07/03/2023
• This store ceased operation in February. Through the discourse of winding down operations legal counsel highly recommended that the facility and the parking lot be secured to the best of abilities. This is done to minimize liability, which every business owner must do in order to protect their business, investment and assets.
• On private property creating an area of no parking is the normal way to mitigate liability exposure. It is the norm, and it is a very common practice. Towing of cars from private property is a normal practice and protects the rights of the owner of the private property. Even in Tawas and Oscoda there are many posted lots, for both operating and non-operating businesses. If you unlawfully park your car there, your car will be towed, it occurs frequently.
• Fencing off the lot was considered, but it is not allowable by City of Harrisville Ordinances. Barricading of the lot creates hazards that can actually increase liability.
• The County owned building directly South of HHG is posted with the exact same signs and contracts with the exact same towing company. This is a PUBLIC building and does have operating businesses in it.
• The contracted towing company provided and installed the multiple signs, performs the tow service and collects the fees. If the towing company sees a car in the lot they are obligated by the contract to tow it. It is their business and the revenue generated pays for their services, none of the fees collected are provided to the property owner. This is all according to Michigan laws and the jurisdictional law enforcement division is required to participate in the process.
• Even while this facility was open and operating this parking lot has experienced repeated issues throughout the years. For example in January of 2017 an event occurred on 1st Street that then ended in our parking lot. The synopsis is; “A fight started by post office, guy beating another guy with a bat, ended up chasing him with his car, hit him into our railing on the deck area. The guy crawled into the store with blood coming out of both ears, ambulance and police arrived pretty quick, don't know how the guy is doing yet.” That was sent by a HHG employee whom was present at the time. The report is #46-17 at Alcona Sherriff, and ultimately the attacker did end up being convicted and jailed. But the end result was damage to the facility and a legal issue for this business.
• During events (like the Fireworks), the store parking lot was repeatedly utilized as a “tail gate” area by people, with open alcohol and other issues which of course are illegal both in Michigan and the City. Not only is this a huge liability issue but also violates Michigan Liquor Control laws and jeopardizes the stores Liquor License.
• Many people during the past two weeks told us other Harrisville business owners told them they should park in HHG Parking Lot for the Fireworks. In past years there has never been this many cars parked in the HHG lot for the Fireworks event.
• We have surveillance of our parking lot, not just for our liability protection but also for the health, wellbeing and safety of the community. As an example a tragedy occurred less than one year ago in the parking lot of a different Alcona County Business. After having been there for several days the body of a deceased man was found in a car of a business’s parking lot. https://www.truenorthradionetwork.com/victim-at-kris-mart-identified-as-hillman-man/
• All of the above and more are reasons why this parking lot is not public parking.
• The evening of the Fireworks saw numerus cars in the private lot. The tow company witnessed this and performed their service. But as a statement of fact there were ZERO cars towed, they were “booted” and then released. The number of cars was 7 (not 50 as some report on the internet, the lot does not even hold 50 cars), and all were released on site without being towed. Contrary to other statements on the internet there were ZERO families or out of town visitors stuck without a vehicle in relation to this parking lot.
• Interesting for years how many residents of the city barricade their driveway and yard for the firework event, obviously, like many cities, parking is an issue.
• Interesting the City had a car towed off of a public street just two weeks ago.
• Very normal for Cities to work with business owners to “rent” their lot for $1.00 for events, the municipalities then insure the property owner for the rented parking lot during such events.
We are hoping the details above provide clarification and dispel the untruths being circulated on the internet, for this reason obviously comments are turned off
