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Junk yard ordinance is actually a junk ordinance
Published Thursday, July 10, 2008
Just a note for people to "beware" of the so called "junk yard ordinance" that Otter Tail County is pushing to pass.
It should be called a "junk" ordinance. It will affect all rural people especially farmers as it basically simular to a city junk ordinance.
Under this ordinance no person can have more than five units of junk on their property. Junk would be considered something that has not been used or licensed in more than a year. Including a combination of automobiles, trucks, tractors, farm machinery, boats, campers, trailors, etc.
A school bus could be considered as five junk units by itself because of its size. If it is outside and not currently used or licensed you would have to get rid of it. It does not even matter if it is out of the public veiw.
If a person does not comply with getting rid of their so-called unused junk, you would then be classified as a "junkyard" yourself. You would be reqired to get a permit (if in fact you were even able to qualify for one). You would then have to be licensed and bonded (more taxes) like they want a normal junk yard to be.
The permit would then give the EPA, the county board members, and the county zoning officials "free access to all licensed land," or the right to come onto your property at any given time without a search warrant.
We feel very strongly that this ordinance would be a devastation to our property rights and freedoms to own what we choose. Once again, if you are in a rural area it will affect you.
You can go online and read the seven-page ordinance yourself at www.co.ottertail.mn.us/solidwaste/notices/JunkyardOrdinance2007.pdf
Or for a copy call or write to: Mike Hanan, (218) 998-4898, OTC Solid Waste, 1115 N. Tower Road, Fergus Falls, MN 56537
Please write or call Mike or any of the other board of commissioners to let them know that you are opposed to this ordinace.
In the Parkers Prairie area, our commissioner is Roger Froemming (218) 338-9283. They need your input.
Dan and Melany Wilken - Parkers Prairie
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by wes (anonymous) on July 10, 2008 at 12:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Just another example of us citizens allowing government
to take over every aspect of our lives.
Posted by JL (anonymous) on July 10, 2008 at 12:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
all of our rights are becoming privileges thanks to all the new laws that are coming up. You own the property, but they will tell you what you can and can't do to it, while you pay for it and pay taxes on it, it still isn't yours, something is really going wrong with this country. I do however understand the places that look like garbage is just dumped on their lawn but come on to what extent will they go?
Posted by Newshound (anonymous) on July 10, 2008 at 6:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We are all responsible to our neighbors and our community. None of us should want to create an eyesore or maintain what a reasonable person would consider a "junk pile".
Some of this discussion recalls the debates regarding pornagraphy in past years. As one famous jurist put it: "Some times I can't describe it, but I know it when I see it."
C'mon folks. Be reasonable: you know what a junky place looks like same as I do.
Posted by 89Heritage (anonymous) on July 10, 2008 at 9:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You are right wes. And why do we keep allowing them to do that? JL is also correct. Something is very wrong with this country. We hire (elect) people who sound like they're going to look out for America & as soon as they are in office, they cater to money. Special interest groups with deep pockets. Seat belts is an insurance thing. from some statistics I have read, they are about a coin toss as far as saving lives in a serious crash. I've been in 2 serious crashes. I'm the only 1 who survived both & I was told that if I had been wearing 1, I wouldn't be here. I refuse to wear 1. Smoking ban isn't about public safety. It's about insurance companies & Liberal fanatic groups with deep pockets. I done a search for "America's No. 1 health issue & do you know were smoking ranked? Neither do I. It wasnt even mentioned on the 5 pages I looked at. Obesity is No.1 followed by stress No.2 & Alcohol. How are you over weight people going to feel when you walk into a grocery store & they send you done a special isle to shop. You won't be allowed to go in the rest of the store were the good stuff is. Don't say it will never happen. That's what alot of us thought about, seat belts. smoking ect... How many of these people pushing the junk thing are poor? How many live here year round? We have sold all of our lakes to people with money, most of whom are'nt even from here. Reasonable people :) Reasonable people don't move into an area that has for the most part, been understanding of there neighbors, and there ways of life and expect them to change everything to suite them. Liberals & lawyers. The cancer of America
Posted by AmyO (anonymous) on July 11, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/FASTATS/lcod.htm...
Number of deaths for leading causes of death (2005)
Heart disease: 652,091
Cancer: 559,312
Stroke (cerebrovascular diseases): 143,579
Chronic lower respiratory diseases: 130,933
Accidents (unintentional injuries): 117,809
Diabetes: 75,119
Alzheimer's disease: 71,599
Influenza/Pneumonia: 63,001
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome, and nephrosis: 43,901
Septicemia: 34,136
Guess what one of the biggest risk factors is for #1, #2, #3 and #4?
I think this is a good ordinance. Perhaps the details should be tweaked a little, but overall, I'm for it. I think you are correct in your correlating it to such laws as the seat belt law, or the smoking ban. It's just a matter of time before the "reasonable people" in society realize that there are just certain things that the general public should not have to put up with. Even if it is under the guise of personal "freedom."
Just curious, what do you consider a "liberal lawyer" to be? Bird flu?
Posted by AmyO (anonymous) on July 11, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hey, I did the same search you did (America's No. 1 health issue) and the third link I came up with said that "Pain is America's No. 1 Public Health Problem." Guess you learn something new every day. C'mon everyone! Let's all get together and help out in our fight against pain! Can someone pass me the vicodin?
Posted by AmyO (anonymous) on July 11, 2008 at 10:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh wait, nevermind, I figured it out. A liberal lawyer must be the "Heart Disease of America." ;)
Posted by jetfire63 (anonymous) on July 11, 2008 at 11:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Gee I would have thought "Junkyards" would be #1 the way Otter Tail County is attacking them!
Posted by pamelajo1012 (anonymous) on July 11, 2008 at 12:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
i am not seeing the big deal with putting up a fence if your yard looks like scrap metal and crap cars and piles of old fencing puked up all over it, i understand if you have a couple of cars/tractors/machine equipment, but if it is all over your yard and pasture so that there is hardly an grass showing put up the stupid fence.
Posted by AmyO (anonymous) on July 11, 2008 at 1:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well said Pamela. In my opinion, anyone who needs more than a "semi trailer full" (as mentioned in a related article) of junk (or what would be reasonably considered junk) on their property at any given time, should be considered a "junk yard."
Just clean up your yard. It's not rocket science.
Posted by whostruth (anonymous) on July 11, 2008 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ok, I like my junk, I know alot of junk addicts,and yes it is all over my place and I am obsesed with it ,I always figure it will come in handy sometime, and it is also my hobbie, I make my so called art work with it, I trade it and I love the most unlovable junk,Almost all my friends are junk addicts too... now what?..... I do not drink ..Along with that lets outlaw booze , and I do not do drugs , Lets outlaw pain pills for those who might get addicted...
I am fat Take away my chocolate, I smoke at home, and next you will take that away, I have learned to where my seat belt, unwillingly that is .....,simply because I know when it doesn,t work, and it would be better to be thrown, Don,t people have anything else to do than mess with my serenity....
Posted by AmyO (anonymous) on July 11, 2008 at 2:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hmm. Well, perhaps you should develop a new hobby of exercising? That way: #1. You won't have to worry about getting in trouble with the law once an ordinance such as this passes; and #2. You won't be fat anymore and will be at a lesser risk of countless health hazards that result from being obese. That's just my opinion though. I guess the bottom line is you can do whatever you feel like doing. You just have to be prepared to deal with the consequences of your actions.
Posted by whostruth (anonymous) on July 11, 2008 at 4:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Yep I am my own person!!! Oh I know whats going on!!! If we all get skinny, to fit in the rocket, Do not smoke, it would be rather uncomfortable to breath in such small quarters,Have no assets {junk}, to take with , we can all be moved to mars , to start a new life when this planet rots away!!! I will just stay here, thank you,very much...
Amy I do not like you , you just called my art work junk!!it is made from junk.. too the mars AMY!!!!
Posted by Mel (anonymous) on July 12, 2008 at 10:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Did anyone report on how many signed the petition against this crazy anti freedom idea?
Posted by FungusAmugus (anonymous) on July 13, 2008 at 2:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Doesn't anyone think it is strange that the city is up in arms about junk in peoples yards but nobody makes a stink about the old abandon flour mill and dairy, especially the mill which is right in the heart of the city for EVERYONE to see! what's with that!
Posted by Mel (anonymous) on July 13, 2008 at 3:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Fungus, Did they at one time make "Fergus rolled oats" there?
Maybe they should start it up again. Otherwise, tear it down.
Posted by FungusAmugus (anonymous) on July 13, 2008 at 8:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm not sure what all was made there, but if they don't remove or clean up that building then I find it hard to believe they would start hounding private homeowners. That building in particular is way more of a eyesore than any old car or junk I've seen in anyone's yard! But that is only my opinion, and as we all know only certain opinions really matter!
Posted by tippy98c (anonymous) on July 18, 2008 at 8:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Can we limit child bearing to 1-2 units in the county while were at it?
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