FREE COUNTRY?
Update Oct 11 2005
I stopped by the local Restaraunt today on the way home from some errands,
I was asked how the problems with the county was going.
I told them about the below.
I was then informed there is a grass roots organization starting now.
It was starting from a group of around 6 concerned citizens.
One has 30 cars he was told he has to remove.
They call it "Patriots against Rice County" "PARC" they said there not against Rice Co. so much as against the particular ordinance and what they feel is an abuse of power.
Update Oct 10 2005
Today The Lady from the county came out to inspect.
She gave us a 30 day extension. She said the scrap iron pile has to go.
and my 2 pickup boxes.
I said well, the scrap iron pile is 90% farm scrap, she said she didnt care.
I explained that I was told I can have 2 cars without current tabs.
I said how about our 3 tractors? One leaks worse than any of our cars.
She said theres no ordinance against farm equiptmant.
I then asked, was there no ordinance because the person writing it owned a bunch of tractors. she laughed about that one.
I beleive I should go to faribault and get in writing what i still need to do.
More to follow.
Oct 7 2005
I added the flag as a bit of sarcasm for the below letter that my Dad and I got in the mail. The person who wrote the article and came up with the ordinance is a male county employee that spent many years in the Air Force and considers himself a Patriot. The below article is, in my opinion, not from a patriot who believes in peoples rights.
The lady mentioned below is a person who is employed just for this particular job, and has the thankless job of enforcing Rice County's Ordinance.
I think I will buy a flag to fly just when they come out to inspect.
Dear Mr. Nelson
My reason for writing you is that I am looking into a complaint on your property of too many vehicles.
It appears that you may have more than two unlicensed and inoperable vehicles on your property. I understand that your son, Andy, is operating a business on this property. One of his conditions of obtaining that business license is that he does not have more 2 unlicensed and inoperable vehicles.
If Andy is in violation, his business license can be revoked. But the ultimate responsibility lies with the property owner. If you feel that you are in compliance, please contact me so that we can schedule a time for me to come out and inspect your property. The Rice County Ordinance Reads as:
Rice County Planning & Zoning Ordinances defines a junkyard as follows:
Land or buildings where waste, discarded or salvaged materials are bought, purchased, sold, exchanged, stored, cleaned, packed, disassembled, or handled, including, but not limited to, scrap metal, rags, paper, rubber products, glass products, lumber products and products resulting from the wrecking of automobiles or other salvage vehicles, provided further that the storage of 3 or more inoperative and/or unlicensed motorized vehicles for a period in excess of 3 months shall also be considered a junk yard.
The vehicles must be properly disposed of legally and within the next 30 days. The county requires that you show documentation on the disposal of the vehicles or where the vehicles were taken. As a reminder, you are not allowed to park over any septic system.
Once you have completed this task of vehicle removal or licensing or feel that you are already in compliance, please contact me so we can schedule a time to come out and inspect the property. You must contact me if you cannot complete this task by the deadline.
If on October 10, 2005, you have not contacted me about this matter, I will be refering this matter over to the Rice County District Attorneys office for prosecution.
In addition to the referral to the County Attorneys Office, if the property is not cleaned up by October 10, 2005, I will be proceeding with action to to get your property cleaned up, with the cost of the clean up being assessed on your property taxes.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact me at 507-332-6113
Thanks again for your cooperation
Sincerely Kris Olson
Rice County Planning And Zoning
507-332-6108
Dear Andy Nelson
We have received and reviewed your business licensing application. We have accepted
your business licensing application upon the condition that no more than two unlicensed and inoperable vehicles may be present on the property as stated in the notice.
Please remove the addition vehicles from the site. We also determined that because of the type and location of your business, we suggest that you apply for a conditional use permit.
If you choose to apply for the permit, the $50.00 annual business licensing fee would be dropped upon the approval of your conditional use permit. For further expansions, enlargements, or changes, please consult with the Rice County Planning and Zoning for proper procedures and obtaining permits.
If you have any questions, please contact Rice County planning and zoning at
(507)332-6113
Josh Pearson
Rice County
Planning and Zoning
