As a bit of comic relief, three years ago town works came by, dug a 8’x10’ hole into the road in front of our home as part of an ongoing project, and when their task was finished, filled it rather ineptly. As a result, when heavy trucks drove by we would hear a loud bu-bang / bu-bang.
After a month of waiting for a better fill in, I contacted the town who gave me an official complaint number. We waited for several months and finally contacted our alderman. We were told the whole road would be paved soon, so we must wait. That occurred about 10 months later, and what a beautiful job - a rich, smooth black tarmac. Alas, a week later a crew arrived, dug up the same 8’x10’ square, mucked around in it, then filled it in again … rather ineptly. Once again, bu-bang / bu-bang.
So … once again I contacted the town who assigned us another complaint number. We were told it would be part of the fall schedule (8 months hence). Around the time it was to be addressed we decided to move after 34 years in our house (to be closer to the children). Thus two years after the first hole had been ineptly filled in, we packed up, said good-bye to bu-bang hole, and left.
Last week, one year after moving, I received an email from the town telling me they had completed the fill in, and our complaint file had been labeled closed.
Three years from start to finish - all for a dozen scoops of asphalt. Our tax dollars at work :^}
What a joy to find your missive this morning, Martin! I woke up to such a dark, overcast sky this morning (Sunday) and was so cheered by finding your update. I wrote to Stratford-District-Council asking them to prove that I had an obligation to pay Council Tax, it took them eight months to reply. It was a shoddy letter, poorly written, improperly signed etc. I thought I would get Christmas out of the way before I respond as I am not inclined to put myself out during this festive season. I often have people contact me asking for the "template" letter that one uses to "legally" withdraw from Council Tax. I tell them that there is no template, when you stand in your own sovereignty you have all the courage and power that you need. If receiving an intimidating letter from the Council puts fear in your heart, you are not there yet. We must visualise these corrupt, pathetic civil servants for what they are: statutory matrix slaves, worms doing the bidding of their controllers. And then, like you, we must enjoy watching them squirm on the hooks upon which they have foisted themselves.
Well done Martin, we have not paid our council tax or the water board for 7 months now. We have sent a letter to the water board informing them that we were not prepared to pay their bill due to the levels of metals in the water and that our water filters were costing us nearly £300 per year and the difference in the stream water outside our property and the tap water was over a 100 units in heavy metal toxins. We wrote that we needed evidence of their commitment to consumer safety and to provide us with analysis details. Long and short of it without going into detail, they informed us that they were not required to do so and informed us that we owed a certain amount. We haven't paid and don't intend to do so, heard nothing back and that was 4 months ago. Regarding the Council, we have heard nothing in 7 months. Have to wonder if there is anybody working here in Dorset County Council or at Wessex Water? Or are there so many complaints they do not have the employees to deal with it?.... Keep smiling, keep kicking the can down the road....
Go Martin! Yes, I agree with other supporters---two MG messages in one day is better than lovely!
Thank you always for encouragement, inspiration and smiles. The tax situation would be truly hilarious if it was not so dreadfully unlawful and corrupt. When will they realize they are not even close to being in a league to play with you!?
I have this visual in my mind, of the dolts in your TV Licensing Agency and Durham County Council, in a Monty Python sketch, just switching badges and nameplates each time one of your letters arrives.
Your many reports on this travesty {maybe too harsh a word?} have kept me mostly amused, but just as often pissed, since you began its depiction. When I was a martial arts instructor {21 years} my students learned that, if possible, walk away from any potentially dangerous altercation. If unavoidable however, or if someone is simply turning somersaults because he thinks you can be intimidated, take down the threat with whatever power and accuracy you possibly can release in as short a time as possible. Sounds like maybe one of the innate personality traits of Mr. Martin Geddes?
EXCELLENT Martin! May I share this on Truth Social in the US and suggest that anyone so interested may use it as a template to fight illegal taxation here in the US?
I think your point about insisting on the council providing their signing policy is a winner as I am finding more and more companies and public bodies avoid attribution by not signing anything instead choosing to end the letter “Revenues Team” or some such nonsense. the MOJ is the worst for this
Two in one day, you’re spoiling us 😉
God bless you for your bulldog tenacity!
As a bit of comic relief, three years ago town works came by, dug a 8’x10’ hole into the road in front of our home as part of an ongoing project, and when their task was finished, filled it rather ineptly. As a result, when heavy trucks drove by we would hear a loud bu-bang / bu-bang.
After a month of waiting for a better fill in, I contacted the town who gave me an official complaint number. We waited for several months and finally contacted our alderman. We were told the whole road would be paved soon, so we must wait. That occurred about 10 months later, and what a beautiful job - a rich, smooth black tarmac. Alas, a week later a crew arrived, dug up the same 8’x10’ square, mucked around in it, then filled it in again … rather ineptly. Once again, bu-bang / bu-bang.
So … once again I contacted the town who assigned us another complaint number. We were told it would be part of the fall schedule (8 months hence). Around the time it was to be addressed we decided to move after 34 years in our house (to be closer to the children). Thus two years after the first hole had been ineptly filled in, we packed up, said good-bye to bu-bang hole, and left.
Last week, one year after moving, I received an email from the town telling me they had completed the fill in, and our complaint file had been labeled closed.
Three years from start to finish - all for a dozen scoops of asphalt. Our tax dollars at work :^}
I pray you have better luck.
What a joy to find your missive this morning, Martin! I woke up to such a dark, overcast sky this morning (Sunday) and was so cheered by finding your update. I wrote to Stratford-District-Council asking them to prove that I had an obligation to pay Council Tax, it took them eight months to reply. It was a shoddy letter, poorly written, improperly signed etc. I thought I would get Christmas out of the way before I respond as I am not inclined to put myself out during this festive season. I often have people contact me asking for the "template" letter that one uses to "legally" withdraw from Council Tax. I tell them that there is no template, when you stand in your own sovereignty you have all the courage and power that you need. If receiving an intimidating letter from the Council puts fear in your heart, you are not there yet. We must visualise these corrupt, pathetic civil servants for what they are: statutory matrix slaves, worms doing the bidding of their controllers. And then, like you, we must enjoy watching them squirm on the hooks upon which they have foisted themselves.
Well done Martin, we have not paid our council tax or the water board for 7 months now. We have sent a letter to the water board informing them that we were not prepared to pay their bill due to the levels of metals in the water and that our water filters were costing us nearly £300 per year and the difference in the stream water outside our property and the tap water was over a 100 units in heavy metal toxins. We wrote that we needed evidence of their commitment to consumer safety and to provide us with analysis details. Long and short of it without going into detail, they informed us that they were not required to do so and informed us that we owed a certain amount. We haven't paid and don't intend to do so, heard nothing back and that was 4 months ago. Regarding the Council, we have heard nothing in 7 months. Have to wonder if there is anybody working here in Dorset County Council or at Wessex Water? Or are there so many complaints they do not have the employees to deal with it?.... Keep smiling, keep kicking the can down the road....
Bravo Martin. This is getting really good. Best thriller I've seen in decades!
Go Martin! Yes, I agree with other supporters---two MG messages in one day is better than lovely!
Thank you always for encouragement, inspiration and smiles. The tax situation would be truly hilarious if it was not so dreadfully unlawful and corrupt. When will they realize they are not even close to being in a league to play with you!?
I have this visual in my mind, of the dolts in your TV Licensing Agency and Durham County Council, in a Monty Python sketch, just switching badges and nameplates each time one of your letters arrives.
OK, Martin shared profusely. Seems you are full of surprises today.
For "lots of publicity" - it would be fun, no? to have BAGS of letters received from the wold over . . hmmmm . . . just say the word!
I hope everything is okay w Martin. Haven’t received a posting for about 3 weeks now. Subscriber.
Your many reports on this travesty {maybe too harsh a word?} have kept me mostly amused, but just as often pissed, since you began its depiction. When I was a martial arts instructor {21 years} my students learned that, if possible, walk away from any potentially dangerous altercation. If unavoidable however, or if someone is simply turning somersaults because he thinks you can be intimidated, take down the threat with whatever power and accuracy you possibly can release in as short a time as possible. Sounds like maybe one of the innate personality traits of Mr. Martin Geddes?
EXCELLENT Martin! May I share this on Truth Social in the US and suggest that anyone so interested may use it as a template to fight illegal taxation here in the US?
I think your point about insisting on the council providing their signing policy is a winner as I am finding more and more companies and public bodies avoid attribution by not signing anything instead choosing to end the letter “Revenues Team” or some such nonsense. the MOJ is the worst for this
This is brilliant.