At the heart of this issue is whether a governmental body can regulate asthetics. If he is not effecting the health, safety, and welfare of the community then he is within his rights. How something looks is subjective and not defineable by law. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. He is bothering no one and therefore how his property looks is not a legitimate violation that the Township can claim is effecting the public. Unfortunately,acceptance of asthetics laws has led to communities dictating and defining architecture, design, and other so called "values" upon land owners. These types of regulatory takings are descriminatory and constitutiuonally unsupportable. However in this day and age the constitution is only refered to when convenient. Many subdivisions regulate such things but, this is appropriate since the owners all agree before they buy to obey the rules. Government does not work this way. It imposes and seldom asks. The bottom line: You can't regulate what you can't define. Beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder. Leave this man alone and go catch some real criminals. Stop wasting tax payer money!

The framers of our constituton gave everyone in this country the right, not the priviledge of unrestricted property ownership both real and private. They also gave the right to life , liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That is what seperates us from the rest of the world. But unfortunately it is in our human nature to want to contol things and people. Where it goes wrong is when we the people allow our freedoms to be eroded by people who have no regard for our right, personal freedoms or freedom of speech. There is something fundamentally flawed with a system that runs amok and causes such attrocities to be imposed on a person such as Mr Snider for only wanting the freedom to live his life in the manner he chooses on the property he owns and pays taxes on. There are so many other issues in our society that deserves attention and I see the way Mr Snider is being persecuted as a waste of my taxpayers dollars and totally irresponsible behavior by govt officials who ought to have more sense and otherwise should know better. Wake Up America before you wake up without an America and your freedoms you so foolishly take for granted....open your eyes and google " North American Union "

If people put this much energy into fixing their own flaws (if thats what you want to call it) instead of others, maybe this world would be a better place?

This is so petty. The complainers need to get a life...seriously!

A suggestion to complainers: move into a subdivision, pay your yearly dues and a committee will make sure everyones yards are up to par!

Unbelievable how many people don't respect property rights. It's his property, he pays the taxes, as long as his actions don't affect your health or pose a risk to your property (such as burning land recklessly) then butt out!!!

As far as property values, who wouldn't want lower property values? I do. Lower property values = lower property taxes. Who doesn't want lower property taxes?

My neighbor has several boats, buses, cars, trucks etc on his property. Do I want to look at it? Not really. Is it my place to tell him what he does with or has on HIS property? NO WAY. So what's my solution? Plant a ton of trees between his house and mine (on MY property). Soon, I won't see it at all.

I do live next to a family that may or may not be worse than Mr. Snider.(I don't know because I haven't seen his property.) They have a lot of junked cars and other items in their yard and they have buried garbage in their yard.
I don't like how they live, but I will defend their rights to live like that because that family owns that property and they pay their taxes. I would defend them even if they were rude people, but since they are nice and polite to my family I have no problems. If it ever goes up for sale I will try to buy it and clean it up but until then what they do in their yard,(as long as they don't pollute the ground water or air) is none of my business.
I would suggest that you spend more time minding your own.

No matter what you do, no matter where you go,there is a big brother watching. I have a relative who goes on the next door property to see what we are doing. All I have are trees, a garage and a storage shed. Some people cannot see other people happy. So, remember, some big brother is always watching.

Jim is being unfairly targeted by local government. He is an all around good guy and would do anything for his friends and neighbors. At issue here, he has the right to be a "Mr. Fix It" and to store his projects on his property. This has gone too far! If the neighbor would have presented the problem in a nice way this could have been worked out. Instead they chose to have him arrested for painting a line on his own property. I know he used to help this neighbor with snow plowing for free.
Keep up the good fight, Jim!

Thank you for not being part of our "throw it away" society. Thank you for collecting, restoring, and enjoying those vehicles. Since most of his treasures are motorized items, not old frigs, farm equipment, fallen down barns, cell phones, cheap chinese toys from birthday "goody bags" (had to share that), etc. We should all be happy they are not just disgarded and thrown into landfills like so many of us do---maybe he has the car, boat, or snowmobile that you bought brand new, onced loved, and then got rid of it, because you wanted something new, or you could not repair it, or ? Its guys like him that make a true american, he looks at things as if he knows someone has but their blood and sweat into making that---he appreciates those creations, makes them his own, so that he can enjoy the american life, which is the freedom to enjoy what he feels he has been blessed with, and not another persons interpretation. I bet he has also shared those vehicles with his sons, his family and friends, and of course his wife. Part of living life up north is to play where you live. I truly believe that, we are surrounded by it. When we are done working for the day, we don't run home to sit inside our little or big white house in the burbs, we get home and jump on our jetski, boat, tractor, quad, snowmobile, atv, etc. etc. to play---cause we can, why? cause we live where we play--so we do? And if you can't understand why we all have so many toys, just live here for a while----if you don't, then you are missing out on up north living! And cottage people don't count, although they could have just as much stuff if they combined their two houses, right? Lawn mower and jetskis, etc. Anyways thanks for holding onto those treasures, maybe you should open a mini museum and share your love with the public.

I think a big problem here is most people dont know their rights. No code/zoning person can come on your land if it is posted.And if they do the courts say they can be held liable NOT who they work for. Also there are other rights that stop snooping trouble makers from telling people how they must live. Get on line and search for your rights. Fight back dont roll over.

Thank you for running your "Trash or Treasure" article. I would like to ask you to keep an eye on this story. Mr. Snider is being very brave in speaking up and I am concerned that he may be targeted by the Township all the more for vocalizing his concerns.

When I see people posting comments here about Jim Snider's property being located in "downtown Williamsburg," I nearly fall out of my chair laughing. The so-called "township leaders" have been discussing the creation of a "downtown Williamsburg" for AT LEAST the last 20 years. And that's the furthest in the way of serious effort that it's gone. They apparently are still holding on to some romantic dream that somehow someday (maybe over the rainbow!) people are going to shop and do their business in a downtown Williamsburg modeled after Suttons Bay and Elk Rapids. Hellloooo! Ever notice it's really hard to be a quaint waterfront community when you don't have any water? The township hasn't made any serious attempts to attract businesses to a "downtown." If anything, they've enacted ordinances over the years which have made it more difficult and more expensive to locate a business there. It's also common knowledge the Indians are going to eventually build retail in Whitewater Township. Presumably, all the shopping anyone needs will be available there. To continue to suggest a portion of Old M-72 is going to be "downtown Williamsburg" is absurd. As for the statement that the condition of Mr. Snider's yard is ruining other people's view, let's remember that his neighbors located themselves there after Mr. Snider did. Their "concern" about their real estate values smells a lot more like harassment than concern. Ultimately, it always comes down to the control freaks versus the people who just want to peacefully co-exist with their neighbors. Even though people have a choice to locate elsewhere and, indeed, look elsewhere, they love to be the self-appointed arbiters of what looks "nice" and what doesn't. And if they can get the township to impose their subjective opinions on everyone else, then they will be able to live in their "perfect world." The only problem is: How long will it be before someone new comes along and redefines "perfect"? Better watch out. You might not fit the definition.

I am familiar with this particular piece of property. Yes, It looks messy. No, I've never seen any "junk" in the yard. Unfortunatly it is not out of line with surrounding properties. Perhaps if the township would work constructively with Mr. Snider some headway could be made. But there is the problem. Mr. Snider has not rolled over and played dead the way he is suppost to. He speaks up, calls them like he see them, fights back(in court), and has been targeted in response. This is not what America is about. Do you know how much it costs to liscense a boat you can't even afford gas for. If you don't like the look of his yard stop by and make him an offer. Due to the Michigan economy most of his boats and toys are currently for sale.

Michigan has become the biggest "Redneck" state there is. I'm sure you would all have a different opinion if you lived next door to this winner. Fight the Blight... Clean up your yards!!!

No one should have to go through what Jim has gone through - the time and money he has spent on something so totally ridiculus! One time maybe and then have it be done with but for it to go on and on and on like this has is just a plain waste of time for everyone involved. It seems as though the GTC Prosecutor has some personal issue against Jim and clearly from his comments is not letting this end which is just another perfect example of our hardearned tax dollars going to waste again! Leave the man alone and why not try and find someone who is actually committing some real crime and go after them!

I am in the middle of a mess kind of like this one. I am off the beaten path and have been cited. I was told they can take my house and everything I own. I thought this was America a place of freedom well not in Avery township. I have been going though this bs for a number of years and the township has used the system in a way to pay me back for speaking my mind. I need help fighting them and wish to be left alone. They state that the only time they write a warning or ticket is when they get a complaint. Well in my court case the officer has stated that he had not had any complaints about my property. This is part of the court transcips as well. yet all over the very poor township there many of eyesores to be found for them to cite. Feel free to contact me if you need more info.

P.S. I don’t like to use the term but this all stated with the influx of downstaters. They want to live in a Bloomfield hills type of area for as little money as possible. So they buy here and start to push people around make new laws and do what they want. I welcome you to live here but don’t make life hell for those of us who try to make a livin or survive in one of the poorest areas of the state. We were here first and will be here after you are gone for the winters in the south and we will be here after you sell your fixed up houses and move away

Concerning Mr Sniders Property and the Rights and Responsibilities associated with it, Valid Points are made on both sides of the issue. However...

Of particular import to note, is the comment made by the Grand Traverse County Prosecutor, Mr Al Schnieder, concerning his thoughts on the matter.
It would seem with a Judge having ruled on the matter more than once in a particular direction, that outside of an appeal process, the matter would be closed. At least barring a change in the law.
Mr Schnieder, however, says the "issue is not closed..." But that he "...cannot comment further at this time"... He additionally taints the issue with a comment of his personal opinion. Surely he would not pursue the issue in an appeals process with this pollution of the case in the media by his admission of a personal vendetta. He does not state a Rule of Law violation, or a breach of Michigan Court Rules as his motivation to pursue the matter of Mr Snider's property further. A Judge has ruled based on the Rule of Law in Mr Sniders' favor, and against Mr Schnieder and the Prosecution, more than once.
Sadly, this is not the only example of Mr Schnieders' application of the resources of the Grand Traverse County Prosecutors' Office in an arbitrary and potentially capricious manner. Investigation of this point will reveal further examples of 'Selective Prosecution' by the Prosecutors' office based on motivations other than "Equal Application of The Law".
Perhaps the office of the Grand Traverse County Prosecutor, could find causes of greater importance to the community at large than the controversial issue of where an individual property owners rights begin and end with respect to his ownership of personal property. Especially since the matter has been adjuicated more than once already. Is this really a proper use of the public resources?

Can you believe it. Even here in Hicksville USA, President Obama gets the blame. He was probaly flying over the area in Air Force One, noticed it, marked the area on his GPS, and put the Secret Service into action. Intersting enough, I bet if you look at all the elected officials who were trying to bring down Mr. Snider, I bet they were all on the Republican ticket. It is more like a spin-off of the Patriot Act. If you can tap into peoples telephone conversations like the preveious administration thought, you should be able to tell them how to keep there yard.

Come on people, get real, this has nothing to do with Obama whether you like him or dislike him.

I watched and listened to this article with keen interest. Being a Real Estate Broker and agent for 11 years a situation like this can lower property values and resale values in the immediate area. The individual that has the junk and poorly maintained property does indeed affect the neighbors and adjacent property owners. Many times I have shown well maintained and updated homes and the only reason they will not sell is if there is a junk and ill maintained property next door or within eyesight.His statements of Enjoy my life, property rights, no hurting anybody,not affecting anyones health and welfare etc. Yes he does have a right to live the way he wants within resonalble rules and regulations and not affect another persons life. Take for instance a nicely landscaped and maintained home a potential buyer will take a first impression and remember the property. There must be a balance regarding a individuals rights and freedoms and how they affect the neighbors around them. With rights we do have responsibiltiy.

Our town had a similar issue. The price of scrap was way up for a while. The price of a car went from $50 to $200. The township went around taking peoples stuff from even country yards with few neighbors in an effort to raise money. It was out of greed. Also it is an effort to get rid of used cars so people have to buy new cars and parts. It helps the economy. Any car without a plate on it was taken unless it was in a garage. Any peice of scrap was taken--even decorative things in peoples yards. It wasnt right. In a city area i could see how it would affect property value but that is why people live in the country. What buisness is it to somebody else what is in your yard? I say get a junkyard license and end the problem. All that scrap is worth alot of money. Wait until some nosey neighbor has to pay full price for a car part or can no longer get an used car part. The cars now days are junk, made to fall apart in 10 years. Old things last forever. This stuff is not junk.

Not only should he be left alone, he should be refunded the $$$$ he had to spend to find out that he is doing nothing wrong. I'm sure this DA has more important thing on the agenda, get on with them and leave the non-criminals alone.

Although 7&4 did a great job with limited time presenting the facts, you would be amazed how crazy this gets. Yes in 2000 this began with one neighbor and her mother that works in the GTC with one complaint after another to as many agencies they could get to look into whatever I was doing. I spent years putting out the fires by getting letters from all of them that I was in fact not in violation of anything and clearing my name. I have copies of the township public comment where a past supervisor let these people go on for ten mins slandering my name and in the very first comment they said it was more of a personal issue, that should have stopped it right there, but instead the supervisor let them speak on and on, and said she would look into all these things. These people were very lucky, they could get all these officials, and law enforcement to investigate my life for free and I was the guy that had to pay to put things straight or just cave, that will never happen.
I even showed the chair person of the GTC board of commissioners documentation of a person from their county office making complaints against me, all he did was make them stop doing it and no job loss.
In my case anytime someone pulled out my survey stakes, made a false complaint against me, tresspassed onto my property on tape and by admission after being warned by an officer it was always deemed as a civil matter and the sheriff and prosecturer were not going to get involved. Tresspassing is definately a criminal offence! Funny thing is the first warrent and junk ordinance ticket in 2004 was done by the county and they knew full well they had no right to even investigate because they had no authorization by the state as of 2001. Check out the Record Eagle arcticle "Grand Traverse County suspends junk, noise ordinances" on 2-10-05. My life was under a microscope for about 8 months for that one, and there was no legal reason. That one did not stick so in the summer of 2005 the GTC Prosecutor decided to arrest me for a zero dollar misdemenor, of maliscious destruction of property which happened to be on my own property(My survey, title search, and neighbors own survey clearly showed it was my property and that information was in the original police report before the warrant for arrest was presented to the judge and then issued). The suposed destruction was for spray painting "Private Property, Stay off" on a piece of concrete on my own property. That also consumed about 7 months of my life and time with going to jail for 4 hours and having my finger prints and photos taken for barely a ticketable offense if it was even true. That too I won in court with a trial by my peers.
It is important to know I have found there are some very good officers that actually try to keep the piece, state the facts, and do not slant things to prove the prosecutions case before it even comes to court.
I have a great relationship with almost all of my neighbors and have for the 20 years I have been here, and would do just about anything for them and I think they would for me too. We all just need to get involved to make sure our laws are made and enforced with our best interest as a whole and not a select few. It is not up to our government to protect our property values, its the health, safety, and general welfare that these laws came into place. I am sure there are people that have legitmate complaints and if they feel they can prove something has devalued their property by someone elses actions then a civil court would be the place.
When will all this stop??? I am pretty sure it wont till I again take the time out of my life and money I could be using to improve and enjoy my life like so many are able to freely. Believe it or not there is so much more to this story. I want to thank all the support I have seen from comments here at 7&4 and the many phone calls I have gotten.

Having reviewed the news story I can see where neighbors and the Township have issues with the junkyard. Regardless of property owner rights, there are also property owner responsibilities to themselves, their neighbors and their community as a whole. I have a lot of “toys” in my yard all summer long, however all of them are used regularly, are licensed and in good repair. Mr. Snider says he’s “working” on that car, how long has it been since it was last started? Without a top it can be driven, really? When was the last time he drove it? When will he complete the work on it? All of the boats are seaworthy, when does he plan to use them or get them wet? At what point do you realize this is an abuse of reason and truly is a collection of trash, not merely a collection of valued good condition usable items that just happen to be stored for posterity. If that car were a classic, it would not be stored under a tarp it would be inside or under a proper fitted cover. If he is not in violation of the ordinance he should be able to prove that these items are still substantially usable for their intended purposes, the boats will start, the steering and trims will work, the navigation lights will work, the car will start, move and stop with all lights working. If there are any defects in any of these “treasures” then they are a violation. Get real people, there are responsibilities that Mr. Snider is not owning up to, responsibilities to others that are inherent to his property rights. To all who support Mr. Snider’s junk yard, I’m sure there are neighbors who would sell you their house and then YOU can live next to the derelict property and enjoy your rights to view the junk.
As for the Township, maybe they should exercise some intelligence, review their ordinances, and clarify them. Many jurisdictions enact ordinances requiring any vehicle subject to registration to have current registration, or else it can only sit unmoved for a certain length of time. If Mr. Snider were required to license and register his treasures I wonder how many he would keep. This is not an intrusion on his personal to property rights, it is only common sense. If these are valued, usable items, why are they not used? It seems like there’s plenty of stupid to go around in this case. Is seems like there’s plenty of arrogance and ego to go around too. If the Township wants Mr. Snider’s yard cleaned up, they should enact an ordinance that will achieve their goal, and apply it universally. Otherwise the residents of the township have no room to complain about the court dismissing the violations. And maybe Mr. Snider should take some personal responsibility and look at his property from an objective view. He could certainly fill a roll-off dumpster with junk if he did.

Mr. Snyder has the righ to live as he pleases as long as it does not negatively impact people living around him. Unfortunately for all of us he does not live out in the middle of now where. He lives rght downtown Williamsburg. As small as it may be,it is our little town with the post office right next door and neighbors all around. Should they have to look at this all the time, I don,t think so. What about their rights. He is just doing this to call attention to himsel He needs to be made to clean it up and live by society rules as we all neeed to do.

D.P.'s right! This guy needs to be stopped! Run his ass out of town. Burn the buildings down, bulldoze it over and plant a garden on top it! How dare this man even consider thinking he lives in a free country. The gull of the man. I want men in black clothes beating down his door and dragging him off in the middle of the night for what he's has done. Imagine trying to live a peaceful life. How can he consider he has any property rights at all just because he bought the property with his own money and pays his taxes. Gosh that makes me angry! D.P. you have a responsibility to take care of this problem yourself. That land should be yours. Go over there, knock on his door, and when he answers yell at him to sell you his property. Act a little crazy and scare him into selling the property if you have to. Let's chant now...Do it! D.P. Do it! D.P.

I think the local govt., should stay out of peoples private business. That's like, the federal govt., trying to tell me I'm going to take the H1N1 virus vaccine shot. That's a big "NO!"
If the guy doesn't have any thing illegal there and it is all his stuff legally then the DA and others need to stay out of his business. I think the DA is just trying to find ways to make money on stupid issues for the local Govt. If I was that guy I would counter sue the DA and all the others that are harrassing him. America needs to stand up against people who are trying to tell them how to live.

If you haven't seen this mans junk "treasures", as he calls it, drive by and take a look; you shouldn't comment unless you have seen it. His yard is terrible to look at, an eye sore from the road. And yes, this would make property values drop in the area. Who would want to live by that mess or even drive by! This property is on the downtown Williamsburg road which could support more small businesses in the future. This mess would and has scared off possible business owners from moving into that area! What are the health risks of this mess?
Cars, boats, engines, leaking oil, gas, anti- freeze ect. This mess needs to be cleaned up!! He needs to be stopped!

We could ask Mr. Snider to ask himself this question: If everyone in the neighborhood acts the way you do will the neighborhood be a better neighborhood? If you can answer, "Yes" then there should be no problem with your actions. YOU WELL BE A GREAT NEIGHBOR, but judging just from the pictures on TV, I am glad you are not my neighbor. If your own answer was, "No", you may consider a better fence or a pole barn - or, you could continue to disregard the "unfounded" concerns of some of your neighbors (after all, you did "win in court") Who is the person or persons who are complaining: it may be a neighbor who might be trying to sell his house and may be using you as a scapegoat for the reason he cannot sell his house.

I am a farmer and most of my neighbors, thankfully, do a good job making their place look presentable and do a good job at removal of "eye pollution" and not just because of zoning laws but because it is the "right thing to do" to be a good neighbor.

I feel particularly qualified to comment having been a “Community Preservation” officer for a rural town in California some years ago. (That’s a euphemism for “code enforcement officer” by the way.)

It starts small with someone who’s yard is perhaps messier than most – but it gets bigger fast. Once the line has been crossed where neighbors can force other neighbors to change something about how they live, it becomes a slippery slope. Pretty soon one group of people (usually with higher incomes) starts dictating to another group (usually with lower incomes) how to live their lives and how to use their own property. It doesn’t matter who has lived there the longest.

Here’s how ridiculous it can get. One neighbor called me to say the people next door had five vehicles. I asked if they were all in running condition, properly parked and registered. Yes, the complainant told me, but since there were only three people living there, he didn’t think they needed five vehicles.

Another resident called to complain his neighbor had a pit-bull. Was it confined, I asked. Yes, he said, but he didn’t like pit bulls and didn’t think they should be allowed.

Still another resident called to say his neighbor was storing lumber on his property. I drove out to check it out and found two beams, perfectly lined up along the driveway waiting for someone to take them to the owner’s cottage. Not an eyesore by any means and yet the neighbor who complained knew there was an ordinance against storing lumber.

Other ordinances passed by my department (not by me) included only allowing three days for repairs on a vehicle. In other words, if you are a do-it-yourself mechanic and you want to replace a part in your car in your driveway or in your yard or garage, you have three days to complete the work. Otherwise you can be fined. (One man I had to give a warning to was rebuilding an Edsel in his garage and using the parts from another Edsel stored in his yard. Risking my job, I allowed him six weeks through extensions as long as he kept the second Edsel under a neat tarp. Then I slowly watched as the tarp got smaller until it was gone.)

You can also be fined if you store a perfectly beautiful boat or RV on your property if your neighbor can see it. You can be fined if your landscape guy’s leaf-blower is too loud for your neighbor’s ears. Construction can’t begin before 8AM – or there are fines. I have many such stories (I had to quit because people became disgusting to me).

The only time a homeowner should be reported, in my opinion, is if what they have on their property is a health hazard to children, such as an old refrigerator with the door still on, piles of broken glass or other debris that attracts rodents.

The problem is that some folks who escaped the rules and regs downstate in gated communities to get up here where life is a little freer and more relaxed now want to turn their new neighborhoods into their old ones. I say, stay where you are if you need immaculate lawns and let those who don’t require the same standards to be happy alone.

Nicole Perry
Levering, MI

I feel particularly qualified to comment having been a “Community Preservation” officer for a rural town in California some years ago. (That’s a euphemism for “code enforcement officer” by the way.)

It starts small with someone who’s yard is perhaps messier than most – but it gets bigger fast. Once the line has been crossed where neighbors can force other neighbors to change something about how they live, it becomes a slippery slope. Pretty soon one group of people (usually with higher incomes) starts dictating to another group (usually with lower incomes) how to live their lives and how to use their own property. It doesn’t matter who has lived there the longest.

Here’s how ridiculous it can get. One neighbor called me to say the people next door had five vehicles. I asked if they were all in running condition, properly parked and registered. Yes, the complainant told me, but since there were only three people living there, he didn’t think they needed five vehicles.

Another resident called to complain his neighbor had a pit-bull. Was it confined, I asked. Yes, he said, but he didn’t like pit bulls and didn’t think they should be allowed.

Still another resident called to say his neighbor was storing lumber on his property. I drove out to check it out and found two beams, perfectly lined up along the driveway waiting for someone to take them to the owner’s cottage. Not an eyesore by any means and yet the neighbor who complained knew there was an ordinance against storing lumber.

Other ordinances passed by my department (not by me) included only allowing three days for repairs on a vehicle. In other words, if you are a do-it-yourself mechanic and you want to replace a part in your car in your driveway or in your yard or garage, you have three days to complete the work. Otherwise you can be fined. (One man I had to give a warning to was rebuilding an Edsel in his garage and using the parts from another Edsel stored in his yard. Risking my job, I allowed him six weeks through extensions as long as he kept the second Edsel under a neat tarp. Then I slowly watched as the tarp got smaller until it was gone.)

You can also be fined if you store a perfectly beautiful boat or RV on your property if your neighbor can see it. You can be fined if your landscape guy’s leaf-blower is too loud for your neighbor’s ears. Construction can’t begin before 8AM – or there are fines. I have many such stories (I had to quit because people became disgusting to me).

The only time a homeowner should be reported, in my opinion, is if what they have on their property is a health hazard to children, such as an old refrigerator with the door still on, piles of broken glass or other debris that attracts rodents.

The problem is that some folks who escaped the rules and regs downstate in gated communities to get up here where life is a little freer and more relaxed now want to turn their new neighborhoods into their old ones. I say, stay where you are if you need immaculate lawns and let those who don’t require the same standards to be happy alone.

Nicole Perry
Levering, MI

I think that it is wrong that he has to have spent that much money and gone to court that many times because he has done anything that would go againt the whitewater townships laws because he says that the boats are able to go into the water and even the cop that went out there said that the only thing that was wrong with the boats was that they were not legal and he also says that the car just needs a new top on it but it runs and I think that it is wrong that the keep bringing him into court for it because the judge says that he isnt doing anything wrong and I think that they should just leave him alone because he didnt do anything wrong.

I'm curious if the citations were all issued by the same officer? It sounds to me like a cop with control issues who isn't getting his way so he keeps harassing the guy. If the local Judge says the guy is not in violation there shouldn't be any reason for this/these officer(s) to continue wasting time with this issue. It really makes me wonder what law officials are doing with their time while we foot the bill. We deal with these kids with their stereos up so loud you can hear them in your house at 3am and they are 6 blocks away. The people across the street from me smoke pot out on their porch at all hours of the night, but you go chase down the guy that has boats in his yard... go get'em coppers! *sigh* We need better law enforcement, cops who actually WANT to make a difference. Quality of life has nothing to do with how your neighbors yard looks, but it does when you cant sleep because of music or don't feel safe because of drug addicts and if you're that superficial you're worried about what it looks like then go buy some land in the middle of nowhere. I'm sorry but I wouldn't put it past those officers to plant something on the guys property only so they can bust him out of revenge now.

Geesh, seriously leave this man alone! He is not hurting anyone. It seems to me that we have many more important things to worry about and police focus should be one these things, NOT on a ridiculous case like this. Sounds like whoever complained about this man's yard has about the same level of priority-making skills as a certain past president.....

After a few more months, Obama will remove all that is on his property. His Socialist mission will soon be upon all of us, and after Healthcare, property will be one of the next to follow; we will be told how much we can own, what we can have 'on' the property, who we have to allow on our property, and get it taken away whenever the government darn well pleases...it's only a matter of time.

If Mr. Snider is being singled out, when similiar zoning violations exist in the Township, then he is being subjected to selective enforcement and his case should be dismissed. However, if the objects of his affection are clearly devaluing adjacent properties, he should be cited and prosecuted under the zoning ordinance. Zoning ordinances are written, publicized, discussed at public hearings, reviewed for legal issues, and voted into being for the betterment of the community. If we have strong feelings about local regulations, do we attend these public forums to protest their scope? With our "rights" also come "responsibilities" to our neighbors. This issue is not about "me" or "you". It is about "us".

My wife and I have been coming to northern michigan as a second home for years. The only thing that continues to frustrate us is the blight/eye sore of properties in this beautiful region. Let's not confuse the laziness of removing dysfunctionual and inoperable equipment with the intent of the ordinances. If the current ordinances don't enforce the intent then let's revisit the current language.

I have the same problem. It was either jail or pay a fine to the "Victim's Rights" fund. Freedom I don't think so. BIG government, you betcha.

Is crime in GT county so under control that that the Sheriffs dept. is handling code enforcement issues? A strange adult male approached my toddler aged grandson @ Christmas in East Bay Twp. We've received no follow-up since.

Who is the "expert" that has deemed Jim's possesions junk by the published definition? ie.. state certified automotive or marine mechanic. I'll bet the county or township hasn't covered that base due to the possibility of an incurred cost. Jim must have made someone mad in the area that thinks they are someone special. Screw them, keep up the diginfied attitude you have Jim!! Stand up for your civil rights and question the opinion of their expert, especially if they are a municipal employee. You can store stuff @ my place if you need to. FOC

Law enforcement...what happened to protect and serve?

This is a right of view issue. I was once told by the zoning department that these issues rarely become and issue unless someone makes a complaint. So, apparently there is someone not happy with his or her view and has complained. I say until the taxes are forgone and the man has been compensated for has property, the person complaining and the Township has no right to that view. If a license and registration is required then there are a lot of car dealers are in violation. Leave him alone!!!

Typical township and police harassment, leave this property owner alone, after all this USED to be America where people had a right to persue happiness. If this is all the police have to do then they have way too many police. The prosecutor should start listening to the courts and stop wasting the citizens money.

A homeowner has a right to use their property as they please...up to a point. If it is devaluing the neighboring property values, then the neighbors have every right to complain. We have 2 neighbors who have trash all over their front yards, old cars, old travel trailer with no door,dog excrement smeared on the front of their home. We've complained to our township and it pretty much goes ignored. We live in such a beautiful area, why do so many people want to make the outside of their homes look like junk yards. If a corporation came in and polluted the land, would you put up with it?

I think a picture should be posted in order to make a sound judgement.

This is HIS property, and belongings. He can keep whatever he wants on HIS property. I can't beleive this is even a issue.

as someone who deals with zoning isues daily, i have to say often times its a toss up issue and not just black and white. but if this guy only has a couple boats and an old car in the back, thats really pushing the enforcement. i wonder how many other homes in that area have something similar and how many citations the township hands out per month for junk? its really not an ordinance issue, but an enforcement/interpretation issue. if they have only targeted one guy than of course thats going too far. but if other citations have been issued, maybe the township just wants stuff cleaned up. if a boat or car hasn't been moved in a set amount of time, it could be considered junk.

I can't imagine why our townships are short on money. It's some douchebag that is on a board that doesn't like the view. Too bad. Vehicles do not have to have a current registration to own them. Only to drive them.

What is it with prosecuters? I know its your job but come on this is stupid! If you want to see a junk yard come see my yard. I rent and it was supposed to of been cleaned out when i moved in over a year ago! I think it has started to multiply.....I do not see any one complaining about it. But....Mr.Prosecuter if you want to prosecute him I will give you his name and address............LOL

Leave Jim and his "hobbies" alone. You think two tickets and two dismissals is enough? That should be telling the Township and the Prosecutor everything they need to know.

If you look around the Williamsburg area, you do see lots of houses, FARMS, cottages, hunting cabins, etc. surrounded with Treasure!!! We live up north everyone, if we wanted the Jones's house, we should all move back downstate and live in a boring subdivision. If Jim's Treasures are in his backyard, then why are people looking in his backyard--- you should find something more entertaining to do---perhaps a hobby- like Jim has!