Nuisance Charges Against Dearborn Residents Over Unique Car Dropped

A misdemeanor public nuisance citation issued to Dearborn resident Margaret Blohm for her and her husband Peder's uniquely decorated vehicle has been dropped, the couple announced Friday.

The Blohms had hoped to resolve the matter through a jury trial at the 19th District Court Friday morning. However, the trial was adjourned at the city's request because the field inspector who had issued the citation was unable to be in court due to a death in the family.

Presiding Judge William Hultgren granted the adjournment. However, just afterward, the Blohms' lawyer reached an agreement with the city attorney to have the misdemeanor charges dropped. Instead, they were charged with a civil infraction–a fine of $100.

The charges stem from a vehicle owned by the Blohms, described as "a classic 1968 C10 Chevy panel wagon that my husband uses as a daily driver, plus to car shows and cruises during the summer," Margaret Blohm wrote in a letter to the editor . "It has vinyl graphics on the outside for his website, MyNewMarketplace.com."

After several other charges against the car were made and then dropped, the city later issued the misdemeanor citation, stating that the vehicle was a public nuisance and that neighbors had made complaints about it.

According to the Blohms, they spoke with surrounding neighbors and obtained signatures from them stating that the vehicle was not bothersome.

Their decision to pay a $100 fine and drop the issue, Peder said after the trial, had to do with their regard for Dearborn residents.

"It is ridiculous for the city to spend more taxpayers' money on something stupid like this," he said. "We also made it very clear that another citation from the city concerning parking 'The Beast' in our driveway will result in a lawsuit against the city."

Blohm stated that the car will remain parked in their driveway.