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Anti-RV "No Overnight Parking" bill in Maine Legislature
05-07-2009, 08:26
Post: #1
Anti-RV "No Overnight Parking" bill in Maine Legislature
I just sent the following information to my OvernightRVParking Yahoo Group, and
asked that they post it on any other RV-related discussion groups. Here's the
current status of the bill, and some people to contact about it:

======================

The State of Maine is currently considering legislation which would make it
illegal for RVs to park overnight in "any public parking structure" (i.e.,
business parking lots) anyplace in the state of Maine. If this bill (HP 98, LD
114) passes, it would be illegal for RVers to park for the night and sleep in
their RVs at any business other than "a mobile home park or recreational vehicle
park allowed by a municipality or a camping area licensed by the department."

The penalty for violating this proposed law would be $100, which would be
suspended upon first violation. It's the RVer who would be fined, not the
business.

Shortcomings in the law include:

(1) No need for self-contained RV's to use or pay for many campground amenities
when all that's needed is a night's sleep.

(2) Language of the bill would make it illegal for RVers to park overnight at
truck stops.

(3) No provision for where RVers would stay from late fall through early spring,
when nearly all Maine campgrounds are closed for the season.

(4) No provision requiring campgrounds to be open to check RVers in at any time
of day or night when they might arrive.

(5) No provision requiring campgrounds to offer facilities to accommodate any
kind of RV, including spaces to accommodate the largest rigs, or for campgrounds
to provide and maintain access roads with sufficient weight-bearing capacity and
adequate clearances.

(6) No forethought as to what impact there will be on the Maine tourist economy
if RVers elect to avoid visiting, passing through or spending money in Maine, as
they did in Billings, MT, Laughlin, NV and Reno, NV when those cities attempted
to enact or enforce similar bans on a local basis.

(7) The general principle of forcing member of the public (RVers) to patronize
businesses (campgrounds) that they may not want to patronize.

(8) Some of the legislative material also mentions the issue of waste disposal,
the usual "red herring" that campground owners throw out when pressuring for
this kind of law. The law would punish all RVers for the transgressions of the
very few who dump tanks where they shouldn't, an action that is already illegal,
and only requires enforcement to prevent it.


This bill is currently tabled in the Maine House of Representatives. I has yet
to be passed by either the Maine House or the Maine Senate. I've been able to
find no indication of the likelihood of its being passed, but when I telephoned
the legislative offices to find out the bill's status, the clerk who took my
call was unaware of the bill, then read it, and thought it was stupid.

Here is a link to the text of the bill:

http://www.mainelegislature.org/legis/bi...billpdfs/H
P009802.pdf

(Yahoo or your email program will probably spit that link, so you'll have to
piece it back together in the address bar of your
browser.)

The sponsor of the bill is Rep. Anne C. Perry, Democrat from Calais, ME. Here is
her contact information, as taken from the Maine Legislature Website:

Address: 474 South Street, Calais, ME 04619 Home Telephone: (207) 454-7338 Cell
Phone: (207) 214-7000 Home E-Mail: aperry@... State House E-Mail:
RepAnne.Perry@...
Legislative Web Site: http://www.maine.gov/legis/housedems/aperry
(Additional information, news, etc.,
from the House Majority Office)
State House Message Phone: (800) 423-2900 State House TTY Line: (207) 287-4469
Representing: District 31 - Baileyville, Baring, Calais, Charlotte,
Passamaquoddy Indian Township, Passamaquoddy Pleasant Point, Perry and
Robbinston, plus part of the unorganized territory of North Washington
Committee: Health and Human Services (Chair) Party Affiliation: Democrat Legal
Residence: Calais Seat in House Chamber: 68
Occupation: Nurse Practitioner
Family: 3 Children, 2 Grandchildren

===========

The House Majority Leader in the Maine Legislature is John F.
Piotti, a Democrat from Unity, ME. Here is his contact information, as taken
from the Maine Legislature Website:

Address: 1075 Albion Road, Unity, ME 04988 Home Telephone: (207) 437-2493
Business Telephone: (207) 287-1430 Home E-Mail: piotti@... State House
E-Mail: RepJohn.Piotti@...
Legislative Web Site: http://www.maine.gov/legis/housedems/jpiotti
(Additional information, news, etc.,
from the House Majority Office)
State House Message Phone: (800) 423-2900 State House TTY Line: (207) 287-4469
Representing: District 45 - Burnham, Freedom, Knox, Montville, Palermo,
Thorndike, Troy and Unity
Committee: Rules and Business of the House Party Affiliation: Democrat Legal
Residence: Unity Seat in House Chamber: 1
Occupation: Executive Director of State-Wide Non-Profit
Family: Susan (Wife), 2 Children

=================

Here are two more contacts in Maine:

Governor John Baldacci

Communicate your comments to the Governor:

http://www.maine.gov/governor/baldacci/c...ervices/sh
are_views.html

(Yahoo or your email program will probably spit that link, so you'll have to
piece it back together in the address bar of your
browser.)

Or go to:

http://www.maine.gov/governor/baldacci/index.shtml

Then scroll down to "Citizen Services" and click the [Share your views] link.

Other contact information:

Mailing Address
Office of the Governor
#1 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0001
Phone
207-287-3531
207-287-6548 (TTY)
Fax
207-287-1034

============

The President of the Main Chamber of Commerce is Mr. Dana Connors (that's MR.
Connors, not MS.), and his email address is:

dana.f.connors@...

Because Yahoo truncates email addresses, this may be useful:

dana.f.connors (at) mainechamber (dot) org

=============

Jim O'Briant
Gilroy, CA
Administrator, http://www.OvernightRVParking.com
Quote this message in a reply
05-07-2009, 10:22
Post: #2
Anti-RV "No Overnight Parking" bill in Maine Legislature
I am always quite amused at bureaucrats that do not own anything to have fun with, except a paid provider of services at taxpayers expense. The laundry list of shortcomings are certainly understood. What always gets me is the fine. $100. In this day of budgeting with computer metrix one would think the powers to be could figure out how to structure a law that would be profitable. Who cares in Maine or N. Georgia anyway. I could shoot a 30-30 down the road where I live anytime of the day and it would not hit anyone. Maybe a tree. Apparently the legislator that crafted the bill has to much time on his or her hands to take on real problems in this County and/or incompetence is showing. Vote them out. Send them to the Lobster Boat. On top of that I am confused. In most places a public place does not include private business. Is the definition different in
Maine?
Perhaps those sorry RV folks are robbing Lobster.
Leroy Eckert
1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
Dahlonega, GA
Royale Conversion

--- On Thu, 5/7/09, jamesobriant wrote:
From: jamesobriant
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Anti-RV "No Overnight Parking" bill in Maine Legislature
To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
Date: Thursday, May 7, 2009, 4:26 PM



I just sent the following information to my OvernightRVParking Yahoo Group, and asked that they post it on any other RV-related discussion groups. Here's the current status of the bill, and some people to contact about it:



============ ========= =



The State of Maine is currently considering legislation which would make it illegal for RVs to park overnight in "any public parking structure" (i.e., business parking lots) anyplace in the state of Maine. If this bill (HP 98, LD 114) passes, it would be illegal for RVers to park for the night and sleep in their RVs at any business other than "a mobile home park or recreational vehicle park allowed by a municipality or a camping area licensed by the department."



The penalty for violating this proposed law would be $100, which would be suspended upon first violation. It's the RVer who would be fined, not the business.



Shortcomings in the law include:



(1) No need for self-contained RV's to use or pay for many campground amenities when all that's needed is a night's sleep.



(2) Language of the bill would make it illegal for RVers to park overnight at truck stops.



(3) No provision for where RVers would stay from late fall through early spring, when nearly all Maine campgrounds are closed for the season.



(4) No provision requiring campgrounds to be open to check RVers in at any time of day or night when they might arrive.



(5) No provision requiring campgrounds to offer facilities to accommodate any kind of RV, including spaces to accommodate the largest rigs, or for campgrounds to provide and maintain access roads with sufficient weight-bearing capacity and adequate clearances.



(6) No forethought as to what impact there will be on the Maine tourist economy if RVers elect to avoid visiting, passing through or spending money in Maine, as they did in Billings, MT, Laughlin, NV and Reno, NV when those cities attempted to enact or enforce similar bans on a local basis.



(7) The general principle of forcing member of the public (RVers) to patronize businesses (campgrounds) that they may not want to patronize.



(8) Some of the legislative material also mentions the issue of waste disposal, the usual "red herring" that campground owners throw out when pressuring for this kind of law. The law would punish all RVers for the transgressions of the very few who dump tanks where they shouldn't, an action that is already illegal, and only requires enforcement to prevent it.



This bill is currently tabled in the Maine House of Representatives. I has yet to be passed by either the Maine House or the Maine Senate. I've been able to find no indication of the likelihood of its being passed, but when I telephoned the legislative offices to find out the bill's status, the clerk who took my call was unaware of the bill, then read it, and thought it was stupid.



Here is a link to the text of the bill:



http://www.maineleg islature. org/legis/ bills/bills_ 124th/billpdfs/ H

P009802.pdf



(Yahoo or your email program will probably spit that link, so you'll have to piece it back together in the address bar of your

browser.)



The sponsor of the bill is Rep. Anne C. Perry, Democrat from Calais, ME. Here is her contact information, as taken from the Maine Legislature Website:



Address: 474 South Street, Calais, ME 04619 Home Telephone: (207) 454-7338 Cell Phone: (207) 214-7000 Home E-Mail: aperry@maineline. net State House E-Mail: RepAnne.Perry@ legislature. maine.gov

Legislative Web Site: http://www.maine.gov/ legis/housedems/ aperry

(Additional information, news, etc.,

from the House Majority Office)

State House Message Phone: (800) 423-2900 State House TTY Line: (207) 287-4469

Representing: District 31 - Baileyville, Baring, Calais, Charlotte, Passamaquoddy Indian Township, Passamaquoddy Pleasant Point, Perry and Robbinston, plus part of the unorganized territory of North Washington

Committee: Health and Human Services (Chair) Party Affiliation: Democrat Legal Residence: Calais Seat in House Chamber: 68

Occupation: Nurse Practitioner

Family: 3 Children, 2 Grandchildren



===========



The House Majority Leader in the Maine Legislature is John F.

Piotti, a Democrat from Unity, ME. Here is his contact information, as taken from the Maine Legislature Website:



Address: 1075 Albion Road, Unity, ME 04988 Home Telephone: (207) 437-2493 Business Telephone: (207) 287-1430 Home E-Mail: piotti@uninets. net State House E-Mail: RepJohn.Piotti@ legislature. maine.gov

Legislative Web Site: http://www.maine.gov/ legis/housedems/ jpiotti

(Additional information, news, etc.,

from the House Majority Office)

State House Message Phone: (800) 423-2900 State House TTY Line: (207) 287-4469

Representing: District 45 - Burnham, Freedom, Knox, Montville, Palermo, Thorndike, Troy and Unity

Committee: Rules and Business of the House Party Affiliation: Democrat Legal Residence: Unity Seat in House Chamber: 1

Occupation: Executive Director of State-Wide Non-Profit

Family: Susan (Wife), 2 Children



============ =====



Here are two more contacts in Maine:



Governor John Baldacci



Communicate your comments to the Governor:



http://www.maine. gov/governor/ baldacci/ contact/citizen_ services/ sh

are_views.html



(Yahoo or your email program will probably spit that link, so you'll have to piece it back together in the address bar of your

browser.)



Or go to:



http://www.maine. gov/governor/ baldacci/ index.shtml



Then scroll down to "Citizen Services" and click the [Share your views] link.



Other contact information:



Mailing Address

Office of the Governor

#1 State House Station

Augusta, ME 04333-0001

Phone

207-287-3531

207-287-6548 (TTY)

Fax

207-287-1034



============



The President of the Main Chamber of Commerce is Mr. Dana Connors (that's MR. Connors, not MS.), and his email address is:



dana.f.connors@ mainechamber. org



Because Yahoo truncates email addresses, this may be useful:



dana.f.connors (at) mainechamber (dot) org



============ =



Jim O'Briant

Gilroy, CA

Administrator, http://www.OvernightRVPark ing.com



Quote this message in a reply
05-08-2009, 02:21
Post: #3
Anti-RV "No Overnight Parking" bill in Maine Legislature
If you look at it in the vain of income for the effort that support and protect
the users, its a good law. I'm all for simple laws that give street cops the
power to say "move on". In Santa Barbara the ocean side parking was once a 15
dollar parking ticket. in the morning the parking enforcer would show up and
hand out the ticket to each unit and spend some time visiting with the folks.
They always had the ability to say move on if instinct proved possible issue.
Greg
ofTim&Greg
--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Leroy Eckert wrote:
>
> I am always quite amused at bureaucrats that do not own anything to have fun
with, except a paid provider of services at taxpayers expense. The laundry list
of shortcomings are certainly understood. What always gets me is the fine. $100.
In this day of budgeting with computer metrix one would think the powers to be
could figure out how to structure a law that would be profitable. Who cares in
Maine or N. Georgia anyway. I could shoot a 30-30 down the road where I live
anytime of the day and it would not hit anyone. Maybe a tree. Apparently the
legislator that crafted the bill has to much time on his or her hands to take on
real problems in this County and/or incompetence is showing. Vote them out. Send
them to the Lobster Boat. On top of that I am confused. In most places a public
place does not include private business. Is the definition different in Maine?
> Perhaps those sorry RV folks are robbing Lobster.
> Leroy Eckert
> 1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
> Dahlonega, GA
> Royale Conversion
>
> --- On Thu, 5/7/09, jamesobriant wrote:
>
> From: jamesobriant
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Anti-RV "No Overnight Parking" bill in Maine
Legislature
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Thursday, May 7, 2009, 4:26 PM
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> I just sent the following information to my OvernightRVParking Yahoo
Group, and asked that they post it on any other RV-related discussion groups.
Here's the current status of the bill, and some people to contact about it:
>
>
>
> ============ ========= =
>
>
>
> The State of Maine is currently considering legislation which would make it
illegal for RVs to park overnight in "any public parking structure" (i.e.,
business parking lots) anyplace in the state of Maine. If this bill (HP 98, LD
114) passes, it would be illegal for RVers to park for the night and sleep in
their RVs at any business other than "a mobile home park or recreational vehicle
park allowed by a municipality or a camping area licensed by the department."
>
>
>
> The penalty for violating this proposed law would be $100, which would be
suspended upon first violation. It's the RVer who would be fined, not the
business.
>
>
>
> Shortcomings in the law include:
>
>
>
> (1) No need for self-contained RV's to use or pay for many campground
amenities when all that's needed is a night's sleep.
>
>
>
> (2) Language of the bill would make it illegal for RVers to park overnight at
truck stops.
>
>
>
> (3) No provision for where RVers would stay from late fall through early
spring, when nearly all Maine campgrounds are closed for the season.
>
>
>
> (4) No provision requiring campgrounds to be open to check RVers in at any
time of day or night when they might arrive.
>
>
>
> (5) No provision requiring campgrounds to offer facilities to accommodate any
kind of RV, including spaces to accommodate the largest rigs, or for campgrounds
to provide and maintain access roads with sufficient weight-bearing capacity and
adequate clearances.
>
>
>
> (6) No forethought as to what impact there will be on the Maine tourist
economy if RVers elect to avoid visiting, passing through or spending money in
Maine, as they did in Billings, MT, Laughlin, NV and Reno, NV when those cities
attempted to enact or enforce similar bans on a local basis.
>
>
>
> (7) The general principle of forcing member of the public (RVers) to patronize
businesses (campgrounds) that they may not want to patronize.
>
>
>
> (8) Some of the legislative material also mentions the issue of waste
disposal, the usual "red herring" that campground owners throw out when
pressuring for this kind of law. The law would punish all RVers for the
transgressions of the very few who dump tanks where they shouldn't, an action
that is already illegal, and only requires enforcement to prevent it.
>
>
>
> This bill is currently tabled in the Maine House of Representatives. I has yet
to be passed by either the Maine House or the Maine Senate. I've been able to
find no indication of the likelihood of its being passed, but when I telephoned
the legislative offices to find out the bill's status, the clerk who took my
call was unaware of the bill, then read it, and thought it was stupid.
>
>
>
> Here is a link to the text of the bill:
>
>
>
> http://www.maineleg islature. org/legis/ bills/bills_ 124th/billpdfs/ H
>
> P009802.pdf
>
>
>
> (Yahoo or your email program will probably spit that link, so you'll have to
piece it back together in the address bar of your
>
> browser.)
>
>
>
> The sponsor of the bill is Rep. Anne C. Perry, Democrat from Calais, ME. Here
is her contact information, as taken from the Maine Legislature Website:
>
>
>
> Address: 474 South Street, Calais, ME 04619 Home Telephone: (207) 454-7338
Cell Phone: (207) 214-7000 Home E-Mail: aperry@maineline. net State House
E-Mail: RepAnne.Perry@ legislature. maine.gov
>
> Legislative Web Site: http://www.maine.gov/ legis/housedems/ aperry
>
> (Additional information, news, etc.,
>
> from the House Majority Office)
>
> State House Message Phone: (800) 423-2900 State House TTY Line: (207) 287-4469
>
> Representing: District 31 - Baileyville, Baring, Calais, Charlotte,
Passamaquoddy Indian Township, Passamaquoddy Pleasant Point, Perry and
Robbinston, plus part of the unorganized territory of North Washington
>
> Committee: Health and Human Services (Chair) Party Affiliation: Democrat Legal
Residence: Calais Seat in House Chamber: 68
>
> Occupation: Nurse Practitioner
>
> Family: 3 Children, 2 Grandchildren
>
>
>
> ===========
>
>
>
> The House Majority Leader in the Maine Legislature is John F.
>
> Piotti, a Democrat from Unity, ME. Here is his contact information, as taken
from the Maine Legislature Website:
>
>
>
> Address: 1075 Albion Road, Unity, ME 04988 Home Telephone: (207) 437-2493
Business Telephone: (207) 287-1430 Home E-Mail: piotti@uninets. net State House
E-Mail: RepJohn.Piotti@ legislature. maine.gov
>
> Legislative Web Site: http://www.maine.gov/ legis/housedems/ jpiotti
>
> (Additional information, news, etc.,
>
> from the House Majority Office)
>
> State House Message Phone: (800) 423-2900 State House TTY Line: (207) 287-4469
>
> Representing: District 45 - Burnham, Freedom, Knox, Montville, Palermo,
Thorndike, Troy and Unity
>
> Committee: Rules and Business of the House Party Affiliation: Democrat Legal
Residence: Unity Seat in House Chamber: 1
>
> Occupation: Executive Director of State-Wide Non-Profit
>
> Family: Susan (Wife), 2 Children
>
>
>
> ============ =====
>
>
>
> Here are two more contacts in Maine:
>
>
>
> Governor John Baldacci
>
>
>
> Communicate your comments to the Governor:
>
>
>
> http://www.maine. gov/governor/ baldacci/ contact/citizen_ services/ sh
>
> are_views.html
>
>
>
> (Yahoo or your email program will probably spit that link, so you'll have to
piece it back together in the address bar of your
>
> browser.)
>
>
>
> Or go to:
>
>
>
> http://www.maine. gov/governor/ baldacci/ index.shtml
>
>
>
> Then scroll down to "Citizen Services" and click the [Share your views] link.
>
>
>
> Other contact information:
>
>
>
> Mailing Address
>
> Office of the Governor
>
> #1 State House Station
>
> Augusta, ME 04333-0001
>
> Phone
>
> 207-287-3531
>
> 207-287-6548 (TTY)
>
> Fax
>
> 207-287-1034
>
>
>
> ============
>
>
>
> The President of the Main Chamber of Commerce is Mr. Dana Connors (that's MR.
Connors, not MS.), and his email address is:
>
>
>
> dana.f.connors@ mainechamber. org
>
>
>
> Because Yahoo truncates email addresses, this may be useful:
>
>
>
> dana.f.connors (at) mainechamber (dot) org
>
>
>
> ============ =
>
>
>
> Jim O'Briant
>
> Gilroy, CA
>
> Administrator, http://www.OvernightRVPark ing.com
>
Quote this message in a reply
05-08-2009, 04:20
Post: #4
Anti-RV "No Overnight Parking" bill in Maine Legislature
There are many sides to the argument. As we have a grandchild in Billings, we
are familiar with the new ordinance. It states that there is a limit of 10
hours that a RV can be parked in an area such as WalMart. This came about
because some would consider WalMart a Campground, with the awning out, chairs
set up, and perhaps a BBQ going. Personally, We consider the WalMart
Overnighting just that. Pull in, Park, grab a bite to eat, Sleep, and leave in
the early AM..
.
At home, in Lake Forest, Kingdom of Arnold, they have passed an ordinance
limiting any Rv parked on the street to 72 hours, and then they may be cited..
Curious, because the State Vehicle Code says that ANY vehicle may not be parked
on any public street for more than 72 hours.....
The Official Mentality seems to be "If a Law Is Not Obeyed", then pass ANOTHER
law! (Why not enforce the law that is on the books?)
Jack Smith
1973FC31
SoCal


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, Leroy Eckert wrote:
>
> I am always quite amused at bureaucrats that do not own anything to have fun
with, except a paid provider of services at taxpayers expense. The laundry list
of shortcomings are certainly understood. What always gets me is the fine. $100.
In this day of budgeting with computer metrix one would think the powers to be
could figure out how to structure a law that would be profitable. Who cares in
Maine or N. Georgia anyway. I could shoot a 30-30 down the road where I live
anytime of the day and it would not hit anyone. Maybe a tree. Apparently the
legislator that crafted the bill has to much time on his or her hands to take on
real problems in this County and/or incompetence is showing. Vote them out. Send
them to the Lobster Boat. On top of that I am confused. In most places a public
place does not include private business. Is the definition different in Maine?
> Perhaps those sorry RV folks are robbing Lobster.
> Leroy Eckert
> 1990 WB-40 Smoke N Mirrors
> Dahlonega, GA
> Royale Conversion
>
> --- On Thu, 5/7/09, jamesobriant wrote:
>
> From: jamesobriant
> Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Anti-RV "No Overnight Parking" bill in Maine
Legislature
> To: WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Thursday, May 7, 2009, 4:26 PM
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> I just sent the following information to my OvernightRVParking Yahoo
Group, and asked that they post it on any other RV-related discussion groups.
Here's the current status of the bill, and some people to contact about it:
>
>
>
> ============ ========= =
>
>
>
> The State of Maine is currently considering legislation which would make it
illegal for RVs to park overnight in "any public parking structure" (i.e.,
business parking lots) anyplace in the state of Maine. If this bill (HP 98, LD
114) passes, it would be illegal for RVers to park for the night and sleep in
their RVs at any business other than "a mobile home park or recreational vehicle
park allowed by a municipality or a camping area licensed by the department."
>
>
>
> The penalty for violating this proposed law would be $100, which would be
suspended upon first violation. It's the RVer who would be fined, not the
business.
>
>
>
> Shortcomings in the law include:
>
>
>
> (1) No need for self-contained RV's to use or pay for many campground
amenities when all that's needed is a night's sleep.
>
>
>
> (2) Language of the bill would make it illegal for RVers to park overnight at
truck stops.
>
>
>
> (3) No provision for where RVers would stay from late fall through early
spring, when nearly all Maine campgrounds are closed for the season.
>
>
>
> (4) No provision requiring campgrounds to be open to check RVers in at any
time of day or night when they might arrive.
>
>
>
> (5) No provision requiring campgrounds to offer facilities to accommodate any
kind of RV, including spaces to accommodate the largest rigs, or for campgrounds
to provide and maintain access roads with sufficient weight-bearing capacity and
adequate clearances.
>
>
>
> (6) No forethought as to what impact there will be on the Maine tourist
economy if RVers elect to avoid visiting, passing through or spending money in
Maine, as they did in Billings, MT, Laughlin, NV and Reno, NV when those cities
attempted to enact or enforce similar bans on a local basis.
>
>
>
> (7) The general principle of forcing member of the public (RVers) to patronize
businesses (campgrounds) that they may not want to patronize.
>
>
>
> (8) Some of the legislative material also mentions the issue of waste
disposal, the usual "red herring" that campground owners throw out when
pressuring for this kind of law. The law would punish all RVers for the
transgressions of the very few who dump tanks where they shouldn't, an action
that is already illegal, and only requires enforcement to prevent it.
>
>
>
> This bill is currently tabled in the Maine House of Representatives. I has yet
to be passed by either the Maine House or the Maine Senate. I've been able to
find no indication of the likelihood of its being passed, but when I telephoned
the legislative offices to find out the bill's status, the clerk who took my
call was unaware of the bill, then read it, and thought it was stupid.
>
>
>
> Here is a link to the text of the bill:
>
>
>
> http://www.maineleg islature. org/legis/ bills/bills_ 124th/billpdfs/ H
>
> P009802.pdf
>
>
>
> (Yahoo or your email program will probably spit that link, so you'll have to
piece it back together in the address bar of your
>
> browser.)
>
>
>
> The sponsor of the bill is Rep. Anne C. Perry, Democrat from Calais, ME. Here
is her contact information, as taken from the Maine Legislature Website:
>
>
>
> Address: 474 South Street, Calais, ME 04619 Home Telephone: (207) 454-7338
Cell Phone: (207) 214-7000 Home E-Mail: aperry@maineline. net State House
E-Mail: RepAnne.Perry@ legislature. maine.gov
>
> Legislative Web Site: http://www.maine.gov/ legis/housedems/ aperry
>
> (Additional information, news, etc.,
>
> from the House Majority Office)
>
> State House Message Phone: (800) 423-2900 State House TTY Line: (207) 287-4469
>
> Representing: District 31 - Baileyville, Baring, Calais, Charlotte,
Passamaquoddy Indian Township, Passamaquoddy Pleasant Point, Perry and
Robbinston, plus part of the unorganized territory of North Washington
>
> Committee: Health and Human Services (Chair) Party Affiliation: Democrat Legal
Residence: Calais Seat in House Chamber: 68
>
> Occupation: Nurse Practitioner
>
> Family: 3 Children, 2 Grandchildren
>
>
>
> ===========
>
>
>
> The House Majority Leader in the Maine Legislature is John F.
>
> Piotti, a Democrat from Unity, ME. Here is his contact information, as taken
from the Maine Legislature Website:
>
>
>
> Address: 1075 Albion Road, Unity, ME 04988 Home Telephone: (207) 437-2493
Business Telephone: (207) 287-1430 Home E-Mail: piotti@uninets. net State House
E-Mail: RepJohn.Piotti@ legislature. maine.gov
>
> Legislative Web Site: http://www.maine.gov/ legis/housedems/ jpiotti
>
> (Additional information, news, etc.,
>
> from the House Majority Office)
>
> State House Message Phone: (800) 423-2900 State House TTY Line: (207) 287-4469
>
> Representing: District 45 - Burnham, Freedom, Knox, Montville, Palermo,
Thorndike, Troy and Unity
>
> Committee: Rules and Business of the House Party Affiliation: Democrat Legal
Residence: Unity Seat in House Chamber: 1
>
> Occupation: Executive Director of State-Wide Non-Profit
>
> Family: Susan (Wife), 2 Children
>
>
>
> ============ =====
>
>
>
> Here are two more contacts in Maine:
>
>
>
> Governor John Baldacci
>
>
>
> Communicate your comments to the Governor:
>
>
>
> http://www.maine. gov/governor/ baldacci/ contact/citizen_ services/ sh
>
> are_views.html
>
>
>
> (Yahoo or your email program will probably spit that link, so you'll have to
piece it back together in the address bar of your
>
> browser.)
>
>
>
> Or go to:
>
>
>
> http://www.maine. gov/governor/ baldacci/ index.shtml
>
>
>
> Then scroll down to "Citizen Services" and click the [Share your views] link.
>
>
>
> Other contact information:
>
>
>
> Mailing Address
>
> Office of the Governor
>
> #1 State House Station
>
> Augusta, ME 04333-0001
>
> Phone
>
> 207-287-3531
>
> 207-287-6548 (TTY)
>
> Fax
>
> 207-287-1034
>
>
>
> ============
>
>
>
> The President of the Main Chamber of Commerce is Mr. Dana Connors (that's MR.
Connors, not MS.), and his email address is:
>
>
>
> dana.f.connors@ mainechamber. org
>
>
>
> Because Yahoo truncates email addresses, this may be useful:
>
>
>
> dana.f.connors (at) mainechamber (dot) org
>
>
>
> ============ =
>
>
>
> Jim O'Briant
>
> Gilroy, CA
>
> Administrator, http://www.OvernightRVPark ing.com
>
Quote this message in a reply
05-08-2009, 06:05
Post: #5
Anti-RV "No Overnight Parking" bill in Maine Legislature
On a recent trip to Myrtle Beach in the Walmart parking lot there was this idiot
from NJ in his Forrest River with a matching painted 28'trailer, a matching
painted Jeep Wrangler & a Harley Fatboy, sitting there. He had his awnings out
& levelers down. In the passenger window there was a sign shop sign saying they
were in the area visiting friends & if there were an emergency situation please
call a cell phone #. This idiot was there for 2 days. I asked the store manager
if he had given them permission & he said no and that there were even signs
posted on the property stating no overnight parking. The manager stated he had
no problems with a few hours but 2 days was extreme. I suggested he have it
towed. Within a mile there were 3 RV parks & 2 RV dealerships and this stupid
idiot was squatting on the Walmart property for 2 days. It's idiots like this
which provoke legislation, emergency situations are one thing but out right
stupidity is another. Cities should impound RVs when they abuse a good thing
then those owners would be more respectful of the laws a city imposes.
John McGinnis
88FC35 Louisville, KY
Quote this message in a reply
05-08-2009, 06:47
Post: #6
Anti-RV "No Overnight Parking" bill in Maine Legislature
I would never think of abusing a good thing. I like that I can pull into a
Walmart at night, sleep, and leave in the morning. If I'm visiting an area, I
always find an RV park or park at a friends house. I don't want to lose the
priveledge of parking overnight at Walmart's because someone abuses it.

Jerry
85 PT40

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "John McGinnis"
wrote:
>
> On a recent trip to Myrtle Beach in the Walmart parking lot there was this
idiot from NJ in his Forrest River with a matching painted 28'trailer, a
matching painted Jeep Wrangler & a Harley Fatboy, sitting there. He had his
awnings out & levelers down. In the passenger window there was a sign shop sign
saying they were in the area visiting friends & if there were an emergency
situation please call a cell phone #. This idiot was there for 2 days. I asked
the store manager if he had given them permission & he said no and that there
were even signs posted on the property stating no overnight parking. The
manager stated he had no problems with a few hours but 2 days was extreme. I
suggested he have it towed. Within a mile there were 3 RV parks & 2 RV
dealerships and this stupid idiot was squatting on the Walmart property for 2
days. It's idiots like this which provoke legislation, emergency situations are
one thing but out right stupidity is another. Cities should impound RVs when
they abuse a good thing then those owners would be more respectful of the laws a
city imposes.
> John McGinnis
> 88FC35 Louisville, KY
>
Quote this message in a reply
05-08-2009, 08:26
Post: #7
Anti-RV "No Overnight Parking" bill in Maine Legislature
I can see this coming. If they allow a reasonable time period of say 10 hours
then I think its good. Problem is if it's stated "No over night parking" then
it's rather difficult to tell how that is enforced. My suspicion is that most
business like wal-mart appreciate the RV'r who stops at say 10pm and frequents
the store the next morning and moves on. I can also see how this is getting out
of hand with people parking for days at a time. Have to see how it comes out in
the end. The RV parks are out of hand in their prices.
>
> On a recent trip to Myrtle Beach in the Walmart parking lot there was this
idiot from NJ in his Forrest River with a matching painted 28'trailer, a
matching painted Jeep Wrangler & a Harley Fatboy, sitting there. He had his
awnings out & levelers down. In the passenger window there was a sign shop sign
saying they were in the area visiting friends & if there were an emergency
situation please call a cell phone #. This idiot was there for 2 days. I asked
the store manager if he had given them permission & he said no and that there
were even signs posted on the property stating no overnight parking. The
manager stated he had no problems with a few hours but 2 days was extreme. I
suggested he have it towed. Within a mile there were 3 RV parks & 2 RV
dealerships and this stupid idiot was squatting on the Walmart property for 2
days. It's idiots like this which provoke legislation, emergency situations are
one thing but out right stupidity is another. Cities should impound RVs when
they abuse a good thing then those owners would be more respectful of the laws a
city imposes.
> John McGinnis
> 88FC35 Louisville, KY
>
Quote this message in a reply
05-09-2009, 00:30
Post: #8
Anti-RV "No Overnight Parking" bill in Maine Legislature

As a Maine camper for the last 20 years, I would like to suggest a reason for the legislation.
Judi and I stay at Saltwater Farms Campground in Thomaston, 7 miles south of Rockland. Thereis a Blues Festival, Lobster Festival, and Boat & Home Show during July and August, as well as many other events.
I am embarassed to admit I RV when I see the local Walmart filled with RVs camping with awnings out, levelers down, barbecues and chairs out, etc. The abuse of an invitation to stay quietly overnite by those who camp for days I am sure is partially responsible for this legislation.
The slobs who dump their tanks and refuse in the parking lots and abuse the system are to blame.
Campgrounds in Maine have been rocked the past few years due to the economy and particularly fuel costs.
If you avoid the state due to possible legislation that you don't like, its your loss.
Mike
'97 BMC 40'
Michael Brody
P.O. Box 281
Dresher, Pennsylvania 19025
(V) 215-572-0663
(F) 215-572-6992
Quote this message in a reply
05-09-2009, 02:58
Post: #9
Anti-RV "No Overnight Parking" bill in Maine Legislature
Michael Brody:

This is a hot button topic. Whenever it is being discusses people post about
sewage being dumped. I would like to hear from others who have actually seen
this happen. More of an urban legend than anything else. This type of
legislation is usually pushed by some small minded CG owner. Of course they are
suffering in this economy but so is everyone else. As others have stated: Try
going into a CG at 10 p.m. The gates may be locked. You have to find your own
space and disturb everyone else. Overnighting at a Wal mart or a "J" is not
hurting these CG owners. Wal Mart users are not wanting a CG , just a place to
park overnight. Yes there are abusers but they remain a minority. The
legislation is poorly written and could address the problem with some sort of
time limit. I hope that everyone e mails that legislator and if the bill is
passed we should all avoid Maine . Jurisdictions that have pased similar
legislation have either suffered a loss of tourism or have rescinded the regs.
There are plenty of other states who welcome us!!!

Bruce

1988 FC35
Quote this message in a reply
05-09-2009, 06:59
Post: #10
Anti-RV "No Overnight Parking" bill in Maine Legislature

Bruce, like so many things if existing regulations were enforced there would be no problems. Don't allow "camping" in parking lots.
If sewage is dumped (which I have not seen) then take the appropriate action.
Why do we continue to persecute all for the actions of so few?
Regards, Bruce Morris in Raleigh, NC
Webmaster - http://www.wanderlodge.us
Vietnam Vet 1966-67 Navy "Doc" 3rd MarDiv
1983 FC35RB FMCA #7142s
----- Original Message -----
From: "birdshill123@yahoo.com"
To: "WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com"
Sent: Saturday, May 09, 2009 10:58 AM
Subject: [WanderlodgeForum] Re: Anti-RV "No Overnight Parking" bill in Maine Legislature


Michael Brody:

This is a hot button topic. Whenever it is being discusses people post about sewage being dumped. I would like to hear from others who have actually seen this happen. More of an urban legend than anything else. This type of legislation is usually pushed by some small minded CG owner. Of course they are suffering in this economy but so is everyone else. As others have stated: Try going into a CG at 10 p.m. The gates may be locked. You have to find your own space and disturb everyone else. Overnighting at a Wal mart or a "J" is not hurting these CG owners. Wal Mart users are not wanting a CG , just a place to park overnight. Yes there are abusers but they remain a minority. The legislation is poorly written and could address the problem with some sort of time limit. I hope that everyone e mails that legislator and if the bill is passed we should all avoid Maine . Jurisdictions that have pased similar legislation have either suffered a loss of tourism or have rescinded the regs. There are plenty of other states who welcome us!!!

Bruce

1988 FC35

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