Another year has come and gone in the messed up department. You viewers sent us 1000’s of emails and we told hundreds of your stories.
Hello 2010.
But before we tackle the next decade, a quick look back at some of the Messed Up stories that were. The idea was to give viewers a top ten list so they could vote for their favorite messed up story.
It was hard to pick just 10 stories from an entire year. I went through each month picking entries that seemed memorable, or interesting, or where we helped someone. I easily had over 30 possible candidates for a top ten list.
So how to narrow it down? Well, I went to the people who are with me day by day in the messed up trenches.
Vince and Kinsey in Art. Christian in the internet department. Trusty photog Al Devine.
Garth Brooks: This was the story about the mother who tried to buy her daughter tickets to a Vegas show. There was a major credit card snafu and she ended up with no tickets. Messed Up got involved, called The Wynn Hotel and now the family is heading to see their favorite performer early next year.
50-dollar ticket for warming up car: A Madison mom is taking her infant son to the doctor. It’s 17 degrees outside, so she warms up her car, unattended. She gets a ticket.
Rutherford Co. Landfill. Local officials complained of constant dirt, mud, muck coming off on the road and fences near the landfill. After Messed Up gets involved the landfill pledges to hose truck tires off and clean up the surrounding streets.
Guns in state legislature: One of the more volatile issues we covered. Legislators vote on two controversial gun bills that would allow guns in restaurants and parks. Messed Up questions whether guns should also be allowed on Capitol Hill.
Wheel Chair Ramp. A Murfreesboro strip mall is built before handicap accessible ramps are required. Wheel chair bound woman complains to Messed Up and we get the property owner to fix the problem.
Music Boxes. State workers at Charlotte and 6th complain that music is too loud. Public Works turns the music off. 800 votes later, the majority of viewers say turn the music back on.
Cat Man. Maury County man baits traps to catch stray animals. The man is breaking no laws; many of you still felt it was messed up.
Black Friday. Woman purchases 700 dollar Sears Washer/Dryer on Black Friday. After months of getting the corporate run-a-round, she calls Messed Up. In a few days we not only get the woman her product, but Sears agrees to upgrade her to a more deluxe model at no added cost.
Church hit and run. Someone drove their truck into the side of a small Maury County Church. There was a lot of evidence left at the scene, but deputies were stumped. Messed Up airs the story, and the case comes together. The suspect apologizes to the community in an interview with that is messed up.
Left for dead. A man is riding his bike in Lavergne. A vehicle hits him and knocks him a cold ditch. He is found barely alive. Messed Up tries to find the hit and run driver. So far we have been unsuccessful.
This story barely beat the guns in legislature story, by the slimmest of margins, 6 votes!
The update here:
Though she was issued the citation in February, Jenn George tells me that she didn’t pay the ticket for 8 months. She says Metro lost her ticket. Hmmmmm. That was the focus of another Messed Up story, where Metro Traffic officials say, clerks hid almost 4,000 tickets.
Once found, the tickets were mailed out to everyone, including George.
Now with a 2nd baby in the house, I asked Mrs. George if she still warms up her car unattended.
She surprised me by saying; “yes,” adding she keeps her eye on the driveway now, in case a cop drives by.
You may remember at the time, area Councilman, Mike Craddock equated the ticket to a ticket quota. He vowed to pass a new law that would clarify this one issue.
By email; Craddock tells me:
We introduced a BILL and deferred it indefinitely because there were a lot of logistical problems with it such as do we allow homeowners and not apartment dwellers? Or another one is just private property? Every store or shopping center is private property. We’ll have to sort through all of those questions before we can pass a good bill.
Michael Craddock Councilmember District 4 michael.craddock@nashville.gov home
226-0521 office 862-6780
Have a safe and UN-MESSED-UP 2010 EVERYONE!!
Today’s Messed Up Email of the Day comes from a couple who was upset when they were told they have 30 days to get their cabin properly wired. Please note that we do not edit emails for spelling or grammar but do redact private business and individual names replacing them with “XXXXXX”
We live in Hickman County in a rural part of the county on 8 acres in a cabin. We have been on temporary electricity for 13 years. We bought this place and a year later we became sick while still living in our apartment in Nashville Our apartment was contamined from freon and fertilizer mixed outside of our apartment. We immediately had to move into our cabin which was oringinally a hunting cabin unfinished and without insulation or interior walls. We gradually worked on it as we had the money. It has been paid for now. We run a small lawn service and have for 10 years. I am 62 and my husband is 57. Today a state inspecter came to our house without notice or a letter. He never came to the door or showed me any identification. He walked past me without stopping or saying anything. At first I thought he was a new meter reader so I put my dogs up. He started to inspect the pole and then turned to me and said I am a state electrical inspector without any paperwork or Id.Then he said you have 30 days to have your house fully wired,inspected and permanent electricity or we will cut your electricity off. I said wait a minuite, let me get my husband and he just kept going and walked past me. My husband came out and asked him what he was doing and what he was talking about. He never offered a letter or other information or identification. He was beligerent and laughed like he thought the situation was funny. My husband became angry told him to leave our property and the man pulled a screwdriver out in a threatening manner and got into his truck and left. My husband called the police to make a report. I then called XXXXXX and got the man’s name for the report and told them what had happened. He said we would receive a letter but that the man wasn’t supposed to come until we were notified. This is a poor county and they don’t even furnish water lines in the county. He said there are many people in this county with the same problem. They have been on temporary electricity for 8 to 10 years or more.
With so many people out of work right now and the economy I feel like they should give at least 6 months to fix this not 30 days. This is a very expensive project and not done quickly. We are reasonalble people and could figure out a way to afford this if given time. The other people in the county with children and can barely afford Christmas could get some help. We haved never missed a payment and they never told us we had a time limit over all these years. They always accepted our money for 14 years with no problem,knowing that it was temporary power. Anything you can do to help the people of this county will be appreciated.
If you’ve driven around Metro recently, you undoubtedly have seen skydiving stickers on light poles, and stop signs and even mailboxes.
After numerous complaints, the Metro Legal department went after the company responsible, forcing them to clean up every single sticker.
To ensure that the sky diving company does that, the city has its 6 Metro Public Works inspectors notating where every single sticker is.
Chris Runyon is one of those inspectors. Runyon’s job typically has him out driving around looking for problems anyway. Now you can add hundreds of sticker locations to be compiled to his job description.
Sometimes Runyon stops and takes a picture of the vandalism. Most times Runyon writes the location down, later typing up his list, and sending it to Metro Legal, which forwards the locations on to the skydiving company.
“They are responsible for cleaning up every sign we find. Each week we give them a list of signs and they go and clean them up. I came out today, it looks like they have been complying,” Runyon tells me.
Runyon admits the task does slow him down a little, but he says it is worth it because it is forcing the company to clean up the vandalism.
Court documents indicate the stickers must be removed by January 12th 2010.
Messed Up asked if the city will also be reimbursed for the added expense and time to locate the stickers. So far no word on that question.
Finally, multiple calls to the legal firm representing the sky diving company were not returned.
There are a lot of rules to obey when you go to the Radnor State Natural Area.
According to the park’s website:
Jogging/running on trails is prohibited. Jogging/running allowed on
paved/graveled surfaces only.
Hiking is restricted to designated trails only. No off-trail hiking at
any time.
Dogs/pets must be leashed and are prohibited on trails.
Bicycles are prohibited on trails.
All food, picnicking, and feeding wildlife is prohibited.
All alcoholic beverages are prohibited.
Fishing, boating with personal watercraft, swimming, and hunting are
prohibited.
Musical instruments, church services, and weddings are prohibited.
BUT…
Handguns are allowed, as long as the person has a carry permit.
That law was put to the test the afternoon of December 20th 2009.
According to State Park Rangers, that is when a 37 year old Brentwood man entered the park with a loaded AK 47 PISTOL.
Assistant Commissioner for TN state Parks, Mike Carlton tells Messed Up, the man was wearing the weapon “slung” over his shoulder. Carlton says the type of weapon and the way it was displayed was upsetting other park patrons.
“I got a call from rangers at Radnor, who said they had a unique situation. Someone was carrying a gun, that they said was handgun, but it looked like a rifle to our rangers. It looked like a rifle to me too.”
Investigators confront the man who reportedly tells the Rangers the weapon is registered as a handgun and he has a legal carry permit.
The rangers question that story, and detain the man while investigating. Eventually agents with the ATF come to the scene and confirm the man’s story; that the weapon is a handgun, an AK 47 PISTOL and the man is NOT violating any laws.
After several hours, the man is allowed to leave.
Despite the ATF determination, Mike Carlton says the gun looked like a rifle to law men on the scene, and under park laws, a rifle is not permissible.
“Under normal circumstances that is a rifle. We all have our definition when we see a handgun. A handgun is in a holster, and this was one was slung over his shoulder in a sling. That is not my definition of what a pistol is.”
While the Brentwood gun owner did not violate any law, Carlton says the incident paints carry permit holders in a bad light.
“The unfortunate side effect of this is there are good people who follow the law. There are good carry permit people not breaking the law. They are not upsetting people on their visit. And this one guy is drawing (negative) attention to people who are pretty good folks. His actions will force some scrutiny.”
According to officials at the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, the AK 47 pistol is considered a handgun because it does not have a stock and the barrel is less than 11 inches long.”
When shown a picture of the weapon, park visitors we spoke to were upset and alarmed.
Ron Turner, former councilman in this district, tells Messed Up this:
“That doesn’t look like a handgun to me. It concerns me. People come here for peace and tranquility and nature. That would have upset me greatly. I would hope as this story gets out voters would contact the general assembly and let them know they are concerned about this type of weapon. The bill should be revoked or this kind of weapon excluded.”
Messed Up left several messages for the gun owner, but those calls were not returned.
But Park Rangers direct us to a website where the gun owner reportedly describes Sunday’s incident:
“I reached the end of the trail and turned onto the roadway where I saw the first ranger of the day. He asked me if it was an airsoft and I said no it was an AK-47 type pistol. He looked at me strangely and asked to see my permit. I showed my Tennessee handgun carry permit. He asked where I parked and I told him. He said I could keep walking I kept walking as he called someone. By the time I reached my car the ranger was no where in sight as I walk quickly. However, another ranger vehicle pulled in the parking lot and a ranger jumped out with a shotgun pointed at me and yelled at me to stay still and put the weapon on the ground. After I put the weapon down he told me to move away which I did. He then told me to put my face on the ground and my arms on my head. I complied.”
It’s that time of the year again when we turn to you to tell us which were the five most Messed Up stories of 2009! As a refresher, you can click the pictures below to refresh yourself, then vote for your top five stories. The finalist will be determined by those stories that get the most votes.
Choose five of your favorite Messed Up stories of 2009!
The $50 ticket for warming up the car (36%, 161 Votes)
Why can’t we bring our guns to state legislature? (35%, 155 Votes)
State workers complain about volume of Christmas music (30%, 131 Votes)
Where’s my washer and dryer? (16%, 70 Votes)
Left for dead in Lavergne (11%, 48 Votes)
Who did $10,000 of damage to this church? (10%, 43 Votes)
Maury Co. man traps strays on his property (8%, 36 Votes)
Wheelchair Ramp (7%, 33 Votes)
Messed Up Landfill (5%, 22 Votes)
Garth Brooks ticket mistake made right (5%, 20 Votes)
Today’s Messed Up Email of the Day comes from parents of a couple who experienced a common problem: sewage flooding a home after public works attempts to clear a clogged sewer line.
My son lives in a house that he rents in Decherd TN. The city of Decherd flooded his house with sewage when they tried to clear a clogged line. We talked to the head of the water dept and he talked with his employees. They first said they were not there the day the accident happened. I spoke with the mayor of Decherd asking her to investigate. She did and called me back saying that they were there and they did work on the line but they did not cause the flooding of his house. She said that she couldn’t do anymore for us. My son and his girlfriend are now homeless and noone wants to take responsibility. Can you please help them get compensated for the damages to their property and moving expenses.
What started out as a pot hole, just a minor inconvenience, has become much more at one condo complex in Madison.
Over time, residents say, the hole has opened up, become deeper, and more dangerous.
One resident tells Messed Up the hole is a traffic issue and almost caused her to wreck.
That driver is B.J. Hannah, who says she has lived in the Coventry Woods Condos for nearly 16 years.
Because the hole takes up the middle of the driveway, cars have to alternate coming in and going out. Hanna says this almost caused her to have a head on collision.
Residents say they began noticing the problem after heavy rains in October.
Hannah says residents pay 100-a-month to their home-owners association for general upkeep, and after two months of dodging this traffic menace, something has to be done.
The Vice President of the management company that runs this complex says they are aware of the problem.
Brent McGarr tells me his office notified Metro Storm Water to see if the city was responsible for the problem.
Storm Water PIO Sonia Harvat tells me, inspectors visited the complex and determined the city is not responsible.
Brent McGarr VP of McGarr & Assoc says the home owners will have to absorb the cost of the repair, which could run anywhere from $8,000 to $20,000 dollars.
“The problem is the metal pipe running under the driveway. It is rusted out. There is nothing to pour concrete or rock onto. It goes down through to the creek. Ultimately the home owner’s association board will make the decision on how the money is spent. The board has committed to choose a contractor before the end of the year to do the work. Then when money is available we will start the project.”
‘Tis the season to be kind to one another and spread goodwill — For many citizens, that includes leaving a little money under the lid of their garbage can for their trash collector.
It’s sort of a tip for service people who take care of you all year long. It’s a way of saying thank you for picking up my trash through rain and snow and heat and all manner of conditions.
According to officials with the Metro Public Works Department, bandits have been stealing the charitable contribution and it is Messed Up.
Billy Lynch runs the department and has some harsh words for whoever is stealing.
“This is sad,” he said. “It is like breaking into a car and stealing Christmas presents.”
Lynch says the contributions are not required, but certainly appreciated by work crews.
“They [thieves] all know what day trash is picked up. They know Christmas is a week away,” he said. “You know your trash is picked up no matter the weather. It is a token of appreciation and it’s not just our workers, it is all the people who are in this style of work. I hate to see them penalized.”
Lynch says it has even happened to him.
“Two years ago, we put out something and someone took everyone’s money,” he recalled. “Now we just hand it to them.”
Libby Laycock lives on Redbud Drive in Green Hills. Monday is garbage day and pick up is around 12 Noon.
This week she said a man in a tan-colored van was seen driving through the community around 8:30 a.m., lifting garbage can lids and taking money left for the trash men.
“We are appalled,” she told Messed Up. “These are working people. It’s the one time of year, we try to help out and express appreciation. My neighbors reported it to me. They didn’t call the police. They didn’t get a license number. The driver of the van, they only saw one man, she says he was in 30’s and white. The money was on the cans. The lady over here went to the YMCA, the other person in their home went out and the cans had not been picked up yet, but the envelopes gone from the top of the trash cans. It is appalling.”
Public Works officials say if you want to tip your trash collector, walk your gift out to the crew or leave a note on the can asking them to come to your door.
If you tape it to the can’s lid, you are taking your chances.
Friday, Messed Up will focus on thieves who are beating garbage collectors to the trash cans and taking season gifts that customers are leaving for the workers.
I interviewed the director of Metro Public Works and a resident where this happened.
Not everything I shoot ends up in a Messed Up story, and normally I just leave it out but WKRN Art Director Vince Conti put so much effort into this 10 second segment, I felt it should be seen somewhere, somehow.
Tis also the season for Messed Up miscreants to steal from you!
With Christmas Around the corner, delivery trucks from UPS, FedEx and the United Postal Service are criss crossing through Middle Tennessee neighborhoods. By and Large, the shipping company’s primary job is to get the package from Point A to Point B. What happens after that is often your problem.
Brentwood Police tell Messed Up, that as of 12/16/09 they have received 15 reports of Christmas packages stolen off the front stoop. And that is just the number of people who have contacted the police.
Messed Up spoke with a woman who never even reported her incidents to authorities.
Katy Smith tells Messed Up that twice this holiday season, bandits have run up to her porch and stolen a total of 5 packages left by delivery men.
Smith tells me that she verified the theft with tracking numbers from the company which reportedly told her to call the merchant that shipped the product.
Smith tells me that 3 of the 5 merchants reshipped the item that very day.
What a crazy waste, I tell the Brentwood Accountant.
Smith tells me that merchants tell her they are getting more of these complaints this year.
“It is a new fad this year,” she tells me in the warm glow of her Christmas Tree. “Thieves stealing packages from the front door, and following the delivery trucks. That is what they are seeing more and more than ever before.”
Smith is so frustrated, she has taken the day off and placed an empty package on her front porch. She is standing near a window waiting for a bad guy to approach so she can catch him red-handed.
“I put a package out here, by the door, and taped it up. One that was delivered a few days ago. I retaped it and put it here, hopefully I can get a license plate from someone who comes back looking for Christmas Goodies.”
“So you are trolling for Christmas bad guys?”
“Yes.”
“Not on the recommendation of Messed Up or the police, I should add.”
“I know, I know.”
“That tells me you are that mad.”
“My husband is upset and I am upset. It’s been a rough year.”
Smith says no package thief has come back since we shoot this story.
She also tells me that she and her husband are leery of ordering on line.
I contact the BBB which gives me these tips.
1) Make sure you know your shipping date so you can determine if packages are missing.
2) Ask your delivery man to leave a package with a trusted neighbor
3) Ask the deliver person to reschedule drop off when you will be home.
Brentwood Police suggest;
4) Have the package delivered to your work at a time you know you will be there.
I called FedEx spokesman Jim McCluskey who gives me this advice:
“Unfortunately these things happen. That is the society we live in
And our commitment ends when we deliver the package. But we have couriers who are knowledgeable about the residential community where they deliver in and our couriers have good relationships with customers, and repeat deliveries.”
McCluskey suggests:
1) Our couriers will place packages in a secured location or where-ever the customer may request it be placed.
2) If you have a question. Let us know and we’ll guide you. Call us at 1 800 GOFEDEX or go on line to FEDEX.COM for Christmas tips.
3) FedEx has a signature release option where the customer wants package signed for, then the courier won’t drop off till someone at residence signs for it.
4) If we attempt to make a delivery, if not given authorization, we leave a door tag, or we’ll make another attempt or contact them. We will work with customer to accommodate them.
5) We will hold it till it is ready to pick it up. We can hold it at any world service center or local retail operation, but arrange this before it is shipped.
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