Bob's caboose build

[S. Heisley]

Bob: It dawned on me that you could probably qualify for government subsidized senior housing. With that, you could rent a cute little apartment based on your income and would probably have single senior women knocking on your door, asking you out on dates!

Regarding your healthcare, sign-up for Obamacare starts October 1st: http://www.whitehouse.gov/share/what-ob ... -means-you

[rowerwet]

Regarding your healthcare, sign-up for Obamacare starts October 1st: http://www.whitehouse.gov/share/what-ob ... -means-you

what else hasn't the gov't turned into a SNAFU....

[S. Heisley]

Regarding your healthcare, sign-up for Obamacare starts October 1st: http://www.whitehouse.gov/share/what-ob ... -means-you

what else hasn't the gov't turned into a SNAFU....

I'm wondering if it could possibly be any worse than the insurance companies' insurance SNAFU.

With friends unable to purchase insurance or not being able to buy it for less than $1,600 to $2,000 a month, I doubt it. Before Medicare, I had it rough, myself, paying $700 & $800 a month for group health insurance. Also, have you ever looked at some of the hospital billing? I'm hoping that Obamacare will stop some of those billing "errors", too. (Are they really errors or just a blood-sucking way to make some extra bucks off the sick?) At least, Obamacare is worth a try as it could be better than what we've got...maybe a lot better. The fact that the government is already in the insurance business with Medicare and with government employees, it may not be that bad. But, remember that anything new could have a few SNAFUs to iron out before it gets better. Give it a chance. Give uninsured people and insurance-poor people a chance.

Now, back to your Caboose Build sponsor: BobHenry!

[rowerwet]

my sisters family is losing their insurance due to the "affordable" fiasco already... but she supported it so I don't feel to bad for her yet. NY is telling her her exchange insurance will cost more and she loses her doctor. Gov't created the insurance mess we have now also...
the whole fight bob has with the local gov't is a perfect example of dealing with uncaring gov't employees, at least a private company has to make money or go under...
I never trust a bureacrat, if they fail, they still have a job.. at least bob can move to a better place if he has to.

[bobhenry]

.. at least bob can move to a better place if he has to.

Thank God for wheels........

How far is it to canada From Indianapolis

Seriously, I am scared about this whole mess. Looks like the best way is to simply go off radar.

Stelth living in a stealth barn with an untraceable track phone and a Post office box.

And the rumors and crap flying about...... I was informed (from a most unreliable source) My new goverment insurance is $400+ a month or I will pay a annual $2,000 fine...... Isn't $2000 conciderably cheaper than $400 x 12 ( $4800.00 )

Oh well what don't kill you makes you stronger.

[rowerwet]

I know more than one person from the US who is heading to New Zealand...

[VijayGupta]

Just wondering, have you ever looked into renting or buying a spot on a private campground? There always seem to be a number of these on Craig's List for sale or rent. Most have semi-permanent set ups, e.g., decks, carport covers, gardens, etc. and of course have utilities and probably a restroom with showers, toilets, and water.

[bobhenry]

Just wondering, have you ever looked into renting or buying a spot on a private campground? There always seem to be a number of these on Craig's List for sale or rent. Most have semi-permanent set ups, e.g., decks, carport covers, gardens, etc. and of course have utilities and probably a restroom with showers, toilets, and water.

I was informed I had to file for a varience to allow a one unit campground. The state has money in hand and I own this property. I am pressing for a closing so I can start the process since I can not apply till I own it on paper. Then I may find out I can not live there.

I am getting the mayor involved here is the letter....

Mr. Mayor

I am about to attempt to introduce tiny house living to Frankfort Indiana. I have purchased a small parcel of land on State Road 28 that was left from the roads realignment. On that property I wish to park my tiny house. I have been in contact with the zoning commission for well over a year now asking how best to get the necessary variance to allow this. I have already committed to downsizing. The state has money in hand for the parcel and I am just waiting for a final closing on the property. I have no other options as to where to park my caboose style little home on wheels when my home sells. The caboose will be placed on the land. I would love to be able to live in it as well, but need the necessary zoning variance to legally make it my home.

Frankfort wishes to present itself as a model US city with forward thinking that has drawn industry and modernization and as a community that embraces green living.
The tiny house is just such a symbol. Solar powered, self contained , embracing rain water harvesting and solar waste water reduction with the aid of a fresnel lens solar powered evaporator. I have also constructed a solar furnace and hot water system.

Even the small footprint of such a house reduces the needed demands for heat and cooling. The construction materials were minimal and green by being primarily recycled wood and wood products such as the fiberglass faced osb wood sheathing and plywood saved from the waste stream of a local Frankfort company. The chassis itself was re-manned from a wrecked 24’ camping trailer.

I would like to take a currently un-mowed and un-kept piece of Frankfort property and give it a manicured lawn and garden with flowers and scrubs and place a cute little caboose style home on it that will make folks smile as they pass by. I think this small improvement will speak volumes about the forward thinking city planners and how they are utilizing fallow land for a greener means of property management.

I lost my wife in January of 2012 and have since placed my Montgomery County home on short sale as there is now only one income for all of our bills and I am a paycheck shy. I now find myself single and am about to retire to $1500 a month in benefits. I fully realize with no other income I will soon need to live modestly and the tiny house looms large in my plan.

I am writing to you in search of an ally in my attempt to place the home with the city’s blessing on my property. The option of only parking it on my property scares the devil out of me. The thoughts of vandalism, theft and destruction of the vacant little home is my biggest fear. I feel my presence on the property will dissuade those that might be tempted. I am in hopes you will come to my aid. I realize this is a county matter and not a city one but I feel you have gained the respect of many in the local government and your endorsement would greatly aid my cause.

Thanking you in advance for any help you may be able to afford me.

Bob Henry

[bobhenry]

Guess who I got a call from yesterday.


None other than the Mayor himself.

Unfortunatly it went to voice mail and I was not able to talk with him.

However, he was glowingly supportive of my plan and asked how he can help. I hope to meet with him this coming week and learn a bit more about city power in county planning. Chris McBarns is the youngest mayor ever for this city of 17,000. He Graduated ball state university at 23 years of age in Dec 2011 and was sworn in as mayor on January 1st of 2012. He is an extremely "Green" mayor, being big on recycling and pressing for cleaner, greener, and more economic ways to run his city. I think he just might fully understand what I am attempting to initiate on his watch. Finally someone in my corner I was so tired of just hearing no! I was starting to feel like a ping pong ball bouncing from the caboose to house in a house project. Perhaps just perhaps I can actually get tiny housing introduced to Indiana.

[pjo129]

Great news! Sorry we couldn't hook up last weekend at Lincoln. Good times.

[Verna]

Great news, Bob!! Yes, maybe there does need to be some younger eyes on affordable housing. After all, those dorm rooms are probably smaller than your caboose!!!

[Shadow Catcher]

Bob, have you actually checked the ACA cost? There has been a huge amount of misinformation i.e. Ohio said there would be an 80+% increase in premiums when there has actually been a 16% decrease, and while both Indiana and Ohio did not set up their own exchange which would have saved us money, with a low income there are subsidies.

[bobhenry]

Tom: I am waiting for the dust to settle it is ( from what I understand ) unenforced in 2014 so I have time for all the misinformation to evaporate. It will be a good thing (I think) when it is in place, there is just way to much polorization of parties trying to mislead and misinform for political gain.

[bobhenry]

Well If you can't lick them just confuse the hell out of them.......( and maybe get some free help )

I thought a sideways attack might be in order so how about this one kids.......

Dear Ms. Trees, (The director of the local Ivy Tech community college )


I have been investigating several grants for solar hot water heating and solar furnaces as well as photovoltaic ,rain water harvesting and wind generation of electricity to be incorporated into modern home design. I have been working with the mayor and the zoning board to install a tiny house at 4013 old S.R. 28 West next to Midwest custom products. The closing on the property was this week and I will be moving my 8x20 caboose style tiny home onto the property soon. I had hoped to find grants to allow me to pursue these environmentally green project. Unfortunately, I have found that private grants are all but non- existent. Most are focused to religious organizations, community and educational projects. I have located several government grants from The United States Dairy Association, The Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency as well as many private funded grants from sources such as the Kresge Foundation.

What I would like to propose is to offer my property and home as a test bed for implementing and monitoring several of these avenues. This project will combine the talents of not only building and testing various solar units but computer monitoring of the results. Setting up computerized tracking of solar equipment to follow the suns trajectory. Monitoring rain water harvest and using solar heating to prevent freezing in above ground storage reservoirs. All in all I see 6 to 10 very green energy projects that will get a great deal of attention in the hunt for green energy. What I have to offer is the access to a lived in home showing real livable alternatives to the current status quo lifestyles. I have a smaller solar furnace test modules already built, a basic photovoltaic system purchased and ready to install. I also in-vision a complete self contained system incorporating all of these systems on a 8 x 20 flat bed trailer I also happen to have.

In short I see the availability for ivy tech to capitalize on several grants simultaneously by piggybacking the found results. I would wish to be able to retain the hardware and improvements after the project has ran its course several years down the road. I have no problems remaining a working green laboratory year after year. I do not think a truly lived in home has ever been closely monitored and these results should garner some serious attention in the real world.

I would love to meet with you and discuss this further at a date convenient to you and your directors. I know bringing the new campus online is a huge task and will demand much of your time but I am hoping as the dust settles we can investigate this source of funding for your campus and access me to the expertise I sorely need in my struggle to become green and grid independent.


Bob Henry

765-538-2580

[bobhenry]

Yes that is correct....

As you read in the above letter one of the two state properties I have been after for 17 months is now mine. I dropped the final $ 575.00 to cover the closing costs at the UPS store for overnight delivery last Friday morning on the way to our Indiana fall tearjerkers gathering.

IT"S MINE ALL MINE !

Finally

$1708 total for a 1/2 (.43) acre lot