More Government interference in our hobby

[mgawat]

Just a quick note to let you know municipalities in Maine are doing everything in their power (and beyond) to kill our hobby. While the Maine legislature did pass a bill which says the following:
A. "Automobile graveyard" does not include:
(2) An area used by an automobile hobbyist to store, organize, restore or display antique autos, antique motorcycles, classic vehicles, horseless carriages, reconstructed vehicles, street rods or parts of these vehicles as these vehicles are defined in Title 29-A, section 101 as long as the hobbyist's activities comply with all applicable federal and state statutes and rules and municipal ordinances, other than ordinances that are more restrictive than this subsection regarding the storage of vehicles or vehicle parts that are collected by a hobbyist, except that a municipal ordinance may require areas used by an automobile hobbyist to comply with the screening requirements in section 3754-A, subsection 1, paragraph A and the standards in section 3754-A, subsection 5, paragraph A, paragraph B, subparagraph (1) and paragraph C. For the purposes of this subparagraph, an automobile hobbyist is a person who is not primarily engaged in the business of selling any of those vehicles or parts from those vehicles;

Title 29-A: MOTOR VEHICLES HEADING: PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (new); Pt. B, §5 (aff)
Chapter 1: GENERAL PROVISIONS HEADING: PL 1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (new); Pt. B, §5 (aff)
§101. Definitions
As used in this Title, unless the context otherwise indicates, the following terms have the following meanings. [1993
3. Antique auto. "Antique auto" means an automobile or truck manufactured in or after model year 1916 that is:
A. More than 25 years old; [1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
B. Equipped with an engine manufactured either at the same time as the vehicle or to the specifications of the original engine; [1993, c. 683, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); 1993, c. 683, Pt. B, §5 (AFF).]
C. Substantially maintained in original or restored condition primarily for use in exhibitions, club activities, parades or other functions of public interest; [1997, c. 653, §2 (AMD).]
D. Not used as its owner's primary mode of transportation of passengers or goods; [2005, c. 314, §1 (AMD).]
E. Not a reconstructed vehicle; and [2005, c. 314, §2 (AMD).]
F. Not an altered vehicle. [2005, c. 314, §3 (NEW).]

Towns are saying that if a vehicle is not fully restored it does not meet thaT EXCEPTION EVEN THOUGH THE STATUTE CLEARLY STATES THE VEHICLES CAN BE KEPT FOR RESTORATION.

I had the job of defending in York County District Court a lawsuit from the town Of Old orchard Beach, Maine to physically remove my antique trucks under restoration from my property despite the fact they were properly shielded from the highway. If it happen to me it can happen to you. I'm not sure what the answer is to force distrct court judges to enforce statutes as they are written instead of favoring blindly with the miunicipalities. Just one more hard fought for right we have being caliously taken away. Did I mentioon the fact I had to pay the town's legal expenses on top of this BS?

 

[Upstate]

Need to get involved with the SEMA SANS action network. This is made up of legislators that are auto enthusiasts. They prevent ideas like this from becoming law. Everyone on this web site should know there state legislators name and go to the SEMA SANS web site and see if they are a member. Support those that are and urge those that aren't to become involved.

 

[mgawat]

update to ongoing problem

MCAA Members & Hobbyist,
The Maine Custom Auto Association is holding it's December 2nd meeting at the Chick A Dee Restaurant located at 1472 Lisbon Street in Lewiston ( Map Quest & Google show this address too far out on Lisbon Street.) After you exit the pike (Exit 80) you'll be on Alfred Plourde Highway, take the 1st exit to your right onto Route 196 (Lisbon St.), The restaurant is located shortly up the street on your left, at the second set of traffic lights, on the corner of Lisbon St. and Westminster St, and across the street is the Tire Warehouse. Anyone wishing to buy a meal should do so by 6:30pm, they also have a complete bar.

Jon Doyle will be our guest speaker and being a hobbyist himself as well as an Attorney and Lobbyist in Augusta, he is well versed with our automotive hobbyist issues. We keep hearing of more and more hobbyist having problems with their town officials about having project vehicles, donor vehicles and / or parts of even though the vehicles are totally out of sight. Jon agrees that something should be done with Title 30-A of the State Statute in order to retain an effective hobbyist exemption. This current Anti-hobbyist action not only effects restoration and building of Antiques, Custom or Street Rods, but also off road and race vehicles. After Jon's presentation the floor will be open to discussions about the November 13th meeting with the Secretary of State people and what may be discussed at the December 11th meeting relative to the proper classification, registration and inspection of Antiques, Customs and Street Rods.

We will need a head count for the restaurant, therefore please RSVP Dick Fritz at 985-7712 or
rfritz63559@roadrunner.com or myself at 783-6166 or cfaparts@gwi.net or cfaparts@aol.com


Please pass this on to anyone that you feel is or will be impacted by these issues.


Ray Simond
Maine Custom Auto Association