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!”
Who has Bill Clinton as a hero? Other than PeeWee Herman, I mean.
this guy from Illinois grew up in Wisconsin, and went from bad to worse.
mombyprofession, did you see this one? Yet another example of the state trampling the people.
“Oh! Come and see the violence inherent in the system! HELP! HELP! I’m being repressed!”
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.It took ages to convince the Demholes in the state legislature to approve those blue signs that tell whether there are hotels, restaurants, etc, at the next exit. Thanks Daffynition.
After reconsideration I would like to offer putting up a large billboard outside your window. All commerce is good commerce IMHO. Some think drug dealers and hookers are just commerce too.
My goodness, it took you 5 days to think up that witty reply....Hope you had a Merry Christmas and have a happy new year....
I like billboards. Some are entertaining. Like the ones in Missouri!
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