Government

California Town Stops Accepting Cash!

California Town Stops Accepting Cash!

A quick scan of the paper money in your wallet reveals a simple phrase printed on each bill no matter what the denomination:

“This note is legal tender for all debts, public and private.”

It is a fairly simple concept, unless you live in the California town of Discovery Bay where cash is no longer accepted when paying for services provided by the city.  Starting this Spring, residents will not be allowed to pay water bills or purchase park permits using cash, they must have a credit/debit card, a check or money order.  Why?  Discovery Bay had a small problem with four or five residents who were requesting copies of PUBLIC INFORMATION and doing so anonymously (allowed by California law).  Instead of dealing with this inconvenience, they changed the rules and have added more irritation and annoyance to all 17,000 residents of the city.

Resident Don Flint, who is often critical of the board, noted that the district began receiving anonymous records requests last fall — it has so far received four — and charged that the board was attempting to limit access to public information.

“I‘m troubled that the board takes steps to limit people’s access to records,” he said. “I think that you guys are overstepping if not the letter then the spirit of the law.”

This story is ridiculous and a prime example of the unintended consequences caused by knee-jerk reactions by governments gone awry.

One might say this is kind of like completely overhauling an entire healthcare system that generally does a good job serving 275 million people in order to provide medical care and support to 40 million who are without it.  Instead of solving the problem of the minority, we are inconveniencing everyone (except those chosen to be exempted).

This is not about service or care, it’s about control.

Comments (123)

1 2 3
  • BJC
    Posted on January 27, 2011 at 1:25am

    I wonder if this has anything to do with the IRS story I read the other day where they are going to be issueing refunds on debt cards? Is this area heavy hispanic or black? The people on welfare and government assistance get a debt card. Could it be that they’re making it easier for them? Just wondering. I don’t know anything about this area.

    Report Post »  
  • KbJockey
    Posted on January 27, 2011 at 1:20am

    I would love to take a walk with Walkwithme. A long walk on a short pier. I would be safely 5 paces behind. Sheesh what an excellent progressive moniker. Like let me be your daddy and I will teach you, and impart my great intellect unto you. What a freaking narcissist.

    Report Post » KbJockey  
  • Access Denied
    Posted on January 27, 2011 at 1:18am

    walkwithme1966 Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:14am
    To the writers on the Blaze – do you report the news or write opinion pieces? You sort of crossed the line on this one – poor journalism! http://maboulette.wordpress.com

    ????? your link has nothing to do with this article. The website is about gun control.

    Report Post »  
  • thegr8restoration
    Posted on January 27, 2011 at 1:05am

    Wow they want to know who is checking on the gov. How totalitarian of them. I wonder what the left would think if the gov required all people protesting were not alowed to cover thier face during demonstrations.

    Report Post »  
  • BarbWire
    Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:43am

    What happens when the dollar loses value?

    Report Post »  
  • AnnMargaret
    Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:42am

    I bet most of that CASH never made it to the town coffers. It is in someone’s pocket. So now they are trying to CYA by only accepting checks and credit cards.

    Report Post »  
  • kryptonite
    Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:38am

    Congrats, Discovery Bay. You are ahead of your time. Doing away with cash is supposed to happen during the Tribulation. Or maybe we’re getting really close.

    Report Post »  
  • Diane TX
    Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:35am

    @ Portague,

    Right! Public records are supposed to be public! There shouldn’t be possible retribution merely for asking: What have you guys done with the taxes we have paid? Why don’t they publish a monthly history? After the Belle(?) controversy, where they were paying theirselves outrageous salaries, the Public has a right to know what is going on.

    Report Post »  
    • Taquoshi
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 4:25pm

      Public records are public. Usually most of the documents are on file at either the City Clerk‘s Office or the Town Clerk’s Office. However, people who invoke FOI usually want it for either an investigation or other legal reasons. Sometimes, it is simple harassment.

      Either way, FOI requests take staff time to prepare. We had one person who wanted the city staff to compile a list of all the high school graduation requirements for every town in our state. Another time this person wanted the Health Department to come in for a question and answer session on how a particular batch of food became contaminated and who the students were that were involved. She was going to FOI both those requests until informed by the city attorney that neither of them would fall under the jurisdiction of the law.

      During the last five years, I have become more and more convinced that the people who invoke the FOI regulations are not doing it because they want particular information, but because they have another agenda. I’ve seen it time and time again. I’m all for transparency, but taken to the extremes, it become harassment.

      Report Post » Taquoshi  
  • BarbWire
    Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:35am

    And then, you must consider those of us, who are a part of the 41 million, who are sort of poor and who do not want to have the normal kind of “health” care. I wish they wouldn’t count me, as if I wanted welfare health care. Some of us are a part of that 41 million because we want to be.

    Report Post »  
  • Marine Recon Dad
    Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:30am

    This is why I PRAY that my State, California, FALLS OFF THE REPUBLIC…

    Report Post »  
  • Charles Hopewell
    Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:29am

    Remember Bell City? This is their answer to that…

    Report Post » Charles Hopewell  
  • TJexcite
    Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:29am

    It could be a good idea. No one carries around large amount of cash to pay the government unless they are making a statement with 1000s one dollars bills or something.

    With everything electronic they do not need to a bank run with cash and maintain money on had for transactions. It is hard for someones had to reach into the till when there is no cash in it to take.

    May be a little to bit of a conspiracy to think that they made this rule just to get around the anonymity rules so that they can do all check on who is checking them out.

    Report Post » TJexcite  
    • Fina Biscotti
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:04am

      Also nice way to get everyone’s personal information…..for zippyity-do-da……..since there is trouble w their process for obamacare.

      Report Post »  
  • Charles Hopewell
    Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:27am

    “One might say this is kind of like completely overhauling an entire healthcare system that generally does a good job serving 275 million people in order to provide medical care and support to 40 million who are without it. Instead of solving the problem of the minority, we are inconveniencing everyone (except those chosen to be exempted).

    This is not about service or care, it’s about control.”

    /////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

    Its good enough for Hussein obama’s master, the Saudi king. He’s been here for months recovering from surgery. Our health-care system is good enough for kings, but the progressives of BOTH parties want to change that?

    Report Post » Charles Hopewell  
  • Bob Holland
    Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:27am

    I guess the left is correct. State Governments especially in California should rule the people without oversight. This is a little embarrassing to me who has to admit I’ve been wrong all these years about my views on Government. Here I am, sitting here at the computer and I thought to myself. I thought the people are the government and we rule ourselves, but elect men to run the government affairs in our stead. Since it’s a bit to much to do everything we must do to provide for our necessities, and run the affairs of the community, state, or country. Wait until I see my Social Studies teacher and tell her she was wrong. We the people are not the government we are serfs to a government that rules us.

    Report Post »  
    • Charles Hopewell
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:40am

      Wait until I see my Social Studies teacher and tell her she was wrong. We the people are not the government we are serfs to a government that rules us.

      //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

      She’s is kind of in on it. She’s just one of the thugs, in the Union Thugocracy that we live in today. ALL unions are a cancer to this republic. Anathema.

      Wicked combination’s…

      Report Post » Charles Hopewell  
  • portague
    Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:22am

    anyone use the link yet these people just want to be able to know who is investigating them and shut them up atleast thats what it sounds like

    Board member Brian Dawson called the anonymous requests “cowardly” and indicative of “bad intentions.”

    But former director David Piepho, who retired from the board in December, a month after the no-cash policy was introduced, says the change was designed to put an end to anonymous requests, which he believes are inappropriate
    how is being anonymous inappropriate gee maybe because you feel threaten by what they may find out hmm trouncing on freedom much nice way around the anonymous law.

    The town, which receives about seven records requests each month, recently began publishing the names of those requesting public records in the agendas for its biweekly meetings.

    hmm is this not inapporpiate why do this nothing more than away to silence the people. No wants to get trounced some loon nice job putting people in danger.

    Report Post »  
    • portague
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:38am

      These guys want to silence the people they dont want them looking into the records because they get caught.
      https://sites.google.com/site/dbcsdstipends/
      Against a backdrop of comments that the Contra Costa District Attorney’s office is investigating Dave Piepho for alleged criminal activity resulting in $6,500 in illegal stipend claims, Piepho has decided to not seek re-election to the DB-CSD. Piepho meanwhile is reportedly telling people that he has received assurance from the DA that no investigation is taking place.

      Thats one line from the link gee I wonder why they want to know whos looking

      Report Post »  
  • TeaParty_InTheSky
    Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:21am

    next big earthquake that happens needs to knock california into the ocean and drift into the bearing sea next to russia. 2 birds 1 stone, no more kooky commie california to worry about and california gets to be next to and part of a solcialist utopia Russia

    Report Post » TeaParty_InTheSky  
    • The Patriot
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 6:22am

      actually the coast will most likely become a mountain range with La at the top (whats left of it )

      Report Post »  
  • Smokey_Bojangles
    Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:21am

    In Commiefornia I am surprised that they take money just because of “In God We Trust” is on it.

    Report Post » Smokey_Bojangles  
  • scout n ambush
    Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:16am

    I figured they converted to a more citizen recognized form of currency “Pesos” .

    Report Post » scout n ambush  
  • zman173rd
    Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:13am

    “Why? Discovery Bay had a small problem with four or five residents who were requesting copies of PUBLIC INFORMATION and doing so anonymously (allowed by California law). Instead of dealing with this inconvenience…” WHAT INCONVENIENCE?!? They just couldn‘t come back to the person and run TAX audits etc because they didn’t know who wanted the info.. I’ve been flying hte Gladeston flag for three years and have been audited every year. And this is in Montana. Home of Baucus the tea toteler. They hate it when you ask them questions. Especially when you premis with “I’m a taxpayer and in a small way pay your salary.” Some day folks, Some day this will all be a bad dream.

    Report Post » zman173rd  
    • ChiefGeorge
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:58am

      Some day is right but it won’t be pretty until that someday comes again. Face it! We’ve traded freedom for comforts of civilization and with it comes the taxes and bureacrats always with their hands out or in your pocket taking more to meet the needs of others. We are still along way from becoming sick enough to really do something about it. Besides, the young people today think eveything is normal because this is the only America they’ve ever known. All it takes is 20 short years and we’re living in the twilight zone.

      Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
  • Islesfordian
    Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:11am

    This is simply illegal. If challenged it would never stand up in court. What kind of idiots think they can get away with this? Or do they think the citizens are complete fools? That may be more likely.

    Report Post » Islesfordian  
    • Puddle Duck
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 1:56am

      It is Cali afterall….you can get away with anything as long as no one challenges the elitists….you would think that in the aftermath of Bell Cali that the council would be a little more co operative…seems like the lesson of Bell hasn‘t been learned or the folks in this part of Cali simply don’t give a damn.

      Report Post » Puddle Duck  
  • Diane TX
    Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:10am

    Let me get this straight. The municipality, that serves at the pleasure of the People, wants know “who’s asking” before they disclose what they have done?

    Report Post »  
    • ooooonooooo
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:31am

      exactly, they are paranoid control freeks and most likely corrupt with things to hide. they are probably like the cali town that was paying the police chief $500,000 and the manager $700,000 plus bennies. this will be looked into further i am sure.

      Report Post »  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:37am

      Let me get this straight. The municipality, that serves at the pleasure of the People, wants know “who’s asking” before they disclose what they have done?

      ————-

      Nope. They want to make it next to impossible for anyone to ask them for records. They don’t wanna show no more no more no more

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
    • 1911a1
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 6:37am

      here is a phrase that pays , * Tar and Feather and run them out of town on a donkey* pay cash for the tar n feathers and the donkey , it would be well worth it LMAO !

      Report Post » 1911a1  
  • Looner
    Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:02am

    Gotta be Beck and Palins fault.

    Report Post »  
    • dwolfie
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:15am

      No, it was Bush’s fault. just ask Olberman….Oh wait, you can’t because he no longer has a job!!!

      Report Post »  
  • Buck Bagaw
    Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:00am

    What part of ALL debts do they not understand?? This would not stand up in court if challenged. Oh wait, this is California.

    Report Post »  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 1:44am

      Oh wait, this is California.
      –

      We’ll soon use pot as currency here in CA ….just you all wait

      Report Post » cheezwhiz  
  • taxed
    Posted on January 26, 2011 at 11:59pm

    WOW!

    Are they going to use a local currency? The train has left the station……

    http://conservativepoliticalforum.com

    Report Post »  
  • Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
    Posted on January 26, 2011 at 11:56pm

    Cool, next hopefully they leave the union. Fall off into the ocean already. Holder will be looking into this ASAP. (Right)

    Report Post » Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra  
    • TruthTalker
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:01am

      watch the idiots decline…

      Report Post »  
    • taxed
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:04am

      I remember when Cali was passing out IOUs. They passed them out and said “You can redeem them after we have cash”. After they had cash, people brought their IOUs to change them in for cash. The state then said “We don’t take IOUs”.

      Gotta love libs.

      http://conservativepoliticalforum.com

      Report Post »  
    • Mister President
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:10am

      A region of the country has created its own currency: http://www.berkshares.org/

      That’s what I thought this story was originally about. I was stupid to think that California was finally moving away from tyranny.

      Report Post » Mister President  
    • walkwithme1966
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:14am

      To the writers on the Blaze – do you report the news or write opinion pieces? You sort of crossed the line on this one – poor journalism! http://maboulette.wordpress.com

      Report Post » walkwithme1966  
    • Categorical_Imperative
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:17am

      Time to break out the pennies for the water bill!

      Report Post » Categorical_Imperative  
    • TruthTalker
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:23am

      Idoits, pay mastercrd or visa a huge percentage,.

      Report Post »  
    • Cobra Blue
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:45am

      They have to start somewhere so the Progressives in Washington can implement the new National ID Card.

      Report Post »  
    • home_of_the_brave
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:55am

      OMG….. It’s actually happening….

      Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:56am

      Correct C_I … I would not pay them in cash … I would pay them in “change” .. take it or leave it. I really don’t think they can refuse.

      Report Post »  
    • cheezwhiz
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 12:57am

      I would expect nothing less from CA.
      Afterall the only way CA solves its problem of overcrowded jails is by releasing the criminals ,
      INSTEAD OF BUILDING MORE JAILS.
      The only way CA solves the problem of overloaded court dockets is by refusing to enforce the laws and NOT filing charges,
      INSTEAD OF INCREASING THE NUMBER OF COURTS AND JUDGES.
      The only way CA solves the problem of illegals bankrupting the state , is by giving them welfare, INSTEAD OF DEPORTING THEM .
      The only way voter – fraud is tackled by CA is NOT by giving voter ID but by
      MAKING SURE NO ONE HAS TO SHOW ID to vote.
      See a trend ?

      cheezwhiz  
    • thegr8restoration
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 1:16am

      Walkwithme1966, Where is the opinion? Did you click the link! Do you deny this has happened! Pull your head out of the sand.

      Report Post »  
    • Secret Squirrel
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 1:18am

      ……….
      If the information is public, why would they care who gets it?
      Sounds like they are trying to determine WHO is investigating them.
      I’ll bet they know WHY someone is investigating.
      Bell, Ca., part deux?

      Report Post » Secret Squirrel  
    • Enuff Zenuff
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 1:20am

      This is the ‘Hope & Change’ we can believe in!

      Report Post » Enuff Zenuff  
    • Bob_R_OathKeeper
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 1:24am

      Walkwithme, take the blinders off already, man you are stupid.

      Report Post » Bob_R_OathKeeper  
    • KICKILLEGALSOUT
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 3:44am

      Someone contact the ACLU!

      Report Post » KICKILLEGALSOUT  
    • bread and circuses
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 4:59am

      walkwithme1966 is a hufPOS troll, just ignore IT

      Report Post »  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 6:01am

      Big Brother must know everythig, soon you will have to take a chip in the hand to
      buy and sell.

      Report Post » tower7femacamp  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 6:08am

      every hair on your head must be accounted for
      Your phone is a covert spy device, secretly listening to and recording everything you say — or at least, it could be, according to new research that has uncovered a smartphone hack affecting both Androids and iPhones.

      The auto-answer feature installed on most smartphones can be hacked to transform the phone into a listening machine, based on research by Ralf-Philipp Weinmann that shows a way hackers can break into the phone’s baseband processor–which sends and receives radio signals on the cellular network–by exploiting bugs in the firmware of its radio chips.
      http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/19/smartphone-hack-baseband_n_810415.html

      tower7femacamp  
    • tower7femacamp
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 6:11am

      Here’s a quote from a Federal Reserve publication entitled “Putting it Simply”: When you or I write a check, there must be sufficient funds in our account to cover the check, but when the Federal Reserve writes a check there is no bank deposit on which that check is drawn. When the Federal Reserve writes a check, it is creating money.

      Wow. That is an extraordinary power. Whereas you or I need to work to obtain money, and place it at risk to have it grow, the Federal Reserve simply prints up as much as it wishes, whenever it wants, and then loans it to us via the US government, with interest.

      All dollars are backed by debt. There are two kinds of money out there. At the local bank level, all new money is loaned into existence. At the Federal Reserve level, money is simply manufactured out of thin air and then exchanged for interest-paying government debt. And perpetual expansion is a requirement of modern banking.

      The first is that all dollars are backed by debt. At the local bank level, all new money is loaned into existence. At the Federal Reserve level, money is simply manufactured out of thin air and then exchanged for interest-paying government debt. In both cases, the money is backed by debt. Debt that pays interest. From this Key Concept, we can formulate a truly profound statement, which is that at a minimum, each year enough new money must be loaned into existence to cover the interest payments on all of the past outstanding debt.
      http://www.chrismartenson.com/crashcourse/chapter-8-fed-money-creation

      tower7femacamp  
    • joatmon
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 6:55am

      funny CATB……. although if it were me, i think stamps would be a more effective form of sarcastic tender….. one that legally must be accepted just like cash. it seems high time that the people actually start challenging these fools of politicians that we evidently have.

      Report Post »  
    • IntheKnowOG
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 8:09am

      bread and circuses
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 4:59am
      walkwithme1966 is a hufPOS troll, just ignore IT

      Spot on chap!

      Report Post » IntheKnowOG  
    • chazman
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 8:50am

      The corruption there is so obvious …

      Report Post »  
    • mikem1969
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 8:59am

      Ok, so what happens when a person does not have a credit card, nor a checking acount and are not willing to pay extra for a money order? Hmm me thinks some bills are about to go unpaid.

      Report Post »  
    • Taquoshi
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:23am

      The Freedom of Information Act (FOI) has been used as a baseball bat in our area against city officials. There are two local malcontents who are constantly calling our State Office regarding this and it got old really fast. In our state, agendas and meeting announcements have to be published 24 hours in advance in a local newspaper. One particular hearing was submitted to the paper on time and for whatever reason, it was buried deep in the legal notices by the paper, where it actually is supposed to be. One of our malcontents called the State about it. According to this person, it should have been published on the front page. Since it wasn’t, according to this person, the City was “hiding” the notice.

      Other spurious charges involved the City website going down during a particularly severe storm and the loss of several of recently posted agendas and minutes on the site. Parts of our city didn’t have power for four days and these people were in a knot over minutes of an earlier meeting that had properly submitted, filed and posted online before the storm? Hard copies of the documents existed at the City Clerk’s Office. No one was “denying” anyone access to anything, but there were much more important issues, like downed power lines, clearing roads of downed trees, checking on the elderly and handicapped residents, making sure that people without electricity had food and in some cases where wells with electric pumps were involved, water. Get a grip here, people.

      I also know that our Planning and Zoning Department will no longer take anonymous complaints about zoning violations. They has someone who was harassing a neighbor by continually submitting anonymous violation complaints. Once the rule that the complaint had to be submitted in writing and signed by the person the problem went away.

      So, yeah, the moment I read that their town had received a number of anonymous FOI requests, I knew immediately that someone in the town is either harassing someone else or using the FOI for entrapment. It’s sad and I feel for the people in the town, but I also fully understand why the town is doing it.

      Report Post » Taquoshi  
    • TexasCommonSense
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 9:55am

      Categorical_Imperative, maybe they’ll accept hope along with your change.

      Report Post » TexasCommonSense  
    • Dandylyon
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 10:07am

      When was the last time anyone heard anything about or from Holder of late.

      Doesen’t matter,when the man talk’s there is nothing to hear.

      Report Post »  
    • Voronin
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 10:10am

      Shaka, when the walls fell….

      Report Post » Voronin  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 10:20am

      @darmok and Jalad

      Would not mind if CA disappears from the mainland and becomes a self contained island state; I have a few relations over there who have not yet managed to escape the place. So after all the good people are able to get out, then let the ‘big ground shaker’ commence.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • independentvoteril
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 3:32pm

      Well I think it’s time the RESIDENTS of this town stand up.. this effects ALL the residents and does not break the Spirit of the law it BREAKS the law by taking away the ability to stay unanimous.. a nice LAW suit seem to be in order.. Holders going to take care of it right after he finishes with AZ..

      Report Post » independentvoteril  
    • GRuss
      Posted on January 27, 2011 at 11:47pm

      I bet you have to show an ID to used a Credit/Debit card, check or money order, but still it’s too much to ask a voter for ID..

      Report Post » GRuss  
    • Rubesd1
      Posted on January 28, 2011 at 9:49pm

      Shaka, when the walls fell!! One of my favorite episodes…. Soon America’s walls will fall in failure because of our bumbling politicians in the white house and those in both parties… Let’s remind ourselves of our simple but astoundingly effective document, the constitution and its ammendments. God bless us all.

      Report Post »  
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