At the end of November 2009, I wrote a letter to the newspaper concerning Hot Springs and the unfair treatment we received there. Two elderly friends and myself had driven over on a beautiful Sunday for lunch. When we came out of the restaurant, our car had been towed, and we were treated rudely and told that we must pay $200 to retrieve it. Several people told us that we were the fourth or fifth car that they witnessed being towed that week. We felt that that would be our last trip to Hot Springs and would warn others of the scam.
But now I have better news. Many Hot Springs residents and shop owners contacted me to apologize. Some stated that they complained to the sheriff and mayor, telling them that this was obviously counterproductive in a town depending on tourism. One woman said that she and her friends wanted to repay us out of their own pockets! The newly elected mayor, Sidney Harrison, could not have been kinder and tried to get to the bottom of this. All of these responses were heartwarming, to say the least.
Thank you caring, people of Hot Springs and Mr. Harrison. The area where we were towed is now marked, so hopefully this will not happen again.
— Jocelyn Long
Greeneville, Tenn.
Things like your experience are why we need state-wide anti predatory towing laws….
Thank you writing in to express some positive news! (As most people only take the time when expressing something negative.) It sounds like this journey was difficult and drawn out for you. It is good to hear that even though you may still have other minor and short-lived travails; at least you received a happy ending at the end of your long, hard one.