My letter to the editor.. got published

[Ozz]

Snowbirds not welcome
Editor:
We have been Plumbers, teachers, librarians, insurance agents, police, parents, and now grandparents.
We got up early, worked hard, raised our children, served proudly in the military, and were responsible folks that built this great country of ours.
We tried to save for that 'some day' so we could reflect on our lives and relax for the first time.
We are called 'Snowbirds', winter visitors, retirees, and sometimes 'sir' by the young men sacking our groceries in town.
We spend our hard-earned money in the towns we visit, buying fuel, groceries, eating out, and gifts for our grandkids. I imagine the shop-keepers do appreciate us, but it hurts when we aren't appreciated here in Arizona, we love it, and come each winter.
We are not an 'ATM' for the cities that may be lacking in funds.
I was stopped in Goodyear, and given a ticket for $165.00 for 'Failure to display a license plate on the rear of the vehicle' even after I explained to the officer that in Missouri, any truck licensed over 18,000# is issued only one plate, and it is to be placed on the front of the truck. He was very rude to me, shouted at me one time, told me something about 'You snowbirds,' it's no wonder people don't like you, give you a bad name, something like that. Goodyear must not like us.
I contacted the Arizona Highway patrol, the officer told me go to court, the Judge will dismiss the charge. He apologized and said it was a bad ticket.
The Missouri State Patrol said if that was the law in Arizona, all the tractor trailers (18 wheelers) would be ticketed, as they only have one license plate.
The tractor is licensed and the trailer licensed separately.
Jim Osbern
Tonopah