Update on my mowers and the fight with the Village.

I'm sorry to say the day off from work I asked for was cancled at the last minute so I wasn't able to attende the meeting. I was able to ask the Village clerk before I left to please bring this matter up to the village board so I could have clarification on ordinance number 8-4-8 (Junked vehicles and appliances on private property.)

Well, it turns out it never even made it too the board. I asked the clerk what the ruling was when I got home today and she said she mentioned it to the Village President (the mayor) before the meeting and the police chief overheard the conversation and jumped right in. I guess the 2 of them got the ordinance book out and read the ordinance. It turns out the mayor agreed with the cop and it was never brought up the the full board!!!!

In fairness to everyone, I'm posting the part of the ordinance that pertains to my situation. If you want to read the entire ordinance, please go to the website I'm building. I should have it up at http://www.horsemachinery.com by noon on Wed, 6 June.

If you feel my thinking is wrong on this one, please let me know. I'll let you be the judge.

Please keep in mind that this equipment is in WORKING order and can be put to work at anytime.

Ordinance 8-4-8 Junked vehicles and appliances on private property.

(a) STORAGE OF AUTOMOBILES RESTRICTED: No disassembled, inoperable, unlicened, junked, or wrecked motor vehicles, truck bodies, tractors, trailers, FARM MACHINERY, or appliances shall be stored or allowed to remain in the open upon private propery within the Village for a period exceeding twenty (20) days.

(b) DEFINITIONS: (1) The term "disassembled, junked, ar wrecked motor vehicles, truck bodies, tractors, trailers" as used in this section is defined as follows: motor vehicles, truck bodies, tractors, FARM MACHINERY, or trailers in such state of PHYSICAL or MECHANICAL RUIN as to be incapable of propulsion, being operated upon the public streets or highways or which is not safe or legal condition for operation on public streets or highways due to missing or inoperative parts, flat or removed tires, expired or missing license plates, or other defects.

I have a few other things in the works on this matter. I have a meeting with a lawyer tomorrow to make sure I'm reading the ordinance correctly, and I drove around town today to see who is using what for lawn ornaments. I'm also checking on what the Wisconsin law is on museums. This might be a angle where I have it set up in my back yard and anyone can look at it when ever they like.

I'll post updates here when I have any and thanks again for all the support!

Houndman

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We have two local farmers near me that are on opposite sides of the spectrum. One has old junk (not servicable equipment), empty barrels, old cars, every old truck he ever owned, and crap laying all over the place.

The other guy takes a little time to store stuff, had a salvage company take the junk away (made a little cash on the stuff). He planted a row of evergreen trees to block the view of some of the more objectionable stuff....

Now me, I love that old stuff, but I wouldn't want to live next to that guy whose place looks like a junkyard, cuz the value of my place would be less, and let's face it, it's not the view you would choose.

The unfortunate situation is that the one guy is being a bad neighbor, and trying to use the court system to make up for his bad manners. Of course every situation is different. I remember shoveling the sidewalk at my 90 year old grandmas, and then having her go out with a broom afterward to "finish" it. Pride.

The idea of sending a letter is a good one, but I am not sure how I'd react if I got one. If I'd respond truthfully, we'd probably never get along, and nobody wants that. I think if you sent a letter, you already know the answers. But you aren't my neighbor, so I'll try and speak for them here. Keep in mind I don't know all the details.

When Rodney King asked the question "Can't we all just get along?" I think he failed to realize that this takes to much effort in this mannerless society. Civilization takes civility.

Take Care
Steve

--->Paul

Well, according to the cop, ALL of my neighbors were complaining about it but when I talked to them, (in a one block area) they said they didn't have a problem so either they are feeding me a line of cow patties or the cop is.

Today, I sent out a questionnaire to everyone in a 3 block area asking them if they have a problem with my equipment. I even enclosed a self addressed stamped envelope so they would be more inclined to send it back.

As for winning the battle, but loosing the war, I'm not really worried about that. I feel if the law is in my favor, I have the right to do it. If my neighbors want to have the ordinance changed, that's their right.

Houndman

Sounds like you have followed the path pretty well so far. Good luck. :)

--->Paul

*LOL* Mail boxes on the curb is another BIG joke around here. It took a Village wide vote 3 years ago so we could have it!!!!

There was a ordinance here that stated that nothing could be placed in the curb median. (The area 4 feet from the road.) That meant everyone here had to have a post office box except for the elderly or anyone else who wasn't able to get to the post office.

Well, some folks got wondering and found out that anyone who lived more than 1/2 mile from the post office was able to have home mail delivery.

To make a long story short, the vote past by a landslide. The Village board wasn't very happy about it so they amended the ordinance to state what kind of mailbox posts was allowed. They said that they were afraid of what people were going to use for a post and didn't want anything "unsitely".

Houndman