Meter

Meter even garnered notice online from a blog writer identifying herself as a Vallejo resident named "Danielle." "What a great idea -- to give passers by the opportunity to donate their loose change to local charities in this way! ... (but) the meter is broken! What a disappointment," Danielle wrote. By early this week, the meter was fixed, after a call from a reporter last week asking about the meter's problems. cities used meters for charities, and that Vallejo should, too. Sacramento provided Vallejo one of its extra meters, at no cost to the city, Mazzaferro said.

Assistant City Finance Director Susan Mayer said the meter had collected about $215 in the past three years, acknowledging that the equipment had likely been neglected since Mazzaferro left. She added that after a collection this week, city officials will need to determine the most appropriate use and beneficiary of the funds. "It would fill up quickly," Mazzaferro said. "It was in a real public place ... generally all (the proceeds) went to the Christian Help Center. For as low maintenance and low impact that you could have, it was pretty profitable."

A faded red meter sits facing the Vallejo ferry docks and surrounding water, bearing a sign urging Ferry Building visitors to help offer "a hand up, and not a hand out to those in need." Those receiving that hand, though, may have seen fewer donations in recent years. The device, dubbed the "Mayor's Meter," has been at Vallejo's waterfront for the past nine years, by best estimates. Recently, it's suffered from inattention, relocation and even small bits of matter -- most recently a piece of wood -- stuffed into its coin slots.