body shop owner heard Miller's story, he agreed to fix the starter for no charge.
"In certain cases, a certain amount of humanity goes a long way," said Wolf. "I'll try to use that altruism and continue that on, and give back."
And we think Miller will like that.
The city had towed Burt Miller's car from right outside his house because he had parked it there too long.
"I don't see my car," said Miller as he looked out his picture window along 28th Avenue Northwest in Ballard.
When Miller's car disappeared two weeks ago, Miller learned the hard way that any car parked more than 72 hours on a Seattle street can be considered abandoned and, as a result, towed and impounded.
"I couldn't believe it," said Miller.
A neighbor complained. Because of memory loss Burt can't drive, so he parked his pride and joy where he could still see it.
Neither he nor his caretaker heard of the city rule.
The Head of the Parking Enforcement told the Problem Solvers their officers can exercise discretion and instead of three days, the city waited five days before they towed Miller's car. The city tags and tows cars based on complaints, and averages more than 30,000 calls every year.
"This could happen to anybody in Seattle who leaves their car and goes on vacation. Naughty neighbor calls up and the next thing you know they end up with a $500 bill," said John Hellyer, Miller's caregiver.
It cost Miller $500 to get his car back, that is until our Problem Solver got the towing company's attention. The owner insisted on refunding Miller's money; but wanted to remain anonymous.
"Oh, that's nice. I didn't expect it," said Miller giddily.
Miller got his money back from the towing company and he got his car back from the city.
One problem: the starter stopped working and repairs will cost him another $500, but he won't have to pay it.
You see, Miller has made a tough decision. He's giving his car away.
"I don't figure I'll drive it again anyway," he said.
"It's his way of moving on," said his caretaker.
"I'm the recipient of the car," said a local auto mechanic known as "Wolf."
When, Wolf, a Ballard auto body shop owner heard Miller's story, he agreed to fix the starter for no charge.
"In certain cases, a certain amount of humanity goes a long way," said Wolf. "I'll try to use that altruism and continue that on, and give back."
And we think Miller will like that.