Looking for a dryer or a car? Place your bid
It may not have been the getaway vehicle involved in a major crime, but a village dryer may still have some appeal to the average penny pincher looking to score a deal.
Recently, officials in Glen Ellyn put up a handful of items for auction. Traditionally, the village uses this procedure to sell off surplus vehicles that were seized during arrests.
Offenses that allow for possible seizure range from homicide to burglaries to those caught driving under the influence, Deputy Police Chief Bill Holmer said in a recent memo to the Village Board.
However, auction proceedings can also be used to sell off items the village no longer needs – such as an aging dryer.
Interim Village Manager Terry Burghard said the gas powered, Whirlpool dryer likely came from the public works department. Employees have access to washers and dryers to clean certain uniforms, such as suits worn while examining a sewer.
“So this is probably where that came from and I think has outlived its usefulness,” he said.
Police to Charge More for Impounding Cars
These days, everyone in government is looking for a way to bring in more revenues. Recently, Montgomery Police Chief Daniel Meyers proposed two of them, and the Village Board agreed to both.
First, if you are pulled over in Montgomery and arrested, either for a criminal offense or an outstanding warrant, it’s going to cost you more to get your car back. Currently, the police department charges $300 to release impounded vehicles, and that money goes to cover processing, court fees and other expenses.
That fee will now rise to $500, which Meyers said will put the village in line with other neighboring communities. The fee is paid to the towing company, Meyers said, but turned over to the village on a monthly basis.
Trustee Pete Heinz questioned the need for an increase.
“The way it is now, a lot of people will not be able to afford $500,” Heinz said at last Monday’s Village Board meeting.
Meyers responded that those committing criminal acts, such as driving under the influence, or those wanted on warrants, “shouldn’t be driving in town.”
