Owner disputes 'salvage' label

Wednesday, May 19, 2010

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Bill Mathies, whose property 71⁄2 miles southwest of McCook on Road 711, was discussed during the Red Willow County Commissioners meeting Monday, and reported on in the Monday edition of the McCook Daily Gazette, maintains that his private property is not a salvage yard as indicated in the story.

"I am an individual who has stuff on his property that some neighbors don't like," he said.

Mathies reiterated that the county zoning laws incorrectly define his property as a salvage yard.

Comments
View 27 comments
Note: The nature of the Internet makes it impractical for our staff to review every comment. Please note that those who post comments on this website may do so using a screen name, which may or may not reflect a website user's actual name. Readers should be careful not to assign comments to real people who may have names similar to screen names. Refrain from obscenity in your comments, and to keep discussions civil, don't say anything in a way your grandmother would be ashamed to read.
  • Artictl 303.77 Red Willow County Zoning- SALVAGE YARD

    Land where waste, discarded metals, building materials, paper, textiles, used plumbing fixtures, inoperable appliances, inoperable motor vehicles, machinery or parts thereof, or other used materials are bought, sold, exchanged, stored, baled or cleaned, excluding pawn shops, used appliance or furniture sales or operable used vehicle sales establishments.

    Which part of this discription do you disagree with?

    -- Posted by rural citizens on Wed, May 19, 2010, at 1:41 PM
  • Ditto. After some research I found that an "salvage yard" cannot be operated within 1,000 feet of a highway without proper fencing. The Nebraska Department of Roads has jurisdiction and authority over places that don't comply. Wonder if they'll ever do anything with the "junk" on the East side of town, north side of road. That place is absolutely horrible and a disgrace to anyone living in SW Nebraska.

    -- Posted by FNLYHOME on Wed, May 19, 2010, at 2:34 PM
  • WHAT ABOUT ALL THE FARMERS STUFF I HAVE HAD IT WITH PEOPLE THAT OPEN THEIR MOTH BEFORE THEY NO ALL FACTS ABOUT WHATS GOING ON . RURAL CITIZEN LET ME LOOK AT YOUR PLACE I BET I CAN COMPLAIN ABOUT SOME THING ON YOUR PROPERTY YOU NEED TO GE THE FACT

    YOU CAN BE HELD LIBEL FOR YOUR WORDS IN COURT LOOK THAT UP AND GET BACK TO ME .

    -- Posted by rightsforall on Wed, May 19, 2010, at 3:02 PM
  • don't let rc get to you. He's just another busy body control freak that wants to get into everybody else's business whether it effects him or not. I couldn't think of anyone I would rather NOT have as a neighbor although there are others just as bad.

    -- Posted by Dick on Wed, May 19, 2010, at 4:54 PM
  • Rightsforall, where are you coming from? Owning property in the United States is a right. With that right should come pride and respect. All I'm saying is that if you are going to have unused vehicles, trucks, tractors, etc on your property, have enough respect for yourself and your land to disguise it properly and abide by the State laws. If not, don't question property value. Farmers do accumulate "stuff", but most farmers I know have enough pride that they take care of it properly. This should apply towards anyone who owns land or even a house in town. Have pride in what you own. It is a direct reflection on you and your community.

    -- Posted by FNLYHOME on Wed, May 19, 2010, at 4:57 PM
  • It is clearly not a salvage yard. I think Mr. Mathies has taken pride in the fact that they are organized and contained. you talk about pride and respect but I am wondering if you are showing respect by snooping around on private property. I agree with Dick I would not want you as a neighbor either. I think it is sad that a person does not have anything better to do then to cause trouble where common sense should preveil.

    -- Posted by angel sue on Wed, May 19, 2010, at 9:05 PM
  • None of my comments have anything to do with Mr. Mathies. I don't even know where the site is. I'm talking about the site East of town that everyone can visibly see from the highway. Never been on the property, never slowed down. Don't have to. So, please don't think I'm snooping around. It does sound like Mr. Mathies is complying and have respect. Wish more were like him.

    -- Posted by FNLYHOME on Wed, May 19, 2010, at 9:19 PM
  • Where is this place? I have driven around and have not been able to see this so called salvage yard. I respect Mr Mathies for being eco-friendly by recycling materials that would have been disposed of in our landfills. My hat is off to you Bill for all your hard work. I consider your work a community service.

    -- Posted by cjg on Wed, May 19, 2010, at 9:27 PM
  • As I've said, I don't even know you or where your place is Mr. Mathies. I have no problems with you or your place and have nothing against you. Good luck and thank you. It very well may be not a "salvage yard" East of town. It's just a lot of junk right by the highway that looks bad. Sorry.

    -- Posted by FNLYHOME on Thu, May 20, 2010, at 6:11 AM
  • I've seen this property and I don't blame the neighbors for being upset. It is "the view" from the back of their home, not from the county road. Fortunately for them the farmers field is growing and will temporarily hide it for the summer. You cannot fault them for protecting their own personal rights! You have violated their rights. It is apparent that the County also feels that there is an issue or they would not have addressed the set back zoning requirement. Maybe you should have checked with the County or the NE Dept of Environmental Protection before you started your accumulation of "well organized salvage" in someone's backyard.

    Here's the real issue...you are not in compliance with zoning. "Once Mathies moves the operation another 1,000 feet from the neighbor's home, Eckhardt said, he can apply for and, if all regulations are met, be granted a conditional use permit."

    You want respect...respect others and the guidelines that are put in place to protect the property value of all citizens.

    -- Posted by rural citizens on Thu, May 20, 2010, at 8:17 AM
  • I have to agree this is kind of funnmy when I see all the junk around town adnother places yet this one individual is singled out. Wonder who is related to a council member that lives by him?

    -- Posted by Chaco1 on Thu, May 20, 2010, at 10:33 AM
  • what right do you have to juge pepole

    i remember 307 west J thay just got the home

    the 1st day thay where moving in the city was giving tickets to them for all stuff

    his dad is dieing of cancer his wife had bad medecal going on mccook just keped hamering on them tring to fix the house in in side first

    by the whay IM THAT MAN . AND IM MAD THE STORY WILL BE TOLD I AM SUING THE CITY FOR WHAT THAY DONE ., MY DAD SUDNOT HAVE WENT THROW THAT

    WE DON'T DRINK SMOKE OR DRUGS , WE WHERE THE TALK ON OPEN LINE FOR 3 MONTHS NO ONE NEW THE STORY

    AND I HAVE ALL COMMENTS IN A FILE TO JUST KEEP TALKING WE ARE GETING SMALLER IN THIS TOWN MY FAMILY HAS BEEN HERE FOR OVER 100 YRS

    AND THAY HAD NO RIGHT TO DO THIS NO ONE GAVE US A CHANCE ALL OF MY DADS STUFF ARE STUFF WAS STILL ON THE TRALERS AND CARS I WILL PUT THE FULL STORY ON HERE I SRVED IN THE ARMY FOR THIS , ,,,,,

    NO RIGHTS YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO TALK MY

    MY NAME IS RALPH STEVENS I WOULD LOVE TO TALE MY

    STORY ,,,,,,,

    -- Posted by rightsforall on Thu, May 20, 2010, at 9:26 PM
  • Well Ralph, your house is a big a disgrace to McCook as your spelling is on here!

    I for one am deeply thankful you do not live next door to me, or those that can't or won't keep their properties cleaned up.

    Yes, it is a free country, and you can live how you want, as long as it does not affect others. Properties that are "junk holes" bring down the property values of those around them.

    Because I value my property and take care of it, take pride in my home and property, you may call me a "busy body".

    -- Posted by ladypat37 on Thu, May 20, 2010, at 10:13 PM
  • ones man junk is another mans treasure and who do you think you are to think that everyone should, would or could be as perfect as you. personally i would not want you as a neighbor. some people actually have a life and just need a little understanding and help from time to time. instead of complaining maybe a person should take the time to visit and find out the facts before they pass judgement. you can not always judge a book by the cover nor a neighbor by his yard.

    -- Posted by angel sue on Thu, May 20, 2010, at 11:59 PM
  • ladypat37 do you know what is going on

    1 my family been here 1906 how long have you

    2 what gives you the right to juge you don't read

    the bible not juge your neighbor

    3 this was a drug home intell i fixed up the inside

    4 i feel sory for you. you dont know me

    my wife and me help the elderly and disabled

    do you ueo

    5 you dont know mccook do you

    6 take a good look at this town we are dieing

    7 you need to get a job and leave pepole alone

    8 far as property values i called the court house

    and thats not the story

    9 if you have a probem tell me or mind your own bissness

    10 you missed the point i seved my time in the army did you i know what i fought for do you

    11 and just for your comment im going to paint my \ home a wonder full color just for you :)

    12 i believe in god and the bible usa

    if any one has a comment you can email me a

    ralphstevens@q.com

    13 if this is what mccok has come to im soory for

    the pepole that are good in this town and if you are worried about property vales are you selling your home or is your home so mortage to the hill ??? just food for thought .....

    -- Posted by rightsforall on Fri, May 21, 2010, at 2:12 AM
  • i too am a veteran. Its nice to know that I can do whatever I want now.

    -- Posted by president obama on Fri, May 21, 2010, at 9:02 AM
  • you missed that point of this did you ????????

    -- Posted by rightsforall on Fri, May 21, 2010, at 1:20 PM
  • bigdawg

    why did you join the military?

    a. you were drafted

    b. to protect our freedoms (including property rights)

    c. to invade other countries to expand the empire of the power elite

    d. you couldn't find a job

    e. don't know

    f. other

    -- Posted by Dick on Fri, May 21, 2010, at 5:19 PM
  • Pretty innapropriate around Memorial day Dick. Why I joined the Military is none of your **** business just thank me for your freedoms sometime. No Newspaper gave you the right to free speech thank a vet.

    -- Posted by Chaco1 on Sat, May 22, 2010, at 6:27 AM
  • i joined the military so when I got out I can do whatever I want

    -- Posted by president obama on Sun, May 23, 2010, at 8:22 PM
  • what about Mr. Mathies rights. I don't hear him complaining about the people across the road that have junk in their yard. Even though from my understanding his stuff was there before they built their house.

    -- Posted by angel sue on Mon, May 24, 2010, at 1:40 AM
  • Just an interesting note. Lets say you are out driving down the interstate and you are speeding. You're not the only one speeding as some cars may pass you and some are keeping up with you. Next thing you know, you see red lights in your rear view mirror. The officer tells you that you were speeding. Were you? Is your argument that everyone else was speeding so I thought it was okay for me to speed. True, we all have our rights. However, when you break the law or when you don't live by the rules that are put in place and enacted, you have no excuse of being guilty. In Mr. Mathies case, it is obvious that he has a situation where he is in violation of the zoning ordinance. In order to abide by the zoning ordinance, he must do whatever it takes to comply. Even if there are others who are not in compliance. Did I not read somewhere that he stated he was going to clean his place up and was just waiting on getting fluids drained out of some vehicles? Wrong is wrong people.

    -- Posted by McCook Supporter on Mon, May 24, 2010, at 10:41 AM
  • that is true. So what you are saying then is that everyone who has a old car used applance and so forth should also abide by the zoning laws cause they could be concedered a salvage yard as well. so should we waste time turning everyone in. what is fair for mr. Mathies is fair for everyone. It has been brought to his attention and he has agreed to clean it up as stated in the articles. I think we should give him a chance. it is not like it is a salvage yard where there is alot of traffic. It is just one man collecting junk trying to make a little money. I do think that the zoning law needs to be address as to what really constitutes a salvage yard. i think it is like the speeding car we have all been guilty of it a time or two.

    -- Posted by angel sue on Mon, May 24, 2010, at 1:31 PM
  • bigdawg,

    So what are the things you wanted to do.

    -- Posted by Hugh Jassle on Mon, May 24, 2010, at 7:33 PM
  • whatever I want to do. I am a veteran.

    -- Posted by president obama on Tue, May 25, 2010, at 7:40 AM
  • You do bring out a good point. A person actually knows he is speeding down the interstate. But does a person know he is breaking the zoning law when he sets that used toilet in his yard. Or when their car breaks down and it sits in their yard they are concidered a salvage yard. I can understand how a person might get upset living by a salvage yard all the traffic of people coming and going doing bussiness.

    -- Posted by angel sue on Tue, May 25, 2010, at 8:19 AM
  • bigdawg,

    I can only assume you only want to do legal and moral things, right.

    -- Posted by Hugh Jassle on Fri, May 28, 2010, at 11:32 PM
Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: