2012 - City Code Violation complaint

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• Christine Mattson From: David Williams [diw72293@msn.com] Sent: Wednesday, August 01, 2012 11:52 PM To: Christine Mattson Subject: Car in drivway complaint Christine, I received today your letter regarding the complaint about the car I am working on in my driveway at 2055 Webber Hills Rd. To begin with, no one has approached me regarding any concern over the car. While I admit that it is not at the stage of completion even I would like, you would think someone would first approach me rather than taking the complaint route. I have always kept the car covered, and don't understand the fuss other than that it meets the technical definition of a blocked car. I don't think it's appearance is offensive ( and the cover was new a couple of months ago). You may not be interested in the following details, but it's still a good story. The car is an 88 Cadillac DeVille that was once my father's, who had owned it since new and who is now deceased. As such, it holds sentimental value, as well as utility, for those times when I or my family need another car. Otherwise I would not retain it(I don't like GM cars). It is functionally and cosmetically sound, having been Ziebarted when new (comprehensively rust-proofed), and spent several winters in FL away from MN salt and snow. It has apr. 200M miles, and received a rebuilt engine at apr. 130M miles. It has never been in a collision, though it does have a dented driver's door, sadly, as a result of my girlfriend's self-absorbed daughter backing into it. When my primary driver (car) needed repair in May/June, I drove the Cadillac. I realized there were some things I could do strategically to prevent problems down the road with it, esp. given it's age. Once my driver was repaired, I began on the Cadillac. In addition, my niece is approaching the maximum mileage on her leased vehicle, so the Cadillac will likely go to her for a time this fall. I will admit to a certain amount of procrastination, and if you haven't noticed, it's been unusually hot and humid to work on cars the past couple of months. I am not "stuck" on fixing the car, and in fact should have it in driveable condition by your deadline. I am replacing the rear struts, flexible brake lines, rebuilding the drum brakes, replacing the rear parking brake cables, and replacing the rear stabilizer links. The blocks were employed initially to raise the car a few inches and prevent "flat" spots from forming on the tires while parked. The tires remained on the ground, though stress relieved. The blocks are currently performing redundantly to prevent the car from falling on me should the jack stands fail. Since I am 53 years old and a closeted gearhead, I can do these things. I'm simply from that era where people did that, and I'm not afraid to learn, work and get my hands dirty. I don't have a repair business or any other nonsense. There are a couple of questions: 1) Can you tell me who the complainant is? Is that not a matter of public record since a complaint has been formally registered? It would help to better present the car in that direction, given that there are at most 3 properties that are in view. I believe you are newer to Orono if my memory serves me right. About 10 years ago there was a sewer issue here that divided the Webber Hills neighborhood, as well as more recently a "monument" issue at the entrances to Webber Hills. Some of my neighbors employ plowing and lawn care services, and their disregard for property lines has caused me to approach the neighbors and consult the city. I snowblow my own drive and cut my own grass (without self-propulsion, I might add). So someone may have had an axe to grind. 2)The (your) letter is not clear. "...the vehicle must be operable, stored in an enclosed structure, or removed from the property....". I am assuming there should be the operand "or" after "operable". Several houses in my vicinity have cars in the driveway, and some have cars left on the street overnight. I am assuming that once it is operable the Cadillac can remain where it is. 3)Today is August 1st. The inspection was July 18th. Assumedly the complaint came even before the 18th. Why did it take so long to send this letter and therefore assumedly give me a shorter window to comply? I look forward to your reply. Sincerely, Dave Williams