Looks like I'm now unemployed!!

Well guys, it's Merry Christmas to me
Just a few days before Christmas and I get an email from our local government office containing my "Certificate of Compliance". It's very vague, but states that on December 18th 2019 my business was deemed to comply with requirements. Only says on that date which worries me a little. Does that mean that at a future date they can change their minds?

There were no conditions placed on the permit, so I questioned them. Basically I must self-regulate to ensure I only carry out work in the same way as previously. It's a huge relief, but I can't help still being a little dubious.

To add some detail to the mystery, I had a visit from another local mechanic who also works from home. Seems he has just been approached by the council as well, told to shut down. He tells me another mechanic in the town has also been told the same. Sounds like more than a coincidence. My theory is that there's a business in the town who's in the pocket of council and is using some unethical methods to try and cut out the competition. Anyway, I'm off the hook, so I guess that sets a precedent for the next guy.

Thanks for your support and good wishes.
Rod.

Merry Christmas Rodney. It seems that you continue to have every right to earn a living..

MERRY CHRISTMAS Rod.

Great news on your permit to continue working from your existing premises. It must be a relief.

Wishing you a safe and successful New Year from FNQ!

Merry Christmas Rod. That is good news for you. I would also have to agree that there is a certain individual that has been behind this all, as others have also been all affected in teh same way that you were. But overall, glad for you!

Sunbird wrote:MERRY CHRISTMAS Rod.

Great news on your permit to continue working from your existing premises.  It must be a relief.

Wishing you a safe and successful New Year from FNQ!

Thanks roddie & Mike.  It's certainly a relief to know they (hopefully) won't be on my back any more.

Mike, we just delivered our youngest son to the airport this morning for his flight back to Queensland.  He just had a quick visit home for Christmas- We may not see him all that often now because a certain young lady may keep his interests in the north.  He's working in Coolum and most likely will go back to working in the showfields during winter, along with his beloved.

Can't stop 'em growing up!!

NEW222 wrote:Merry Christmas Rod. That is good news for you. I would also have to agree that there is a certain individual that has been behind this all, as others have also been all affected in teh same way that you were. But overall, glad for you!

Thanks Chancey.

Two old sayings come to mind Rod.

"It's the squeaky wheel that get's the grease."

and

"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth."

You did the squeaking with a positive outcome

and

accept their decision at face value and don't look back.

Happy for ya

Bob

Glad you got what you wanted Rod Now get out there and go to work I have thousands of dollars worth of tools and turned wrenches for over 30 yrs. , with my arthritis i could not care if i worked on anything else .

rsv1cox wrote:
Two old sayings come to mind Rod.
"It's the squeaky wheel that get's the grease."
And
"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth."

You did the squeaking with a positive outcome
and
accept their decision at face value and don't look back.

Happy for ya
Bob

Duplicating Bob’s feelings , except, keep and eye over your shoulder and stay in contact with the others who were put in this “position” for group support in the future to push back on the political bully.  

My The city Where I used to live, started out small, just wanting to have rental apartments “registered” so they can contact the Owner if there was a emergency?  Slowly the rules changed to register yearly and pay a small fee, to registering and having city inspectors inspect (add: inspection fees)  each unit, and given 45, 60 or 90days to make required repairs/upgrades to newly imposed housing codes, or be faced with fines, of course there’s a charge to issue “repair orders” and re-inspections. Then any repairs required needed to be done by City Licensed Contractors, who have to obtain city issued “Work Permits” as approved professionals in the  Construction Trades Electrical, Plumber, Heating /Furnace inspection/replacements. I was no longer allowed to do any thing to building/structure as I was NOT living there, not “Owner Occupied “ or Home owner, I was just the registered “Building Owner” and taxpayer of record on the property.

 started out small.....

I no longer own anything inside the city limits.
 The township where I relocated to only charges 1/2 of 1% of my taxes as a collection fee on my property tax, they proudly announce, they are not charging the full 1% as allowed by law, as the City does.
So, now they are charging a “fee” to collect the “taxes” we have to pay and they have to collect!
Sort of like charging the Milkman a fee to milk the cows so, he can have milk to sell ?

ANYWay. YOU GOT YOUR “COA” . Certificate of Approval.....Whoopie!!
MERRY Christmas and Happy New Years!!

Yeah, Michigan has a Gestapo property tax, inspections and permitting regime.

That's great news Rod.  It sounded like a neighbor that hates to see anyone having fun and making a living at the same time, or maybe a real estate agent concerned about a nearby property value to me at first.  We've got plenty of both around here.  Either one would rat out their mom in a heartbeat.  Now it sounds like you said, a mechanic who knows someone on the council.  

I'm really glad it worked out for you.  Do keep a sharp eye on your six o'clock though.

Rod, I know this makes for a Merrier Christmas and a Happier New Year for you. When you first told us about it, even from halfway around the world, it made me irritated at how a self-important local government can violate a good working-man's human right to make a living for himself and his family. Maybe someone charged with reviewing your case was actually Not a self important bully, and recognized that a wrongful over stepping of authority was happening.

Thanks for keeping us posted. That makes my own Christmas and New Year are a little more merry and happy than they already are.
Rusty

Thanks everyone.  It certainly will be a happier new year than it might have been.  It's great to see the level of support I have got from a bunch of people I've never met You guys are a great encouragement.

I'm happy for you that this worked out for you, after all the problems! I have been watching this post for a while, because a similar situation happened to me and my business at a local airport. The idiot airport manager had it in for me, after I caught him giving a 'show and tell" on a Beech Baron, in my hangar- after hours! He was banging the ailerons from stop to stop, and opening hatches and cabin doors, also! The last straw was when he removed a fuel cap, and broke the chain that connected it to the opening! I yelled at them to leave! He took offense, and raised my building/ hangar rent; went to the city council to say that I didn't have insurance, and other things until I couldn't afford to operate there. If I could have paid an attorney, I might have prevailed, but the atmosphere was ruined. I moved on, then retired. I'm actually glad I did.

I'm glad your situation is better, and you're able to continue doing what you want to do!

GUS THE I.A. wrote:I'm happy for you that this worked out for you...........
If I could have paid an attorney, I might have prevailed,
I'm glad your situation is better, and you're able to continue doing what you want to do!

Actually, on council's suggestion, I did engage a lawyer. Cost me nearly $1k for nothing. Lawyer wrote letter, they ignored them. He presented signed statutory documents, they refused to acknowledge them. Their attitude was "That's just his opinion". If I wanted to I could have kept pursuing them for compensation, but I just wanted to get it over with so I conceded to their demand that I apply (and pay) for a permit that exempts me from the planning regulations. I was actually already exempt due to my "existing use rights", which they refused to acknowledge. Lawyer said the whole thing was a load of rubbish, but anyway, apart from lost income and stress, it only ended up costing me a little over $1,200. Not good, but could have been much worse.

Why not celebrate..    by having your band play there on NYE? Are any of the members local?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=_vQjGwWRbRA&feature=emb_logo