Aiken looks to turn junk cars into easy cash

News 12 at 6 o'clock

AIKEN, S.C. --- As some people are making budget cuts, the City of Aiken is looking at a new way to make money for them and for you. It's only a plan right now, but turning your junk cars into cash could mean easy money for you. That easy money is just a phone call away, but some people say it's not enough.

It sits in Susanna Walker's backyard, a car that just can't hit the road. "That old shell... it belongs to my son," says Susanne.

It's old shells like the one in Susanne's backyard that the City of Aiken wants to take and give you $75 for it. All you have to do is hand over the title. They'll even tow it out of your yard, for you. The city plans to get between $150-200 or more for the cars. After they pay you the $75 and other fees for the service, whatever is left over will go to the city.

Sounds great, right Susanne? "No way!"

That's because her son plans to fix his old shell in her backyard and $75 is not enough to say goodbye. "He bought that car and he paid more than $75 for it," says Susanne. "You can get $200, somebody will give you $100 for it."

But the city says they're trying to do a favor for everyone by taking the cars and cleaning the streets. It's all part of a bigger plan for the city, like the one happening in Toole Hill and the plan that's on the table for Crosland Park.

Some say yes to this plan, but Susanne is still not sold. "That's good, it is, with the economy the way it is, but they ought to give more than $75 out," says Susanne.

But, the old shell her son has that's sitting in her yard and others in the city, could soon mean a free $75 and all the works done for you, and your neighbors.

Again, this is all a plan right now. Some people are in favor of it, but lots of people News 12 talked with today says $75 is just not enough money. The city does point out that it would cost more for you to tow the car yourself. There's also a law already in the city that basically says you have to keep your yard clean and that includes getting those junk cars off of your property.

This whole ordinance goes to the City Council for a second and last reading on November 24th, it's next City Council meeting.

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