Monday, October 1, 2018

"Used Car Dealer Regulations Kill Small Businesses"

We've had the first meeting regarding our case - a scheduling conference. Our first deadline is October 15 to turn over all of our documents. While searching for some, I ran across the following article I was asked to write in conjunction with Jack McHugh, Legislative Analyst with the Mackinac Center for Public Policy detailing the devastating affects Public Act 495 had. I hope you find it interesting.



Monday, August 27, 2018

Progress Report on New Case

After our new case was filed in April, a motion was filed almost immediately by the Defendants' attorney to change the venue from Michigan Circuit Court to Federal Court. Then prior to the conference to schedule discovery such as depositions, etc., they filed a motion to have it heard by the previous judge, and have it termed a 'companion' case with our first case. All of this is strategy and maneuvering, and was shot down immediately. But it delayed any further progress. Consequently, the scheduling conference has been delayed from July to September. So glad we're not impatient to get things underway.

Due to the sensitivity of much of the information regarding the case, I can only give updates of actual events. Nothing of substance regarding the case, itself, can be shared at this time, alhough, some of you may have heard the news that the Thetford Township Police Chief (Yes, the one in the book) was arrested last week (August 22, 2018) on charges of embezzling money from the sale of military equipment obtained through the LESO program, and obstruction of justice. This certainly throws a new twist into the situation. The arrest was the culmination of a year-long investigation by the local Sheriff's Department as to what had become of some of the equipment the Chief had obtained, and where some of the money was from equipment that had been scrapped at a local salvage yard that hadn't been turned into the Township. The Clerk promptly resigned the next day on the heels of the Police Chief's arrest. One thing is clear, the regime that has been in control, doing whatever they wanted with no fear of reprisal or being held accountable, is fast losing its grip. Stay tuned!

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

WOW! THINGS HAVE BEEN HAPPENING.

We got our new case filed in April. Now for the long road ahead. We meet with our attorney on July 23 to discuss strategy, and then meet with opposing counsel to set the schedule for discovery - depositions, and such. No promises...Anything can happen when you get into court. BUT, for those of you who have read the book or know our story, based on the decision made last August by the Zoning Board of Appeals to change how they were interpreting their Zoning Ordinance, just YESTERDAY (they had to wait until the minutes of that meeting were approved, and then get advice from their attorney), we received from Thetford Township newly signed Municipality and Zoning Approval forms stating our property IS properly zoned for a used car license, AND in compliance with ALL municipal ordinances. After 12 1/2 years, we finally have what we were entitled to have in December of '05.

Several have asked if I'm planning to write a sequel to "Under Color of Law." No one can believe we've hung in here as long as we have, OR are at the point we are. Can't say I haven't toyed with the idea, but for now, I will just keep working on our case - Still researching information to show our unequal treatment, and reviewing depositions from our previous case. GETTING READY! Have to see this through before thinking about the future. Will keep you posted, I promise!