Texas: Photo Ticket Firm Gears Up To Fight Public Vote

[The Straight Story]

Texas: Photo Ticket Firm Gears Up To Fight Public Vote

Keep Houston Safe screen captureA photo enforcement company and city officials are gearing up to fight members of the public who will soon vote on the issue of red light cameras in Baytown, Texas. Earlier this year, American Traffic Solutions (ATS) set up a front group entitled Safety Cameras for a Safer Baytown to serve as its political action committee in opposition to a ballot measure that would ban the use of cameras. The firm used the same tactic in its failed effort to save cameras from a public vote in College Station last year.

Less than two weeks after the vote in that city, an article on TheNewspaper regarding the upcoming referendum in Baytown prompted ATS National Project Manager Jason Norton to ask, "What is the story?" City officials continued most of the discussion by telephone to avoid disclosure of their discussions under freedom of information laws. Officials made an exception for one point intended to be made in writing.

"Please be aware that ATS assumes the risk of the investment of expansion," Deputy City Manager Bob Leiper wrote in a November 16 email to ATS. "City council supports the enhanced safety provided by the additional locations but we also expect an election ballot item related to red light cameras in May 2010."

http://www.thenewspaper.com/

[MindPilot]

1. The RLC advocates haven't won one yet.

Every single time this comes up for a vote, the voters say no.

[LiberalFighter]

2. Did the opposition do a good job in their effort to stop the Photo Tickets?

And are Houston opponents doing a good job in opposing it?