A blog about Kern County and Personal Journals.
Real Name: Jennifer Baldwin Member Since: March 14, 2006 Last Signed In: August 25, 2009 Profile Views: 13219 Blog Views: 20150 Shifting priorities Turnip Wars Death, death, death! Dressing alike at work Take time to "smell" the flowers What? Daylight Saving starts Sunday??? Ever wanted to host an exchange student? Watch out for downtown con artist! First day back: So far so good The new hope June 06 July 06 August 06 September 06 October 06 November 06 December 06 January 07 February 07 March 07 April 07 May 07 June 07 July 07 August 07 September 07 October 07 November 07 December 07 January 08 February 08 March 08 April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 August 08 September 08 October 08 November 08 December 08 January 09 February 09 March 09 April 09 May 09 June 09 July 09 August 09 September 09 October 09 November 09 
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Watch out for downtown con artist!
Local elementary school principal Bill Jager has written a funny and telling story about his encounter with a panhandler the other night. He calls it "A Few Good Bakersfield Souls." Of all the times I've been hit up by panhandlers, I've never experienced an elaborate a story as Jager and his wife heard from this guy, who said, in short, he and his family were trying to get enough cash to buy train tickets home to Texas. But the Jagers cared enough to follow up on the guy's story and go down to the Amtrak station to check out his tale. As I edited the story today to run in The Californian, I, too, drove to the Amtrak station (their only phone line is a voice recording) to confirm the story. Yes, the agent said, this panhandler is well known among the staff. He apparently tells people he's trying to get to Texas, then says they can even go to the station and give the money directly to the agent, who is holding the money for him. Of course, the agents are not. But how many people just take the panhandler's word for it and not check it out for themselves? Good thing there are skeptics out there — and, as Bill Jager puts it, people with big hearts who are ready to empty their pockets to help others in need. 4 comments from 3 users
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posted by
ronmexico
on Mar 3, 2009 at 08:50 PM
I was approached by a guy trying to get his family to Denton Texas via Greyhound. He said the fare was $275 and he had $272 and just needed a couple more bucks before the bus left in another hour. He was at St. Francis, which seemed rather far to be searching for the last 3 bucks of a bus fare.. I told him Obama already stole my money, and the best thing to do is get on Obamas website and look at all the great things Obama is going to do for him with my money. In fact, if the panhandler decides to open a business and there is a stream blocking the business from the customers, then Joe Biden will build a bridge over the stream so his customers can patronize his Meth Mart. And they will put a cool logo on the bridge so everyone will know that Obama the Magnificent was responsible for the cool bridge over the stream... posted by
catpaw
on Mar 4, 2009 at 08:21 AM
I'm usually a soft touch and don't begrudge a couple of bucks to some unfortunate. That doesn't mean I never get conned. Usually I do shopping and errands with plastic and don't have a cent on me. But I notice alot of times at shopping centers it's the same pan handler with the same story. posted by
catpaw
on Mar 4, 2009 at 08:25 AM
And no, bloggers, I do not have a couple of bucks to help you out. Please don't ask. posted by
witterpitters
on Mar 4, 2009 at 08:33 AM
The panhandlers are raking in more money then the rest of us and it is all tax free! There is a family who stand at white lane and the entrance to wal-mart (they trade off holding the sign and have the puppy with them), and there is an older RV sitting there....guess what, I've seen them coming and going from that RV. EExxccuuusseeee me!!!!! I used to hand people a buck or two - not anymore. I will offer to buy them a burger or sandwich or a box of biscuits or dog food for the puppy but that is it. NO more tax free money from me! Usually they say nothing or decline. Can't be too hard up then can they.
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