I am a work in progress

I'm not a Derelict Vehicle, I'm under construction

Earlier this year I received a letter from the Town of St.Marys saying I had two derelict vehicles in my driveway. The Town of St. Marys had passed a new property by law that allowed neighbors to complain about infractions about the by-law.

No one came and talked to me about the situation, they just sent a letter demanding that I correct the situation. . I was just given a 10 day time line to respond. The town didn’t investigate, they want to quiet the squeaky wheel who complains. The town rejected my time line. I said I would have it corrected in the Spring. Working on a vehicle, outside and a driveway that slopes to the bottom is not safe.

My two derelict vehicles - according to the Town of St. Marys , were licenced and insured. The 1952 Dodge is not driven in the winter months and the 1967 Dodge A100 is under construction. The 67 had a new engine, transmission and other parts waiting to be installed. I had to have 67 Dodge pickup towed to a friend’s shop were he had space where it could be stored and I could worked on it.

My truck is back and is now in my garage, where it is being worked on. It has its new engine and transmission installed. My sons and daughter are working on the truck. My daughter and I are working on the body. My sons and I are working on the driveline. The truck is being re-wired, getting disc brakes front and back being installed. The interior is being insulated and an interior is being built. It will have new custom seats and carpet.

Why am I upset?
I went to the Town Hall meeting before this by law was passed. At the town hall meeting, I was told by the mayor of St. Marys and other councilors that my trucks were not a problem and we shouldn't worry about them. The council asked for my input and I did some research and sent the info into the council.

The by-law passed and Guess What? , I got a letter and was given ten days to correct the problem.


So now when I am at car shows with my 52Dodge I tell people how I was treated by the town and its new by law. The 67 Dodge A100 went to Moparfest on a car trailer. Moparfest is Canada’s largest Chrysler car show. People were really interested to hear how the Town of St. Marys treats people who are into building and working on classic vehicles.