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Driving Miss Dummy

posted 27th March, 2006 @ 16:30 by King Nutter
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Car pool lane protester Greg Pringle from Aurora USA has sold a makeshift mannequin made of a polystyrene head, a coat hanger and clothing stuffed with newspaper. Mr Pringle had previously been fined $115 for using the "Tillie" to foil car pool restrictions. We not sure who is a bigger dummy: Tillie or the suckers who parted with $15,000 for her.

IMPORTANT: LISTING FOR INFO PURPOSES ONLY. NOT FOR SALE HERE.

TILLIE THE DUMMY HOV LANE PASSENGER






Winning Bid: $15,000
Auction ended: Mar 23 2006
Item Location: Aurora, USA
Auction No. 7753112782
Seller ID: goodsforauction
Winner ID: vidprofessor

Item Description: This auction is for the very popular HOV lane passenger Tillie.

Place a bid on this auction and Tillie can be yours! All proceeds will be donated to Colorado State Patrol Family Foundation Program Alive-At-25.

Each year nearly 6,000 teens are killed in car accidents. More than 3,800 are drivers age 15-20. Last year more than 150 teens died in Colorado. Alive At 25 is a survival course developed by the National Safety Council to prevent traffic fatalities, collisions and violations. It is the only such course in the nation taught exclusively by off-duty State Highway Patrol, Municipal Police Officers and Deputy Sheriffs. Our goal is to get attendees to adopt safe driving practices and take responsibility for their behavior. This course complies with new state laws.

As a non-profit 501 (C) (3) organization, the Colorado State Patrol Family Foundation is able to offer Alive at 25 at a student tuition of just $30.00, the lowest in the state. This course complies with new state laws that went into effect July, 2004 which compels all minor drivers (under the age of 16) in the state of Colorado to complete a state-approved driver awareness or driver education program before they can obtain a permit in advance of applying for a driver s license.

Drivers aged 15-20 are involved in fatal crashes more than twice the rate of all other drivers combined.

We would hate to put Tillie in a box, so we hope the auction winner will be on hand to personally pick her up and put her in the passenger's seat!

All about Tillie follows!
History: Tillie was confiscated on Jan 28, 2006 when her long time driving companion Greg Pringle was cited for driving an unauthorized vehicle in the HOV Lane by Officer Mark Watters of the Westminster CO PD. Tillie's plight only worsened when she found herself spending her days and nights in the evidence room where it was cold dark and lonely, and being subject to performing common Dummy acts. A public outcry began, a website freetillie evolved, then people from around the world demanded justice for this poor mannequin!!! Supporters were wearing FreeTillie T-shirts and making donations. Tillie received countless letters to offer encouragement and lift her spirits at this very difficult time. Tillie was looking forward to her day in Court

On March 3, 2006 Tillie got the day in Court, though bittersweet. Judge John Stipech made sure that it was not the end of the road for Tillie and her Dummy. Tillie's mishap only worsened, she would become a street walker. She was order to a accompany her Dummy during 4 hours of community service on the roadside, while he carried the required 4 ft by 2 ft sign that read "HOV lane is not for Dummies." After completion Tillie was to be posted for sale on Ebay and the proceeds to be give to a charity selected by Mr. Pringle and Officer Watters.

Tillie reassured her supporters with the following release on her website.

As hard as it is to believe, yes I will be made a spectacle of on the Highway. If that is not enough I will be in the same hideous clothing. I hope the Press is kind enough to shot me on my good side this time, some of the earlier shots are ghastly. I'm trying to keep my spirits up, because all this humiliation is for a good cause.


The authorization letter from the Colorado State Patrol Family Foundation is shown the left. The following is the text of the body of the letter:

"To whom it may concern,

Please know that the Colorado State Patrol Family Foundation, an IRS 501(c)3, tax exempt educational organization, and its Alive at 25 teen safe driving program, has authorized Goodsforauction to solicit funds on behalf of our organization, in concert with Tillie the HOV Dummy and her current owner, Greg Pring.

Please feel free to contact our office with any questions, comments or concerns.

Sincerely,

John Anderson, II
Deputy Director"

Physical Condition: Very nice!
Operational Condition: Great!
Approx Shipping Weight: Ladies don't tell!

IMPORTANT: LISTING FOR INFO PURPOSES ONLY. NOT FOR SALE HERE.
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