| Updated: 2/07 10:58 am |
Published: 2/06 5:38 pm
|
Unpaid traffic tickets added up to hundreds of thousands of dollars for the Bixby community.
Now the city is offering people a break with an amnesty program that started Monday.
Billy Glenn came to City Hall early to make sure he got off to a better start this year by paying off any unpaid fines he might have owed Bixby.
20 years ago, Billy Glenn was arrested on 5-counts of assault and 2-counts of destruction of private property.
"I was actually running from the police and actually got arrested right here in front of the police station."
Since then he's either been in and out of prison or running from the law. Now Glenn is just trying to get his life back together.
"I'm 44 years old. More than half my lifespan is gone,” he said. “Hopefully there is hope somewhere for me. And I'm just trying to get it right."
He's been paying back court fees in Okmulgee County since he got out of prison in January 2010. He says his faith keeps him focused on cleaning his life up.
"I guess it took the finger of God to get me where I am at today,” Glenn told FOX23. “Hopefully he'll get me where I need to be."
Thankfully he didn't owe anything. But Mike Blackford did. He's one of nearly 2,000 residents who together owe Bixby $641,000
With court fines and late fees, Blackford’s ticket rose to more than $480. The Amnesty program brought it back to its normal fee of $154.
"It's a big help. It really was,” he said. “Weight off the shoulders and gave me a reason to come in."
His wife was even happy, who looked disappointed when the court clerk told them the original fee.
“His wife is happy,” she said.
So was Glenn, who called this the break he needs and many other people who struggle to come out of bad situations.
"It sure helps my self-esteem, motivation and don't have to look over my shoulder and progress with life as the hand is dealt," he said.
Bixby residents will have until February 17 to take care of the fines. If not they'll be passed on to a bill collector, where a 35-percent fine of the entire ticket will be added.
If you need to see a judge about getting additional time to pay. There will be a special court date set on February 28th. The court clerk can help you sign up.
