Commissioner Schemerhorn to the carpet please

Hello Ronda,
Thank you for the question.

When I made that comment about the peeling paint and the tri-color house, it was sort of made in jest. But seriously, it is a problem.

Although, I do not agree that government should be involved in every facet of our lives, there are areas where it cannot necessarily be avoided. We, as a city, have certain ordiances that are on the books. Peeling paint is one of them. Although I do not know what the exact circumstances were for the commission to pass this ordinance, I agree with this one. I am sure that before this ordinance was passed that there was a problem with homeowners not taking care of their property, that still is the case. Because some refuse to maintain their home, the decision has to be made for them. When it starts to affect the property value of others, that person needs to realize there are consequences for thier actions. You can't have people abuse and affect the prosperity of others. If someone cannot afford paint, then there is a place where they can get help. Such as, the St. Joseph Co. Home Owners Assistance Program. You can contact this organization by calling Lou Ann Moord at city hall. 273-1075, ext. 3005. She will be able to answer any questions.

If a homeowner has let their property get rundown and is in need of repair and refuses to do anything about it, it affects those around them and the city as a whole. If there were no ordinance then what do you think this city would be like? The same as if there were no laws. Complete chaos. Should we let dogs run free too? I know that isn't what you meant, but the results could be the same. There has to be boundries in place for society to function and it seems to me this is one, not necessarily to function, but to conform to society. In order for it to be fair for all concerned, and to have order. You can't let one or two people control the affairs, life and growth of others. Bottom line is that you need to have a minimal amount of laws and regulations. Is there a problem with inforcement, probably so. Some would say if it is unenforcable than why have the ordinance.

As far as the multi-color homes, well, it looks like I need to put up with that one. I could try a couple of ideas like donating paint to the homeowner or volunteer to paint their home, etc.

I will continue thinking about this topic.

Daryl, Eola, Marc, or Dave, do you have an idea or view on this topic? Ronda, could you elaborate on your position?

Thank you.

Gretta Schermerhorn, 2nd District Commissioner
Second District Commissioner Candadate running
for re-election

"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government." Patrick Henry

Commissioner Schermerhorn,

I have to agree with Ronda on the colors. If some one chooses to paint their house black with a blaze orange stripe [:0] feel free to wince when you drive by but no one has voted the city to be fashion police. I don’t want to see the city citing people at the first sign of paint peeling either. There is a limit though to what is acceptable and quite honestly it takes several years for a paint job to go from “ought to be redone” to “must be redone”. With the exception of a few woods such as cedar (pretty rare in this area) exposure + weather + time = ROT! The situation needs to be addressed prior to this stage. We as a city cannot condone a neglectful property owner or two sucking an entire neighborhood into blight.

Yes, Painting a home is not cheap but it is one of a multitude of costs associated with owning one. See my response tonight on the “debating the issues” thread for more on that. There is help with the costs for those who can’t manage it themselves. Last year Lou Ann was advertising at every outlet possible, practically begging for people to apply for the available grant funds to do this very type of home improvement.

I hope I’ve answered the question. If not let me know, anyone reading m posts knows I like to type [:D].

Daryl Griffith
Candidate for Commissioner-At-Large
www.beam.to/griffith

Daryl & Ronda,
Thank you Daryl for your post.

Just to clear the air, I don't believe I said I wanted to be the gestapo of color schemes or of the first sign of paint peeling. [;)]
I am just frustrated with the choices of colors some people make. I was just making reference to the amount of homes that have been let go for so long. I am glad to see there are only a few houses that are painted in an unusual color. I agree the the city shouldn't be involved in the colors that are chosen. So let's see, we agree the city shouldn't be involved in the color choice but disagree on the enforcement of the maintance of thier home. Is that correct?

Thank you,
Gretta Schermerhorn
Second District Commissioner,
Running for re-election.

Just to clear the air, I don't believe I said I wanted to be the gestapo of color schemes or of the first sign of paint peeling.

I'm just picturing the uniforms that the paint Gestapo of Color Schemes would wear on patrol [:D].

I think we already have the best of both world's when it comes to the issue of homes that need repair and painting. We have an ordinance that forces the owner to make the necessary improvements to their property. The city does not enforce it. So as you can see Ronda is right and Daryl is right. Looks like a win win to me.

I'm just picturing the uniforms that the paint Gestapo of Color Schemes would wear on patrol

The amazing technicolor dreamcoat?

"What's in the Heart Defines the Measure of a Man" - 4Him 1996

Is there a problem with inforcement, probably so. Some would say if it is unenforcable than why have the ordinance.

In my humble opinion the problem with code enforcement lies with the city commission's unwillingness to support the code enforcement official and the codes in place now. This is how it appears to me from the outside looking in.

Yes, there is a code enforcement officer, but when that officer runs into people who run to their respective commisioners screaming "not fair" and "I'm being picked on", and the subject turns into one of debate that can run on month after month or year after year, delaying action on the code violations, then what's the enforcement officer to do?

If there is a code on the books, enforce it! It was placed in the books for a reason by several good people acting in the overall best interest of the community at large. If you disagree with the codes, that's all well and good and you're more than welcome to work at having them repealed. You can always step back and reimburse fines or levy's. What you shouldn't do is demonstrate non support of your enforcement branches, that only serves to degrade their ability to perform their duties.

"What's in the Heart Defines the Measure of a Man" - 4Him 1996

Thank you Bobtoml,

Speaking as a city commissioner, I have not had a problem with a citizen complaining that an ordiance was unfair.
For the most part, I have found that the citizens that do get a citation know they deserve it and don't say anything.

Yes, it is the responsibility of the commission to make sure we have a good city manager. If the city manager isn't doing the job then the commission should discuss it with him/her and either put some fire under him and give him anther chance or relieve him from duty. People in general don't like to rock the boat, and perhaps previous commissions felt that way. After all, that is perhaps why we have enforcement of sidewalk repair or installation in some areas and not in other areas.

The commission and city manager we have now, I think, is trying to enforce the ordanances. It is going to take some time because many of the ordanaces have not been enforced.

I, for one, believe we need to review the codes and determine which ones can and should be repealed. That is something that I am looking at now and have over the last two years.

If the city has a commission that is not doing the job or not motivating the manager then doesn't the responsibility ultimatly fall on the citizens?

Thank you,
Gretta Schermerhorn
Running for re-election

"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government." -- Patrick Henry

I can think of two ordinances I would love to see enforced. People walking in the street. And loud music.

I have to say when I was 3rd District Commissioner I was never approached to “do” anything about a citation either. Just in case anyone out there is not aware, city commissioners are not permitted to ask a city employee other than the city manager to do (or not do) anything to avoid this specific situation. Any and all direction is routed through the city manager. Now you will see them address department heads directly in the meeting but formally all action must be funneled through the city manager. That being said, I was born at night but not last night. I realize this may have happen in the past. I know most of the commissioners and mayor fairly well and I do not believe any of them would engage in this. Nor do I believe the City Manager or Chief Stark would either. On the contrary the current focus is stricter enforcement.

I whole-heartedly agree the laws of our city need to be enforced fairly, with reason if extenuating circumstances exist but firmly and consistently. I am not sure who wrote it but I once read, “If one disagrees with a law you fight to change it not violate it”.

I think I have made my view of city codes known, but ask if you’re unsure.


Daryl Griffith
Candidate for Commissioner-At-Large
www.beam.to/griffith

In my humble opinion the problem with code enforcement lies with the city commission's unwillingness to support the code enforcement official and the codes in place now. This is how it appears to me from the outside looking in.

As stated earlier about outside looking in, I see an example is needed to clarify my point.

Just looking back to this past winter the city posted several notices (web site, paper, etc.) regarding the snow removal policy and it's enforcement to property owners along Michigan Ave. and Main St. The appearance was that several areas along those routes remained consistently blocked or obstructed by lack of snow removal or the fact that snow removed from parking lots and streets was allowed to pile up on sidewalks. Pedestrians were either forced to the streets or had to climb over plowed up banks of snow.

Now, since the items I mentioned above never appeared to be corrected in a timely manner, coupled with what appeared to be continuing debate through the winter by the city commision on the subject, and since I wouldn't have access to whether fines were imposed or not, I can only surmise that one of two things happened. Either the code was not enforced, or it was enforced only to be met by opposition by the property owners, hence the debating of the subject by the city.

During the summer I know (first hand and without warning) that the city takes steps to enforce mowing issues that include having the property mowed and the property owner billed for the service. Shouldn't the same be expected during the winter?

"What's in the Heart Defines the Measure of a Man" - 4Him 1996

Bobtoml,

I believe the snow removal should be enforced (see the Debating Issues thread for more thoughts on this from Ronda and I). I am not advocating a “Snow Gestapo” but people should have their walks cleared in a reasonable amount of time (perhaps three days with tolerance shown for very deep snowfall). And before the issue is raised, yes the snowplow will re-plug your drive and you will have to clear it all over again. Welcome to the wonderful world of home ownership [;)]. It was my understanding that the business corridor portions of Main and Michigan were to be cleared by city staff but I am not sure when this was actually initiated. City manager or any commissioners listening care to comment?

I do think it will be difficult to enforce removal city wide until the sidewalks are substantially completed. I understand that is the intent in 2003 with the first year of the millage so we shall see. I support revamping the ordinance to make it fair, reasonable and effective and subsequently enforcing it consistently.



Daryl Griffith
Candidate for Commissioner-At-Large
www.beam.to/griffith

Gretta;
I agree with your point of view. Society doesn't seem to understand that life is a domino effect. once one thing goes wrong then it effects alot of other things in it path. Sure peeling paint doesn't seem like much, but like you said, if the whole city had peeling paint on it's buildings, it would look like a getto and the property value would bottom out, busninesses would go out of business, people would leave and that would be the end of the city.
Stick to your guns, you are on the right track ![:I]

M.G.L.- Reno

Welcome to the forum mistygn! I have a feeling Gretta will appreciate your comments and support.

Welcome mistygn!

Sure peeling paint doesn't seem like much, but like you said, if the whole city had peeling paint on it's buildings....

I wouldn't leave my house unpainted and in ill-repair and neither would most of our citizens but because of a few "dissenters" the commission is proposing to........how did one of our commissioners put it? Oh yeah, screw them if they can't or won't paint their house we will do it for them and then charge them for it. It makes me a little uneasy when a governmental body (no matter how small) starts taking it upon themselves to "screw" the citizens and passing an ordinance to do it.

Perhaps forcing people to paint their house seems unimportant and really who wouldn't want the houses next to them looking nice. But what happens if it gets taken a few steps further.....say perhaps picking your morals? How far is too far?

Ronda L. Hicks
Candidate for Commissioner-at-large


"I never consider a difference of opinion in politics, in religion, in philosophy, as cause for withdrawing from a friend." - Thomas Jefferson