People's Republic of Michigan

[tlm720]

So I live in the middle of no where in Barry County Michigan. On a typical day there are about as many tractors and Amish buggies going by as automobiles. When I bought my land, 40 acres zoned agricultural that is still being farmed, it was the only home on my side of the road for the entire mile. Wife says the local planning and zoning stopped by today and left a card and let her know they will be sending a letter in the mail regarding the pile of scrap metal that has been sitting beside my driveway since July. I work 50-60 hours a week and haven't had time to haul it to the scrap yard yet. Then on top of that my two boys and the neighbor boys have been building a fort in the yard using scrap lumber I had. The zoning enforcement officer actually commented about probably not needing a building permit for their fort and took pictures of the yard. I wish I would have been here. I think I would have looked on in amazement and asked, "really, you have nothing better to do while collecting my taxes as a salary. "

Is this what our state and county are coming to? And I live in a very conservative area that almost always votes republican. I've started voting Democrat in local elections just because the Republicans have been in power so long they no longer answer to their constituents.

Sure hope I don't end up in jail over it! It's tempting to let it go that far just to prove a point. Hey, once snow falls the pile will no longer be visible!

 

[tlm720]

The county seat, Hastings, is 10 miles away. It's a small town with a thriving main Street. Recently the town has lined the sidewalks with artwork, much of which consists of scrap metal welded into various forms. I suggested to my kids we need to give a name to our pile of scrap and make a plaque telling the name and artist and mount it in front of the pile. Apparently then it is okay to have junk visible to the general public.

 

[SPIKER]

S...

I've started voting Democrat in local elections just because the Republicans have been in power so long they no longer answer to their constituents....

When you did that you went on their LIST Since you voted for Democrats the Government has to Knock on your door and tell you they are there to HELP and tell you what and how you can live... So now that you are on their list you need to officially name your home that pile of scrap lumber out front the kids were playing on and that pile of scrap metal is investments gathered while out not looking for work... :/ lol


Mark

 

[tlm720]

So I made it onto one more list. I'm sure I'm already on several. I'm pretty sure I'm on the conservative extremists terrorist watchlist. NRA sticker on the pickup and right to life sticker on the mini van will warrant that.

I know we don't dare promote earning an honest living and contributing our tax dollars. I'm sure the county was better off before I bought my land and it was an overgrown abandoned mess generating no tax revenue. If only the county knew how much junk I removed from beneath the earth when I started cleaning up the mess. And I didn't even need them to tell me to do it.

 

[MossRoad]

Weld the scrap metal together, give it a title and call it performance art. "The Folly of Man" comes to mind for a good title. Every time you add or subtract from the pile, put a public notice in the paper that you will be putting on a performance of "The Folly of Man" and give a date and time. Then get a lawyer from the ACLU and enjoy yourself.

Seriously, if you have zoning laws and code enforcement, you'd be better off keeping the scrap pile behind the house, out of view or under a tarp rather than fighting them. Its not worth the trouble if you don't have deep pockets and infinite patience. Good luck with your new art career.

 

[Dingeryote]

Take a look at the Twp. Zoning ordnances, specifically the blight ordnances, and pay close attention to the verbiage used.

Usually, but not always, it comes down to being observed from the road way. If the Code enforcement Officer can't see it by driving past, I.E. plain view, then they have no case. Some Twp.'s work off of filed complaints as well, so if it's been there forever, and all of a sudden it's a problem, one of your neighbors or some busybody, had to have filed a complaint.

One way or the other, you're stuck with either hauling it off to the scrap yard, or hiding it.

What gets me is the dork mentioning the kids fort...like he was going to cite you for building code violations, but let it slide...gimme a break.
That guy would get fed to the Hogs here. We have had them before, and they don't last long. There are more neighborly methods to getting folks to clean up their mess, and they all start with respect and common sense.

It might be time to start being a little more proactive in Twp. Politics, and make them eat a little crow over their RINO status.
Somebody needs to rattle their cage, before the Twp. ends up a giant HOA. with Yuppies in charge.

 

[MacLawn]

You got it, Dinger. Yuppies in charge, we'd be done in for sure. Somebody in this section (Rural Living) canno' even camp on his own land!

 

[forgeblast]

Better yet title it "Portrait of a Code Enforcer".

 

[Ken45101]

That guy would get fed to the Hogs here. We have had them before, and they don't last long.

Oh oh!

Is your real name Henry Bowman?

 

[newbury]

We've got the same thing going on in Mississippi. It seems the "church ladies" don't like the mess.