Hammer Time: What Recession?

by Steven Lang

Updated: May 16th, 2014 Published: February 14th, 2013

I live in a nice quaint small town called Powder Springs, Georgia.

The sidewalks are paved downtown and even partially bricked for artistic value. Thanks to a generous donation by the taxpayers. The streetlamps are ornate and well lit thanks to the same contributors.

The old closed down ACE hardware store is now the new police station. The old city hall has been replaced by the new city hall. Even the vehicles that get too old to keep get replaced with shiny new ones thanks to American taxpayers far and wide.

How many miles do you think would it take to replace a car owned by the local city government?

How about less than 50,000 miles?

This 2005 Chevy Impala has all of 49,974 miles on it. Like any other vehicle that has the agony of driving in what many view as the smoothest roads in the country, this Impala is ready to be put out to pasture.

For some reason, this Impala wasn’t much loved in the city vehicle pool. 7000 miles a year for a non-police unit likely means that this ride didn’t have to go past too many closed down businesses to get to the Waffle House a mile down the street.

What? You want me to get interior pics? Fat chance on that. This is all you are going to see of a car that was made possible by you alone, Mr. John Q Public!

Yawn! You want me to write a description of this car too? Okay, fine then! I’m taking an early lunch after that!

YearMake/BrandModelVIN/SerialMiles2005ChevroletImpala2G1WF52K05938539249,974ConditionCategorySee Description Automobiles 2005 by I Want This" href="http://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=Main.Item&itemid=65&acctid=2197#">Chevrolet Impala Base SEDAN 4-DR, 3.8L V6 OHV 12V. by I Want This" href="http://www.govdeals.com/index.cfm?fa=Main.Item&itemid=65&acctid=2197#">2007 Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor SEDAN 4-DR, 4.6L V8 SOHC 16V.2001 Ford Crown Vic info

I did mention it was a SEDAN. So as far as I’m concerned, my job is done here.

Here are a few other prized jewels for the offering. I do have to confess that this is not anywhere near the worst presentation of government vehicles that I have ever seen. In fact, I do have to offer kudos for the lady who came back and answered questions about this vehicle.

But this does bring on an important consideration. If a state government is issued approximately 10,000 vehicles every year, wouldn’t it make sense to either…

A) Enact some minimal standards on how these vehicles are marketed so that the taxpayers get a fair return? I mean for cryin’ out loud, the 2007 Crown Vic Police Interceptor has only one picture. With all the time cops have to spend in those things, wouldn’t it make sense to at least open a door, sit in a seat, and click a button?

B) Let someone else do it. No, I wouldn’t encourage some gypsy auction company to come by and quick hammer the vehicles to a few of the connected locals (and Lord knows we have plenty of those.) The Govdeals.com site is fine. It’s the presentation that needs work.

I don’t know about you guys but this one is on my short list. You can find the rest of the vehicles here. Please bid. I want my taxes to go down for once.

#Auctions #Cars #CrownVic #CrownVictoria #HammerTime #Impala #Panther #Recession

Steven Lang

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2 of 39 comments

Vaujot on Feb 17, 2013

Lots of complaining about wasteful government actions in this thread (and article). How about involving yourselves in local and state politics to change this.

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Jeffzekas on Feb 24, 2013

I was a state employee for 30 years, and our vehicles were, literally, run into the ground. In fact, many of our cop cars were dangerously unreliable, as the shop mechanics had to keep patching them together, to keep them running!

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