Posted on 12/22/2009 2:47:33 AM PST by Daffynition
Alger Smock is no dummy. The successful pig farmer with a history for standing up for what he believes is right, has a new battle, and it is taking place in the hallowed halls of Lansing.
You see Smock has a semi-trailer alongside US127 at Coleman Road. On the semi-trailer is a professionally designed sign advertising Witbeck’s Family Foods of Clare. Smock charges Jerry Witbeck an annual fee to place his sign on Smock’s property.
In September, Smock received a letter from the Michigan Department of Transportation (better known as MDOT), indicating the permit number on his sign was not visible from US127, therefore he was in violation of state statutes. If it wasn’t rectified within 30 days, the letter threatened, Smock would be fined $250 days.
Smock laughed it off because the letter had a sign that wasn’t his, from a different road, attached. Laughed that is until a second letter came in October, demanding that the sign be brought in to compliance or removed within 60 days. If not, MDOT threatened, they would begin legal proceedings to have it removed.
Now Smock was angry. He requested an administrative hearing. He took pictures of signs up and down US127 that he felt were not in compliance. He erected a second sign that simply said, “Shop Clare.” He was going to argue several points as to why his sign should remain.
The hearing was Monday. Smock was told he wasn’t in compliance and since there was a moratorium on new signage, there was no way it could be brought into compliance. In other words it had to come down.
The hearing referee threatened, either take it down within 30 days or we will take it down and fine you (Smock) $500 and the costs of demolition. Smock, retorted, “and whose army are you going to bring,” to get on my private property. Smock lives within shouting distance of the sign.
A defiant Smock plans to raise all kinds of hell, when MDOT shows. He has called his state representative, as well as other elected officials, and he plans to have the news media waiting with him for MDOT’s arrival. It will be the first time, ever, MDOT has, removed a sign. It will make a great story, if and when it happens.
While at the hearing, State Representative Brian Calley was sitting in the back, listening intently. Calley was there because he is introducing a bill that would lift the moratorium on additional signage.
In Smock’s case, even though the sign has been up for 1 ½ years, he has no recourse but to take it down, because the state is not approving any more new permits, and his sign since it is non-compliant, would be considered new.
Calley says his bill would lift the moratorium. He says the moratorium only benefits the two or three major sign companies that now have a monopoly on roadside signage. In other words, they’ve already got all the signs and locations permitted. The state, in collusion, with these companies, make it difficult for others to put up signs- even if the signs are on their own property.
Calley further stated, “I feel MDOT is going way beyond the statute when it comes to enforcement. Like many state agencies, they are very rigid on how they interpret the statutes and unresponsive when it comes to citizens.”
I wholeheartedly agree. I don’t understand, when the State continually cries poor, how they have the budget to hire sign enforcement police to run all over the state to harass ordinary citizens like Alger Smock.
Smock simply provides a service for his local community. He provides signage for local businesses. It isn’t about the money- he will do it for free. The sign is on his property, on a vehicle that is moveable, in an area that is very rural.
He is fighting the state, who places signs and charges local businesses for advertising on them at every exit. Is it that they don’t want little guys like Smock to derive any revenue from signage, because it might cut in to their take? How can a state compete with local people, and then turn around and force them to shut their businesses down?
State Rep. Calley said it well- “This is what happens when the people allow the bureaucrats to take over.” Maybe it’s time to re-take the government from those career bureaucrats. Maybe its time to say “enough is enough!”
Never met this guy, wouldn’t know him from Adam, but seems like he would be a good friend to have.
Jack
and they just can`t figure out why people are bailing out of Michigan?
He is a good friend to have and a very interesting and colorful character.
How did you find this? My curiosity is killing me.
I haven’t been there in a few years but it sounds more and more like Michigan is California with bad weather.
Invent and pass a law and when it is challenged, keep it tied up in 'court', costing lots of money and taking the time of important people.
The image of the lone protester in Tiananmen Square standing in front of a column of PRC tanks comes to mind.
INDEED.
Shouldn’t that be prop’prop’prop’property folks !.....:o)
Hope he wins this fight !
Seems as if State Rep. Calley has his head screwed on right.
For the past couple of decades retirees from New England have been leaving. Boomers are continuing the trend. Younger people moving are looking for work.
I find Mr.Smocks argument to be...Logical.
Just perusing the morning headlines on the ‘net. The title caught my eye.
“If ya walk too much they’ll tax your feet”.
I’d sort of like to see Mr.Alger Smock shoot any gubmint MDOT a-hole who shows up on Mr. Alger Smock, PRIVATE PROPERTY.
Good Morning Squantos.
I hope’ hope’ hope’ he wins too.
Not all of us are bailing out. Some of us will resist the forced evacuation and won’t leave while we’re still breathing.
Something for the list.
Damn, I hate government! Why couldn’t the governor call MDOT and tell the idiot who has nothing else to do but hassle Mr. Smock find something else to do. If the MDOT employee can’t, it should be obvious that his job is not needed by the people of Michigan.
Good luck, Mr. Smock!
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