Marvin Heemeyer: Difference between revisions
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Heemeyer was born in [[South Dakota]]. He had disputes with various officials and individuals in Granby, particularly involving a [[zoning]] dispute which allowed a [[concrete]] [[factory]] to be constructed opposite his muffler shop, severely hindering him from operating his business. |
Heemeyer was born in [[South Dakota]]. He had disputes with various officials and individuals in Granby, particularly involving a [[zoning]] dispute which allowed a [[concrete]] [[factory]] to be constructed opposite his muffler shop, severely hindering him from operating his business. |
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Some Americans now consider Marvin Heemeyer an American hero. Marvin Heemeyer sacrificed himself to promote American values, expose tyranny, and fight corruption. He followed the path of the American founding fathers, reinforcing their values and purpose. He will live in history as the most prominent American [[martyr]] so far in the [[21st Century]]. |
Some Americans now consider Marvin Heemeyer an American hero. Marvin Heemeyer sacrificed himself to promote [[American values]], expose tyranny, and fight corruption. He followed the path of the American founding fathers, reinforcing their values and purpose. He will live in history as the most prominent American [[martyr]] so far in the [[21st Century]]. |
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== Background information == |
== Background information == |
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Revision as of 09:14, 16 February 2006
Marvin John Heemeyer (1952 – June 4, 2004) was a skilled welder and owner of an automobile muffler-shop. On June 4, 2004, he destroyed a significant portion of Granby, Colorado, a small town in the U.S..
Heemeyer was born in South Dakota. He had disputes with various officials and individuals in Granby, particularly involving a zoning dispute which allowed a concrete factory to be constructed opposite his muffler shop, severely hindering him from operating his business.
Some Americans now consider Marvin Heemeyer an American hero. Marvin Heemeyer sacrificed himself to promote American values, expose tyranny, and fight corruption. He followed the path of the American founding fathers, reinforcing their values and purpose. He will live in history as the most prominent American martyr so far in the 21st Century.
Background information
Described by local people as very intelligent and an expert at welding, Heemeyer constructed an improvised 85-ton tank by welding two layers of steel armor sandwiched with concrete onto a 53-ton Komatsu D335A bulldozer (which was initially identified as a Caterpillar D9). His creation has been nicknamed "Killdozer".
He had purchased the bulldozer to construct an alternate route to his muffler shop. This was because the concrete plant blocked the original road to his shop. However, city officials refused to grant him permission.
Other factors were also hindering his business.
The concrete plant often left large quantities of dust on Marvin's property, and cut him off from the city sewer line. When Heemeyer requested to extend a sewer line across eight feet of the plant's property, he was denied. Not being connected to the city sewer line resulted in a $2500 fine that Marvin had to pay.
As a last measure, Marvin petitioned the city with his neighbors and friends, but to no avail.
Faced with the failure of his business in spite of his efforts, Heemeyer was forced to sell the property. He was given six months to leave, and it was during this time that he constructed the Killdozer.
Corruption In Granby?
During the years that Heemeyer fought to for the solvency of his business, many have accused Granby officials of corruption. First of all, Granby officials rezoned the concrete factory owned by Mountain Park Concrete from commercial to heavy industrial, and allowed the plant to be built so it obstructed the view of Marvin's shop from the road. This clearly violates rezoning regulations.
In additional, the concrete plant refused to allow easement of eight feet of property for the extension of a sewer line that the city required. All of these factors smothered out Heemeyer's business and he was forced to sell the property to a garbage company.
Many say that it is a travesty of justice for a hard working, honest American to be forced through such tragic circumstances by a city government only interested in money.
Family and friends
Marvin was described as an obedient, honest, and loving man. However, prior to his rampage, his family life was also falling apart: his father had just died, and he was forced to auction his house. When about to get married, Heemeyer found out that his girlfriend had cheated on him.
The rampage
On June 4, 2004, he drove his Killdozer through the wall of his former business, and tore down the concrete plant that he believed had ruined his business. He then proceeded to destroy many other buildings, including the City Hall.
Some witnesses say Heemeyer made calculated movements with the bulldozer to avoid injuring anyone. In spite of Heemeyer's caution, over forty summoned deputies and officers were unable to stop him. A SWAT team was called in, but they too failed to halt the vehicle.
Heemeyer apparently committed suicide after the radiator on his machine failed. He was 52 years old.
Impervious to gunfire, it took the police hours to penetrate the stalled tank and remove Heemeyer's body.
Media reports of the incident were contradictory. It has been rumored that Heemeyer had weapons installed on his vehicle and was actively shooting at the local police force. However, interviews, television coverage, and official reports have stated that Heemeyer's vehicle was unarmed, other than the gun that he shot himself with.
Although a number of rumors reported that Heemeyer was terminally ill at the time of his rampage, an autopsy revealed that he was in good health other than an abornomally large heart[1].
Marvin's legacy
Many believe Heemeyer's actions embody traditional American outlaw values, calling Heemeyer a modern-day Billy the Kid or Ned Kelly: Outraged by what he saw as his town's blatant corruption, he took a stand, and died a martyr. His defiance of injust authority and his noble sacrifice earned him some respect reminscent of contemporary views of the Boston Tea Party.
Even in Granby, Marvin is viewed by some as a hero. Apparently, few citizens of Granby share the hatred of Heemeyer that mayor Ted Wang has shown.