Several groups, including many landlords, utility companies, etc., have the legal right to rip off the students that support the community. Tops on the list is the tow truck companies. They are as Mr. Smith describes them. They feed on vehicles that are parked out of place for a moment rather than towing vehicles that are truly causing a menace or a parking problem.

The sad part about this is the disregard the city government has for our campus and students. If the city council honestly cared about students, they would not allow tow trucks to operate as they do. They wouldn’t allow them to exploit and rob students as the are presently able to do.

Enrollment is on a decrease at this university. There are several reasons for this trend. It is true that statewide enrollment is down. However, the word is out about being ripped off in Carbondale. I taught high school a year ago near Bloomington, Ill. Several students who had never been to Carbondale had heard stories of landlords and tow trucks having the legal right to extort money from students. If the city council really wants to do something to improve the image of this campus, they should pay less attention to keg parties and the minority of students who cause problems, and start placing regulations on tow trucks’ right to go out looking for a car to tow without being called to remove it.

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I would like to remind the city government that Carbondale would be a hamlet one would miss by blinking when driving through it, if it were not for the University. Do something for the students. Show you care and stop allowing tow companies to strong arm students. You may see a lot more respect for the city government, the police, and the community in general.

Gratuate student, higher education