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Why did the Eagles cross the road? Because they were hungry!!

By
Industry Observer

My son plays JV football Saturday mornings for the North Olmsted Eagles, but the JV team suits up and goes to the varsity games Friday night...to support the team, as well as being available to play if needed. Every Friday after school, several of the guys walk to the neighborhood McDonald's for dinner and walk back to the high school. The problem is, the straightest shot to Micky D's is across a 5-lane street (2 lanes each way, plus the turn lane). And of course the boys (and everyone else, for that matter) cross where it's most convenient, and not at the crosswalks 90 yards to the east or west.

 

 

 

 

Well, 3 weeks ago my son and 2 of his teammates had just crossed back over when they were approached by a police car. Oh yeah, did I mention that the police station is on one of those corners 90 yards away??

Anyway, they were all given tickets - for jaywalking. They were mortified - especially my son. "But Mom, I'm a good kid! I don't GET into trouble!!" And he doesn't...none of them do. My goodness, when he was little, that boy would pick up litter from the parking lot as we went into a store. Instead of asking for candy and gum at the checkout line, he'd be putting it all back in order. He's in honors classes...gets As and Bs. He doesn't know how to lie. He gives unsolicited hugs and listens to my rantings and ravings and stories...and remembers my clients' names and what houses they're buying or selling. Everyone loves him! But...he still broke the law.

So there we were last Friday, at Juvenile Court. Yes, he had to go downtown to court, and go before a judge to "plead guilty" to jaywalking and face a possible $400 fine. The judge did a very fine job of scaring the heck out of him, but let him off easy. "Since it's your first offense, we're collecting turkeys for Thanksgiving and I want you to bring 2 frozen turkeys back to the courthouse on November 23rd."

Whew. We can do that. It helps those less fortunate, and still teaches a lesson. Even if the law is a "silly one", it's there to protect everyone. There have been folks hurt and killed while jaywalking, and the driver is the one who must live with that guilt the rest of their lives. And I'll be ever thankful that those kids didn't become a statistic.

Oh yeah, while we were waiting our turn to go before the judge, one of the other Moms said, "I've never been here before, and I don't want to EVER come back! " AMEN to that!!

 

Posted by

 

Sue

 

Does Your Real Estate Agent "Sell With Soul"?

The Golden Rule...it's that simple!

 

Comments (4)

Susan Laxson CRS
Palm Properties - La Quinta, CA
Realtor in San Diego, CA & Naples, FL

A lesson learned and a punishment fitting the crime... thanks for the post and reminder that our children sometimes learn things from those experiences that we least want them to have!

Oct 21, 2009 04:06 AM
Maureen McCabe
HER Realtors - Columbus, OH
Columbus Ohio Real Estate

Jay walking is such an easy habit to get into but crossing 5 lanes could be dangerous, even for young athletes.

I'm glad the judge gave a punishment that helps others.

Oct 21, 2009 06:58 AM
Sue Gabriel
Cleveland, OH

Laxson ~ I agree! At first I was angry about the ticket, but sometimes it's the only way we learn...the hard way!

Maureen ~ I have to admit to doing it quite a bit in the summer...on the way to getting ice cream. Not a good example to set, apparently. And you got your hair cut!!! Nice!!

Oct 21, 2009 08:26 AM
Tim Bradford
Cleveland, OH
NMLS 250013

Sue,   Smiling here,   You better watch out when you walk across the street to put an arrow for an open house.  Please make sure you use the crosswalk. 

A few years ago I was ticketed by a North Olmsted officer for Littering.    I was ready to fight the ticket when I found out only one officer in North Olmsted had written Littering Tickets in the last 3 years.   But did not because THE LAW IS THE LAW.  He must have a thing for people that Litter.   Guess he just wants the city kept clean. 

Out of couresty the closest crosswalks are at Dover and then Porter (about a 1/4 west)?    Maybe you could have claimed entrapment by the city by placing the Library right accross from Micky D's.  You know a good kid from the Library getting a bite to eat.  

Oct 21, 2009 01:01 PM