Comment

Comment by Rory Donnellan on June 28, 2012 at 11:50am

On the positive side, an old farmer who was forced to leave the land and couldn't sell his tractors, established a very successful business on the Gold Coast - Voight Contracting....

http://www.voightgroup.com.au/

He told me his interesting story when he came to slash our property.

Comment by Jason Isaac AKA DILLIGAF on June 23, 2012 at 8:28am

Swap the word "farm" for "transport" and it's a very similar story. Generation companies going broke overnight so the larger multi's get grab another share of the market place. Small operators being screwed over again and again until they to cannot continue. I know of 18 other guys that purchased trucks the same time as me and after 5 years I am only 1 of 3 left. The stresses involved are no doubt similar as well as everything you have is locked in and tied up with the investment. marital break ups, family dis-function, credit destroyed and the hopefully brief life of bankruptcy seems to be far to common place these days. Although it may look "OK" to others peeping in it isn't always so rosey working on the inside? 

Comment by Barbara lee on June 21, 2012 at 11:34am

 I know this was a while back, but just wanted to tell you this. Such an awful thing you have gone through, one never forgets it always stays with you, but after a while, you do gather strength from somewhere to get on with it. It takes awhile one foot in front of another for a bit, the hurt and what ever your feeling needs to subside a bit first, after some many years past, its a memory but still stays with you, but the hurting inside is not so bad.  You keep on going for all your love ones around as they need to draw on the strength of being together and working as a family unite to build up a life again, and it will happen, as we lost a house through business, its not the same, but the principal is.  littlerly crushing stuff, at the time.  But slowly slowly given time, and having family and great mates around is essential.  It took awhile but another door did open up for us,  but today we don't take anything for granted.  I make sure everything counts, I'm appreciative of everything that comes our way, but we had to work hard and went without much, and now own our home once again and our kids also had to go without for awhile growing up, but that didn't hurt them at all.  I just wanted to tell you, thank goodnees life still goes on like a clock still keeps going around never stays the same.  Always a door opens when you least expect it.  My preys will be with you on Sunday, as I know the horrible time of it you've have had, heart wrenching decision different lawyers asking for money straight off the cuff, watching a $100 go in 5 min each time, amounting to another debt. And the law to contend with too. You did everything you possible could. But just hang in there, life keeps on going and doors do open, and you will get a life back, and will someday enjoy laughing again. it does take awhile but hang in there.

Barb

Comment by Rory Donnellan on June 12, 2012 at 9:05pm

Stephen,

I second your comments about another door opening when one closes. Jim, although your circumstances may seem devastating, please don't ever lose hope for the future. As Padre Pio (an old Franciscan friend) was fond of saying: Pray, hope and don't worry.

Comment by Stephen Cox on June 12, 2012 at 8:09pm

Jim your courage is unquestioned and much like the Kenny Rodgers song "The Gambler" you also have the courage and wisdom of knowing when to walk away hard as that was because you put others before yourself.

Remember when one door closes another opens I am sure among the many friends in the Rural world there is a special rewarding place for you and yours all the best you are never alone.

Comment by Rory Donnellan on June 8, 2012 at 9:15pm

Unfortunately the family farm is being systemically wiped out throughout the US too...

http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/archives/the-family-farm-is-bein...

Comment by Rob Moore on June 7, 2012 at 5:38pm

Hello Jim,

             What an ordeal! I too am 4th and I know how I'd feel if there was a rug pulled out from under me.Feel free to post some more info as I looked on your blog but not much detail there.

  We are a strange mix on here but I'm sure that you will find that we are all real people and from all over Aust - we would be glad to help you through this transition