Update

Depositions should start anytime in our case. Won't be posting for awhile. Attorney has given us instructions, so we're incommunicado. Thanks for your understanding. Will post something when I can.

"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.

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!

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!

Blog Stats & Progress Report

To date, there have been over 6,000 views on this blog, 523 just last month! We've completed exhaustive remedy in preparation for our new case. More revelations came to light through this process. I actually was in shock at one meeting with what was said implicating multiple officials. It's taken us 12 years to get to this point. Hope 2018 will bring resolution to this whole ordeal.

Update on Stanislaw v Thetford Township

My apologies for not posting for so long. It was late last year when I posted last. As you know, those of you who have read Under Color of Law, or are close to the story, new details were revealed to us toward the end of the book. This led us to new revelations, some of which we could never have imagined! All of this has opened up new possibilities for justice and resolution, and the possibility of a whole new case.  Though that has not yet happened, it's becoming a distinct possibility. We're currently going through exhaustive remedy in Circuit Court. This is a necessary process for bringing a new case for civil rights violations, and are diligently working to bring that to pass. Needless to say, my attention has been taken up on this new possibility.  A sequel may be in the works. In the mean time, I am planning a book signing on May 6th from 10 to 4 at the LaFurgey Community Room attached to the Mt. Morris District Library. Hope to see some of you there.

Beware:  Late Term Legislative Session Looming

Hidden Agendas, Secret Deals, and Last Minute Revisions

Typical of Late Term Legislative Sessions

 

On the last day of the Michigan legislative session in December of 2004, and at the point when passage was imminent, new requirements for auto dealers were inserted into Bill 4231 which dealt with abandoned cars. This resulted in the loss of an estimated 1,000 businesses throughout the state, including our own.  Under Color of Law highlights the last minute antics, secret deals, and hidden agendas typical of late term legislative action, and tells the personal story of those affected by them. With another late term, end of the year legislative session looming, Under Color of Law becomes even more relevant.

Under Color of Law, the Story of P.A. 495 was written to increase awareness of how the legislature conducts business, and to tell the story of what happened here in our state. It raises key questions about procedural safeguards and constitutional guidelines that were bypassed by the legislators, the late night passage of P.A. 495 after 'last minute' revisions, and details the devastating effects on those caught in its crosshairs. It’s an enlightening story of what can happen to anyone when government operates without parameters or accountability, and at the behest of those with money and power.