Submitted by a friend.
I have no idea why, after all these last few years, this should come to mind but the following situation developed and the follow through was so unique that it impressed me greatly.
The story begins around 1998 in the rural area of the northern part of Monterey County. It was a beautiful day and I was enjoying it to the fullest, no one could ask for a more pleasant day, the trees were rustling in the breeze, the birds were singing, the scent of flowers and the steady, sleepy drone of bees, damn it was nice. I knew a lot of people in that area and I was up visiting them when out of nowhere there arrives this county car on this particular property where this darling elderly lady lived with her granddaughter. There were several of us there at the time.
The driver of the car was a little slow at getting out of the car, he seemed to be looking around as though gathering information, needless to say everyone was a little apprehensive and wondering what in the world could this man, in the County vehicle, want. After a while the man finally opened the car door and got out, he was a pleasant looking man, about 5 ft.10 with a broad smile on his face, that put us all at ease, he obviously wasn’t there to do us harm so we went over to meet him as he was coming from his car. He introduced himself as a Monterey County Vehicle Abatement Investigator; I just happen to still have his card, funny how you hold on to things. He said he was there because of the various derelict vehicles scattered about as seen from the county road. He asked who the property owner was and the little elderly lady spoke up and introduced herself, her granddaughter at her side. Everyone had gathered around to here the conversation .
He told her that she had a very nice piece of property but unfortunately it was littered with wrecked and dismantled derelict vehicles that were easily seen from the road. As a result he had to stop because the property was in violation of the County Ordinance concerning wrecked and abandoned , derelict vehicles. Everyone tried to explain to him that they are on private property and not abandoned and how dare he come onto the property and say they were and scare the lady property owner. Everyone wanted to know just what he intended to do. The first thing he did was apologize to her and said for her not to be afraid, that he would help her work through this problem and to bring her property back into compliance, but all non running, wrecked, derelict vehicles must be written up and tagged. He explained that she must either enclose, repair or remove them from the property to a wrecking yard.
This lovely little lady that had seen so much heart ache in her live began to cry; she took hold of the mans arm and walked him to an old Ford, Thunderbird parked under a tree. The Investigator said this is the sort of thing I am talking about, all such derelict vehicles must be tagged. It is true, the car was a mess, it was covered with cobwebs and heavy dust and the local field mice had set up housekeeping in it. The Investigator was an unusual man and gentle having such authority. He saw in the lady’s eyes, through her tears that she saw something entirely different. She explained to him, as everyone stood nearby, that she and her late husband had that car when they got married; they promised each other that no mater what this car would always be with them. The car broke down and she couldn't afford the repairs so it was parked under the tree.
What I heard him say next really stood out with me. He told her that an item as valuable as this will not leave this property and he told her what she would have to do to satisfy the law concerning this particular vehicle. He had told her and her granddaughter earlier that all vehicles he tagged had to be either repaired, removed or enclosed inside of a building, but in this particular and very unique case and seeing there was no building of any kind available, the law will allow her to cover the vehicle but it must be completely covered showing no sign of what is beneath the cover. He said he had to write it up and tag it but if she followed what he said that on his return trip it would be considered as gone as long as it could not be seen in any way, not even the tires, it had to be completely covered by a tarp so that if anyone were to look at it there would be no way to discern if it was hay piled and covered or a wood pile. He asked if she understood what he had just told her and with a bright smile that would have put the sun to shame she said she did.
The Investigator went about his work tagging, writing things down on paper for each vehicle and taking pictures, he must have been on the property for about three hours. When he was finished and heading back to his car he stopped to see the lady and her granddaughter again and asked if they had thought of any questions while he was writing up the vehicles. They had, or at least the granddaughter did; that man stood there and answered every question that was put to him. The property owner grabbed his arm and thanked him for his concern.
We all had different feelings about this but we all agreed that the most important thing was to take care of the problem. The property owner and a few others went to Costco the next week because they were selling this big portable garage, basically a tarp covered frame. The one thing that everyone remembered was the part of a building to enclose a vehicle in, everyone forgot about the cover which would have been easier and much less expensive. The portable garage was purchased, taken back to the property and put up. The tarp came all the way to the ground, there was no way to see anything beneath it and the entrance was shut tight, a perfect solution and one that would make the Investigator very pleased, everyone was sure of that.
The next day she called the Investigator at his office at the Monterey County Department of Public Works and told him what had been done. She said he informed her that by law the portable garage was not considered a building and that when he went back to re-inspect the property there could be no evidence of any part of the vehicle that would be in any way visible or discernable. He also cautioned her that we were not allowed to just push the vehicles into the trees to hide them; that was no problem as a towing company was going to take them.
A total of about three weeks went by as I recall and the gentleman returned. Everyone knew he was coming this time. Everyone was excited, some were wondering why the vehicles had to have been removed at all but the Investigator, along with his explanation to the family had also provided a copy of the County Ordinance and said to call if there were any further questions, so most of us understood and looked forward to bringing this inspection to a successful closing.
He arrived in the afternoon which was nice as it provided time for those who wanted to be there. He got out of his car with a large file and showing that big smile he said hello to everyone; he asked the property owner how she was doing and if she was ready to bring everything to a close. She very happily said yes. He opened up his file and walked about the property, when he returned he said everything was in order, then he took out a paper with information concerning the Ford, Thunderbird. He looked at where the car had been then back to the property owner, then to the portable garage. He remarked that the Thunderbird obviously is gone, there is absolutely no sign of it and then half way laughing remarked what a nice portable structure she had and how useful it would be for storing things. He said the case is officially closed and the property owner gave him a hug and expressed her gratitude for his help. He told her it was a pleasure and thanked her for bringing the property into compliance, got in his car and left.
We never saw him again but what he did and the way he did it was a testament to the kind of man he was, the property owner never forgot him and the kindness he showed.
I guess the reason this all comes to mind is because of all the negative things I have been hearing about cars and trucks being taken, and also reading in the Monterey County Weekly about the Cachagua Store and Jensen Camp and the way people are being treated. The previous Investigator that everyone respected had retired and in his position was placed a storm trooping idiot. I say in his position because the previous man, in my and many others opinion, could never be replaced, he was unique in his approach and follow through, amiable in his dealings with people and apparently from what I have been reading about, a very unusual man indeed, wheeling such authority but doing so in a careful, considerate and understanding way.
I won’t give this Investigators name as I don’t have permission but he retired nearly ten years ago and nothing has been the same sense. Sir, if you should happen to read this be secure in the knowledge that you are remembered and missed, and again our thanks go out to you again for the kindness shown to a little lady a decade ago.
It was once said that there are only two kinds of power, power over people and power with people by serving them in a loving way.
The story begins around 1998 in the rural area of the northern part of Monterey County. It was a beautiful day and I was enjoying it to the fullest, no one could ask for a more pleasant day, the trees were rustling in the breeze, the birds were singing, the scent of flowers and the steady, sleepy drone of bees, damn it was nice. I knew a lot of people in that area and I was up visiting them when out of nowhere there arrives this county car on this particular property where this darling elderly lady lived with her granddaughter. There were several of us there at the time.
The driver of the car was a little slow at getting out of the car, he seemed to be looking around as though gathering information, needless to say everyone was a little apprehensive and wondering what in the world could this man, in the County vehicle, want. After a while the man finally opened the car door and got out, he was a pleasant looking man, about 5 ft.10 with a broad smile on his face, that put us all at ease, he obviously wasn’t there to do us harm so we went over to meet him as he was coming from his car. He introduced himself as a Monterey County Vehicle Abatement Investigator; I just happen to still have his card, funny how you hold on to things. He said he was there because of the various derelict vehicles scattered about as seen from the county road. He asked who the property owner was and the little elderly lady spoke up and introduced herself, her granddaughter at her side. Everyone had gathered around to here the conversation .
He told her that she had a very nice piece of property but unfortunately it was littered with wrecked and dismantled derelict vehicles that were easily seen from the road. As a result he had to stop because the property was in violation of the County Ordinance concerning wrecked and abandoned , derelict vehicles. Everyone tried to explain to him that they are on private property and not abandoned and how dare he come onto the property and say they were and scare the lady property owner. Everyone wanted to know just what he intended to do. The first thing he did was apologize to her and said for her not to be afraid, that he would help her work through this problem and to bring her property back into compliance, but all non running, wrecked, derelict vehicles must be written up and tagged. He explained that she must either enclose, repair or remove them from the property to a wrecking yard.
This lovely little lady that had seen so much heart ache in her live began to cry; she took hold of the mans arm and walked him to an old Ford, Thunderbird parked under a tree. The Investigator said this is the sort of thing I am talking about, all such derelict vehicles must be tagged. It is true, the car was a mess, it was covered with cobwebs and heavy dust and the local field mice had set up housekeeping in it. The Investigator was an unusual man and gentle having such authority. He saw in the lady’s eyes, through her tears that she saw something entirely different. She explained to him, as everyone stood nearby, that she and her late husband had that car when they got married; they promised each other that no mater what this car would always be with them. The car broke down and she couldn't afford the repairs so it was parked under the tree.
What I heard him say next really stood out with me. He told her that an item as valuable as this will not leave this property and he told her what she would have to do to satisfy the law concerning this particular vehicle. He had told her and her granddaughter earlier that all vehicles he tagged had to be either repaired, removed or enclosed inside of a building, but in this particular and very unique case and seeing there was no building of any kind available, the law will allow her to cover the vehicle but it must be completely covered showing no sign of what is beneath the cover. He said he had to write it up and tag it but if she followed what he said that on his return trip it would be considered as gone as long as it could not be seen in any way, not even the tires, it had to be completely covered by a tarp so that if anyone were to look at it there would be no way to discern if it was hay piled and covered or a wood pile. He asked if she understood what he had just told her and with a bright smile that would have put the sun to shame she said she did.
The Investigator went about his work tagging, writing things down on paper for each vehicle and taking pictures, he must have been on the property for about three hours. When he was finished and heading back to his car he stopped to see the lady and her granddaughter again and asked if they had thought of any questions while he was writing up the vehicles. They had, or at least the granddaughter did; that man stood there and answered every question that was put to him. The property owner grabbed his arm and thanked him for his concern.
We all had different feelings about this but we all agreed that the most important thing was to take care of the problem. The property owner and a few others went to Costco the next week because they were selling this big portable garage, basically a tarp covered frame. The one thing that everyone remembered was the part of a building to enclose a vehicle in, everyone forgot about the cover which would have been easier and much less expensive. The portable garage was purchased, taken back to the property and put up. The tarp came all the way to the ground, there was no way to see anything beneath it and the entrance was shut tight, a perfect solution and one that would make the Investigator very pleased, everyone was sure of that.
The next day she called the Investigator at his office at the Monterey County Department of Public Works and told him what had been done. She said he informed her that by law the portable garage was not considered a building and that when he went back to re-inspect the property there could be no evidence of any part of the vehicle that would be in any way visible or discernable. He also cautioned her that we were not allowed to just push the vehicles into the trees to hide them; that was no problem as a towing company was going to take them.
A total of about three weeks went by as I recall and the gentleman returned. Everyone knew he was coming this time. Everyone was excited, some were wondering why the vehicles had to have been removed at all but the Investigator, along with his explanation to the family had also provided a copy of the County Ordinance and said to call if there were any further questions, so most of us understood and looked forward to bringing this inspection to a successful closing.
He arrived in the afternoon which was nice as it provided time for those who wanted to be there. He got out of his car with a large file and showing that big smile he said hello to everyone; he asked the property owner how she was doing and if she was ready to bring everything to a close. She very happily said yes. He opened up his file and walked about the property, when he returned he said everything was in order, then he took out a paper with information concerning the Ford, Thunderbird. He looked at where the car had been then back to the property owner, then to the portable garage. He remarked that the Thunderbird obviously is gone, there is absolutely no sign of it and then half way laughing remarked what a nice portable structure she had and how useful it would be for storing things. He said the case is officially closed and the property owner gave him a hug and expressed her gratitude for his help. He told her it was a pleasure and thanked her for bringing the property into compliance, got in his car and left.
We never saw him again but what he did and the way he did it was a testament to the kind of man he was, the property owner never forgot him and the kindness he showed.
I guess the reason this all comes to mind is because of all the negative things I have been hearing about cars and trucks being taken, and also reading in the Monterey County Weekly about the Cachagua Store and Jensen Camp and the way people are being treated. The previous Investigator that everyone respected had retired and in his position was placed a storm trooping idiot. I say in his position because the previous man, in my and many others opinion, could never be replaced, he was unique in his approach and follow through, amiable in his dealings with people and apparently from what I have been reading about, a very unusual man indeed, wheeling such authority but doing so in a careful, considerate and understanding way.
I won’t give this Investigators name as I don’t have permission but he retired nearly ten years ago and nothing has been the same sense. Sir, if you should happen to read this be secure in the knowledge that you are remembered and missed, and again our thanks go out to you again for the kindness shown to a little lady a decade ago.
It was once said that there are only two kinds of power, power over people and power with people by serving them in a loving way.
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