Unlicensed Junk Yard Owner Loses Jury Trial

January 31, 2012

Age and status didn’t help John Ramsay when he stood before a jury trial last week arguing for his right to keep his unlicensed business open. Jurors upheld the town’s opinion that unless Ramsey obtained a Clover, SC business license, his salvage yard will have to be cleaned up and closed down.

While neighboring residents may be sympathetic to the plight of the 78 year old veteran, rules will be rules, and if Ramsey doesn’t follow them by getting the salvage yard business license, sympathies won’t help him keep his old-time business open.

Town officials have been after Ramsey for the past year, going as far as to threaten him with jail time and/or a monetary fine unless he cleans up his work area. WBTV reports that “The judge commuted that sentence just as long as Ramsay cleans up his yard within six months.”

While Ramsey is lucky to be let off the hook so lightly, he feels anything but lucky as he is losing his only source of income both for himself and his wife. "I've been doing it all my life ever since I was 12 years old and I'm 78 years old and it's helping me now."

Business license compliance is mandatory on national, federal and local levels. Operating without proper state, county and city business licenses can cost business owners thousands in fines and penalties. Business owners are urged to take advantage of Business Licenses’ "Business License Compliance Package™" which explains exactly which licenses, permits, and tax registrations are required for your business, ensuring license compliance on every level.

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