LiveJazz70
Full Member
Long story short (as possible), I went to a park this morning that I've hunted for some time now, Only to get ousted by the director of parks and recreation!
He approached me (he didn't tell me who it was) and this is how the conversation went:
Director: "Metal detecting isn't allowed here."
Me: "Why?"
Director: "It leaves hole."
Me: "I've dug 30 to 40 holes in this 10 foot square area. Show me any hole!"
Director: "Well, it kills the grass.:
Me: "Actually, it aerates the ground and allows for healthier grass."
Director: "Well, it leaves yellow spots on the ground."
Me: "Ok, I've done this for several years now and it does nothing of the kind. In fact, look at this (Showing him two handfuls of pull tabs and screw tops, and tossing them into the garbage next to me.) I'm actually cleaning up the ground and eliminating possible liabilities if one of these end up in someones foot. So unless you have something in black and white stating I can't metal detect here then I'll continue to do so.
Director: "It's an County Code."
Me: "I checked the local and county codes and ordinances and nothing was mentioned."
Director: "I'll be right back."
5 Minutes later the director brings me the list of county codes. Sure enough, Chapter 12 section 12.1-22 states no metal detecting in Isle of Wight county public parks.
Me: "Why is it that several parks and recreation employees and Sheriffs have said Hi, Any luck? and things of the sorts?
Director: "Sheriffs don't know all the codes."
Me: "Ok, fine. I'll be on my way"
Little did he know, I wasn't going to accept his answer. I came home and checked the ordinances again.
http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientId=14449
I know someone here is going to read the part on the website that states:
This Code of Ordinances and/or any other documents that appear on this site may not reflect the most current legislation adopted by the Municipality.
I called and verified from the court house that it was recently updated.
There is no Chapter 12 Section 12.1-22. The sections only goes to 20! The County Courthouse verified this. They said to contact Mark Ferlow. Wait! That's the Director! I called him and kindly reminded him of our earlier meeting and pointed this dependency out to him. He didn't know what to say. But I did. "What is the date on the papers you showed me?" He looked and said "Over 2 years old." I asked if its possible that the ordinances has been repealed? He said he would call the County Attorney and get back with me.
OOH YES! As I was typing this the Director called and apologized! He stated that what he had was a draft and 12.1-22 was dropped when the section went into effect.
He also went on to state that he appreciated the fact that he couldn't find any of the plugs I dug, and cleaning up the trash is a good thing.
A WIN FOR THE HOBBY!!!
Moral of the story- DO YOUR RESEARCH AND DON'T BE AFRAID TO QUESTION!
He approached me (he didn't tell me who it was) and this is how the conversation went:
Director: "Metal detecting isn't allowed here."
Me: "Why?"
Director: "It leaves hole."
Me: "I've dug 30 to 40 holes in this 10 foot square area. Show me any hole!"
Director: "Well, it kills the grass.:
Me: "Actually, it aerates the ground and allows for healthier grass."
Director: "Well, it leaves yellow spots on the ground."
Me: "Ok, I've done this for several years now and it does nothing of the kind. In fact, look at this (Showing him two handfuls of pull tabs and screw tops, and tossing them into the garbage next to me.) I'm actually cleaning up the ground and eliminating possible liabilities if one of these end up in someones foot. So unless you have something in black and white stating I can't metal detect here then I'll continue to do so.
Director: "It's an County Code."
Me: "I checked the local and county codes and ordinances and nothing was mentioned."
Director: "I'll be right back."
5 Minutes later the director brings me the list of county codes. Sure enough, Chapter 12 section 12.1-22 states no metal detecting in Isle of Wight county public parks.
Me: "Why is it that several parks and recreation employees and Sheriffs have said Hi, Any luck? and things of the sorts?
Director: "Sheriffs don't know all the codes."
Me: "Ok, fine. I'll be on my way"
Little did he know, I wasn't going to accept his answer. I came home and checked the ordinances again.
http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientId=14449
I know someone here is going to read the part on the website that states:
This Code of Ordinances and/or any other documents that appear on this site may not reflect the most current legislation adopted by the Municipality.
I called and verified from the court house that it was recently updated.
There is no Chapter 12 Section 12.1-22. The sections only goes to 20! The County Courthouse verified this. They said to contact Mark Ferlow. Wait! That's the Director! I called him and kindly reminded him of our earlier meeting and pointed this dependency out to him. He didn't know what to say. But I did. "What is the date on the papers you showed me?" He looked and said "Over 2 years old." I asked if its possible that the ordinances has been repealed? He said he would call the County Attorney and get back with me.
OOH YES! As I was typing this the Director called and apologized! He stated that what he had was a draft and 12.1-22 was dropped when the section went into effect.
He also went on to state that he appreciated the fact that he couldn't find any of the plugs I dug, and cleaning up the trash is a good thing.
A WIN FOR THE HOBBY!!!
Moral of the story- DO YOUR RESEARCH AND DON'T BE AFRAID TO QUESTION!
It's about time somebody won one
<------like button
and I love that he actually stuck to his word and called you to say sorry for his mistake most people wouldn't do that. 
