redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
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posted December 21, 2004 03:42 PM
The city zoning officials are after me!
It seems that one of my neighbors does not like the trailers in my driveway. He first sent an anonymous letter telling me to either move the trailers or just move out of the neighborhood (I've lived there since '83). Needless to say, I chose the "third option". I ignored him and his anonymous request. Not getting any satisfaction with his letter, I'm assuming he tried to get the home owners association to do his "dirty work". Not only is the association a good client of mine (which I "donate" all my goods and services to them), but they did not feel that my trailers were in violation of the neighborhood's Bill of Assurance either.
Frustrated, he contacted the city's zoning commission and told them that I had "professional" racing trailers on my property. Well, they sent a code enforcement officer to do a site inspection of my property while I was not home. Several days later, I received a "Notice" that I was in violation of city zoning codes for residential neighborhoods. The specific nature of my violation was stated as such in the notice:
You are hereby directed to comply with this ordinance by: Remove trailer(s) located in front yard. Commercial trailers are not permitted in R2 single family districts. A period of 15 days is granted to provide you the opportunity to take the corrective action necessary, or file for a variance or appeal where applicable.
Here are two pictures of these "violating" trailers.
As you can see, they are NOT parked in my "yard" as the notice claims.
After lengthy review of the city's ordinances by myself and a few attorney friends of mine, we do not see how this situation violates either the stated or any other ordinance. After one of my attorneys called the city zoning office, he informed me to just write a letter explaining the use of the trailers and enclose some pictures of the trailers and with the bikes inside. I hand delivered it yesterday to the city's zoning administrator.
We're hoping that the city will either dismiss the violation as "without evidence" or issue a variance on the zoning (fairly common in such cases). Of course, if things don't go out way... it will be "appeal hearing " time and I assure you I and the team will be armed with the best attorneys that we can call favors in on. I just could figure out who it was had this "problem" with my trailers. I knew it was not any of the neighbors who live next door or across the street. I have spoken with all of them and have had nothing but favorable comments. Especially after I put the black banner up on one side to cover the reflective lettering.
During the summer, the trailer's lettering was not an issue since my neighbor's trees hid the trailer and you wouldn't even see it until you were right up on it. When fall came around and the leaves were falling off the trees, at night when you drove down my street, you could see the reflective lettering over 1/8th of a mile away. The banner solved all that. Here's a pic of what the trailer looked like without the banner. The bottom pic is just with the light off my little camera's flash at about 25'.
So I was really wanting to know who it was raising all this stink over my trailers. My "advisory" made his presence known a short while back when Jonathan had parked his RV in my driveway for just one night. It was on the following afternoon, the person actually stopped at my house and started pounding on my front door. The only problem was that it was on a Friday afternoon and I was at work. Ah, but Jonathan was inside the RV and he watched it all without this person even knowing it. Jonathan also wrote down a description of his car and license plate number.
Time to call in another favor and found out who my "trouble maker" was. It turns out that it is some 89 year old man that lives almost TWO MILES past my house. Hardly a "neighbor". More like a grumpy ole man with nothing to do but sit around and figuring out ways to hassle folks. My biggest Christmas present I can wish for this year is to put this down once and for all. Once it is settled, I look forward to sending HIM a anonymous Christmas card and sign it the same way he addressed the original letter he sent me.... Mr. Racer
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There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
   
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kz2zx
Pro
Nobody in Particular
Posts: 1166
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posted December 21, 2004 03:52 PM
89, eh? Just wait him out....
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ASMA 47
WERA 147
www.dhowellbooks.com
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fattkaw
Expert Class
Posts: 277
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posted December 21, 2004 03:53 PM
the joy of neighbors. if you were my neighbor I'd come over and hang out.
if you end up losing you case a 2am lawn job would be called for.
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D
Needs a job
Posts: 3365
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posted December 21, 2004 04:01 PM
Damn Bikers!!!
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avdigigeek
Expert Class
Posts: 128
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posted December 21, 2004 04:02 PM
I have a similer problem with grumpy old Neighbors and trialers.
keep us posted I'm interested in how it turns out.
I didn't buy a house w/3 car garage so I could store my trailer.
I wanted to be able to work on bikes etc.. this winter.
grumpy olds fooks
Smiley
P.S. if theres any lawyers on the list that want to look at my ordinace violation notice
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00 CBR F4
00 CR 250
03 ZX6R
04 ZX10R
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kzz1
Zone Head
"Show me whatcha workin with"
Posts: 908
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posted December 21, 2004 04:24 PM
We had a similar issue once.....
We were building our garage and of course Ken had to have a hoist so the garage is not the normal height. One of the neighbors called the city inspectors and he was out with a tape measure the next day. We were exactly at the height resriction for a residential area because we checked on that when we applied for the permit. Sorry about my neighbors luck!!!
Now.....This is the same group of neighbors that put up with all the bikers at our house every summer and never call the police for the noise......GO FIGURE!!!
I hope you beat this one Red and get to leave "Your" trailers parked at "Your" house!!!! They would not bother me one bit!!!!
ZX12Girl
(using Kzz1's computer / log-in)
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slug
Pro
Out in search of my mind...
Posts: 1433
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posted December 21, 2004 04:33 PM
zoning is another means that the government has to control how private citizens use their own land. Local 1-horse towns can be the worst about these sorts of things...
though 'their own land' is a misnomer
you think you own your land? your house? try not paying your RENT payments to the government... (property "Taxes" )
best of luck with the trailer storage on YOUR property..
  
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Spyral
Pro
Unpredictable individual.
Posts: 1071
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posted December 21, 2004 04:38 PM
Molotov Cocktails can be delivered, so I heard.
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Now, I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.
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redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
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posted December 21, 2004 05:25 PM
Thanks folks. It would suck to lose this one.
I spent over $500 getting an electrician to add new breakers and run new wiring the length of my house to my garage (the breaker box is on the opposite end of the house). I had him put in a 30A RV outlet for the trailer. While he was at it, I also added a couple of 20A 4 plug outlets for the garage. It's nice to be able to run the trailer's 13.5K A/C during the summer, but more importantly, I can run the heater during the winter and not have to worry about the bikes "water wetter only" coolant freezing up. I even added a wireless transmitter so I can monitor the trailer's inside temp at all times from inside my garage.
I also like the fact that not only can I "cool down" the trailer before we head out for a race, be we can also load up the mini fridge with our food instead of our stuff getting all soggy in a ice chest. Even though it can be up to an 8 hour drive to the track (usually 4-5 depending on the track location), by "pre-cooling" everything, it makes it a lot easier to cool the insides back down when we arrive at the track. It doesn't hurt that we added 3/8" foamboard insulation to the walls. Being able to quickly cool down that black trailer is a fairly important aspect seeing as how that is where we sleep while we are at the track. All of that is solely made possible due to the fact that it is in my driveway.
Since two-thirds of the team do not have garages that they can even store their personal race bikes, they got to keep them somewhere. The trailer is by far a better and secure place then keeping them at some other friend's house and a lot cheaper than renting a storage place. They have access to their bikes 24/7 and a fully equipped (almost) garage to work on them if they wish. Not to mention that if I need to work on the endurance bike or one of the team members' personal bikes, I too have a place, other than my own garage, that I can keep them and yet have access to them at any time day or night (when most work is done anyway). If I didn't have the trailer, my little 18' x 20' garage would look like this...
It would be either like that or I'd be hauling my little trailer all over town to pick up and drop off these bikes one at a time.
There are actually some neighborhoods in this end of town that will not allow any type of trailer, boat, jetski, atv, RV or camper to be located anywhere on your property. Not even in your backyard or garage. The have two secure storage lots that the neighborhood residents can PAY to store their "recreational/utility' vehicles and/or trailers. You also can not park any "commercially marked" vehicle (like my truck) or vehicles utilizing any type of protective cover in your driveway. Not only can you not do any of that, but you also can not even change the oil in your car (or any other "maintenance" activity) outside of your enclosed (and "closed") garage.
I take great care in making sure that I or anyone on the team does not disturb my neighbors while working on or running any of the bikes. If anyone wishes to start up their bike and rap it out a few times, it better be between 9am to 9:30pm (10pm on Sat.) or they will have to do it inside the garage with the door CLOSED! I won't even start up my compressor with the door opened outside of those hours.
Many of my neighbors are elderly and NONE of them are motorcyclists. Some do have a interest in our racing while others just tolerate it. I'd like to keep it that way. That's why I got the blank banner for the trailer and why I'll do just about anything REASONABLE to not piss off my neighbors. Like them, I'm not planning on moving out of the neighborhood within the next decade or so. I'm actually trying to get a home improvement loan to completely redo the house inside and out as well as the front and side yards. The back yard will just have to wait.
The good thing is that I have always strongly encouraged all of my nearby neighbors to come and tell me or at least call, if we are doing something that bothers them. I can assure you, they have come over on more than one occasion to inform me of such. Most of the time, they had a good reason to and I immediately apologized and complied. That way, it has never become a big deal and they never felt that they would have to call the "authorities" (cops, zoning officials, etc.) to address activities at the Elk's garage. It's worked out pretty good for over 20 years... until now.
The part that pisses me off. is that this ole man only sees my trailers when he's going to the drug store to refill his prescriptions or buy some more Depends. We have never ridden a race bike past his house and he's never heard my compressor running at 2am. I'd almost understand if it was someone who lived at least a few houses down from me, but TWO MILES AWAY?
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There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
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redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
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posted December 21, 2004 05:28 PM
 Edited By: redelk on 21 Dec 2004 17:29
quote:
Molotov Cocktails can be delivered, so I heard.
Since we now know where he lives, we have though about subscribing him to a bunch of gay/s&m-b&d/beastality mags. Either that or all of us put on our leathers, hop on the bikes (with me following towing the trailer) and going to his house to sing Christmas carols.
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There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
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10rmotor
Novice Class
Posts: 100
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posted December 21, 2004 06:12 PM
You're doing the right thing with your neighbors to make sure you aren't bothering them at all hours. Not everyone would do that.
BTW, please tell me you have every locking device known to man on your trailer so it doesn't disappear without you knowing it. I've known a few racers that had their trailer stolen, even when it was hooked up to the tow vehicle, and it wasn't pretty. Most recovered zip. I have mine stored in the backyard, so no worries there. When I had it stored elsewhere, I had a lock that went into the ball socket and expanded to fit the hitch so you couldn't hook up the hitch ball.
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frEEk
Administrator
ummm... yeah
Posts: 9660
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posted December 21, 2004 06:46 PM
i'll second the kudos on doing your best to live with your neighbours redelk. i defintiely dont' see many doing so. i for one wouldnt be crazy about seeing that big trailer next door all the time (markings or not), but it's your right so i'd leave u alone about it. in any case, a guy 2 miles down the road... leaves me a bit speechless. it's stuff like that makes me want a minimum of 5 acres, preferably 50 to 100. do whatever u hell u want without bothering anyone else or being bothered by anyone else.
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redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
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posted December 21, 2004 06:50 PM
Edited By: redelk on 21 Dec 2004 18:57
10rmotor, I can assure you that we have several "anti-thief' devices, both purchased and "homemade" to secure both the trailer and it's contents. I would store it in my backyard, but both of my neighbors have fenced in backyards and there is not enough room to squeeze it back there. Not to mention the fact that ther is nothing "level" about my backyard and it has probably 20 to 30 trees in it. That just in the area that is "cleared off". There is another 75 to 100 in the remaining uncleared area.
Also, I have one of the best security devices that almost no amount of money could buy. Nosey old neighbors that rarely ever leave their homes and are constantly looking out their windows. Ever since my very first little open utility trailer got stolen over a decade ago, my neighbors will call me at work if there is any kind of "suspicious activities" going on around my house while I'm not there.
One time, one my son's friends who used to live with us came back to get the rest of his stuff after he had found a place of his own. Since it was a lot of crap, he came over with another friend in his pick up. Even though my neighbors should have recognized our former house guest, they did not recognize the vehicle or the other person. After they had recorded the license plate number and a description of the truck AND the two people... my office phone was ringing before they had loaded the second box. Two cop cars were there before the had loaded up the third. I was there before they had loaded up that third box as well. Of course, they had kinda stopped loading stuff while talking to the cops, who also happened to be talking to me on my cell phone at the same time.
There is only one way in and one way out of my neighborhood and being populated mostly by either elderly or wealthy residents (I do my best in keeping the property values down... I mean "reasonable"), the cops are up there all the time. If not, one can be there in less than three minutes. They even like using my son's car (which is parked on the street since it won't fit in the driveway) as a "block" when they set up radar to catch speeders. It would take over a half hour for a "amateur" thief to stumble through all our "security devices" and they still would not get them all. Even an "expert" would need ten minutes plus and by that time, too many "eyes" would have seen them as well as their descriptions been recorded and phones would have already been dialed.
Just another reason why I try to "work with" my neighbors (by listening to them) and the home owners association (by donating banners, decals and buttons). It doesn't hurt in the fact that my parents have also lived in the same small neighborhood since '69 and my sister with her autistic son since '92. Since I have been there since '83, most folks around there might not know me personally, but they know who I am. Especially since I get thanked for my "services" in almost every issue of the association's monthly newsletter. Kissing a few asses can pay unexpected dividends.
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There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
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TurboBlew
Moderator
BUSY DOING THE SCHIAVO
Posts: 4590
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posted December 21, 2004 10:04 PM
Red, send him a stripper and some cheeseburgers...... should be enough to give him a myocardial infarction... 
I had some probs with some "condo commandos" awhile back.
I would go by his home and start looking for code violations.. like perhaps an old oil container strategically placed in his yard so it could easily been seen, maybe some old tires thrown in his yard so he has to dispose of them at HIS cost....lol. Its the little annoying things that will break them. I fucking HATE old folks just for this reason.
Then an "anonymous" truce card can be sent. Give me the addy and Ill send it post marked from my location.
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Official Charter Member of the RIDERS OF KAWASAKI MEMBERSHIP REVOCATION CLUB
Also a BadAss Internet Forum Moderator 4 Hire!! Come at me brah!
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redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
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posted December 21, 2004 11:45 PM
Maybe when Harry gets back, he could come here and make this old fucker his personal sex slave. I'd pay him.
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There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
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1bad7
Expert Class
Posts: 388
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posted December 22, 2004 02:35 AM
I've been overseas way toooo long. I don't think that there is anything wrong with where they are parked and they don't look like they get too out of hand when they are just sitting there. I can't believe that people would go through all that crap for a couple of trailers. When I had my house in FL. my neighbor used to park his rig in his driveway, I never even thought that there was anything wrong with that, but then again I came up with parents that taught me to be responsible for myself and my own actions, and not to try to sue everybody that even enters "my space". If I spill coffee on myself, hell yes it's going to be hot and that just proves I'm a clutz, when I get cancer from smoking, at what point did I not think that it was going to happen to me, all of it is just complete B.S. Sorry the stupidity running rampant around the states just kills me. Red I hope this gets resolved quickly and favorably, and then maybe the old dude will get a taste of his own medicine one day.
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slug
Pro
Out in search of my mind...
Posts: 1433
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posted December 22, 2004 03:42 AM
i hope that if i ever get old (not likely  ) and get to be a grumpy SOB with nothing to live for, that someone takes me out to the back 40 and puts me out of their misery....
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MadMike
Moderator
FEAR THE BLACK FLAG!!!!!!!!
Posts: 6579
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posted December 22, 2004 06:09 AM
LMAO.. oh man I hope it all works out from you Red! what you should do is get a couple of letters, from your neighborhood and direct neighbor's! saying how great of a guy you are and it does not bother anyone around you....\
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200-MPH CLUB MEMBER!
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Bagster
Zone Head
Posts: 630
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posted December 22, 2004 06:42 AM
I would love to see your trailer pulling up outside the geezers house on christmas eve and all the race bikers ride out and park in his driveway and begin a rousing chorus of "Joy to the world".
Thats just rediculous that people officially complain about something that has no affect on them.
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Spyral
Pro
Unpredictable individual.
Posts: 1071
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posted December 22, 2004 07:03 AM
I'm still saying you light his car on fire.
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Now, I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.
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redelk
Moderator
Please... speak to the hand.
Posts: 3212
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posted December 22, 2004 08:33 AM
Edited By: redelk on 22 Dec 2004 08:34
A couple pics of perspective...
During the spring and summer, the trees completely block the trailer until you are withing 50' of the trailer.
The reason the old man stopped at my house and knocked on the door...
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There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing, and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games.
-Ernest Hemingway
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MadMike
Moderator
FEAR THE BLACK FLAG!!!!!!!!
Posts: 6579
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posted December 22, 2004 09:01 AM
Now that is what I am talking about!!!! I have got to get me one of those!!!
MM
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200-MPH CLUB MEMBER!
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EastBayDave
Needs a job
Posts: 2245
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posted December 22, 2004 10:37 AM
you should see/hear some of the shit I went thru to get a "ham radio" antenna & tower up at my house. The amount of red tape & total BS required is unbelieveable; a trailer in the driveway? Small potatos man...
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Enjoy the ride!
02' ZRX1200
00' ZX12R sold
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FP 10R
Expert Class
Fast Learner
Posts: 212
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posted December 22, 2004 01:13 PM
Neighbours can't live with em........... pathetic how some people get their kicks at others expense, just causing trouble to justify their existance. I t doesn't seem to matter where or what you live on some people can't help themselves.
Case in point I live on a 24 acre property private road heavily tree'd can't see the house from the front gate remote acccess video entry ect. My two neighbours are nothing but a pain in the ass one is a lawyer and a couple of bricks short of a load........ the other a drainage contrator that runs a truck and excavators out of his back yard and has totally screwed the asphalt road from my place and couldn't give a rats!
Example he gets pissed one night backs his truck out of the yard gets out to close the gate doesn't put the park brake on...truck rolls down into my gateway takes out the brick entry wall, power box 8" solid steel/concrete gate post, we had no power for 4 days and him couldn't give a toss $ 45k damage. Guttless bastard couldn't even look me in the eye and say sorry, should have had him charged with DUI.
My option to settle this I wanted to punch their lights out but my wife see's it another way and has to live their as well, we have horses and other livestock with my 5 kids safety to consider so I backed off.
Put it this way if either of them stepped off the sidewalk in front of me can't say I would try to hard to stop or swerve......... honest officer!
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"Life is not a rehearsal so make the most of it" Carefully
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JNM
Expert Class
Posts: 109
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posted December 22, 2004 02:23 PM
Man this story really pisses me off. Especially given the fact that this guy lives 2 miles away and that the trailers are very difficult to see. It's not like you've got naked women painted on the side of them. Wait, maybe.... er nevermind.
Seriously though, here we are a country at war, and this old geezer picks a fight with you because you happen to be involved in motorcycle racing. I guarantee you that at some point in this idiot's pathetic life, he had some type of a negative experience with motorcycles/motorcyclists. Now you are the recipient of this withered old fossil's ire. Unbelieveable! Please keep us posted.
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CCS #428
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