One of the major topics of discussion at last night's town meeting, which we will do again in September, was Columbia's code enforcement.
We have heard time and time again how the borough's Code Enforcement employees are over worked -- more than 1,300 complaints. So the council hires two part-time code people to go with the current full-time person and one part-time person. In addition, the borough changes its ordinances concerning outsourcing inspections for buildings, etc.
During the discussion last night, how the borough enforces its codes were discussed.
The bottom line is that residents want to see code enforcement, not selective code enforcement but consistent code enforcement. In other words, treat everyone the same and not pick on different groups or individuals.
Also discussed was the need for the borough to clean up its own house when it comes to weeds and trash.
8 comments:
from my experience, I would say that the Borough has a tendancy to pick on people that they know will fix things, which isn't fair ball.
pk
i would like to see these new code enforcement officers, walking the downtown area, talking to all peoples, tenants especially, explain to them what's expected-keep grass mowed,weeds pulled,dog shit cleaned up,junk vehicles belong in a garage not in your yard, all trash and rubbish MUST be in trash containers-cans or toters and ALL MUST RECYCLE and use recycle bins. bottom line is talk to people, some are ignorant because they don't know. inform them that you can and WILL give them INSTANT CITATIONS FOR ALL THE ABOVE-if they have to pay money, maybe they'll have a different view.
nl
Folks, be advised that when you get a citation or notification of corrections.. there is a deadline to make the repairs and be aware that if you are told to scrape and paint your building.. please hire a lead certified person. The fine for scraping a lead filled painted building incorrectly is 37,500.00 FINE! John
As the current Code Enforcement system operates, there is ZERO incentive for the Code Enforcement officers to be proactive; they get paid every Friday whether they apply the Code or not. Since desperate times call for desperate measures, let's try this approach. Scrap the current compensation system for the Code Enforcement officers - henceforth, they are neither paid hourly or by a set salary, but but STRAIGHT COMMISSION. They are paid a set commission on each citation they write for all verifiable Code infractions. Under such a system, the Code Enforcement officers would be racing one another to FIND the Code violations and CITE them. As the late Charles E. ("Engine Charlie") Wilson, who served as U. S. Secretary of Defense from 1953 to 1957 once famously said, "I've always preferred hunting dogs to kennel fed dogs anyway; you know, the ones who will go out and hunt for their food rather than sit on their fannies and yelp." Need a referral for a potentially proactive Code Enforcement officer? Hire Shirley McBride to do it. The Code Enforcement guys need to stop pretending they are social workers and start being pricks.
i must say i agree with the statement that the code officers are NOT social workers.but guess what-they think they are and that's a BIG problem
rr
I disagree on the commission based salary because I feel they will hammer someone that once they are told they have a violation and sinceely wants to correct it-they may be financially burdened and need to find a source to help them or they mat be elderly and need help. I just simply believe they need to do their job in a timely manner and be paid correctly by the hour and be accountable for their area. break each code enforcer into sections and make hm/her be accountable for their area. If they don't cut the mustard-let them go! Ashley
I agree - if they don't give out at least four tickets and an hour, can them! The meter cops should also be able to give tickets on the spot for littering.
pk
i agree with pk, the meter cops SHOULD be able to give instant tickets for littering...hey, chief you better order a couple thousand ticket books! and guess what else, take it 1 step further-the meter cops, along with all code enforcement officers and all police officers should be able to give instant citations for guess what--DOG SHIT !!!! I HOPE YOU ALL REALIZE THAT'S A $ 50 FINE !!! well, if you had brought that plastic bag to clean up the dog shit, you wouldn't have t o pay a $ 50 fine.
while we're at it, i'd like to institute an instant ticket to be given to ALL THE GUYS WHO WEAR THEIR PANTS FALLING DOWN ! I DON'T WANT TO SEE YOUR UNDERWEAR, you dog. that should be a indecent exposure charge-i say someone on council should look into this-it's horrible and it's everywhere. pull your pants up or get them 20 sizes smaller so they fit.....oh yeah
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