Nancy Bommelman, Minot

The city manager said the city of Minot is in debt. Here’s a good way to get out of that debt make the people who are getting arrested pay their fines.

Don’t give them a time period over a year to pay a $300 fine. Make them pay it all at once, put that money toward what is needed for the city. When a person gets a fine, and doesn’t pay it, they get more fines added to it. Why? If what is owed to the city of Minot for back taxes and fines were paid, we would be ahead of the ballgame and could maybe hire more officers or make the roads better instead of potholes every other street. It’s ridiculous. When we as citizens pay taxes on our house, you don’t let us make payments, do you? I know I never have. Why do the people who have traffic fines get special treatment?

Go down to the traffic court and see how bad it is. I was down there one day just listening to the lame excuses there were for DUIs and DUSs. They looked like they just rolled out of bed, the judge gave them a fine and asked when they could pay it. “”Pay it now,” that’s what I would have said, but he let them make payments. I understand he’s only doing what he can and is working with these people, but come on, if you do the crime then pay the fine. It’s as simple as that.

These DUI drivers who lose their license and insurance and still drive really bake my cupcakes, too. I was hit by a driver who had no insurance and no license. He went to jail, bailed out and still drove. I had to come up with $500 of my own money and my insurance company had to pay it. What’s wrong with this picture? I don’t know the outcome of his fines, but I bet he got a slap on the wrist, another fine and is still driving.