LINES, PEOPLE CONGESTION FOR PLATES A THING OF THE PAST

By Juan Montoya

Remember the beginning of the month when drivers' vehicle registrations (and plates) had expired and they had to renew them?

If they chose not to go through the crowds at HEB or to the privately-owned companies authorized to issue them (with a $5 markup), they had to brave the long lines of other vehicle owners in the corridor of the old Cameron County Tax Assessor-Collector's office on the old county building on Harrison St. (See graphic at right.)   

The line would stretch from the doors of the dealers and individual license-plate counters all the way past the elevators and bathrooms, the administrative offices, and then double around back to the corridor.                                                                                            Sometimes, the people would have to stand outside the door while others held their place. 

Well, with the new tax assessor-collector office located on the bottom floor of the new county building on Levee Street (the old Wells Fargo Bank), those lines are a thing of the past.

We accompanied a friend on Monday whose plates had expired on Friday and expected the same crush.

Not to be.

Instead, as we entered the building, my friend was given a number, had a seat, and less than five minutes later, the number was called on the public address system and he was directed to a window. On the wall, two large screens displayed the number and the appropriate window where to go.

Armed with his license, insurance, and proof of vehicle inspection, my friend plunked down his $85.50 fee and we were off. It took all of 8 minutes for the process.

"Man, I was expecting to stand in a long line and wait for half an hour or more for my plates," he said.

"I don't care what they say about (Cameron County Tax Assessor-Collector) Tony (Yzaguirre), but this system sure beats the old one at Harrison Street."