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at&t sucks
January 19, 2010
at&t sucks
January 19, 2010
| Is Los Angeles County Political Machine Fair To All? - January 30, 2010 |
It seems as though more people - myself included - are questioning whatever
happened to "of the people, by the people, for the people".
But is it just a disenchanted few? Or are there more than that.
Not in compliance
I'm having problems with Los Angeles County.
I'm in violation of several "Title 22" codes.
I have "one or more portable signs" in front of my business.
I'm displaying merchandise "outside of an enclosed building".
I'm "maintaining unpermitted business signs" on the premises.
These are not permitted uses in zone C-3 (Unlimited commercial zone) and are in
violation of the provisions of the Los Angeles County Zoning Ordinance Sections
22.28.010, 22.28.020, 22.28.190, 22.28.220, 22.52.870, 22.52.880, and
22.52.990.
Guilty
I'm not in compliance and I am aware of it, so I'm not making excuses.
However, I am located near the San Bernardino County line, literally in the middle
of nowhere.
My business sits on five acres of land, with nothing, save a rural post office, for
five or more miles north, east, and west of me. South of me are residences, the
nearest being about the length of a football field away.
I am located on a busy two-lane highway, at what used to be the site of a gas
station, convenience store, and restaurant.
The regional county offices are located approximately 40 miles northwest of my
location.
During the drive to my business, the code enforcement investigator travels along
a 12-mile stretch of the highway that I'm on and passes more than 100
businesses.
At least half of them utilize "portable signs".
At least 75% of them "maintain" unpermitted business signs.
Close to 98% display merchandise outside.
So, why me?
Because of a complaint, or complaints, the L.A. County Department of Regional
Planning enforcement team has focused at least some of their attention on me
and my business.
The complaint(s)? I was "selling flags" and had "unleashed dogs".
Yes. I was selling flags. I hold a valid resellers permit issued by the Board of
Equalization of the State of California.
My dogs? The only time they are "unleashed" is when I allow them to run free
within the five acres, before and after business hours, under my supervision.
The complainant(s)? Anonymous. At least as far as L.A. County is concerned.
I, however, know who the initial complainant was.
Eleven miles to the east of me is a couple that took offense to my selling flags,
feeling as though I was encroaching on their business. Which, by the way, utilizes
portable signs, maintains unpermitted business signs, and displays merchandise
outside of an enclosed building.
Two-tiered system?
The couple that owns the business, who I'll hereby refer to as "Pork & Dork"
(childish, I know, but accurate - I also do not want to give them any undue
advertising), are connected to the town council in their area and have access to
local and county political representatives.
They, and their friends, deluged these contacts with complaints against me and
my business in order to eliminate their "competition". Which is kind of funny to me
since they make more money in one day than I do in one month.
The beginning
I've had dealings with Pork & Dork before. I've painted signs for them. I've done
odd jobs and repairs for their home and business. I'd spent numerous hours
advertising their business and maintaining their web site.
In return I received very little pay, attitudes, and indifference.
I've always been a "have not" and was treated as such by them.
The end of the beginning
While taking care of their web site for next to nothing, I couldn't help but see the
popularity of some of their products.
So I created a website of my own and added some of these products to it.
I sold them for $5 above their sale price.
I created a PayPal account in order to receive payments.
Those familiar with PayPal know that you are charged 2.9% plus 30 cents each
time you receive a payment through their service.
Basically, I made about $2 or less for each sale.
When I received an order, I would use my debit card to order from their web site
and have the items shipped to the buyers address. I paid the full retail price that
they charged.
In a six month period, I sent over $1200 in business to their site, while making
about $60 for myself.
I also had to deal with "my" customers complaints of delayed shipping, wrong
products being shipped, etc.
As Larry Elder would say, "The Fit Hit The Shan"
To make a long story shorter, Pork & Dork found out about my "enterprise" and
went ballistic.
I was "fired", disowned, and told never to return.
I showed them all the business I drove to them during a time in which I constantly
heard, "We have no business...we may have to close the store", to no avail.
As I left, I told them that their attitude wanted to make me buy the products on my
own and sell them direct, without making money for them.
I did.
Setting up shop
I don't, or didn't, have the money to rent a store and buy products.
In fact, at the time, I was living in my van.
I was parked, and basically living, in the parking lot of a variety store less than a
mile from Pork & Dork's location.
I approached the owner of the variety store - who I'd also painted signs for - and
asked if it would be okay if I were to sell items, of no competition to his, out of my
van in the parking lot. He agreed.
Contacting County
I knew that when I did this that Pork & Dork would cause trouble for me, so I went
about getting started legally.
Since this area is unincorporated Los Angeles County, I called the county
business license division to find out exactly what I needed to do.
I asked what license I would need to sell flags out of my van. The response:
"What you're looking for is a peddler's permit and L.A. County no longer issues
them. You need to sell from a 'fixed location'".
Okay, so my plan is to sell from a spot in a parking lot, not drive around and park
wherever I please to sell my wares. Fixed location, right?
"Okay", I say, "I have a fixed location. What permit do I need to sell flags in L.A.
County." The reply: "You do not need a permit. However, you need a Resellers
Permit from the State".
Huh? "How do you make any money?", I asked. "We get paid from the State from
the sales tax revenue", was the answer I received.
Open for business
I applied to the State for a resellers permit and was approved in about 4 weeks
time.
I had saved up the $300 I needed to purchase my first wholesale order.
About 2 weeks after placing the order I was now open for business.
Sheriff's Department - Take One
A little more than a week after I started, two Los Angeles County Sheriff's
deputies rolled up in a single car.
"We received a complaint that you are selling flags out of your van. Are you?"
After turning and looking at my van, festooned with flags and 'for sale' signs
taped all over it, I stifled a sarcastic comment and replied, "Yes".
I showed them my permit from the State and explained that I had permission from
the property owner to use the location. The response: "Well, apparently they
don't want you here anymore".
That was news to me. I had just spoken to the owner a few minutes ago and he
had said nothing to me about it. I told them that and they went and talked to the
owner.
They came back out and told me everything was fine, wished me luck, and left.
That was Pork & Dork's first shot.
Sheriff's Department - Take Two
A few days later a Sheriff's Department deputy rolled up again. This time it was a
single deputy, known to me, who is the local 'zone' deputy.
I have very bad hearing and you have to basically yell for me to hear you.
The gist of what he was saying was more or less that he received a call in his
mailbox from a person claiming to be a town councilwoman complaining about me.
I couldn't hear all that he was saying but I did pick up on, "If a crime is commited I
want to make an arrest, not play games", and "I don't care how many dogs that
you have", and "why don't you sell somewhere else to avoid problems? These
people aren't going to stop".
"What crime?", I asked.
Apparently, it was alleged that I had broken into Pork & Dork's store and had
stolen merchandise from them.
I proceeded to show him my permit, as well as all the merchandise that I had in
my van, along with the purchase receipts for the products. After carefully
scrutinizing the information I had given him, and talking to the owner of the
variety store, he declared all was well.
My dogs? I had five. He didn't care. (They had commented about calling Animal
Control).
As far as moving, I explained that my permit from the state allowed me to sell at
this location only.
Then he wanted to know if I knew who made the call. Apparently the caller did not
leave a name.
I did. It was Pork & Dork's second shot. I told him.
"No love for you..."
The deputy left to go speak with Pork & Dork.
He returned about fifteen minutes later and, laughing heartily, stated, "They have
no love for you over there."
After making comments about what I'm doing, such as, "This is America", and "It's
the 'American Way'", he wished me luck and left.
Pork & Dork Fear for their lives
Okay. Now I'm upset.
After apologizing to the variety store owner for the inconvenience of having the
deputies constantly entering his store and questioning him about me, I called
Pork & Dork on the telephone.
It was the comment about the dogs that, no pun intended, raised my dander.
Dork answered.
"Mr. Dork", I said (though using his real first name), "If you want to continue
calling the sheriff, or the county, then fine. Business is business. But if you call
Animal Control, game's over"!
"Are you threatening me?", he asked.
"Yes", I replied.
"I'm shaking in my boots", said he.
"You can shake wherever you'd like", I told him, "but if you call Animal Control,
then the game is over", and hung up the phone.
Sheriff's Department Take Three
About twenty minutes later, yet another pair of deputies arrived. They did not get
out of their car. Instead, they just sat there looking at me as if "sizing me up".
Finally, I approached them.
They had received a call from Pork & Dork telling them that I had threatened
them and that they were "in fear of their lives".
I explained to the deputies what had been going on, what Pork & Dork had been
doing, related the call I made to them and explained what I had meant.
They left to go talk to Pork & Dork, and never returned.
I found out later, from an 'inside source', that they told Pork & Dork to "leave him
alone and he will not bother you."
Enter the County
Not a week went by when an investigator from the L. A. County Code
Enforcement showed up. They received an anonymous complaint that I was
selling flags out of my van.
Pork & Dork's third shot.
I had to laugh. Do they sound, or act, like people that are in fear of their lives?
Bottom line, I was in violation of County Ordinances, and while they couldn't do
anything to me, they could go after the property owner.
So as not to get the variety store owner in trouble, I asked the investigator to
give me two weeks and I would find another location. I had my now current
location in mind.
The move
Within nine days I made the move to where I am now.
The store was packed floor to ceiling and wall to wall with junk. I set up my
displays outside and went about clearing out the inside.
Being that this location had been empty for years, many people stopped by to
see what was happening.
Sales were much better than at my previous location.
I even got a mention in the local community newsletter.
I was excited and had illusions of grandeur.
I placed a lot of the junk that was inside out in front of the store, hoping that
some people would come and take it.
Instead, people were asking, "how much for this"?, and, "how much for that"?
So I sold some stuff (notice how it's no longer junk?) and gave some away.
Other people asked if I took stuff on consignment. I said yes and now I was
selling other people's stuff as well.
Enter Pork & Dork: Stage Left
Less than ten days after I moved here, I was outside one afternoon and
happened to notice Dork drive past.
My knowledge of Pork & Dork excludes any reasoning for either of them to come
down this way.
I waited another five minutes or so and, sure enough, Dork passed by again
heading back in the opposite direction. You have to travel about 2.5 miles past
my location to find a legal u-turn or turn-around.
Between Pork & Dork's town and mine is yet another small town.
The President of the Chamber of Commerce in that town is a friend of their's.
More from the inside source
I received a call from a friend (my 'inside source') telling me that Pork had
learned from a customer that she now had competition, as a flag store had
opened in the next town. They had incorrectly identified the town as the one
between us.
I was informed that Pork called her friend at the Chamber of Commerce, told him
I was "illegal" and that I "rip people off". Her friend assured her that he would look
into it.
There's no one here
Her friend told her that he had driven through town and that he could not find me
there.
Hence, the drive-by of Dork.
A few days later, both Pork & Dork drove by together.
After that, according to my friend, Pork called her Chamber of Commerce friend
again and advised him of my location.
His response was that I was squatting, and that he would make a couple of calls
to take care of it.
Enter Animal Control
A few days later, I closed the store for a couple of hours to head back into Pork &
Dork's town to get the provisions that I needed for the next couple of weeks.
I currently do not have a car, and public transportation does not exist here, so I
got a ride from a friend.
On the way back we stopped at the second town where I proceeded to put
gasoline in his car.
I looked up just in time to see an Animal Control truck driving by on the highway,
heading towards my town.
Immediately, my heart sunk low in my chest. I just knew that they were heading to
my store.
24 Hour Notice
After finishing refueling and picking up another couple of items, we ( I, anxiously)
drove back to the store.
I was relieved when my dogs came to the door to greet me.
That feeling of relief, however, was quickly replaced with pure anger when I
spotted a 24 Hour Notice from Animal Control attached to a gate just outside the
door.
Two phone calls
The first thing I did was call Pork & Dork. They weren't there, but an employee
was. I was extremely angry. I left an extremely angry message for them.
Then I called Animal Control. The notice had said to call within 24 hours. I called
within 30 minutes.
The dispatcher could not raise the officer, who left the notice, on the radio. He
took my phone number and notice info and said he'd have him call back.
He didn't.
The next day
I went about the next day's work expecting either a phone call or return visit from
the Animal Control officer.
To my surprise, or lack thereof, I watched the same county code enforcement
investigator that I had dealt with a few weeks earlier pull into the parking lot, exit
his truck, and begin walking to the door.
I stepped out to meet him.
The first thing he said was, "Someone doesn't like you."
No kidding.
He tells me that my business is illegal and that I can not operate without getting
approval from the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning.
Huh? I'm selling flags! Pieces of material with words and pictures printed on
them. I'm not selling food, or tobacco, or alcohol, or anything that needs a
special permit.
None the less, if I want to operate a business I must file a plan with the county,
and they will hold public hearings to determine if the business is warranted in the
area.
Give me a break! I'm not looking to build on undeveloped land. I've moved into
an existing building that, clearly, is a store.
I'm told that this area is not zoned for my business (which later I find to be untrue).
And, of course while I am debating these issues with the investigator, the Animal
Control officer pulls up.
The Animal Control officer patiently waited in his truck while I finished my
conversation with the code enforcement investigator.
I wanted to know why he, driving past Pork & Dork's store and seeing all the
merchandise outside, did not stop to tell them that they were in violation of
county codes.
Bottom line? No one complained.
Next!
The enforcement investigator left, and now it was time to deal with the Animal
Control officer.
I thanked him for his patience and explained what was happening.
He asked if he could see the dogs and I showed them to him.
My dogs are my children. My family. There are days when I go hungry, but my
dogs eat. I explained this to him.
I told him how, for more than three years, I lived in my van with my dogs, after
losing my home, because I would not abandon them just to make myself more
comfortable.
In the end I was given two tickets - infractions -, both for having unlicensed,
non-spayed or neutered dogs without microchips or proof of rabies vaccinations.
I was given 60 days to correct these violations.
I asked if I could see the complaint and he showed it to me. It came from the
Office of the Superintendent, Michael Antonovich.
The complaint read: "Selling flags and unleashed dogs".
Game over
After the Animal Control officer left, I called a phone number for Los Angeles
County.
I filed a complaint against Pork & Dork, telling of their merchandise being
displayed outside, along with "portable" signs and unpermitted business signs.
For good measure, I added that they have more than one dozen signs, not on
their property, along a three-mile stretch of the highway.
I asked to leave my name because I did not want to be an 'anonymous caller'.
I'm a nuisance?
Three days later, while working outside, into the parking lot pulls a Los Angeles
County Police vehicle. Followed by another. And another. Behind them is a
mini-van with the County Seal applied to the front doors, and an Animal Control
truck.
I recognize this for what it is: A Los Angeles County Nuisance Abatement Team.
Six officers from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Police Department
get out of the vehicles carrying guns and tranquilizer rifles.
I walk toward them and the first officer, papers in hand, announces who they are,
tells me they've received numerous complaints against me, and are here to
inspect the property for code violations
While talking to this officer, I hear raised voices behind me causing me to turn
and look.
One officer, gun in hand, is yelling to me that "if these dogs come out I'm going to
shoot them"!
I walked quickly over to the door - which was locked! - and stepped between the
officer and it. My dogs are barking and growling inside because of the commotion
outside. Dogs do that!
"Hey!", I yelled. "I am NOT a criminal! I am not on probation or parole, I do not
have a criminal record"!
He starts questioning me about "where do they fight dogs around here"? (My
dogs are pit bulls). "I have no idea", I reply, "I don't fight my dogs". "Do you watch
the fights", he asks. "No", I answer, "If I knew where there were any dog fights I
would report them. I don't like dogs getting mauled".
Nothing to show
After checking my identification and looking about the area, they left.
And they left me nothing. No paperwork or anything that showed that they were
here.
As a matter of fact, if it weren't for a friend that pulled up, while they were here, to
talk to me, I wouldn't have any proof that any of this even happened.
In the county van, by the way, was the same investigator from code enforcement
that visited me just a few days earlier.
When all is said and done, I view this incident as a tactic of intimidation.
I wasn't, and am not easily, intimidated.
But I was pissed!
What's good for the goose...
Two days later I received a message from a friend.
Pork & Dork were served with a 30-day notice to remove all signs from along the
highway and in front of their store, and to bring inside all the merchandise that
was displayed outside.
Finally, I was happy about something.
"The law needs to be changed"
A couple, or three, days later, an article appeared on the front page of the local
newspaper, the Antelope Valley Press.
Pork & Dork went crying to the press about how they are being picked on by the
county, and will be forced to close their business because of one "anonymous"
complaint.
The final quotation in the article, credited to Pork, was, "It takes one anonymous
call to shut you down. The law needs to be changed".
The article amused, yet at the same time upset, me.
I called the reporter who wrote the article, explaining that I had additional
information regarding the story, that it was I who had made the complaint, that it
wasn't 'anonymous', and left a message that was never returned.
Rallying behind Pork & Dork
The next day, the Valley Press wrote an editorial coming to the rescue of Pork &
Dork, even though what they were championing for violated the rules and
regulations of Los Angeles County.
The only part of the editorial that I liked was that it read: "...because of one
complaint that may or may not have been anonymous..."
I called the Valley Press, again, this time dialing the phone number of the
Opinion Editor. He, to my surprise and delight, answered the phone himself.
I introduced myself and then rambled on whilst he listened, patiently.
He asked no questions, nor offered any comments, though he did chuckle at the
expense of a New York Yankees joke aimed at him.
At the end, he thanked me for the background info, remarked "let's hope they
leave you both alone", and we hung up.
The next few days of the newspaper's editions contained a sprinkling of support
for Pork & Dork in the "Letters to the Editor" section, but nothing further in the
news itself.
I happen to know of at least two letters that were written, speaking out against
Pork & Dork, but were not published.
No more problems until now
I'm assuming that Pork & Dork's problems with the county took their minds off of
me, an that they're focusing, now, on their own problems.
The county investigator is, obviously, short-handed, and has too much work to
occupy his time.
Pork and Dork's notice was originally received on October 21st, giving them 30
days in which to comply.
With a 30-day extension their only option, they would have had to remove their
signs by December 21st at the latest.
As of the date of this posting, all of their signs are still along the highway.
Meanwhile
On December 31st, my current landlord received a notice from the county giving
him 30 days to correct (my) violations or face fines and possible jail time.
On January 29th, the code enforcement investigator, along with what I now call
his 'goon squad', showed up here, again, guns and all, invading the property in
yet another search for code violations.
Again, they left giving me nothing, except a verbal order to have all violations
corrected within three days.
Pork & Dork's signs and merchandise are still up and out.
I asked the investigator if there was a reason that I had to comply and they didn't.
This made him angry.
What I want to know is whether or not their political connections have anything to
do with the difference in treatment between them and I.
I know for a fact that he and his goon squad have not invaded their premises.
There's absolutely no way that would happen without my, somehow, becoming
aware of it.
So, I ask: "Is the Los Angeles County political machine fair to all?
happened to "of the people, by the people, for the people".
But is it just a disenchanted few? Or are there more than that.
Not in compliance
I'm having problems with Los Angeles County.
I'm in violation of several "Title 22" codes.
I have "one or more portable signs" in front of my business.
I'm displaying merchandise "outside of an enclosed building".
I'm "maintaining unpermitted business signs" on the premises.
These are not permitted uses in zone C-3 (Unlimited commercial zone) and are in
violation of the provisions of the Los Angeles County Zoning Ordinance Sections
22.28.010, 22.28.020, 22.28.190, 22.28.220, 22.52.870, 22.52.880, and
22.52.990.
Guilty
I'm not in compliance and I am aware of it, so I'm not making excuses.
However, I am located near the San Bernardino County line, literally in the middle
of nowhere.
My business sits on five acres of land, with nothing, save a rural post office, for
five or more miles north, east, and west of me. South of me are residences, the
nearest being about the length of a football field away.
I am located on a busy two-lane highway, at what used to be the site of a gas
station, convenience store, and restaurant.
The regional county offices are located approximately 40 miles northwest of my
location.
During the drive to my business, the code enforcement investigator travels along
a 12-mile stretch of the highway that I'm on and passes more than 100
businesses.
At least half of them utilize "portable signs".
At least 75% of them "maintain" unpermitted business signs.
Close to 98% display merchandise outside.
So, why me?
Because of a complaint, or complaints, the L.A. County Department of Regional
Planning enforcement team has focused at least some of their attention on me
and my business.
The complaint(s)? I was "selling flags" and had "unleashed dogs".
Yes. I was selling flags. I hold a valid resellers permit issued by the Board of
Equalization of the State of California.
My dogs? The only time they are "unleashed" is when I allow them to run free
within the five acres, before and after business hours, under my supervision.
The complainant(s)? Anonymous. At least as far as L.A. County is concerned.
I, however, know who the initial complainant was.
Eleven miles to the east of me is a couple that took offense to my selling flags,
feeling as though I was encroaching on their business. Which, by the way, utilizes
portable signs, maintains unpermitted business signs, and displays merchandise
outside of an enclosed building.
Two-tiered system?
The couple that owns the business, who I'll hereby refer to as "Pork & Dork"
(childish, I know, but accurate - I also do not want to give them any undue
advertising), are connected to the town council in their area and have access to
local and county political representatives.
They, and their friends, deluged these contacts with complaints against me and
my business in order to eliminate their "competition". Which is kind of funny to me
since they make more money in one day than I do in one month.
The beginning
I've had dealings with Pork & Dork before. I've painted signs for them. I've done
odd jobs and repairs for their home and business. I'd spent numerous hours
advertising their business and maintaining their web site.
In return I received very little pay, attitudes, and indifference.
I've always been a "have not" and was treated as such by them.
The end of the beginning
While taking care of their web site for next to nothing, I couldn't help but see the
popularity of some of their products.
So I created a website of my own and added some of these products to it.
I sold them for $5 above their sale price.
I created a PayPal account in order to receive payments.
Those familiar with PayPal know that you are charged 2.9% plus 30 cents each
time you receive a payment through their service.
Basically, I made about $2 or less for each sale.
When I received an order, I would use my debit card to order from their web site
and have the items shipped to the buyers address. I paid the full retail price that
they charged.
In a six month period, I sent over $1200 in business to their site, while making
about $60 for myself.
I also had to deal with "my" customers complaints of delayed shipping, wrong
products being shipped, etc.
As Larry Elder would say, "The Fit Hit The Shan"
To make a long story shorter, Pork & Dork found out about my "enterprise" and
went ballistic.
I was "fired", disowned, and told never to return.
I showed them all the business I drove to them during a time in which I constantly
heard, "We have no business...we may have to close the store", to no avail.
As I left, I told them that their attitude wanted to make me buy the products on my
own and sell them direct, without making money for them.
I did.
Setting up shop
I don't, or didn't, have the money to rent a store and buy products.
In fact, at the time, I was living in my van.
I was parked, and basically living, in the parking lot of a variety store less than a
mile from Pork & Dork's location.
I approached the owner of the variety store - who I'd also painted signs for - and
asked if it would be okay if I were to sell items, of no competition to his, out of my
van in the parking lot. He agreed.
Contacting County
I knew that when I did this that Pork & Dork would cause trouble for me, so I went
about getting started legally.
Since this area is unincorporated Los Angeles County, I called the county
business license division to find out exactly what I needed to do.
I asked what license I would need to sell flags out of my van. The response:
"What you're looking for is a peddler's permit and L.A. County no longer issues
them. You need to sell from a 'fixed location'".
Okay, so my plan is to sell from a spot in a parking lot, not drive around and park
wherever I please to sell my wares. Fixed location, right?
"Okay", I say, "I have a fixed location. What permit do I need to sell flags in L.A.
County." The reply: "You do not need a permit. However, you need a Resellers
Permit from the State".
Huh? "How do you make any money?", I asked. "We get paid from the State from
the sales tax revenue", was the answer I received.
Open for business
I applied to the State for a resellers permit and was approved in about 4 weeks
time.
I had saved up the $300 I needed to purchase my first wholesale order.
About 2 weeks after placing the order I was now open for business.
Sheriff's Department - Take One
A little more than a week after I started, two Los Angeles County Sheriff's
deputies rolled up in a single car.
"We received a complaint that you are selling flags out of your van. Are you?"
After turning and looking at my van, festooned with flags and 'for sale' signs
taped all over it, I stifled a sarcastic comment and replied, "Yes".
I showed them my permit from the State and explained that I had permission from
the property owner to use the location. The response: "Well, apparently they
don't want you here anymore".
That was news to me. I had just spoken to the owner a few minutes ago and he
had said nothing to me about it. I told them that and they went and talked to the
owner.
They came back out and told me everything was fine, wished me luck, and left.
That was Pork & Dork's first shot.
Sheriff's Department - Take Two
A few days later a Sheriff's Department deputy rolled up again. This time it was a
single deputy, known to me, who is the local 'zone' deputy.
I have very bad hearing and you have to basically yell for me to hear you.
The gist of what he was saying was more or less that he received a call in his
mailbox from a person claiming to be a town councilwoman complaining about me.
I couldn't hear all that he was saying but I did pick up on, "If a crime is commited I
want to make an arrest, not play games", and "I don't care how many dogs that
you have", and "why don't you sell somewhere else to avoid problems? These
people aren't going to stop".
"What crime?", I asked.
Apparently, it was alleged that I had broken into Pork & Dork's store and had
stolen merchandise from them.
I proceeded to show him my permit, as well as all the merchandise that I had in
my van, along with the purchase receipts for the products. After carefully
scrutinizing the information I had given him, and talking to the owner of the
variety store, he declared all was well.
My dogs? I had five. He didn't care. (They had commented about calling Animal
Control).
As far as moving, I explained that my permit from the state allowed me to sell at
this location only.
Then he wanted to know if I knew who made the call. Apparently the caller did not
leave a name.
I did. It was Pork & Dork's second shot. I told him.
"No love for you..."
The deputy left to go speak with Pork & Dork.
He returned about fifteen minutes later and, laughing heartily, stated, "They have
no love for you over there."
After making comments about what I'm doing, such as, "This is America", and "It's
the 'American Way'", he wished me luck and left.
Pork & Dork Fear for their lives
Okay. Now I'm upset.
After apologizing to the variety store owner for the inconvenience of having the
deputies constantly entering his store and questioning him about me, I called
Pork & Dork on the telephone.
It was the comment about the dogs that, no pun intended, raised my dander.
Dork answered.
"Mr. Dork", I said (though using his real first name), "If you want to continue
calling the sheriff, or the county, then fine. Business is business. But if you call
Animal Control, game's over"!
"Are you threatening me?", he asked.
"Yes", I replied.
"I'm shaking in my boots", said he.
"You can shake wherever you'd like", I told him, "but if you call Animal Control,
then the game is over", and hung up the phone.
Sheriff's Department Take Three
About twenty minutes later, yet another pair of deputies arrived. They did not get
out of their car. Instead, they just sat there looking at me as if "sizing me up".
Finally, I approached them.
They had received a call from Pork & Dork telling them that I had threatened
them and that they were "in fear of their lives".
I explained to the deputies what had been going on, what Pork & Dork had been
doing, related the call I made to them and explained what I had meant.
They left to go talk to Pork & Dork, and never returned.
I found out later, from an 'inside source', that they told Pork & Dork to "leave him
alone and he will not bother you."
Enter the County
Not a week went by when an investigator from the L. A. County Code
Enforcement showed up. They received an anonymous complaint that I was
selling flags out of my van.
Pork & Dork's third shot.
I had to laugh. Do they sound, or act, like people that are in fear of their lives?
Bottom line, I was in violation of County Ordinances, and while they couldn't do
anything to me, they could go after the property owner.
So as not to get the variety store owner in trouble, I asked the investigator to
give me two weeks and I would find another location. I had my now current
location in mind.
The move
Within nine days I made the move to where I am now.
The store was packed floor to ceiling and wall to wall with junk. I set up my
displays outside and went about clearing out the inside.
Being that this location had been empty for years, many people stopped by to
see what was happening.
Sales were much better than at my previous location.
I even got a mention in the local community newsletter.
I was excited and had illusions of grandeur.
I placed a lot of the junk that was inside out in front of the store, hoping that
some people would come and take it.
Instead, people were asking, "how much for this"?, and, "how much for that"?
So I sold some stuff (notice how it's no longer junk?) and gave some away.
Other people asked if I took stuff on consignment. I said yes and now I was
selling other people's stuff as well.
Enter Pork & Dork: Stage Left
Less than ten days after I moved here, I was outside one afternoon and
happened to notice Dork drive past.
My knowledge of Pork & Dork excludes any reasoning for either of them to come
down this way.
I waited another five minutes or so and, sure enough, Dork passed by again
heading back in the opposite direction. You have to travel about 2.5 miles past
my location to find a legal u-turn or turn-around.
Between Pork & Dork's town and mine is yet another small town.
The President of the Chamber of Commerce in that town is a friend of their's.
More from the inside source
I received a call from a friend (my 'inside source') telling me that Pork had
learned from a customer that she now had competition, as a flag store had
opened in the next town. They had incorrectly identified the town as the one
between us.
I was informed that Pork called her friend at the Chamber of Commerce, told him
I was "illegal" and that I "rip people off". Her friend assured her that he would look
into it.
There's no one here
Her friend told her that he had driven through town and that he could not find me
there.
Hence, the drive-by of Dork.
A few days later, both Pork & Dork drove by together.
After that, according to my friend, Pork called her Chamber of Commerce friend
again and advised him of my location.
His response was that I was squatting, and that he would make a couple of calls
to take care of it.
Enter Animal Control
A few days later, I closed the store for a couple of hours to head back into Pork &
Dork's town to get the provisions that I needed for the next couple of weeks.
I currently do not have a car, and public transportation does not exist here, so I
got a ride from a friend.
On the way back we stopped at the second town where I proceeded to put
gasoline in his car.
I looked up just in time to see an Animal Control truck driving by on the highway,
heading towards my town.
Immediately, my heart sunk low in my chest. I just knew that they were heading to
my store.
24 Hour Notice
After finishing refueling and picking up another couple of items, we ( I, anxiously)
drove back to the store.
I was relieved when my dogs came to the door to greet me.
That feeling of relief, however, was quickly replaced with pure anger when I
spotted a 24 Hour Notice from Animal Control attached to a gate just outside the
door.
Two phone calls
The first thing I did was call Pork & Dork. They weren't there, but an employee
was. I was extremely angry. I left an extremely angry message for them.
Then I called Animal Control. The notice had said to call within 24 hours. I called
within 30 minutes.
The dispatcher could not raise the officer, who left the notice, on the radio. He
took my phone number and notice info and said he'd have him call back.
He didn't.
The next day
I went about the next day's work expecting either a phone call or return visit from
the Animal Control officer.
To my surprise, or lack thereof, I watched the same county code enforcement
investigator that I had dealt with a few weeks earlier pull into the parking lot, exit
his truck, and begin walking to the door.
I stepped out to meet him.
The first thing he said was, "Someone doesn't like you."
No kidding.
He tells me that my business is illegal and that I can not operate without getting
approval from the Los Angeles County Department of Regional Planning.
Huh? I'm selling flags! Pieces of material with words and pictures printed on
them. I'm not selling food, or tobacco, or alcohol, or anything that needs a
special permit.
None the less, if I want to operate a business I must file a plan with the county,
and they will hold public hearings to determine if the business is warranted in the
area.
Give me a break! I'm not looking to build on undeveloped land. I've moved into
an existing building that, clearly, is a store.
I'm told that this area is not zoned for my business (which later I find to be untrue).
And, of course while I am debating these issues with the investigator, the Animal
Control officer pulls up.
The Animal Control officer patiently waited in his truck while I finished my
conversation with the code enforcement investigator.
I wanted to know why he, driving past Pork & Dork's store and seeing all the
merchandise outside, did not stop to tell them that they were in violation of
county codes.
Bottom line? No one complained.
Next!
The enforcement investigator left, and now it was time to deal with the Animal
Control officer.
I thanked him for his patience and explained what was happening.
He asked if he could see the dogs and I showed them to him.
My dogs are my children. My family. There are days when I go hungry, but my
dogs eat. I explained this to him.
I told him how, for more than three years, I lived in my van with my dogs, after
losing my home, because I would not abandon them just to make myself more
comfortable.
In the end I was given two tickets - infractions -, both for having unlicensed,
non-spayed or neutered dogs without microchips or proof of rabies vaccinations.
I was given 60 days to correct these violations.
I asked if I could see the complaint and he showed it to me. It came from the
Office of the Superintendent, Michael Antonovich.
The complaint read: "Selling flags and unleashed dogs".
Game over
After the Animal Control officer left, I called a phone number for Los Angeles
County.
I filed a complaint against Pork & Dork, telling of their merchandise being
displayed outside, along with "portable" signs and unpermitted business signs.
For good measure, I added that they have more than one dozen signs, not on
their property, along a three-mile stretch of the highway.
I asked to leave my name because I did not want to be an 'anonymous caller'.
I'm a nuisance?
Three days later, while working outside, into the parking lot pulls a Los Angeles
County Police vehicle. Followed by another. And another. Behind them is a
mini-van with the County Seal applied to the front doors, and an Animal Control
truck.
I recognize this for what it is: A Los Angeles County Nuisance Abatement Team.
Six officers from the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Police Department
get out of the vehicles carrying guns and tranquilizer rifles.
I walk toward them and the first officer, papers in hand, announces who they are,
tells me they've received numerous complaints against me, and are here to
inspect the property for code violations
While talking to this officer, I hear raised voices behind me causing me to turn
and look.
One officer, gun in hand, is yelling to me that "if these dogs come out I'm going to
shoot them"!
I walked quickly over to the door - which was locked! - and stepped between the
officer and it. My dogs are barking and growling inside because of the commotion
outside. Dogs do that!
"Hey!", I yelled. "I am NOT a criminal! I am not on probation or parole, I do not
have a criminal record"!
He starts questioning me about "where do they fight dogs around here"? (My
dogs are pit bulls). "I have no idea", I reply, "I don't fight my dogs". "Do you watch
the fights", he asks. "No", I answer, "If I knew where there were any dog fights I
would report them. I don't like dogs getting mauled".
Nothing to show
After checking my identification and looking about the area, they left.
And they left me nothing. No paperwork or anything that showed that they were
here.
As a matter of fact, if it weren't for a friend that pulled up, while they were here, to
talk to me, I wouldn't have any proof that any of this even happened.
In the county van, by the way, was the same investigator from code enforcement
that visited me just a few days earlier.
When all is said and done, I view this incident as a tactic of intimidation.
I wasn't, and am not easily, intimidated.
But I was pissed!
What's good for the goose...
Two days later I received a message from a friend.
Pork & Dork were served with a 30-day notice to remove all signs from along the
highway and in front of their store, and to bring inside all the merchandise that
was displayed outside.
Finally, I was happy about something.
"The law needs to be changed"
A couple, or three, days later, an article appeared on the front page of the local
newspaper, the Antelope Valley Press.
Pork & Dork went crying to the press about how they are being picked on by the
county, and will be forced to close their business because of one "anonymous"
complaint.
The final quotation in the article, credited to Pork, was, "It takes one anonymous
call to shut you down. The law needs to be changed".
The article amused, yet at the same time upset, me.
I called the reporter who wrote the article, explaining that I had additional
information regarding the story, that it was I who had made the complaint, that it
wasn't 'anonymous', and left a message that was never returned.
Rallying behind Pork & Dork
The next day, the Valley Press wrote an editorial coming to the rescue of Pork &
Dork, even though what they were championing for violated the rules and
regulations of Los Angeles County.
The only part of the editorial that I liked was that it read: "...because of one
complaint that may or may not have been anonymous..."
I called the Valley Press, again, this time dialing the phone number of the
Opinion Editor. He, to my surprise and delight, answered the phone himself.
I introduced myself and then rambled on whilst he listened, patiently.
He asked no questions, nor offered any comments, though he did chuckle at the
expense of a New York Yankees joke aimed at him.
At the end, he thanked me for the background info, remarked "let's hope they
leave you both alone", and we hung up.
The next few days of the newspaper's editions contained a sprinkling of support
for Pork & Dork in the "Letters to the Editor" section, but nothing further in the
news itself.
I happen to know of at least two letters that were written, speaking out against
Pork & Dork, but were not published.
No more problems until now
I'm assuming that Pork & Dork's problems with the county took their minds off of
me, an that they're focusing, now, on their own problems.
The county investigator is, obviously, short-handed, and has too much work to
occupy his time.
Pork and Dork's notice was originally received on October 21st, giving them 30
days in which to comply.
With a 30-day extension their only option, they would have had to remove their
signs by December 21st at the latest.
As of the date of this posting, all of their signs are still along the highway.
Meanwhile
On December 31st, my current landlord received a notice from the county giving
him 30 days to correct (my) violations or face fines and possible jail time.
On January 29th, the code enforcement investigator, along with what I now call
his 'goon squad', showed up here, again, guns and all, invading the property in
yet another search for code violations.
Again, they left giving me nothing, except a verbal order to have all violations
corrected within three days.
Pork & Dork's signs and merchandise are still up and out.
I asked the investigator if there was a reason that I had to comply and they didn't.
This made him angry.
What I want to know is whether or not their political connections have anything to
do with the difference in treatment between them and I.
I know for a fact that he and his goon squad have not invaded their premises.
There's absolutely no way that would happen without my, somehow, becoming
aware of it.
So, I ask: "Is the Los Angeles County political machine fair to all?
