| Author | Message | ||
| Jeff Cheek (Jeffsmagicbus)
Registered Member Username: Jeffsmagicbus Post Number: 10 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 69.138.34.182 Rating: N/A |
Hello Everybody! I hope everybody out there in Bus Land is doing well. I was actually doing pretty good for the first time in about 5 years & was really getting into the conversion when I received that dreaded letter. It took me 30 years to find the right motor coach & it took them 3 months to maybe screw it all up. They are voting the 13th I think it is. I had literally just finished nailing the last nail into the newly completed passenger side wall & then checked the mail. I had successfully dodged the gauntlet of BS they threw at me for the first few days that she was here. When the Codes Guy came out, because of some nosey neighbors being narcs, he actually Liked it & said it was Cool! The only thing that the covenant says at all is that "Recreational Vehicles Must Be Behind The Front Line Of The House" which it is by about 5 feet. I did ask them about the 24'-26' Class C Ford Chassis RV, that hadn't been washed in 7 years, that's just up the street. His reply was to make a proposed change in the HOA agreement to prohibit vehicles from being Habitually parked, (What Is The Definition Of Habitually Parked?) (What if I drove it every day...) that are in excess of 9,000 lbs. & that have more than 2 axles. The only thing I do have going for me is they made a change like this in the early stages of the subdivisions construction that prohibited outbuildings or storage sheds. Two people had already had their's up so they were Grandfathered in so to say. I guess they could say that the motor coach is movable & the buildings are not but that is a crock in itself as roll backs deliver & move those buildings every day. I know I'm just grasping at straws so to say but I'm not going down without trying. I've had a 32' Sportscoach Pathfinder Class A & also a '54 PD-4104 here too. And IF I could afford to store it somewhere I would but that would be kind of hard to convert it then huh? Maybe I could store it somewhere & work on it here occasionally as long as it wasn't habitually parked?! "As He Released The Parking Brake, He Was On His Way, Leaving That Pathetic Town In A Cloud Of Diesel & Dust, As He & Screaming Jimmy Rode Off Into The Sunset"...If I Only Had Somewhere To Go! One Day... I guess I could down size to a pretty nice Class C that I wouldn't have to do anything to but drive! That's half the fun of all this for me is keeping it all together & working! I'll shut up now & quit whining like a girl & being negative. So close but yet so far. Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen. Woe Is Me... They might can kill my dream but they can never crush my warped sense of humor! That Is All, Good Day!  | ||
| Cameron Jones (Crazy71)
Registered Member Username: Crazy71 Post Number: 27 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 75.179.153.89 Rating: N/A |
I'm confused. SO is it ok to be there as long as it is behind the front plane of the house?... I will never live anywhere with an association of Nazis, but it is just as hard within about any city limit. The codes are triple redundant to control everyone..WHEN THEY WANT TO. So many violations go unnoticed and unmentioned....UNTIL....then they pick on you. With "recreational vehicles"... some places have length limits, some have height limits. Both of these restrictions are ridiculous since the industry has increased both over time. You can go buy a 1964 winnebago that is rusty and orange and green and UGLY as heck and be A OK..but go buy a 200K American Dream...and it can be "illegal" because it is long or tall. Some areas have the parking spot restrictions. Some require it to be in back yard only, some on hard surface, and some say it must be 10 feet away from all property lines. So smart....they want you to put your RV on a pad at least 10 feet from the side fence....let's just put it in the middle of the yard and mow around it....IDIOTS.. Now for the real stupid one. Most places will not allow an rv to be parked in front of the plane of the house....YET most homes in the US have the drive way...you guessed it....between the house and the street...in front of the plane of the house.. Let's face it....these rules are not about common sense. They are about PREVENTING people from having RV's, boats, and trailers at their residence. This is because "SOME" people complain...and think they have the right to decide what they get to see when they look out their windows. AND the cities are all for it. They stand behind the complainers 100 percent. They codes are written that way....if you dig into the codes deep enough, you will find a way that it is illegal. Oh well. Beat them all you can. If you have to move it...request a meeting with the enforcement agent/board and the complaining neighbor. Spell it out for them... Look here, if you make me move this RV because it is 5 feet over...I will.... BUT I guarantee you I will buy one right at the limit and paint it purple and green and park it right where it is most annoying. I have done nothing intentionally to annoy you. I just want the right to use my property sensibly and own this reasonable item. If you pursue this, I WILL take it personally and do what I can to annoy you. There are a lot of things you can do that are perfectly ok to code.... I have contacted Dow Corning before to see if I could order pink shingles for my roof. I may be over the top....but I am passionate about this topic. This country has gone to Hell so many people here for lack of a better word...Suck. No body cares about property ownership rights....it is all about aesthetics. | ||
| Jeffrey Smith (Greenhornet)
Registered Member Username: Greenhornet Post Number: 20 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 198.136.32.74 Rating: N/A |
HOAs are a pain to deal with as are city and county officials at times. Ours works on annonymous complaints so you never know who has a beef with you. I would seek an attorney on this one or seek a storage area to keep it in if it comes down to that. Some non traditional places might let you keep it there til you can sort it out. When I was looking at getting my MCI8 I was going to keep it at a marina that had extra space.I had also talked to a local trucking and excavating company that had a lot of equipment and they were helpful to, heck they said if I got it they could replace the tires for me too. Good Luck with whatever you decide to do. | ||
| Donald Lee Schwanke (Dontx)
Registered Member Username: Dontx Post Number: 284 Registered: 12-2005 Posted From: 70.115.181.175 Rating: N/A |
I was president of the local HOA for a couple of years, I recently de activated the corporation! There was crying about all sorts of stuff, rarely anything that was covered in the covenants. It was expected that whenever one had a silly complaint, I was supposed to harass the person for them. It becomes VERY expensive for the HOA to pursue a case, and in the end that expense usually cools hotheads a bit. Since you apparently had the vehicle before the rule change, it don't apply to you anyway! Someone recently complained to the City about my RV, I got a letter from the city directing me to remove it from the city within 10 days or face heavy fines in munincipal court. That was in Decemer, I wrote them that I had NO intentions of complying, and waived the 10 day period, demanding court NOW! I have not heard from them since. Don't get overly intimidated by them. | ||
| captain ron (Captain_ron)
Registered Member Username: Captain_ron Post Number: 673 Registered: 1-2005 Posted From: 66.174.93.98 Rating: N/A |
My bus was sitting on commercial property in Fort Myers Beach, They came and told my i had to move it, I refused so about 2 weeks later I got a phone call from the company that owned the property telling me I had to move it cause the city was going to fine them a hefty sum every day it sat there. So I parked it on the city streets at night when there was free parking then moved it to city council parking lot cause they rented off of my bank I would do business all day at my bank. Then I moved it to a vacant lot on a canal between 2 million dollar homes. They will learn to leave you alone. | ||
| Jeff Cheek (Jeffsmagicbus)
Registered Member Username: Jeffsmagicbus Post Number: 11 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 69.138.34.182 Rating: N/A |
Thanks A Lot Guys! I'm Still Laughing At The Posts & I'm All For Getting Even But At Least I'm Trying To Be Nice! I Guess I'll Just Ignore Them & Maybe They'll Go Away! I Do Feel That They Legally Can't Apply Their New Rule To Me But They Just Want Me To Be A Good Little Boy & Conform Like The Masses & Be Quiet. The Only Thing Louder Than My Mouth Is Screaming Jimmy! I'll Be Driving It Up & Down The Street As Much As I Can. Maybe I'll Go & Get A Six-Pack Of Coke's, One At A Time... I'll Keep You Posted & Thanks Again For The Encouragement & Your War Stories! (I Know The Christmas Lights Are Cheesy, Until I Get Rope Lights!)   (Message edited by JeffsMagicBus on March 05, 2007) | ||
| Jeff Cheek (Jeffsmagicbus)
Registered Member Username: Jeffsmagicbus Post Number: 12 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 69.138.34.182 Rating: N/A |
Hi Jeffrey! I Had The Same Match Box Scenic Cruiser Which I Still Have Somewhere! I Drove The Paint Right Off It Too, Driving Those Million Miles Through The Carpet. That Was My Favorite Match Box! Then The Blue Indy Car Was Second, Followed By The Maroon Indy Car Next! | ||
| Cameron Jones (Crazy71)
Registered Member Username: Crazy71 Post Number: 28 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 75.179.153.89 Rating: N/A |
Love your style Captain Ron!!! This is my point exactly. There are lots of annoying other things you can do. Funny how in most cities that have restrictive rules, you can legally park the same RV on the city street for at least 24 hours. When they mess with you due to some goodie goodie resident, get the inspector's and city council members' addresses and start a little log book. Park it on the street in front of each one's house, for as long as legal in a nice little rotation fashion. I have thought of a nice size sign to put on one that says.." If you wonder why this vehicle is parked here....call (insert city zoning number) and ask why the owner just can't keep it at home where they want to. Ask them why it can be parked on the street, but the owner can't park it on his own property. Tell them to stop violating property ownership rights and it will be parked on the owner's property. | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 229 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.105.203 Rating: N/A |
I could never understand why anyone would want to move any "Restricted Deed Community", or any community governed by a "Homeowners Association". People once checked prior to buying a home, to make sure there were no restrictions to their deed... ahhh, how times change.. The "Homeowners Associations" generally have more flexibility to make obnoxious restrictions.... Some associations only need the majority vote of the governing body, to pass or remove a "restriction". It can work both ways. If you can manage to elect enough people that think alike, you can end up with -0- restrictions. (They did exactly that in a neighboring community) With "Patio homes" being the rage in Florida (and elsewhere) there just isn't enough room to park anything in that type of sub-division. The land exceeds the house size by only a few feet... A boat, RV, or any "extra" vehicle -must- be stored somewhere else.. Generic legislation, passed to accommodate those certain communities, effect the entire area... Yet, no-one screams, until the theft of Liberty is felt personally... Oh well. </rant> | ||
| Kyle Brandt (Kyle4501)
Registered Member Username: Kyle4501 Post Number: 287 Registered: 9-2004 Posted From: 65.23.106.193 Rating: N/A |
See if you can hire a lawyer to write a letter to the HOA advising them you will persue legal action if this harrasment continues. The last time I looked in to it, it was only a few hundred bucks. kyle4501 | ||
| J.L.Vickers (Roadrunnertex)
Registered Member Username: Roadrunnertex Post Number: 9 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 76.1.64.165 Rating: N/A |
HOA are a real pain that is the main reason I moved to the county on 7 acres and built a bus barn for my Buffalo Conversion. | ||
| Jeff Cheek (Jeffsmagicbus)
Registered Member Username: Jeffsmagicbus Post Number: 13 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 69.138.34.182 Rating: N/A |
Thanks For The Input Guys! I did not sign anything as this is my parents house. They are co-owners of the coach in question. I'm not for "startin' no ruckus here" because it is their place. I moved in with them about 7 years ago to take care of them & their place. I was coming over here every other day any way! The have both had open heart surgeries & a list of other ailments & it is not getting any better. I'm just trying to get it set up to cruise around locally since they are both fixing to have to give up their driving privledges soon. I guess I'll store it somewhere if I have to until I buy the farm, I mean purchase some property that is...better watch out for any buckets laying around. I'll find out soon enough & worrying about it will not solve anything either. Take Care! | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 231 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.106.86 Rating: N/A |
Over and over, it went through my mind....... "Why doesn't he just turn the other Cheek".... ? (ouch) | ||
| Gary Pasternak (Cessna5354)
Registered Member Username: Cessna5354 Post Number: 1 Registered: 2-2007 Posted From: 205.188.116.13 Rating: N/A |
Good Luck !!! I limited my purchase to a 35 footer as it would fit (squeeze) into a spot in my hanger. That is 8 miles from home, but out of reach of my home town Cops. First time I drove home tired and sore, I get a call 1st thing next AM, from the police that I need to move the vehicle, "A neighbor called". That's nice, but what is the infraction. No RV parking. I got hassled later, but now I call the station for a 24-36 hour period of me loading/unloading. It is a pain, but seems to work. The hanger is heated, enclosed and all tools etc are there so I prefer to be at the airport. It bites my behind that I get hassled about my FIL's raised roof Ford van, parked out front. Found a abandoned sticker on it, called the station. Cop told me that his SGT didnot like it parked there. It took all within me not to ask where his SGT lived and I will get (5) licensed, insured, inspected junkers & park them out his front... He sited a New Jersey rule that a vehicle is abandoned if not moved every three days. It is just unreasonable BS. I think that it is much about the envy of people to spite you as to what you have worked for and achieved.... God Bless all of you and Best of Luck.... Gary Pasternak Located within the Corrupt State of NJ. | ||
| Cameron Jones (Crazy71)
Registered Member Username: Crazy71 Post Number: 31 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 75.179.153.89 Rating: N/A |
I have played the move it every 48 hours game many times....with many vehicle. The "nazis" (compainers) that call have the whole system stacked in their favor. The legal system is designed to suppress an individuals rights and to help the complainer. I have had cops tell me...."I could care less, and think it is bull too, but when someone calls, we have to follow the written laws." SO you start playing the legal annoying game. Like Gary said about the five licensed junkers... you can get a normal conversion van that is rusted out and looks like heck and move it each time before the parking limit. This world is full of jerks....and then people like me become jerks back...but how are we wrong in the first place for wanting to park our own possesions on our own property?? Like I said before...people think they have the right to control what they see when they look out their window...THEY DON'T!!! But the local governments have done their best to let them legally get their way. | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 234 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.106.184 Rating: N/A |
There's an old saying: "-Your- freedom to swing your fist ends at the tip of -my- nose". Parking a 40x8x11 foot vehicle on a slice of land that was never suited for much more than a house and garden, is going a bit beyond most community's planning. An old used bus, well worn, with poor cosmetics, adds to the displeasure of our neighbors, who may be forced to look at our work-in-progress for the umpteen years it may take to transform it. If we don't use some discretion and insure our neighbors are content, they'll use whatever legal means to persuade us to do so. They're just exercising -their- freedom. (Message edited by john_mc9 on March 10, 2007) | ||
| Jeff Cheek (Jeffsmagicbus)
Registered Member Username: Jeffsmagicbus Post Number: 14 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 69.138.41.187 Rating: N/A |
John, Are You Calling My Bus Names Or Was That A General Statement? I Have A Half Acre Here With A 50' Spot Just For Parking Toys Or 4 Cars On. The Codes People Like Her & Said They Don't Care What I Do With It. My Next Door Neighbor Knows I Like Weird Stuff & He's Ok With It. At Least The Lettering Had Been Removed On His Side Before I Even Brought It Home. I'll Probably Be Putting Stainless Steel Sheets Over The Letter Boards & Windows Anyway If I Don't Trade It For Some Other Project. It's Not That I Gave Up On It, I'll Just Move On For Now & Try Again Later With The Prevost I Really Want! I Know My Stainless Hasn't Been Polished, Yet, But That Hasn't Prevented Me From Driving Right On By Anybody Like They're Sitting Still Either! You Should Have Seen It Before I Washed It. You Think It's Ugly Now! Last Time I Looked This Was A Free Country & I Don't Care Who Likes It Or Not. This Is Not About Them Any Way. I'm Exercising My Right To Own It. I'm About To Let A Friend Of Mine & His Buddies Professionally Tag It One Night & I Assure You It Will Make The Partridge Families Bus Look Like A Le Mirage... Here's A Bird's Eye View, From 900 Feet, Of My 11' Tall, 10 Ton, East German 4X4 Truck Named Brutus. It Was 79" To The Door Handles! Now That's A Truck. I Had 2 Of Them But Not At The Same Time.  | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 235 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.106.42 Rating: N/A |
Wuz just a general statement, boss! There's a few million readers, and some that have never owned an RV, much less a bus. I felt the topic needed a more realistic view, than simply decry that anyone complaining about what's on -our- own property is more of a nuisance, than what they're complaining about. In Massachusetts we owned nearly an acre on a mountainside. It was easy to park almost anything we wished, without complaints. Here in Florida, we don't have anyplace to park a 40' vehicle, and must resort to a storage facility. There are neighboring subdivisions that once permitted RV parking, but there were too many taking too great liberty with what they parked, and how they parked it. Since there are so many "snowbirds" down here, one should be able to easily envision the mess of every house with an RV parked on the roadway, in the front yard, or in an otherwise high profile location. It's very different to own a home on a city lot, and a home on a half-acre or more. I felt it was worth mentioning.... Nuttin' poisonal. | ||
| Cameron Jones (Crazy71)
Registered Member Username: Crazy71 Post Number: 33 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 75.179.153.89 Rating: N/A |
Hi John, I am familiar with the fist and nose expression, BUT with the bus being my fist....someone else's nose would be THEIR property. I am willing to give them the benifit of the doubt and even say "in front of their house" even though this area is legal for anyone. It is not owned or reserved for the owner of the house it is in front of like some people believe. So when I park an RV or an ugly car on MY property, I am keeping my fist away form the tip of their nose. Many people have simply decided that they get to decide what they see when they look out their windows. Or said another way, they get to decide what others can subject them to seeing...see how this goes downhill and leads to restricions. Now mowing your grass at 6 AM or 10PM is your business. When you blow the grass trimmings on my side of the fence it becomes mine. I will uphold every property owner's rights to use his or her property as he/she sees fit to the highest degree. My neighbor should be able to do anything he wants over there. He should keep the noise and smoke over there too. This seems fair and courteous to me. Unfortunately we live in a far cry from a "free country". It is actually a joke to use the term anymore. This is the United States, but it pains me to say of America. THe word America to me has always carried more meaning than a simple word or name...kind of like the Superman thing, "Truth, Justice, and the American Way" I feel we are so far from what and why America was founded that there is no hope left. Shhhh..(I can hear the rustling as the founding fathers roll in their graves) I feel it is very sad. What sickens me is these "new americans" that are ok with all the crap think they have made the world a better place. I will step off my soap box...for now. | ||
| Cameron Jones (Crazy71)
Registered Member Username: Crazy71 Post Number: 34 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 75.179.153.89 Rating: N/A |
Oh, BTW to go along with my last post.....I feel the need to reference a movie...Batman Joker: " This town needs an enema" | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 236 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.107.49 Rating: N/A |
Cameron - HAR! Yeah.... I can remember back in the early 70s, when we finally moved from Huntington, LI., to Ma... Our Huntington neighbor built a neat tree-house for the kids, and a neighbor complained. No building permit; not "to code", so he had to tear it down... The trouble with our buses, is the size. Down here in Florida, an 11' bus can tower over some homes... And at the 40' length, it's longer than most homes. I can understand the complaints, when the view once had, is lost due to a large vehicle that sits continually, obstructing that view. No, the neighbor doesn't have any "right" to a view.... But understanding the loss, and taking care to correct it, can do more good than taking the battle to court. I guess it's a matter of common sense and respect for one another, rather than the insistence of one's "rights" and "liberty". I'm probably the most outspoken individual here regarding our loss of freedom and liberty. I hate what I see happening politically. (I'm more of a Libertarian than anything else).... But I also understand that consideration of unwritten "rights", is part of our heritage, and the basis of all our rights. I worked some odd charters back on LI, and usually parked the Eagle in front of our house in Huntington. I came home just before midnight, and left around 3am.. Never a complaint. But... I didn't sit and idle the engine; The Eagle didn't need to "air up" to roll. I'd start it and roll away, using the engine (in first) and the mechanical hand-brake to stop. It's my opinion, that consideration of others, goes a long way in preserving all our rights! Cheers! | ||
| Cameron Jones (Crazy71)
Registered Member Username: Crazy71 Post Number: 35 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 75.179.153.89 Rating: N/A |
I agree with you about consideration, John. Most bus or RV owners never feel they are being inconsiderate. I always fall into agreement with them. Kind of like they feel they haven't thrown the first stone. The neighbors, of course, feel you have thrown the first stone by bringing that "big ugly thing home for everyone to have to look at all the time". So it's a no win. And what you said about fighting it out in court...I addressed this before. The RV owner almost always loses.....The system,(city codes, association bylaws etc) is set up that way. If they don't get you with the height, they get you with the length, or the weight, or the sitting too long, or the position in relation to the house, or the side or front yard position. See the trend. I can find chapters in thousands of different city codes that read almost like carbon copies of each other....they have this triple+ redundancy to getcha built in. All about aesthetics..... they want us to be normal sheep. Have two cars new enough to have car payments, keep them in the garage (make sure that door is shut now) keep our grass neatly cut, landscape(what is landscaping anyway) at least every season etc. Eventually it will be a violation to not rake your leaves and to let your own dog poop in your own yard....the dog thing has got to be on the books somewhere already... I too am Libertarian. The govt needs to get out of our lives. This means state and local too. If I can afford to buy it, I should be able to do what I please with it and park it anywhere on my own property. Don't mean to be "preaching to the choir"... but WE ALL NEED TO SAY THIS MORE OFTEN. We need to start standing up for any and all of our rights. TOO many people don't care about "things" until it is one of their rights about to be taken away...then they see what I mean. | ||
| Gary Pasternak (Cessna5354)
Registered Member Username: Cessna5354 Post Number: 3 Registered: 2-2007 Posted From: 64.12.116.130 Rating: N/A |
Jeff, Nice spread, great aerial photo as well. I am with you Cameron. IF we all could just get along. I am old enough to remember before all of the Gov't assistance, where you went to the church to get assistance. That was dealt out with direct knowledge. Not to the thousands. Here in NJ they run ad's with 800 numbers that you to can recieve Food Stamps. Stop Let me say that I am all for donating to those who need assistance, but get the Gov't out of these self perpetuating programs. If we let others dictate our lives we would be driving the late model sedans. For me it is a 24 year old MB diesel, with another 150K left in her. Anyway, I will say I agree with CApe Coral Fl. rules which allow a ten day pass for RV parking on your property. I can unload etc. then store and ten days when leaving. My bus is better looking than the pile of unused building materials next door. Just my 0.02 cents | ||
| Christy Hicks (Christyhicks)
Registered Member Username: Christyhicks Post Number: 24 Registered: 1-2007 Posted From: 65.77.66.1 Rating: N/A |
Another thing for people to keep in mind is that living out on acreage doesn't always protect you. We've lived on about 40 acres out here for 20+ years, quietly running our hvac business out of our home. Then, more and more additions started opening up around here, and sure enough, someone complained that we had business trucks parked on our land here. Yep, those trucks were parked here when they drove past looking at houses, lots, etc, but then once they move out here, they suddenly don't like the trucks sitting here. They didn't like my father-in-law's dump truck sitting at his place either. In fact, one lady would have liked to have had a heart attack when the neighbor's cow got out one day and was grazing along side the road, ha ha. We also got a visit from the city because our motorhome was parked between the house and the street. .. which is not allowed. .. but, um, does that mean if my house is 400' back from the road, the motorhome still can't park in front of it. . . baloney! It'd be one thing if the police could protect our property at an office in town, but the truth is, every acquaintence of ours that has a business in the city, is forced to remove every single tool off of every single truck, each night, to avoid having them stolen, and all have dealt with numerous break-ins at their shops. We spent $5000 on a road that winds up into the field behind our place and now we have a small office, a shop, and the trucks parked up there, pretty much out of view, but it's only a matter of time before they develop the acreage across the street from us, and I'm sure, someone will eventually complain again. When that happens, we will fight with a good lawyer, and if we lose, we'll likely sell out. As for the motorhome and then the bus, well, heck, I parked that bus right where we had the motorhome previously, just daring the city to try to come out and tell us we can't, but they never showed up again. Now, it is inside the shop, but it sat there quite a while without a complaint. Figures. Christy Hicks | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 240 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.107.98 Rating: N/A |
In Melbourne, Fl... they tried to squash RV parking, but had to include boat owners as well, parking boats and trailers in the same manner as RVs.. The uproar was tremendous, and the nifty legislation was abandoned. The problem with fighting against any legislation, is the lack of number of people joining in the fight. Ham operators were being prohibited from placing antennas or towers, until the "ARRL" encouraged all members to join together and fight legislation as a mass. Our Constitutional rights prevailed, thanks to all those that made themselves heard. Without trying to over-dramatize, this is an example of what can happen when we lack active interest and participation in preserving our Liberty: Pastor Martin Niemöller It's a slow process here in the US. It began by using fear as the catalyst, to inspire the masses to give up a small piece of freedom for the sake of "safety". We hear the words daily from otherwise intelligent people: "If you aren't doing anything wrong, you have nothing to worry about"  </rant> A revolutionist? Hell, anyone that knows me personally will tell you that I've been revolting all my life. (huh?) (hmmm) (Message edited by john_mc9 on March 11, 2007) | ||
| Jeff Cheek (Jeffsmagicbus)
Registered Member Username: Jeffsmagicbus Post Number: 15 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 69.138.41.187 Rating: N/A |
John, It is interesting that you brought up the ARRL being instrumental in having the Amateur Antenna law passed by getting everybody together on the issue. I got my ticket on July 15, 1977 & was trying to figure out a way to pass the coach off as an antenna to try to use that law to my advantage but that would probably not go too far! But, if I were to load it properly with a tuner... It will have a 500 watt HF Station on board along with a VHF setup too. It will be my command post so to say. I will soon be raising my antennas as high as practical just because they have been dicking with me about the Motor Coach. I can also picture a new C Band, 10' dish going up now. I don't get mad, I get even!  | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 242 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 68.205.121.225 Rating: N/A |
Re: "...trying to figure out a way to pass the coach off as an antenna.." yeah, but going vertical's a girl dog. (Message edited by john_mc9 on March 11, 2007) | ||
| Stephen Fessenden (Sffess)
Registered Member Username: Sffess Post Number: 693 Registered: 1-2002 Posted From: 67.142.130.46 Rating: N/A |
Well, my coach offends me a bit where I park it because I can't see the deer in part of my backyard. No neighbor complaints. | ||
| Cameron Jones (Crazy71)
Registered Member Username: Crazy71 Post Number: 37 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 75.179.153.89 Rating: N/A |
What Christy said is absolutely right. You can live in the boonies on several acres for years and be ok. Then here come the new developments....and then the complaints. It is sad but I find the only way to deal is to keep moving.... Sounds like giving up...but if I stay, they can fine me heavily....or keep me from doing/parking etc what I can do all I want somewhere else. You can get the "old community" residents together and go to council meetings.. It might help....for a WHILE... In the end, there is a growing majority of people who want to make everyone else's property what they call normal. My next move will be to more rural. I have seen houses with semi tractor trailors parked on the lot and a big pole barn.. Do they just get by with it or is it ok where they are at. You tell me why a man can't own his own rig, buy a house not stuck in the middle of the city, and park his rig there whenever he is home. Whether it be for 8 hrs or three months. I don't like living way out....but I have compiled a list.... If I can own/operate my own tractor trailor and park it on my lot where I choose.... If I can have a horse there... If I can burn my trash.... If I can shoot a gun on my property... Then I think I can be left alone there. NOT that I want a horse, have ever burned trash, or ever plan on having a semi truck.... I think these parameters would cover me. | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
Registered Member Username: Drivingmisslazy Post Number: 1864 Registered: 1-2001 Posted From: 75.108.72.204 Rating: N/A |
Even in WV, which is about as redneck as you can get, you can not burn trash anytime. Burn hours for leaves and brush piles is now limited to 4Pm to 7AM. And for all you other rednecks this might be the place to move. Pickup in the yards, jacked up on cement blocks, hoods up or missing on a half dozen cars in the yard, trash all around the houses, semi's parked in the yard, a few greyhound busses, and everything that you have been complaining about. Believe me, if there was a HOA, I would be the first one to join and try and get some of the neighborhoods cleaned up. Fortunately I do not have the problems listed, but those areas are within a mile or less. One are is nicknamed "Dirty Row" and that is what you could end up with. | ||
| Cameron Jones (Crazy71)
Registered Member Username: Crazy71 Post Number: 38 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 75.179.153.89 Rating: N/A |
Just people using THEIR land as they see fit.. I understand your point. It is just that everyone has a different threshold of what is decent or acceptable. In city areas, you can't even pull said pickup into the yard at any time. Having a hood or not is much more irrelevant than letting it be on or part of it on the "lawn area". Since the development of this country from farmland to suburbs...this has taken care of itself. When a neighborhood was built not too far from rural areas. The people that moved into this neighborhood were looking for about the same thing. The farmer type, or someone who wanted land, or a lot of privacy, would not have considered moving there. When a pricey rich neighborhood is built....the people that move in are looking for this particular style. The problem I guess has come with overdevelopment.. Now the neighborhood is right at the rear border of the rural land and they are complaining about what they see over there. I just see it as the areas will take care of themselves. The ritzy will migrate together. The "Dirty Row" people will stay where they are comfortable. The zoning laws, where the city etc decided what was ok or not...WAS OVER THE LINE! Many things that were common place or NOT restriced are now a violation. THis is a DIRECT INFRINGEMENT on the rights of property OWNERS. Unfortunately the govt doesn't actually recognize ownership rights anymore. They recognize the rules and taxes they impose. They assume that if it is a law it must be "right". Well there is plenty "WRONG" with this country and it has been going to "you know where" for at least the past 15-20 years or so. Most people are happy to stick their heads into the sand and go about their daily lives. THe link about the Germans was correct... http://www.nehm.org/contents/niemoller.html Oh who cares. It doesn't affect me. I will stand up for property rights even if I don't like what they are doing. I still maintain their right to do so on their own property. | ||
| Jeff Cheek (Jeffsmagicbus)
Registered Member Username: Jeffsmagicbus Post Number: 18 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 69.138.41.187 Rating: N/A |
THA-THA THAT'S ALL FOLKS... Well Bus Nuts...I went to the HOA meeting today & some of the people didn't know I was the "Evil Bus Guy" sitting there right amongst them. I noticed they were making wise cracks & jokes about something that meant so much to me but I just sat there. You should have seen their faces when they gave me the floor, before giving me the door. I told them about my dream that took 30 years to make happen & how they messed it up in 3 months. I'm a big guy but I did tear up a little & maybe they didn't notice my voice about to crack some but they surely saw my face turn beat red. I saw the look on their faces all change to uh oh...I thanked them for their time, apologized for causing the stink & told them all it was nice to meet them as I quietly left. They left there feeling worse than I did! They had 85 votes but needed like 93 or so & there where only about 7-8 NO's, two of which were my families votes. I have a month before they vote again but I said hey people, games over so quit going on about it. It also included a guy's Coachman Catalina Class C that was up the street from me. It is green with algae growing on it as it sat there 7 years, while only being washed once that I know of, but that's not my concern nor my business. I have about 2 months to get it out of here but I have now decided to go see an attorney later today & show him the commie, nazi papers to see if I can be Grandfathered in. I might have been soft spoken at the meeting but if I have any chance at all, I'd really like to see the property managers face when he gets served the papers. I plan on going to the guy up the street & seeing if he wants to join in a class action lawsuit or will he just tuck tail & run. I don't know if you have to have more than 2 people to file that type of lawsuit but I'm not giving up this easy & I'll damn sure go down with the ship in the end. I'm not mad, I'm just looking for a Hot Pink AMC Matador to sit in the Crusaders place...Anybody know where I can get a Pinto Wagon? A Pinto Panel Wagon with the cool little moon rear windows on the side! Maybe an AMC Hornet, An old Gran Fury Plymouth maybe! It will be too fun to try to find a car I hate & can't stand to look at myself. I'll just go to the local farmers co-op & buy me a set of blinders that I can wear while going outside. Oh the fun of getting even...Paybacks Are Hell! (Message edited by jeffsmagicbus on March 13, 2007) | ||
| jim morrison (Jim_morrison)
Registered Member Username: Jim_morrison Post Number: 87 Registered: 11-2006 Posted From: 72.142.29.218 Rating: N/A |
old pink caddies are cool to , hope it all gets worked out , it did for me | ||
| Dale Waller (Happycampersrus)
Registered Member Username: Happycampersrus Post Number: 324 Registered: 7-2005 Posted From: 69.19.14.26 Rating: N/A |
Can you get someone to build you something like the Clampetts used to have on the Beverly Hillbillies.?? Or maybe a panel van decorated by the local kids with spray bombs?? | ||
| Kyle Brandt (Kyle4501)
Registered Member Username: Kyle4501 Post Number: 296 Registered: 9-2004 Posted From: 65.23.106.193 Rating: N/A |
A friend had an old maverick that died on the street beside their driveway (they left it there for the junk man to get it). They got the threatening HOA letter first thing the next day. They got pissed & found a loop hole that allowed 'cars for sale' to be parked on the street. They wrote up the 'famous' history of the car & added 2 zeros to the value of the car (semental value & all that) on the for sale sign, they also put the tackiest christmas lights all over it. After 3 months & some litigation, the HOA ended up buying the car. They gave up harassing my friends when they put another junker up for sale where the maverick had sat. Just because you have to play by someone else's rules, doesn't mean you can't have some fun. BTW, these friends were the first house (& nicest) built in the development. (Message edited by kyle4501 on March 13, 2007) | ||
| Dale Waller (Happycampersrus)
Registered Member Username: Happycampersrus Post Number: 325 Registered: 7-2005 Posted From: 69.19.14.41 Rating: N/A |
Kyle, ROFLMAO. That's brilliant Jeff, Maybe you can sell the HOA enough buses to get that nice new conversion. Lets see. The first bus was a famous brothel once owned by Jimi Hendrix | ||
| Jeff Cheek (Jeffsmagicbus)
Registered Member Username: Jeffsmagicbus Post Number: 19 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 69.138.41.187 Rating: N/A |
Let Me Tell You 'Bout A Story Of A Man Named Jed, Poor Ole Mountaineer Barely Kept His Family Fed...But He Had A Really Cool RV With Multi Tiered Seating. | ||
| Dale Waller (Happycampersrus)
Registered Member Username: Happycampersrus Post Number: 326 Registered: 7-2005 Posted From: 69.19.14.40 Rating: N/A |
even had fancy table, just made for eating. | ||
| Cameron Jones (Crazy71)
Registered Member Username: Crazy71 Post Number: 40 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 75.179.153.89 Rating: |
Give em HELL Jeff. Look hard for the loophole. Careful about the attorney you choose. Most will take your money but are not really on your side about this. They are just like the HOA people. It you were their neighbor THEY would be the first to call in on you. Look for someone in zoning law or who deals with new business devolopment. They are used to jumping thru the hoops. There is always a loophole...Hey I told the city enforcement agent this exact quote before.. "There is always a loophole. If you want to play this mickey mouse game; fine. I am very good at it. For every one thing you make me stop doing, I will find three more to do that you can't stop me. I suggest you tell the complaining party to calm down and get over it. It could be worse; possibly soon." Mulitcolored cars work well, neon pink, orange, green spray paint is at all part stores. Place stuff on top of vehicle for looks. I like plywood, milk crates. ( they might call it improper outdoor storage) Cut your own sunroof...real big one... Place ladder up thru.. weld doors shut. Make sure it is operable. Many city codes say it must be able to be driven on its own power for 100 yrds/feet...I think yards. Run tubing from vaccum line to inside glove box. Keep quart of tranny fluid in there. If they make the mistake of asking for a demonstration....JAmes Bond time....works great. Write "Just Married" on windows and tie gallon paint cans and canned food cans to small rope to rear bumber....FUN FUN Find out where the complainers live. Park legally in front of their residence with it....often. Walk home. Exercise. Spray paint "War is HEll" on the side of it. Put sign on it..."Will trade for my old RV what about you?" THis may be childish but....I feel it is justified. These people have no right to control all others. Just make sure you exploit all you can. Work the Grandfather thing hard. If this wont fly, make sure anything that has EVER been grandfathered is changed/removed to code immediately. Past practices you know. Hold some fire to some feet and see how they squirm. BEST OF LUCK!! NEVER GIVE UP! | ||
| niles steckbauer (Niles500)
Registered Member Username: Niles500 Post Number: 717 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 72.91.107.56 Rating: N/A |
I just had a run in w/ my code enforcement board - one day I came home and there was a notice on my door to trim my trees along the street and sidewalk as they were overhanging a bit and to clean the gutter which was filled with dirt the city left when they fixed a broken water main - trimming was a reasonable request that I quickly complied with and trimmed my cedar/juniper trees even with the edge of the sidewalk and the street (but not the curb) I was not going to fix the mess they left in the gutter - a couple days later when I was home the code enforcement officer rang my door bell with a Formal Notice and the usual threat of fine - I took him outside and showed wher i had trimmed the trees and explained that they needed to clean up their mess - he did not respond at all and just forced the Notice on me - well long story short they improperly served me notice and I showed up at the code enforcement meeting with my court reporter but they admitted the Notice was unenforceable and then served me at that meeting for the next one - In the meentime the City Attorney calls me (at one point of the conversation he called me a jack@ss) and after he hangs up on me once he tells the city to clean their gutter but says I need to trim the trees back further - I told him I would trim them but they need to get ready for some nasty phone calls from the neighbors - If you can picture my evergeens trimmed straight up the trunk to seven feet high on both the street side and sidewalk side leaving only the parts in the middle - when my son came home he couldn't stop laughing - I don't think the city is though - I'll try and post a pic - (Message edited by niles500 on March 13, 2007) | ||
| Jeff Cheek (Jeffsmagicbus)
Registered Member Username: Jeffsmagicbus Post Number: 20 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 69.138.41.187 Rating: N/A |
Man O Man That Is Way Too Funny! I really enjoyed the ladder through the extra large sunroof cutout! I could not park it on the street as there are HOA rules & local codes prevent it but it was still a great idea. There have been about 80 people vote against me out of 125 but I don't want to exclude anybody from the fun I'll be having! I did decide to wait to actually get the papers & go from there. It will be at least 4-5 weeks before I even get that letter so I can make use of that time finding a real beater to let my friend professionally tag it one day. He's good at it too! It might make the vehicle look better so I'll tell him to keep it in vandalism mode instead of art mode! I'll Keep You Posted! Thanks For Caring & Taking The Time To Highly Amuse Me With These Excellent Ideas! | ||
| Cameron Jones (Crazy71)
Registered Member Username: Crazy71 Post Number: 41 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 75.179.153.89 Rating: N/A |
Hey Niles, Well of course you are a jack@ss. LOL You dared to defy the city's authority. If you don't act real concerned as if you had no idea you were in violation....and tell them you'll take care of it first priority...they will ride you. The city is never through. They can decide to nit-pick with you over any minor violation. Start a file now. Keep every letter, door tag, etc from the city. Start a log book for you. DAte and time when a violation occiurs..if you have to take it this far... Otherwise date and time when you receive notices, and when you do work. Somebody will eventually sue a city for "selective enforcement" which means harassment. When you pee pee them off. Many times they start riding you for everything they can; while overlooking violations in plain view nearby. | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 247 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.105.100 Rating: N/A |
When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty. Thomas Jefferson | ||
| Muddog16 (Muddog16)
Registered Member Username: Muddog16 Post Number: 333 Registered: 11-2004 Posted From: 4.225.88.52 Rating: N/A |
I've fallen in with not only bus nuts but a bunch of rebels! | ||
| Len Silva (Lsilva)
Registered Member Username: Lsilva Post Number: 97 Registered: 12-2000 Posted From: 71.30.240.27 Rating: N/A |
I am quite sure that this story actually happened and is not an urban myth. I can remember seeing a picture in the paper. It seems that a gentleman in rural Florida was being harassed by neighbors for having too many old trucks and tractors on his property. TMALSS, he put up a professionally done billboard announcing the new modern pig farm coming soon to his AG zoned property, all completely in compliance. The neighbors soon decided that the old trucks weren't so bad after all. Len | ||
| Cameron Jones (Crazy71)
Registered Member Username: Crazy71 Post Number: 42 Registered: 12-2006 Posted From: 75.179.153.89 Rating: N/A |
Rebels = Good thing. The sad part is nobody buys a bus or RV or boat to be a rebel. They think they are minding their own business and well within their rights...THEN...the system is out to stop them. Then we have to become rebels to prove a point. I will never lay down willingly. Even when I have had to comform... I made it a point to call them Nazi Bast@#ds to their faces. At least it makes me feel better. Then I get even. | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 248 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.106.200 Rating: N/A |
"Then I get even." (That's always been my attitude) "A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti." Hannibal Lecter (he was my hero) | ||
| Leland Bradley (Lee_bradley)
Registered Member Username: Lee_bradley Post Number: 9 Registered: 11-2006 Posted From: 140.178.205.10 Rating: N/A |
In a mature society, 'Civil Servant' is synonymous with 'Civil Master'. Robert A Heinlein |
