E-1 towing is has been located next to Havre Ready Mix on High-Way 2 NE for a number of years operating out of the building you see in the picture. The Erickson’s also have been operating a salvage yard that at one time was located on the old city dump site north of Havre which is owned by Bill Baltrush. The Erickson’s have applied for a new license to locate a salvage yard just east of town on property they own which is off the high-way that has low lying areas to obstruct the junk from the view of the road. Hill County, and particularly Sanitation expert and impender of all progress Clay Vincent, have been constantly harassing them with unending requirements and road blocks to hold up the issuance of the salvage yard license. The long range plan according to the Erickson boys is to build a building on their property and vacate their present location entirely but they must first get the salvage yard back in operation.
The new site in this picture already has junk vehicles being dismantled and stored on the property. The picture of the new site was taken sitting on the approach to the old drive-in theater facing north. It is close to 31st Avenue NE. I drove down this lane as far as I could go until I came to a chained gate with nothing of the operation being visible. I circled the whole property going down to the old Krezlak meat plant, and behind to the railroad right of way, and wasn’t able to see any wrecked vehicles, even though they are there. There is one property that has a residence and the rest is commercial or agriculture uses. For the life of me, I cannot see what Clay’s problem is with this location, other than his disdain for the Erickson’s. The County Commissioners are taking public comment on this proposed site until Wednesday, November 18th at 5 pm and will make their determination according to the written comments they receive.
Now we all know that unless you have a problem with something you don’t tend to send in written comment so it is assured that there will be more negative comment then positive, thus assuring that the Erickson boys are doomed in this venture.
UNLESS! ……………….. Maybe some of our good followers would find this abuse of government power offensive like I do, and actually send in some comments in support of these people being able to expand their business. Is not this the same abuse we are all subject too? Like the school board, etc, etc? It’s time we take a stand against some of these power happy nit-wits that fight free enterprise at every turn.
Drop your written comments off at the Hill County Commissioner’s office or mail them to 315 4th St, Havre, Montana. Make sure they are in the Commissioner’s office by 5 pm on November 18th.
It’s time to take a stand and say
“WE ARE MAD AS HELL, AND WE AREN’T GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE!”
There is going to be a junk yard someplace. Sure is better out of city limits then like when wotjowick had that mess down across the tracks. You can still see old box cars and crap there.
ReplyDeleteI am mad as hell so I guess I will send a positive comment in for them. What the hay, 44 cent stamp to stop one of those anti-business governemnt workers.
HELL YA
Just another typical example of why we neverf see any new business in Havre. Everything is always a big problem.
ReplyDeleteWhat I find interesting is the fact that Mr. Vincent always has hundreds of rules for anyone wanting to develop propery for building lots in Havre, such as curbs, paving, and etc. which is all good and proper. But why is it then that this same Mr. Vincent, when developing his own little sub-division, cited some obscure loopholes deleting the requirement for paving in his own subdivision?
Oh Excuse me, I forgot he is the guy approving the subdivisions so that was alright in his case.
I agree with this blog. We need to rise up and fight all injustice even if we are not personally effected.
Come those of you that feel slapped down by the school board, help a couple guys slapped down by the county.
Maybe just maybe you should look at the other side of the coin. From what I understand Vincent has to look at all side of the situation, and there are people opposed to this new salvage yard. I understand there are already 6 licences for salvage yards in this area. The area that they will be pileing these cars is not that far from the river, and if any of you that might know the Ericsons have not always followed the rules. I could care less if they give these guys the licences and I am not a big fan of Vincents or the Commissioners but you should all look at all sides there are reasons not to have another salvage yard and some of the people that live in that area will tell you why if you ask.
ReplyDeleteStill doing a great job HDC
I have read the minutes from this meeting and the meeting that was held on the first application. Do you people always believe the word of someone trying to get something for themselves? What about the people who oppose this salvage yard, they live out there. They will have to deal with the traffic the noise and eventully the sight. E-1 had a salvage yard on the northside. Baltrusch told them to get off, they lost their license. They didn't follow the rules back then and did what they wanted. Just like Erickson said in the minutes from 2008 meeting, he will put a building and all the cars whether pesonal or not out there on that land because it is zoned for industrial. It doesn't matter what all the conditions are, they are not going to follow them, they will do what they want. We already have salvage yards in this county, legal ones that have been operating for years and that is because they follow the rules and regulations. Erickson said in the minutes that he was glad that Mr. Boe lived out there, because he knew he would keep an eye on the place. Right there he just volunteered Mr. Boe to do his security work for him. Mr. Boe has sent letters to the Commissiones, as he lives right there and will be affected greatly, that he does not want a salvage yard by his home. Erickson says he has a right of way agreement with Baltrusch to use their road. A spokesperson for Baltrusch said she didn't know of any agreement. Then it was brought up about using BNSF right of way. Do you really believe that the railroad will allow that? There is too much legality to let them do that, so what road is going to be used? Also, maybe you can't see the cars from the highway, what about the people who live behind, across the river. Do they want to look at a salvage yard when they look out their windows? Do you really think Ericksons will stay within the boundaries set by the zoning board? They didn't on the northside. This is not the way to stop the way the commissioners run this county, there are other ways. Vote them out, get some new people in there. That is the way to go, not by pushing a salvage yard through.
ReplyDeleteCarol
I agree with Carol, and the fact is everyone should know the whole story before they go and print a story. The good old E-1 towing boys should be held accoutable for there past practices.
ReplyDeleteCarol and cruzerc90 what sort of infractions have they done in the past that would warrent a government entity coming down on them like this and putting them out of business? Maybe I am missing something but it seems that just because a person in power has a personal distaste for someone shouldn't be the only reason to stop their plans
ReplyDeleteOk folks, I've known Kenny and his brother Dale for years and I know about their questionable past, but I don't ever recall them ever being convicted of anything and who hasn't done things in their past which was stupid and embarrasing and at the very least questionable. Let's be honest. Now this issue is just another example of the "not in my backyard" mentality. So let's examine this for a moment. First, no one, including the Commissioners, has indicated anything improper on the Erickson's part as it relates to the permit itself. Secondly, what spokesperson did you speak to Carol with respect to Baltrusch? I've visited with Bill about this myself and he said Kenny Erickson had requested an easement sometime back to cross his property and he indicated to me that he told Kenny something could probably be worked out, but he never said he had an agreement in place or made mention of ever saying he would not allow an easement or access. Third, Cruzer what ever happened to innocent until poven guilty or turn the other cheek? We can't do business like this. Come on. You strike me as as pretty level headed person based on what I read here. (Great Blog HDC!!!!!) For the record I was at the hearing too and I never heard anything that shocked me or found to out of place. Were there people there opposed? Absolutely, but there will always be people opposed to such an enterprise. As for other County salvage yards in the County. Ah yes, Bender's pile of junk on both sides of the road up north. Someone will be killed on that road at some point. Does the County hound him? Nope. What about the others? Same thing, ask them if Clay or the Commissioners hound them? Nope. As for eyesores, what about all the crap people can see coming into town on the East end next to L & L Carwash? Skornogoski...didn't a Skornogoski just run for something? Again, nice people but Joe's got some hoarding issues. Oh and the nice site off the side of the hill on the West end over at M&M Salvage. People, people. We seem slightly unfair here. Lastly the Commissioners said their decision would be based on the comments received. Just like the landfill, huh? There were some 40 pages of written opposing comments as well as a petition with dozens of signatures and many comments at the hearing indicating they were opposed to the new landfill, yet Unified Disposal and the Hill Co. Commissioners went ahead anyway. Folks there are many examples where the Commissioners, City Council, SCHOOL BOARD, etc. make decisions regardless of the comments for or against. Basically for me it comes down to this. If the permit request is in order and the legal conditions, both financial and environmental, are in place, then just like the Landfill, it should be permitted. It rerally has nothing to do with whether or not we like the Ericksons. Like I said before I've known these guys for years, would I want them looking out for my children's well being? Probably not, but public officials cannot take personal opinions to the table when making official decisions that affect people's financial wellbeing. Wow! Bend over folks in this area. Annexation-City, Addition-School Board, and coming soon to courthouse near you...Salvage Yard-County. Open for Business, ha ha ha...turn the lights off on your way out boys, business is closed.
ReplyDeleteFirst, my point is this, E-1 states that they are mad as hell at the way the commissioners and Clay do things and we should all support them just because of this, and make the commissioners ok this salvage yard. That is not going to fix the problem. You need to get these people out of office and out of the departments and put people in there that will enforce the laws that are there. The Commissioners, my feeling, have been in office for too long and there needs to be some changes. After a meeting with the commissioner, a person mentioned that maybe he should try to get on the board. One commissioner stated that that would never happen. How can an elected official tell a tax payer that. They are suppose to be working for us the taxpayers, not themselves. I do feel that changes have to be made all the way to the school board, which I have had to deal with also. They seem to forget who pays them and where they live, and just because they don't like something, they can't push someone to change because of their way of thinking. The laws are there to protect us, and one way to stop this is to vote and run for office, not to prove it by pushing a salvage license through, that is not the way.
ReplyDeleteSecond off, yes I have had and I am dealing with the County Commissioners and Clay on other personal real property and I am not getting any where with them. I don't have the pull of some people in this town or as the saying goes, "You need to know the right people to get things done". I have been dealing with my problems with Clay and the Commissioners for the past five years if not more, and nobody wants to take responsibility for the problems. They just try to push it off as a civil matter, which if they had done their job at the very beginning and stop the crap that was going on, and is still going on, there wouldn't be the problems that I have today. The Commissioners still to this day have the please don't do anything, we will be discussing this and get back to you, all the while the other persons are doing the things that they do, which the Commissioners have warned one person not to do. Talk about Fair! I have spent hours and hours, and alot of money to correct the stuff the other people have done to affect the property, with the Commissioners and Clay and attorneys and I am still at the same place I was when this all started. So, please, don't say I don't have any doings with them. I still do. As for the spokesperson at the meeting, I am going to assume it might be the same person who was at the first meeting in 2008, Connie. If the Ericksons do have an agreement than prove it.
As for other salvage yards in this county, yes we have about 6 to 7 salvage licenses. Do they comply with the state's regulations, yes, otherwise they wouldn't have their license. If you don't like the looks of a business, like Bender's & M&M, which are licensed and are legal according to the State's regulations and laws, then you need to go to your congressperson and let them know, so the laws and regulations can be changed. Don't condemn or slam a business that is in accordance with the regulations. By the way, Bender's has a used dealer's license also. M&M is in accordance with the regulations of seeing the cars from the road. You need to read the regulations to know how many feet from the road the yard can be before the yard has to be shielded, especially on a hill. You can drive around town and see lots of businesses that have junk or parts, etc. on their property, but you can't make them do anything about it, ask Clay. I am not going to tell you which businesses or addresses are an eyesore, even my own yard has been an eyesore for about 3 years now, but I am following the rules and regulations of this county and city. Can Ericksons do the same and do everything on the agreement and keep it that way? I don't think so. Also, Clay wears too many hats and it causes a conflict of interest.
Carol:
ReplyDeleteYou make some very good points. You are exactly right that this is not the way you affect change on a board, I agree. Should we recruit and support new candidates at all levels, absolutely and I'm behind you 100% on this. I also share your concerns about dealing with the County. I have had my own runins with Clay Vincent. I own some property out in the County and had an issue with Clay over a drainfield and never really got over the way he treated me or my neighbor with that issue. It should not have to be that way. And I agree he wears way too many hats! On E-1 I guess we will have to agree to disagree. I was not bashing Bender or M&M, but was merely making a comparison. I know for a fact that many people have complained about Bender's stuff along the road. Many of those vehicles are within the alotted rightaway clearance, but nothing is done about it. I know thta it difficult to enforce many of these things, but why would we just naturally assume that the Ericksons will violate these rules? You and others say it is because of past practices. Well I am sorry, but that does not cut the mustard. Ever heard of due process? If they meet the requirements and play by the rules to set up the permit, they must be permitted. Unfortunately in this situation, our Commissioners are going to use comments as excuses to stop this business. I said it before, it doesn't matter whether or not you like these people or not or have a negative opinion of them, they are entitles to a fair and open hearing and a fair permitting process free of heresay and conjecture. That is a Constitutional guarantee. I assure you if they lose this they will probably sue and they will have grounds. Lastly if they are granted the permit then just as you indicated with the others, they will have to follow the rules, laws and procedures and if they don't there are measures in place to deal with those issues. You cannot legislate against an unknown you can only do your best based on what is presented and this case if all the ducks are in a row except personal opinions, it has to be permitted whether we like it or not. Anything else would just be bad policy. And I'm with you on the other stuff!
It is nice to hear that someone agrees with me about the offices and departments. Thank you, it is nice to know I am not alone in thinking things need to change in the County. You are right, we will just have to disagree on E-1 Towing. The thing that gets me is that no one, county or state will take responsibility for enforcing these regulations. Now it is up to the commissioners.
ReplyDeleteWell, here we go again, not playing nice. There were two petitions out in this town, one for and one against. Talk about the 1st amendment and our constitutional rights. It seems someone is going and picking up not only the one for but also the one against. That is not right and I hope that those not for petitions with the people of this town signatures shows up at the commissioners office before 5:00 p.m. today. That is the right thing to do. I bet you don't know anything about this and will deny it, but it seems strange that when the petition for is picked up the petition against is missing. Now what comments are going to come from this? I know there is due process, but you decide, who benefits from this?
ReplyDeleteIf your speaking about my comments Carol, I am not familiar with what is happening with the petitions at all and I agree that tampering with both petitions is not right and should be condemnded. All I am arguing about here is that E-1 get a fair shake, whether they get the petition is not my decision and make sure the public officials who do make the decision do so for the benefit of the entire community not just for or against the Erickson's or their opponents. At least it seems you're doing your homework here. Not many people do and just spout nonsense. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI am not directing my last comments to the Railroader. It is addressed to the person or persons who are interferring with the rights of the people who are against the salvage yard and signed those petitions.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting comments both pro and con. I think my whole involvement in this topic began at anger directed at what is apparently another government official run amuck with his power to stop a project because of his distaste for the parties involved. I will stay out of the pro and cons of the Erickson's Salvage business, but I would like to believe that a decision should be base on the "facts" not personalities.
ReplyDeleteGood job readers in enlightening us with some facts
testing
ReplyDeletewell Railroader59501 I guess my comments got lost in translation. I never said the E-1 boys Broke the law or had been punished for breaking the law or they where guilty of anything. All I said is that the have cast a little shade on some of the things they have done in the past. I guess a good comment to that would be let he who has not sined cast the first stone. If the commish and the highly acclaimed and highly regarded Clay (St.) Vincent proceede and give the E boys a licences, permit, grant, what ever one preferes to call it then so be it. I would want the e boys to tow the ilne and follow the rules as they are ment to be followed like everyone else has to or should be doing too. Now as far as the great commissioners of HIll County I agree it is time for a change. When it comes to the bickering going on with the city and the county Mike A is at the head of the line to make sure things go south. He infact was the Arcitect the swimming pool battle and with his girl Friday (Miss Bisset) they made sure that there would be no favorable out come. If you take the letter I out of Sir Clays vocabulary he is dumbfounded. So Yes it is time for a change in the way our city and county governments do business, and I believe that would be to get back to the basics and do what is best for the people that gave them the job in the first place. So maybe it is time for some of our businesses to spruce up there places a bit, M&M,Benders, and yes E-1 where they are located now. Oh and for god sake Mr. Skornigowski would you please clean up you toy boxes around time before you add anymore to it. And again mr. Railroader 59501The HDC is a great place to visit and speak ones concerns.
ReplyDeleteCarol, I am with you. We must vote out ALL the commissioners and start over.
ReplyDeleteThe E-1 boys got turned down for there salavage permit. Lets see where they go from here.
ReplyDeleteDidn't expect anything different. The commissioners and vincent DO NOT LIKE THEM!
ReplyDeleteI see a lot of good comment on here with both for and against arguments which has been great. But the sad fact is that the decision was made because someone in power DOES NOT LIKE SOMEONE. Not because of the merits of the case presented.
I am going to vote that way next commisioners race too I DO NOT LIKE MIKE,......... so don't bother telling me any of the facts or of his "good" works 'cause I is votin' personality
It is great that everyone is angry at the commissioners and Clay, but now who do we do something about all this. Again, at one meeting when a person mentioned that maybe he should run for a position on the board, right away a commissioner said we, not I but we, would never let that happen. I thought this was a free country and that everyone could run for office, it is the people that vote and elect the official. But I got the feeling from that encounter that the board chooses who gets on that board and they only let someone they like on it, or maybe has their same views. I think the whole board should be kicked out and the people should vote on a whole new board or maybe we should just start over with the city and county boards and have a special election for one board to run the county and city. There needs to be change. I also want to voice my concern over our newly elected Mayor. He stated that he is going to turn over the running of the departments back to the department heads where it should be. I don't agree. These department heads need to be overseen and their decisions need to be watched over carefully. I have found that with one department over the past years and with numerous department heads there were some shabby decisions made and heads turned the other way when it came to building permits, etc. Now in the future the problems are coming to light, but where are these people that made the decisions or turned their heads, gone and moved out of this city and county. Out government needs to change and I think some departments need to be changed also. I will keep working on this.
ReplyDeleteI think Mikie has to run next year, there where 2 other men that run aginst him in the last election, 1 republican and 1 independent. those 2 men recieved over 4000 votes (check it out at the clerk and recorders office) which means that many people voted against him. But alas he still got the majority of the votes (BUMMER) it is time for this egotistical pompas ass to be gone. Period
ReplyDeleteI think there is a mafia in Havre Montana!!!! E-1 was turned down. You Havre Citizens should be ashamed of yourselves. This is so like the MAFIA.
ReplyDeleteOh by the way I am not from Havre. I just have been following this. Look at your Havre Daily News yesterday in the opinions. He hit the head on the nail. Carol you and Mr. Vincent must work for the Havre Mafia. I would not be proud of my self. I guess you are helping keep the city in poverty. So what happened to all the prominate people that where caught in that drug ring. Oh oops That is not to be talked about. This is not a free country. I am really elated that I do not reside in your city. I do Love Montana and am a Montanian. But from a differnt Montana you live in. I have driven thought YOUR city and thought it was quite lovely. But now I see an ugliness in it.
ReplyDeleteWell anonymous A mafia in Havre you are the bright one. When did the light come on in your brain or has it ever. Even though we have some p poor commisioners and a great city sanitairian the E-boys where turned down for other reasons then the bums we have in office. There is the board of zoning that makes the rules and they have rules for a reason. The ugliness that you speak of in Havre is the city is sueing the county and this entity is sueing that entity and the Lawyers get richer. NOw the E-boys are sueing the County or have threatened too. NOt everyone gets what one wants always and yes politics gets in the way as usual. But Mr anonymous keep your comments about my city haveing an ugliness to your self. If that is the way you feel about Havre and it's people please don't visit here.
ReplyDeleteCruzero9 Thanks for the comment back. I have to tell you I lived in Havre for 15 years. The Havre I came from was a wonderful community and I am ashamed to say I resided in a community as the way it is now.The following are your words[Poor commisioners, the bums we have in office,ugliness that you speak of in Havre is the city is sueing the county and this entity is sueing that entity and the Lawyers get richer.] This is not what Havre was when I was a young GIRL. Anyways again thanks for responding and my God be with you all. I am sincerly saying that. I hope Havre is able to be the Lovely town I lived in as young girl.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little late getting into this fray but I'll offer my opinion anyway.
ReplyDeleteDo I like the Ericson's? Yes and no, I have no problem with Dale and Ryan, Kenny I don't care for. Is this a reason to deny them their livelyhood? No.
I have also had dealings with Mr Vincent and he has been decent with me. He just asks that the laws to be followed.
As far as the 6 or 7 junk/salvage yards in the area I know of 1 still in operation, that being Benders. To the extent of my knowledge M&M has crushed everything and is shut down, Bitteroot has been shut down for many years. Other than these 3 and E-1's when it was open I know of no others...I would like to be enlightened however.
Regardless a dislike or distrust of the Erickson's is not a reason to prevent them from having a way to sell auto parts. As others have said allow them the permit based on the facts and requirements that go with it. If they violate those requirements shut them down.
As far as the maybe, maybe not right of way from Baltrusch it is not the countys problem if they have the land and no way to get to it...sounds like a problem or poor planning on their part of being landlocked.
I am not 100% on the road North of their land being the railroads right of way either. That may belong to the elevator's whose tracks run between that road and the BNSF mainline.