Going Postal w/ Prima Facia Evidence
May 1, 2007
Code officers often stand in line at the Post Office with certified mail citations going out to violators, warning letterS etc... E-bay home based businesses have sprung-up nationwide. One terrible side effect: These business owners bring huge boxes of individual items being shipped to customers, one at a time, slowly, using the non-commercial regular-mail counter. Often all counters are fouled-up with this activity. Standing in line behind these people a code enforcement officer (or a citizen wishing to submit a complaint) can see prima-facia evidence of a home based business being ran out of the same jurisdiction as the post office / code officer. Glancing at the return address of all these boxes or jotting down the tag number of the person(s) conducting this business assists in investigating this prima-facia eveidence. Sort'a a form of probable cause; a reasonable and prudent person observing this type of slow transaction with many, many packages would beleive a business operation is being conducted. Typically, the tax-payers are also being jipped out of local, county, state & federal tax money! A quick investigation will reveal if this is a tax-paying licensed business. if not, local code action can be initiated for operating a home based business w/o a tax license. Obtaining this will generate the need for a county license...which genertates another thing and another thing and pretty soon all forms of governemnt know that a business is being operated and taxes need to be paid...hopefully not too many back taxes!!!
'George Washington Had No Permit So Nor Will I'
March 3, 2007
Recently, I responded to tree removal w/o permit call. I attempted to approach the home-owner and the contractor. They refused to allow me access and the contractor just yelled something about Geroge washington not having a permit to cut down the Cherry Tree so I dont need one either. I was simply trying to get a friendly stop-work order posted and have them call the staff forester to explain what problem the tree was causing and obtain a simple permit. The tree in-question was a huge old oak, more then likely historical and over 100 years old. We call these protected trees. I got pics of the tree with digital zoom and the contractors vehicle tag number and corporate logo. Then I left. The following morning the citation went out to both home owner and contractor. The minimum fine is around $10,000 for a protected tree. Had he met with the correct officials and demonstrated a reason they could'a got the dang permit and simply planted some trees in a city park or whatever the requirements are. Oh yeah, almost forgot, I called the state department who issued the contractors' license and made a BBB post regarding the business.
Here is a funny, funny one!
Relax & let Us Do The Work For You!
5-3-07
Our area got nailed with many 'College Hunks Hauling Junk' signs all over the place. Some really dangerous places too. (College Punks Placing Junk) Going to the web-site and filling out a request here was the reply:
(read carefully; a code officers dream!)
From: website request [mailto:info@1800junkusa.com]
Sent: Thu 5/1/2007 2:38 PM
To: Mr. Code Enforcement
Subject: Your no-obligation College Hunks Hauling Junk Booking
Hi Code Enforcement,
Thank you again for booking your no-obligation junk removal appointment online.
Your junk removal appointment is booked for: 05/03/2007 from 8-10 am. Our Truck Team will call you 15 to 30 minutes before the two-hour arrival window to confirm their arrival time.
They will call you at: ___-___-____
Your pickup address is: major busy intersections and dangerous middle highway medians with 50 mph traffic flow.
_____, __ _____
You can expect:
-To relax while we do all of the labor, loading, cleanup, and disposal for you
-Friendly service from our professional and collegiate team!
If you wish to update your booking information go to http://www.1800JunkUSA.com or call us directly at 1-800-586-5872. Thanks again and Have a Junk-Free Day!
The College Hunks Hauling Junk Team
