Woman’s Garage Sales to Pay for Cancer Treatment Shut Down by City
- Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:10pm by
Tiffany Gabbay
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This is perhaps a prime example of when bureaucracy goes too far. A Salem woman, fighting terminal bone cancer, has been trying to offset her medical bills by holding a series of weekend garage sales. Out of respect for the neighborhood, Jan Cline even kept the garage sales confined to her own backyard, but still, a meddlesome neighbor allegedly lodged a complaint with the city and now Cline is being shut down. The reason? Apparently the city only permits residents to hold three garage sales per year, and Cline has gone over that quota. Salem KATU reports:
“It’s a struggle,” Cline says. “It’s a struggle for me because I’m very independent, used to taking care of myself.”
She’s run businesses and supported herself for years but this summer she was diagnosed with bone cancer.
“It’s a bone marrow cancer that eats through the bones and causes holes in the bones so that just by walking I can break a bone,” she says.
In one day she lost her independence, her ability to work and earn an income that could pay for all those medical bills.
So she decided to sell what she owned. The sale was bringing in several hundred dollars each weekend until one neighbor complained and she got a visit from the city.
“He said, ‘I’m sorry. Rules are rules.’”
Many rules, zero compassion.
Cline, who understands why the city generally enforces the rule, says she doesn’t want special treatment, just a degree of understanding.
“We make such an effort of making it back here (backyard) so that it’s not goobering up the neighborhood, so it’s not like a garage sale all laid out day after day after day,” Cline told KATU.
“I just hope that nobody else has to go through this kind of thing. I hope no one else has to give their lives away for nickels and dimes and then be told they can’t even do that. I hope nobody else has to do this ever.”
But thankfully, after hearing about Cline’s situation, a supervisor at the Community Development Department reportedly said he is going to look into the situation and see if there is anything Cline can do to continue operating legally. However, KATU reports that if Cline restarts her garage sales now, she is subject to a misdemeanor that carries a $300 fine.
As if shutting down children’s lemonade stands were not bad enough, now cities are cracking down on the garage sales of cancer patients. Where has the freedom gone?
(H/T: Salem KATU)
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Comments (222)
fcbs46
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:55pmSalem tends to have a lot of rich snobbish people living in the surrounding hills. At least they are until they or a loved one gets cancer then they become more humble. The city has rules and like all government is has no sense, common or otherwise. At this point I truly think that really good Robots with programed humanity could reason better.
Report Post »Kafir
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 10:05pmInteresting Chaz…come to think of it…it could be a legitimate “Self Defense” defense. Anyone that is preventing her form doing what she needs to do to save her life is in fact…threatening her life and thus, she should have every right to defend herself from those that are harming her…
Report Post »trog58
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 10:20pmSelf defense, true. But if they arrest her she would at least get paid healthcare
Report Post »jb.kibs
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 11:28pmexactly. it would be self defense at that point.
Report Post »but… she COULD just have people over to hang out, and put “donate 1$”, or whatever the cost, on each item… then it’s not a sale.
Mateytwo Barreett
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 11:52pm@ Chaz
Report Post »You- uh- looking for a campaign manager. I really like your politics!!
Kafir
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 11:59pm@ Trog and JB
I like the shooting option better…
Report Post »Christabel
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 12:11amNo, it would NOT be self defense. It would be murder. It’s stupid thoughtless comments like yours that fuels the gun control idiots.
Report Post »InsertNameHere
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 12:20am@Chaz
Yea great idea..I’ve heard that gun fire, blood and dead bodies attract people to a yard sale. (apply sarcasm, liberally)
Report Post »USAMama
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 12:40amViolence is never an option, your either a troll or a nut. I like the charity idea, and in fact it is charity because it is donating to her medical bills. That is a perfect, peaceful and honorable solution.
Report Post »Kafir
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 2:52am@Christ, Insert, and USA…
Normally I would agree that violence isn’t an option however, its the peaceful…Ghandi crap that is continuing to allow the Socialist pigs of the country to continue the destruction of the Republic. I am sick and tired of people that think shaking your finger at them and saying “Bad Democrat” is actually going to accomplish anything. I do not have to accept, I do not have to tolerate nor do I have to have compassion for these pigs. At some point…they will back us all into a corner and violence will be the only viable option to remedy the situation. Because, don’t think for one second that they actually give a crap for you, your family or friends and apparently…this good country.
“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” -Thomas Jefferson
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 7:12amWe lived in a town in Illinois that only let you have 2 yard sales a year and you had to pay to get a permit and post it within site of the yard sale. They‘re mad because they aren’t receiving revenue off of the yard sale. I’d bet if you had to pay sales tax on everything and turn it in, they’d allow it.
Report Post »one years food ration like glenn says
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 9:00amThe neighbor is a witch.. Excuse the pun..
Report Post »pattybbb1
Posted on August 20, 2011 at 2:54pmThere is a website set up for donations: http://www.janclinecancerfight.bbnow.org/index.php
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:54pmI hope there is a special kind of hell for her big mouth neighbor. My heart goes to this lady
Report Post »Workforit
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:44pmI am with you on this one… 110%! A special… Special kind of hell…
Don‘t ever get old in today’s USA, Don‘t ever get sick in today’s America.
Thanks Barack for driving the last coffin nail in what used to be the greatest nation man kind has ever known.
Have a nice vacation!
Report Post »MrJones
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 11:35pmWhere reason fails, violence prevails.
Report Post »Mil-Dot
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 9:57amGovt goons at their finest. Don’t ya just love em?
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:52pmI guess a lemonaid stand is also out of the question unless she gets (pays) for a permit and files the income with the IRS?
Report Post »becker88
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:53pmAs low as it gets.
http://politicalbowl.com – Political Videos
Report Post »dumboldcontractor
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:13pm“I didn‘t know I was a slave until I found out I couldn’t do the things I wanted.”
Report Post »Frederick Douglass
Brents Torts
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:52pmThis makes me so angry.
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:36pmThe saddest part of this is not the city code – it‘s the neighbor’s uncaring attitude. Too many people in this country simply do not care about or have any empathy for others. They only care about themselves. And this is a perfect example of the “me, me, me and only me” mindset.
Report Post »ipadguy
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 10:13pmGet me this lady’s address so I send her some money. This is what Glen always talks about…helping your neighbor. I live in Texas but this could be my mom, or my wife’s mom or my next door neighbor and this is just SO WRONG. I wished I lived nearby, myself and about 100 of my harley biker buddies, would show at her place (now keep it quiet guys you know the neighbors) and have a fundraiser party or a poker run and help this lady. It‘s a good thing I don’t live on the other side of this “neighbor”. What is happening to all of us?
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 10:17pmHere‘s the website if you’d like to make a donation:
Report Post »http://janclinecancerfight.bbnow.org/index.php
Mimi24
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 11:09pmIPADGUY please see MIDWESTMOM post below. You can donate here. I did and you can do it through Paypal if you choose. Thanks MIDWESTMOM.
Report Post »biohazard23
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 5:45amI think my neighbor is related to the Mrs Kravitz witch who tattled on this lady.
Report Post »DarkFire
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:50pmshe should go a shoot her neighbor, and then she can goto jail, get her treatment and the rest of the neighbors don’t have to worry about the stupid assssss neighbor. win win in my book.
Report Post »Miami
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:52pmHaaaaaa
Report Post »Good point
But then she has to live with that and she seems like a honest soul…
Dustyluv
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:17pmBut then she would get cured and spend a lot of years in prison..Naw…Obama care is cominng, she would die in prison after all…
Report Post »duane38637
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:50pmAlways in liberal areas this happends
Report Post »Mateytwo Barreett
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 11:54pmComing to an area NEAR you , soon!
Report Post »Miami
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:49pmHello.
Maybe she should hit eBay, she may get a lot more for her stuff?
Yes the city and her neighbors aren‘t woth the air they’re taking up…!
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:09pmThe percentages eBay charges you list your item, sell your item & recieve payment on your item are outrageous. On top of that there are all the ridiculous hoops eBay makes sellers jump through. Not to mention she would have to photograph every angle of every item and if it sells, pack & ship. This would probably be beyond her physical capability at this point.
eBay allowed big stores to become sellers a couple years ago and is glutted with hundreds of those listings. You’re lucky if your listing actually comes up in a search. The days of “listing a few things you don’t want” are long over. Unless she has something really special, it’s not worth it. You really don’t make that much money. She’s probably making more at her garage sales than she would on eBay.
I wonder if the same regulations apply to private business properties? Perhaps a local business would let her host her sales on their property? Even then she would need someone to haul the items, set them up for the sale etc.
Unfortunately, unless the law is changed her hands are tied.
Report Post »thankfulness
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:23pmGlenn if you read this Please ask neighbors to help her. Maybe neighbors can have some fund raissers for her ?
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:29pm@ thankfulness
Not that Glenn being involved would be a bad thing but I’m also hoping the press coverage will let the local community know her situation and people will step up to help her.
Report Post »Mimi24
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:33pmThere are stores that would sell her items on Ebay. I know she would give up a percentage but would probably get higher prices without fighting that demonic neighbor and local government.
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:41pmMimi24
Yes there are stores to list your eBay items. And she could use one. But all in all she would still be paying approx the same in fees. I agree, something is better than nothing. It‘s just too bad she has very few options that won’t cost her a large percentage of her money.
Report Post »bikerr
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:47pmHow about the commenters here helping out?. seems we all know where this is happening?
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 12:52pmYo biker:
Report Post »Good idea. how do you suggest this be done?
PandoraSpocks
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:48pmIf I lived in that neighborhood I would volunteer my yard for 3 sales, and try to get as many neighbors as possible to do the same-Busybody wouldn’t be able to do a thing about it.
Report Post »sandy21957
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:58pmAwesome idea. True neighbors would rally around her……
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:11pmExcellent Idea!!
Report Post »PASSIONFORCHRIST
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:41pmLove your Idea, I would do it. Hope someone there reads blaze!!!!!!!
Report Post »Grandmadar
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 12:12amPandora…you took the thoughts right out of my brain. Very good idea. Is this Salem, OR? Very liberal State.
Report Post »Joel Andersen
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:47pmPathetic, ignorant and mindless fools her neighbors are, I hope they are felling pretty good about themselves right now. Sounds like my neighbors around here, some people just cannot find it within themselves to look the other way just once, maybe they keep soundly now just knowing she is shut down and out, and the city really ought to let this one fly….look the other way for a while, shut her down after she has nothing left to sell.
Report Post »kindling
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:44pmShe could have let people call and make an appointment so it is not a yard sale……more like an estate sale not open to the public. I think it is all the cars parked all around the street that gets to be a pain and allerts the neighborhood watchers to what is going on.
Report Post »Mimi24
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:39pmI don’t know what kind of wares she has to sell, but mine for sure would not be of estate sale quality. I can’t see the typical yard sale crowd, don‘t boo me I’m one of them, calling for an appointment. Most would just head for the next sale on their list.
Report Post »gmoneytx
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:43pmI say to her, piss on the establishment, you have nothing to loose, keep garage saling! If you get put in jail, then, they have to pay for your cancer treatments, that’ll teach those bureaucrats a thing or two!
Report Post »kickagrandma
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:43pmShe could use my yard if I lived near her. That’s one sale. And I wouldn’t take a penny from her for the honor of having her with me for one whole day.
Let’s not only STAND WITH ISRAEL, let’s also STAND WITH COURAGE, AMERICA!!!
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 12:55pmYo kickagrandma;
Report Post »I kicked my grandma. She smacked me upside my head. I’m not going to listen to you anymore.
Darmok and Jalad at Tanagra
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:42pmSo, if each of her neighbors would let her do the garage sale on their property, they could hold their 3 per year, that could keep her going for a few months.
Report Post »DragonflyJune
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:41pmI remember growing up and when anyone got sick, the entire neighborhood would chip in and help with whatever they could. Doesn’t sound like the kind of neighbor I would want. They should be ashamed! That poor woman is selling everything she has to get treatment for her cancer..what kind of world do we live in. God help us all.
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:22pmWe must have lived in the same neighborhood…mine was exactly the same. Illness, death, new baby, watching the house while they were gone etc. If someone needed help, it was there.
Luckily the area we live in now is the same. And that’s a big part of why we live here.
Report Post »poweruser19
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:41pm“Well if you cannot beat them then join them”. No just kidding maybee she should take on her god given right to get her free healthcare, like the illegals get in this country. She could also just file for bankruptsy,that would show them city officials. then she could keep all her things.(sarcasm)
Report Post »Realy what do these city officials think, when they are writing and enforcing these laws.
chips1
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:39pmIf the city enforces that law without consideration of her health, then she should go to the nearest bank, walk in, and then announce that “This is a holdup”. At that point, the city can pay for her healthcare for the next 3-5 years. “I like it when a plan comes together”.
Report Post »Gypsy123
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:38pmThe busy body next door needs to get a life. When you hurt other people like that it will come back to you in a whirlwind. Mean time if you are only allowed to have 3 I hope there are some good people in that neighborhood that would be willing to let her borrow their yard to help her out.
Report Post »I never liked living in neighborhoods and this is just one reason. To many people named gladyis living next door.
ozchambers
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:47pmGovernment regulations are bleeding our freedoms and HOAs can KMA. Whats next? Shutting down lemonade stands??
Report Post »I.Gaspar
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:37pmThe neighbor who called in the local officials should go straight to hell without collecting $200.
Report Post »What a degenerate lowlife.
Mimi24
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:50pmWe should pray that it bothers them so much that he/she can’t eat or sleep or read or watch tv in peace until they go volunteer to pay for Ms. Clines medical bills. It’s only fitting, they took away her only means of paying them herself.
Report Post »Postiche
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:37pmThis government bs is getting out’a hand… I’m telling ya, the revolution is coming.
Report Post »MODEL82A1
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:43pmYou do realize that this story is about a local (city) government issue, right. And you also realize that this is precisely the level of government at which the Founders believed the vast majority of government power should reside, right? Didn’t think so.
Report Post »USMarine0311
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:19pm@Model,
I am sure the person above is aware that this was a local issue but the thought resonates all the same. The over reaching and regulating of our freedoms is suppressing the people ability to achieve their dreams and killing our country to boot. Not to mention this is one of those States/cities where the beurocrats like to think they know better than people much like the President and his demon-cats think. I am quite sure that when they past that stupid azz law the residents didn’t vote on it.
Report Post »kindling
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:36pmI understand why she is doing this and it is the wrong thing for the right reason. She should place her things for sale in a consignment shop or take it to a flea market. It is not right to open up your back yard for business for any reason. She could even get family and friends to hold the yard sale at their homes sometimes but truly, no one wants to live next door to a flea market.
Report Post »BOUGHT YOUR SILO YET?
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:42pmIt’s not right to open up your back yard for any reason?
Report Post »countrysideflair
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:48pmYou mean since the government made it illegal without costly licenses and permits? Because, before government took over our peon lives, people could sell, barter, and do anything to their hearts content to survive and pay bills. I even ran several Lemonade stands as a child, WITHOUT A $500 PERMIT! But, now it can get you thrown in jail.
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:25pmA consignment store is an option but most charge 50% of the sell price. 50% is better than nothing but it would take a big bite out of her money.
Report Post »Joel Andersen
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:35pmyes just sad very very sad about neighbors just can’t have the ability to look the other way sometimes, sounds allot like my neighbors, this is something more than one would do, my heart goes out to this woman,.sorry she lives around such pathetic childlike people, thay should be ashamed and ahould be there to help this poor woman instead of trying to rid the neighborhood of her quicker
Report Post »Sam R
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:34pmLadies and gentlemen we need to look no further than this story to see why Oregon is messed up. There are some of us here with a brain and common sense, please dont throw the whole state out on the stupidity of the legislature.
Report Post »sasquatch08
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:34pmThis is the kind of garbage that makes me think that anyone who wants “more government” is a complete and total lunatic, willfully ignorant or both.
Report Post »Mimi24
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 9:29pmYou are right. But remember it was her neighbor that turned her in. Much like the ever helpful citizens that turned in their Jewish neighbors for a few perks and brownie points. I blame government on many levels but we are supposed to love and help our neighbor as ourselves, not turn them in to the SS. So called neighbor, I wish I lived next door with a thousand barking dogs and a hundred crowing roosters. Sleep well . Nighty night. I bet you hope no one finds out who you are. Stll awake? Aww.
Report Post »BOMUSTGO
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:33pmI lived in Clovis New Mexico when in the Military. You had to have a permit to have a garage sale and the city got a certain percentage of what you earned.I just put all the stuff I wanted to get rid of in a spare room and invited friends over so they could buy what they wanted. This was back in 1991.Makes no sense at all.
Report Post »Cold War Vet
Posted on August 19, 2011 at 12:36amDriven through Clovis, New Mexico dozens of times! Only two things I remember is the very large Air Force Base and the smell of cattle droppings!
Report Post »MODEL82A1
Posted on August 18, 2011 at 8:32pmI thought Obamacare solved all of these types of problems……..
Report Post »