I am Charles Williams, and my neighbors are suing to stop auto repairs in my own home. I'm currently on the front page and someone asked for an AMA, so here I am

How did they get all that building code "evidence" without trespassing on your property?

I allowed them to come into my building because i have nothing to hide. The Judge would have forced me if i didnt allow it and i didnt want to anger the Judge. Nothing to Hide!!

Mr. Williams, it appears that a court decision in your favor came out in June regarding the suit by your neighbors. Are they appealing or are they pursuing further claims against you?

They are pushing further claims against me. They are attempting to have an injunction ordered against me by the judge and have my building torn down due to their misunderstanding of county codes. I am not a commercial building, i am a private garage.

Do you have a gofundme page so we can donate to help with your legal fees?

yes i do. it is shown below. Thank you for your support.

https://www.gofundme.com/neighbors-vs-williams-milton-de-2tvbfck?ssid=769614239&pos=1

What is their underlying motivation? Why do you think these women really care so much about shutting you down?

They have nothing else to do. My closest neighbor is very controlling and jealous of my length and depth of friends. I am a personable guy that loves to talk with new people so i make friends easily.

What cars do you drive/have you driven? Just curious as a gearhead to know what someone so dedicated to fixing cars drives themselves.

Due to my disability i am limited to certain vehicles. SO i drive a 2009 grand marquis. i get in on the passanger side, pull my wheelchair in and shut the door. Then i slide over to the drivers seat. Also i use hand controls to drive. Thank you for asking.

Settle a bet, is that garage attached to your house at all or totally freestanding?

Freestanding at one end is 14 inches of separation and the other end is 18 inches of separation.

Do either of your neighbors who are filing these complaints have any background in city or county building codes and or permits?

NO

How nice do these women keep their lawn? Additionally, how many children have they shot to keep children off said lawn.

unknown LOL, that was awesome lol

I live in the tri state area, can I come visit your garage? I don't know how to change my oil and I'd love to learn lol.

hit me up on facebook, name is charles williams. i got the lift and i love to help.

So at any point did they tell you upfront their concerns, like.. you know any reasonable adult would?

Or the sheriffs office just showed up with that civil suit one day completely out the blue?

The Sheriffs Dept. just showed up and served me the papers.

Have you ever asked for monetary compensation for any repairs done for your neighbors/friends?

Absolutely NOT!

It seems very odd to me that the women all of a sudden decide to be pissed off and then you get served papers. Was there a defining incident or some kind of altercation that started them on this path?

Yes. in 2010 the closest neighbor asked me to join in a lawsuit with them for damage they had caused on our joint driveway. I had video showing when the damaged occurred which i showed to them and that was the trigger. The damage was actually their fault, and that started it all.

To your knowledge, what do these 2 women do in their spare time? Do they have jobs or hobbies?
Why do you think your situation offends them so much?

my closest neighbor kept a record (which i have a copy of ) of my every move throughout 2 years. This mean camera surveillance and constant handheld video cameras from five different locations. I am their hobby.

Have you had a good relationship with these neighbours before the complaints or have they ever come to you to express their concerns before going to bylaws and such?

We had a great relationship for about 11 years. My daughter used to visit the neighbors next door to us and play with their dogs and in their pool. I used to help them tinker with their Kubota, Golf Cart, Motor cycles, construction trailers etc.

If the judge rules in your favor, do you plan to seek restitution for legal fees incurred?

On a different note, Craftsman, or Snapon?

Snap-On all the way!!!

How many Trump signs do your neighbors have?

2

How do you feel this situation is perceived in your local community? Clearly, the internet (and probably for good reason) is almost completely on your side.

I feel as if the community is afraid to back me because the do not want to persecuted by my neighbor causing the problems.

How does this make you feel about people in general?

It sucks that people you considered friends are doing this as what I assume.... A money grab.

Have they said why they are doing this to you?

They want to police our whole county, not just my property. They have turned in other friends to the county, to no avail.

I hope they lose, and the gofundme helps put this situation behind you. Just don't show them the same hate they are showing you. Be better than them.

I do not intend to show them any hate because a man reaps what he sows.

If you don't mind me asking, how long have you had your disability? It was very subtle in the video. If it was intentionally not mentioned, I applaud you and the video-makers! It is an issue that is not of any importance for the matter at hand. Regardless, I am still curious.

Did you build this personal garage so that you could work on cars on your own time with your disability? How has it effected your work?

In 1993 i cut a board in half ( while i was working as a carpenter). The board fell on my foot causing my blood to spasm. That lead to 17 vascular surgeries and multiple amputation. I have a permanent blood clotting disorder. (So i dont run around the house with scissors anymore lol).

If you had lived in a normal neighborhood and had this built, I could see their complaint having some validity. But you built this thing on land zoned for farming and there is plenty of space between you and them. What if you actually farmed? Would they complain that you had to plant crops and that they grew too loudly?

edit: spelling

I agree

Why? I can see why if you're squealing tires all night but if not, no grounds. Do you have a lot of traffic?

no more traffic than my friends and family. i have alot of family that comes to visit from out of town but no one who i am not friends with or related to normally.

If they can't pursue you legally, do you think they'll stop after the whole things gets sorted out by the Judge?

I honestly dont know

Was that a C-10 in the video? Was the top chopped? Looks cool! Can you share some details on that?

Yes, 4 inch chop, 3 inch drop. Louvered hood. frenched in antenna. frenched in tail lights. shaved door handles. 6.6 liter. it has a crane in the back for my wheelchair, although it is sitting on the work bench right now. until the motor is rebuilt. I have had to focus all of my attention and money on this civil suit

How do you earn a living?

I am disabled, a bilateral amputee ( i have no legs) due to a work accident back when my daughter was 6 months old ( 1993). so i receive disability.

Will you sue them back once you win?

My Attorney says that is not likely

Will they have to cover your court costs if they lose?

Sorrily not, unless the judge decides that, but it is unlikley in our county.

Not likely that you win, or not likely that you will file a counter suit?

Likley that i will win, but the Judge has the ability tomake them pay attorneys fees and that is highly unlikely. My attorney as i said earlier will revisit the thought after the judge has made his final ruling.

What kinds of cars do you like working on the best? What's your current "baby" project?

1967 Chevy c-10 is my baby right now. I havent had the funds to work on it lately due to this suit.

Do you plan on driving that beauty possibly with hand controls?

Absolutley

I really hope this get resolved soon and in your favor. It's clear your neighbors have nothing better to do than make your life miserable.

As a fellow car guy, I am super envious if your dream garage. I've always wanted a lift. What's your favorite/dream car?

Shelby Cobra, although i couldnt possibly drive it because there is no where to pout my wheel chair.

How often do you use your air compressor after 8 pm? Do you do any business out of your garage?

No business, due to my neighbors complaints i keep my noise to an absolute minimun and do not do anything after 8 pm

Hey man, first of all I'm sorry this has happened to you, and it's really cool to see someone take their passion to the next level. With that being said, how did you get your start in the area that lead to this?

May dad was a master mechanic at Chrysler in Newark De until he retired. It has been in my blood since i was a kid.

Will you be pursuing for them to cover the legal fees once you win? I can imagine this has put a lot of financial strain on your family.

it certainly has put some stress on us. I would like to counter sue but it will be up to what my attorney says and what the judge in the current suit decide. thank you

a little off topic but I'd like to ask just to maybe take your mind off the situation for a second!

what do you prefer? GM, Mopar, or Ford?

What are some cool cars that you've had the opportunity to work on in the past?

GM

Mustangs, olds 442, several chevelles

How are these women financing this lawsuit? What do they do for work?

Closest neighbor, mother died and left her a small fortune in the 80's. Mr and Mrs. Cane are retired.

What levels of the judicial system will your neighbors have to cross yo finally arrive at Delaware supreme Court? Also, do you know if there's anywhere they can go beyond that point?

The judge in this suit would have to make an error in the law or maybe they can find some kind of loophole in his written decision.

From one gearhead to another, good luck and keep working on em as long as you can. I get flak from my neighbours for my project being in the driveway. I wish I could have a shop like yours!

What's your dream car? Favorite car you've worked on?

Shelby Cobra

What kind of battery powered impact wrench were you using in the video? I have a Dewalt and love it!

Snap-On, is there anything else

What's the nicest car that has come through your garage? Do you work on foreign vehicles?

My friend Bob's 69 442

How do you put the hoist arms under the lift points? No disrespect meant ,but I opt to use the drive on rather than taking a knee myself. Also it would seem your chair will soon need some new tires ;)

i hop in and out of my chair on the floor and then back up. it takes a toll on my body but i love to tinker on cars, it is my passion.

Is this an home owners association after you? I hate those wretched things. I say as long as your not loud when its late then they should mind their own business. How do they claim your property and hobby effect them at all?

this is not a home owners association my daughter and i live in a residential farm area zoned AR-1. The people causing all the fuss are our neighbors directly to the right of us and one that is 800 feet away across the street (p.s. the ones across teh street cannot even see the house or garage from thier porch....)

What sparked your decision to build the garage addition to your home?

Also, I just wanted to say that that is the most beautiful garage I've ever seen!

My father was a master mechanic and so i am following in his footsteps as a hobby. Since i am disabled i cannot work in a auto shop.

When was the day that you realised these crazy women had turned on you? Was it simply getting that legal notice or did something lead up to it?

it was the day the sheriff showed up

When you say you have helped your neighbours in the past with mechanical things, did you ever help these women with anything?

Yes, the kubota, golf cart, motorcylce, trailers etc. where my closest neighbors

In the video they had you appear to be removing lug nuts with some type of cordless impact wrench. Is that for real? Can't imagine a small tool like that removing lug nuts

YES ABSOLUTLEY. that is my snap-on 1/2 inch drive battery operated impact gun.

does it make you somewhat happy that these women have spent over $40,000 pursuing this?

Absolutely not

What's your dream car?

Shelby Cobra