"I SAW HER STANDING THERE" beatles
You have to wonder what kind of powers the city inspectors have? Can they go onto your property without permission; if the alleged violation can not be seen from the road can they ask a neighbor's permission to view your property from their property? What if they find criminal activity as they do their inspection, would the evidence found hold up in court?
No matter where or who I talk to in this city I find people always complaining about the same inspector. I have never had a conversation with her but have no reason not to believe people from all over the city. My logic is when you have one common denominator among a whole lot of different people (many of whom don't even know each other) then the only conclusion is the one thing in common....
This person is sometimes the only representative of the city the residents come in contact with, this person should be more of the ambassador of the city then its hammer.
When I did the "458 Story" along with questioning the sidewalk issue on Meriden Dr. I was told this inspector would soon darken my door. They did not disappoint. Replace sidewalks, paint the house. My attorney wants ME to charge the city with harassment. Never were so many people cited at one time on Owego St. I can only hope that this doesn't turn into a vendetta against me. I won't roll over.
Selective enforcement? My money is on YES. I believe the real question is it the inspector's or does it come from higher up?
To the person that sent me the $25.00 gift certificate to Home Depot, and a thank-you note. Thank-you for the nice message and I don't think I will use that card but pass it on to someone else who will have problems. Tell us your stories.
Included in this post is a document the city passed out at Andy Flock's town hall meeting. Sign at your own discretion folks.
I chuckled at the last line in the first paragraph. "There is is no cost to the property owner for these services." Really!?
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Here's something I would have loved to ask the head of Community Development. Recently a business bought some property at a very fair price in the city of Painesville. This business is already located in town and wants to expand into a new building that would be more than a positive addition to neighborhood and the city. In drawing up the plans it was found that a utility pole would have to be relocated. The city was asked if this pole could be moved. The answer? Go back draw up some new plans and move your driveway. I have no idea who was in charged of this decision but it begs to ask the question, You wonder why no one is beating our door down to locate in town. I give this business a lot of CREDIT for staying in Painesville but in the end they probably would have had much better UNION outside the city limits.
This is what we pay big bucks for people.
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Attend the council work session at city hall tonight. Confused, is the word that came out of that meeting.
First off let me commend James Fodor for wanting to get council working together for the resident of Painesville. He brings up many good points and should become someone who's ideas should be listen to. That said...
I thought the meeting was for thing that affect council people, the three minute closing comment and other concerns the council might have.
The first 55 minutes was taken up my the visitor portion of a council meeting. Three minutes, who should keep time, ect. In conclusion it was decided to move the visitors comment to the end of the meeting, just before council members closing comments. If you want to address legislation you will still comment when the legislation is brought up. I don't really problem with that but the debate if three minutes was enough? or five minutes? Why don't you give them three minutes and if any of the council people want to hear more they could give a two minute extension?
Location on where to hold future council meetings? The new Harvey High Hanlon Meeting Center was given consideration, of course with permission from the Board of Education.
Listening to many residents many do not have Time-Warner and the ones that do don't find the 7:30pm or the 4:00am time to view the meetings acceptable. Why not put the council meeting on the city website so people can watch them when they want to?
Concord Twp. does that now.
Before residents go to a council meeting and "vent" they should first go through all the proper channels so as council isn't blindsided about an issue.
Paul Hach had to be somewhere and left the meeting at 7:15pm Hal Werner asked about the council closing comment and was told since Mr. Hach left we will address this issue at the February 22,2010 work session.
All changes council makes will have a three month trial run.
posted by terminator1 @ 9:32 AM
37 Comments
37 Comments:
Have our City employees forgotten that we are the source of their paychecks? I can't imagine any commercial business that deals with the public staying in business for very long if they treated their customers as residents are sometimes being treated now. This definitely does not give residents a license to be rude or uncooperative...but it does allow them to expect a certain higher standard than what is apparently being done now. Using public authority punitively or selectively is not part of anyone's job description...especially if you are a public servant. Hey Term...maybe you can donate that gift certificate to the new Mentor councilman that needs to do something with his Painesville City property....
I will keep it and pass it off to the most anonymous person in the greatest need. We live in a city where the building inspector in question makes around $47,000 a year plus bennies, and cites people making awhole lot less. Tell us your stories.
I believe this inspector must either be reigned in by the administration or given new direction.
I have heard RDP Motorsports is also looking to relocate out of the city because of the sad state of Corwin Dr, even after repeated requests for any sort of resurfacing. Apparently it is tearing up the cars that are going in and out for customization.
Let's see....new direction? Route 44 runs north and south and Route 2 runs east and west.........
Here's my story, I actually talk to the inspector in question. One day I was talking to her and she said she had been told to go inspect a certain street that week. Sure enough about a week later we started hearing complaints about her "targeting people". I personally think it comes from higher up. I also think some of the complaints are unfounded. If a whole street is inspected how can you call it targeting?
I myself have been cited and I don't call it targeting, I was not within the code and a bunch of other people on the street got cited also.
I also know when someone gets cited and can't afford to fix something our court system tells the city don't waste their time bringing it to court, no one is going to jail for not being able to afford to fix up their house.
Interesting comment, I realize that its not always the inspectors fault. I also know of a person on N.St.Clair St. that is really upset about some charges and has already been fined. This person just suffered a stoke and falls into your last paragraph?
The inspector or anyone can post a comment on this site to either straighten a fact out or explain their actions.
The way the city handled the utility pole issue just goes to prove to me they aren't proactive. That said a business leaves a large utility bill and its "Oh well." Lets start cooperating alittle more people.
7:02 am, I don't think anyone would call the circumstances of her being told to check out a street as "targeting". What most of us have experienced are situations such as we report a violation on another residence and instead of checking that out or citing it, she comes and checks out our house with a magnifying glass. It's like punishment to us for tattling. And she doesn't do anything about the original house we were reporting. This is her method of operation.
7:02 am
Exactly! this is the experience on our street also.
several years ago we asked by a council person who asked: Did you get caught in the city clean up? and Yes, we did.
5:09 so if your street got caught in the city cleanup. They will go to another street and leave your street alone for the coming year or two? Its SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT by someone either the administration or the inspector, get real.
Due to recent issues, I think this will be my last posting on this blog. Over the last week, a certain person went on the warpath due to remarks that someone had visited their farm, which we all later read was untrue. In the meantime, “chicken little” (I like that title by the way) created a firestorm by crying wolf..SOMEONE IS STALKING ME. So, we have a couple police departments and whoever else got dragged into her ramblings of having to deal with this nonsense. Now, there is talk of getting subpoenas, “I WANT TO KNOW WHO THIS PERSON”..hmm, why, there was no crime committed. I read and reread and reread this remark, even went so far and even looked up the alleged crime, Menacing by Stalking. To my fellow bloggers, take the time to read it, I think it speaks volumes about this person in question. This is all about payback, no different than the accusations this person has been accused of by others. “Say bad things about me”, well ask Term and others”; “call in a complaint and make it look it like I’m not doing my job”, well ask people here on the blog for that answer. This all the while you drive around this city and see dilapidated homes that have looked the same for years and years and years, nothing ever done. But, have some “rag weed in your yard, you’re most sure to get a letter or a visit from this inspector.
What was great about this blog, was that you could post anonymous remarks and leave it up the reader to determine if you were telling the truth or not. However, regardless of whether you believe these blogs as truth or lies, it encouraged people to think and debate about important issues within our community. Am I a coward for not posting my name, say what you want, but when you know the inner workings of this city, it’s best to be on the safe side and conceal who you are. This last week was a perfect reminder that your freedom of speech is not really freedom of speech. Folks can go and cry wolf, come up with a bunch of nonsense to justify finding out who you are, and then..ta da..ITS PAYBACK TIME BABY. I learned recently that even after the blogger stated there was no truth to his visit, rumors are the inspector in question is still out there screaming “I WANT SOMEONE’S HEAD. So instead of being told “HEY KNOCK IT OFF, you’re embarrassing yourself and the city, they are still continuing their quest, while an officer just doing his job gets persecuted here on the blogs and at work. Peace.
Let me think about this: If in the past I had posted to this blog anonymously, and now, for whatever reason, I had come to believe that anyone posting anonymously to this blog will be identified and will face some sort of retribution, would I post yet another anonymous comment saying I’m afraid to post to this blog so I’m not doing this anymore? Ummmm. Doesn’t make much sense does it. So I’m left to wonder: What’s the motive behind the post 6:42 am.
Concerning 6:42's post:
I would have to think, and I hope, that if they ask for a subpoena over this, that one would not be granted. I could see if it was a death threat -- no matter how seemingly small or unlikely to be carried out it may seem, but this was not a death threat or a threat of harm in any way. I can't even imagine that it could be called stalking.
This appears to be the inspector trying to save face, as they say, and also maybe trying to get revenge. Hopefully this will come to light and the subpoena will not be granted. I just can't imagine that it could get that far without an actual threat involved. I can't even imagine that someone could even perceive that there would be a POSSIBLE future threat involved.
This thing is out of control, and I hope someone gets it under control very quickly. You do never know with this city, however. And I'm sure that there is nothing that McMahon, Hada, etc. would like better than to threaten the life of this blog, so that leaves me wondering just how many people are involved in this stupid mess.
I am also curious if the whole police department was involved or just the one officer. If they are going to try to get a subpoena, then it would appear to be the whole department.
My opinion of Chief Smith is that he is very level-headed and fair. I have the same opinion of Captain Klein, so maybe this will not come to pass. If a single police officer did this on their own, then I would feel bad if they were suffering any consequences. Hopefully they were just trying to do a good job. Term may feel differently. That doesn't mean that I am not shocked as to what is going on here. Asking for someone's computer info is pretty serious business. Seems like if they haven't already done it, that someone owes Term a conversation, if he would want to have it. Chief Smith and Captain Klein are very approachable, in my opinion, so hopefully this will be seen for what it is, whatever that is, and dropped.
A note to 5:09 and Kathysak comments on this site are now down about 50%. I feel I had an obligation to tell people what was going on. Now as I think about it, well maybe this was the citys purpose in the first place. I don't blame people after hearing and viewing some of the things that go on around here.
I will keep this site up as long as one person comments here.
This is 5:09. Thanks Term for this site and for sticking to it. It's very important -- so important, in fact, that I would not be surprised if trying to shut it down IS behind this whole thing. It sure as s--- wouldn't be the worst thing they have ever done. Oh, and they DID manage to shut down one blog in the past, didn't they? So clearly, they are not above that type of behavior, to say the very least.
I can't believe some of you are indignant about this. If we knew who most of you were and posted verbal attacks against you for the last year with no proof of being true, and posts demanding you to loose your job, I would guess most of you would react the same way.
It is too bad people are quitting posting on this site but Term is not going to get anyone defending it, the posters have made sure of that. I looked back through old posts and virtually every city dept has been attacked, every council person, all the candidates, quite a few local city businesses and the leaders of those businesses, community leaders, volunteer groups and the list goes on. There is no one left who is willing to defend the posters on this site, too bad, you have alienated everyone that could stand up for you.
You can scream about being taxpayers all you want and demand action but learn the facts of life first, you verbally attack the movers and shakers in this city and you will get nothing, and you will get no one defending your actions or your rights, and most people won't even care how you feel about it, the posters brought it on themselves.
Indignant? Complaining about a city that keeps taking a downhill slide? A school system rated near the bottom in the area? All the citzens get are studies without results. The movers and shakers in this city? Look around there are many things to be indignat about with more to come. This blog just exposed some of the goofy things that go on. My favorite "How hard is it to lose a hospital" priceless!
Send out your spys.
4:16 You verbally attack the movers and shaker in the city and you will get nothing? Well what was so great that I was getting when I wasn't attacking them?
Defend the blog. How many opportunities have I given to correct a mistake here? How many falsehoods have been stated here? I have had to ask private citizens to defend themselves to prove they weren't lies being told. Where is the honesty from the city administration? Who spend so much time telling us how great we have it. Right, look around you what has this leadership brought you. We as a community will never get better as long as we keep the coverups, and keep our heads in the sand. I didn't see it therefore it didn't happen. How could anyone connected to the city ever say we don't have a drug problem, an illegal problem, a crime problem and keep a straight face.
Defend the blog. It doesn't need to be defended.
As far as the taxpayer comment, When the taxpayers no longer feel the city is worthy of tax dollars that is when the people press NO. Then you will learn the facts 4:16
Sooo-let me get this straight. A city inspector is inspecting but is inspecting so well the entire street got inspected. And by the thinking of February 9, 2010 6:14, when one street is done they will go to another. Am I following this correctly? Sounds like to me this person is DOING HER JOB and you all are complaining about it. A person just can't win by you people. Perhaps the Mayor of Owego (Term) should put on his hiking boots and walk a mile in other peoples shoes to see just what it's like day in & day out for each city employee and take all your negative friends with you. In fact just keep walking till you get to Mentor-cuz it's better there.
SG
To 4:16:
First of all, I for one am all grown up and I don't need anyone to defend me, and there is nothing that needs to be defended.
Everything that is posted on this blog may not be everyone else's opionion, let alone Term's. Not everyone who posts here is part of some group. It is open to all opinions and people.
We have offended the "movers and shakers" of this city? Give me a flippin' break! Oooooohhh, the IMPORTANT people have been offennnnnnnnded! That's just funny. Nobody in this city is any better than the average citizen, and the fact that they think they are is what has caused many of the problems. Get over yourself.
I personally do not know of one person in this world who is more important than I am. I think everyone is JUST as important as I am, but not MORE important. There are certain people whose actual LIVES may be more important to SAVE than mine -- like the President of the United States, for example, while he/she is president, but those examples are few and far between. But you, speaking of the "movers and shakers" of this town as if they were more important than anyone else is just pompous stupidity.
SG
The mayor of owego has walked and driven around Painesville. In his travels he can't understand why certain areas are avoided by this great inspector? Sidewalks on other streets that would have made Owegos seem like a magic carpet. Houses need repair painted many in far worse shape. Why are certain area avoided? Maybe the city would like me to point them out? Then the inspection department can go to the residents and complain, "Its not us, its that damn mayor of owego."
They have a habit of explaining where the complaint orginated.
I believe the best thing to do in Painesville, is to renounce your American citizenship, and change your name so it ends in an "Z"
Movers and Shakers? The only thing that shakes when it moves around here is my car going down most roads in town!
Movers and Shakers I love it.
"movers and shakers" was the wrong choice of words but that post was right on the money about everything else.
Sorry, more than that statement was wrong with that post!
Were any lies posted?
What happened to the event sign at Veterans Park? Its gone.
Many, many people have been complaining about the tactics and enforcement policies of that inspector for years, and everyone knows it. For anyone to say that she's just doing her job just doesn't seem to fit the situation. I think this woman's job performance needs to be reviewed along with several others in this city.
I've said this before, and I'll say it again -- most people do not have good enough character to have any power over other people -- even the slightest bit. It is my opinion that this inspector is one of those people, and it seems to me that she should have been stopped years ago.
So, getting back to the Closest Responders, etc. issue. Term, do you know of any developments there? Seems that Flock needs to have conversations with the neighboring entities to see what has and has not transpired between them and us in the past, and to see what can be done to start the conversations now. He said he was willing to have those conversations, but I have not heard one word as to any that have transpired. I think there should really be a public forem now where all the interested locations show up and have a talk we can all hear. The sooner the better, of course.
9:30am I think its in for repairs but to be sure call one of the "Movers and Shakers" for the correct answer.
Thanks for bring this up again.
11:12am many many people have complained? To who? Not doubting you maybe this is the tatics the city uses. She just might act as she is told to.
Term, I think people are missing the big picture.
Complaining about one person for months now if not more has done what people?
This person does not make the laws ect. They are incharge of enforcement. If you think that you were targeted then call the person above the one writing the citiation. Continue to call and educate yourself on what the code is ect. If you feel still feel it was selective go above that person and continue. In other words go after the big fish not the little just doing a job.
Term has pointed this out many times. You can complain all you want. IF all you do is complain nothing will change. Show up to meetings, call city hall and there are number of other things that you as the citzen can do. If your solution is to write on this blog and nothing else then nothing will every change. Something Term has pointed out many many times.
This is 11:12 responding to Term 11:39. I have no knowledge of any formal complaints to the city leaders about this woman. I was talking about the citizens. One instance was when she was on the warpath on one block. Some of the things she was insisting upon, as told to me by a resident there, were ridiculous and horrible. I don't remember all the details, but at the time I was shocked at what was going on. People in this city have heard story after story about her or experienced it first hand.
It does seem to me that the city uses her for revenge, but I don't think that's the whole story with her. Maybe it's the "us against them" attitude of this city that has transferred to her, but from what I've heard about her, she is not someone who should be in power over other people.
It would be interesting to get a record of complaints against her, assuming that the information would be honestly given, which is doubtful at best in my opinion. There must be many people who have filed formal complaints with the city. It seems to me it is time for someone to look into this, but I do also think that the city uses her for revenge.
"Movers and Shakers and Homemade Cracker Makers"
This is 1:15 again to add to my post.
It's my opinion that that inspector is not the only tool the city uses for revenge, as seems to be the case. I think they use whatever they can against whomever they need to to shut any dissenters up. It's a horrible situation in this city, in my opinion. When I first moved here, I was so shocked at what was going on, and the attitude of the city leaders, that I could hardly believe it. Needless to say, I am more shocked today than I was way back then. We just really need to change the people who run this city. For me that translates into McMahon, Hada, Fountain and Hach.
I just wanted to comment on the visitors section of the council meetings coming at the end of the meeting. I don't like that at all. I know Murphy is the one who brought that up, but I think his intention was to let people make ADDITIONAL comments at the end, if they had a question that came up during the council meeting, for example. He can correct me if I am wrong, but I think that is what he meant. I hope they change it back to the beggining as soon as possible. If they want to add another opportunity at the end of the council meeting for additional questions, that would be great, but don't cut out the beginning questions. For one thing, sometimes the council members make it a point to address questions during the meeting that residents brought up in the beginning. Doesn't make sense to me, and I do not like it.
Like I mentioned this meeting left me confused. They really don't have to have a visitors time. Lets see how this works.
This meeting I thought was about council time, not visitors time. Go figure.
I'm sure they'd like nothing better than to get rid of the visitor's portion, so they probably jumped at the chance to put it at the end, when they figure less people will be watching.
11:40 You make a good point, now call your council person and complain.
This is 11:40. My councilperson is Flock. Give me a break. Might as well howl at the moon.
By the way, whose idea WAS it to ONLY have visitors comments/questions at the END of the council meetings, anyway? And who went along with it and who did not? How exactly did that come to be?
This was not a regular council meeting, it was more like an open discussion. I will have to read the minutes of that meeting before I can honestly answer that.
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