Federal Judge Orders City Council members to answer questions.
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posted by Bob at Friday, April 06, 2007
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Friday, April 06, 2007
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Previous Posts
- REMINDER- Candlelight Vigil / Sign the petition.
- Pawn shop firms sue City of Saint Paul
- NO "MORE" THUNE "BILL DAHN" WARD 2
- Triple Homicide Update
- David Haas Runs For City Council
- Melvin Carter III Runs For City Council
- Lee Helgen and the City Council race.
- Anoka County Stalling Winn Case
- Mayor Update
- New Police Sub Station
164 Comments:
For new comers to this Town Hall meeting.
A large number of home owners have brought a federal Racketeering lawsuit against the City of Saint Paul concerning housing discrimination issues.
To sum it up the City has for a number of years displaced low income people through a rigorous code enforcement policy.
The homes once condemned are subject to a full code compliance or demolished. Many home owners can not afford the code compliance which can cost as much as $50 to 75,000.
Some weeks ago I posted 2 stories concerning the City of Saint Paul attempting to block depositions in the Racketeering Lawsuits-
http://ademocracy.blogspot.com/2007/01/city-attempts-to-block-testimony-in.html
http://ademocracy.blogspot.com/2007/01/racketeering-hearing-notice.html
Well folks the order came down from the federal Judge. Lantry, Thune and others will be deposed!
To summarize the previous post linked above concerning this story-
The Saint Paul City Attorney's claims to prevent the depositions of past and current city officials were-
The plaintiffs are on a fishing expedition, they are seeking to harass the defendants. Some of the people the plaintiffs want to deposed aren't named in the lawsuits and shouldn't be deposed.
First of all I don't believe it is a fishing expedition. It is more like a confirmation of facts already gained.
Secondly, Harassment- that is a small part of what the City has done to many people in relieving them of their homes.
3rd. Lantry and Thune aren't named in the lawsuits. However, they have information in support of the plaintiffs position. Undeniable support.
The good news is I believe the practices of displacing one class of people for another are coming to an end.
Our City officials will not be discriminating against poor people any longer without consquences.
Please understand this is a brief summary of this issue
You can find the federal court order linked on the front page by clicking onto the title of this post.
You can also find links to the Racketeering lawsuits to the right of the screen on the front page under links.
It is about time.
Someone told me that these Depositions are open to the public, does anyone know if this is true? I for one would like to attend. I'd love to see how Lantry acts when she can't respond to verything with arrogant "sound byts" and her stupid "one liners" like "you should screen your tenants better."
What's gonna be demolished is their furture in politics. Now they can tell the world how they think that certain types of people do not deserve a place to live because of their behavior. Now they will have a chance to tell everyone how the landlords have destroyed the neighborhoods. I can't wait for this.
What people don't understand about a "code compliance" is that after you fix the things your home was condemned for, then you have to fix all the things that ARE NOT broken so that they comply with the modern day building code like the house was built yesterday.
This is what the City Council thinks is OK for poor people who have all they can do to make the "needed" repairs in the first place.
Mow imagine them doing this to your elderly mother on a fixed income because they will be as soon as they are done with landlords.
Well it is finally starting to look like St.Paul officials will be held accountable for their actions, I think they felt safe in Ramsey Co. courts with all their associates, I don't think they have the same pull in the Federal Court system. This is just the beginning of what I fore see as justice will be served, the plaintiffs have evidence and witnesses to everything they have brought forward to the federal courts, now the order for the depositions.
The truth will come out!
Great Job!!!!
Nancy
Looks to me like the court saw through the city's BS story. How arrogant to have a case with implications of corruption with city employees and this City Council tries to obstruct rather than cooperate and get to the bottom of it. They act like they are hiding something.
Again, are there any good candidates in Wards 2 and 7?
I think Dave and Kathy will be looking for different jobs.
Ye Ha!!! Looks like we have an honest judge looking for the truth. Do you hear what I hear? Why I think it's the door slamming shut on some political careers and hopefully a jail door slamming on some corrupt officials.
I like the sounds of those doors closing! Gee maybe their homes will be on the vacant list next along with their jobs!
I don't recall... I don't have a recollection of that, I'll have to inform myself...I don't remember...
When..Who.. No... I don't know..
There you see how easy it is!
: Get Out Of Jail "FREE"
All the cover ups done by, Ramsey County Attorney Susan Greatner over the years.
One for sure was in the 1998 Minnesota Election, she held the evidence at least 4 months, before declaring a conflict and sending it on to Anoka.
Every day some one gets the shaft from government, and no one cares till it happens to them.
To see people in government squirm, it reminds me of a fish out of water.
Who will the council members bribe, to stay out of jail?
DFL-- "Bill Finney" can't give out his famous, Get Out Of Jail "FREE" Cards.
That's what politicians alway do is play dumb by saying I don't know or I don't remember, but that's maybe the best thing they could say because everyone will see right through that.
Looks like there is a little more to these cases than we were earlier led to beleieve by the SPIF crowd with all of their praise for city leaders.
9:21 PM
Hey Bill
Do you think Chief Harrington, has some get out jail free cards.
For the mayor, and the city council.
Like your friend Sharon always said.
It's not over, till the fat lady sings.
Lantry will be singing soon!
They say it is not over until the Fat Lady Sings!
Well I took the last mayoral address as the setting of the tone for the fat lady to sing.
We will see!
I have a friend who is a reporter for Channel 5 News. Is it possible for media to attend these depositions?
Great to hear. Finally this decision is past due.
Kathy will just use the whole thing to play the victim and try to use it to get re-elcted again.
Do you know of any good candidates we can put up in Wards 2 and 7?
Talk with your friends and see if you can recruit someone with community name recognition that would be willing to run against these two.
This new rental inspection program is only a tool for redevelopment for their friends (Kathy Lantry and DaveThune).
The University Light Rail will only divide the community just like 94 divided Rondo. Over 1.2 Billion for this mess and Dave and Kathy want this mess for St. Paul. I will not stand and see our community divided again.
We need good candidates to run in these two wards to stop their progressive agenda.
Bob Johnson,
I looked in the papers today and did not see anything about this. Did I miss it?
If it is printed can you tell me where.
If it was left out of the papers, why?
I know one thing for sure. If Kathy Lantry is involved, these landlords will get everything but the truth when they take her deposition.
My friend works for the City of St Paul, she tells me that two beat reporters have been working on a story about these lawsuits for months. Apparently, it has been challenging to get anyone to comment about the suits.
Sara
William Mitchell Student
Dave Thune will just quit the City Council and go work for MA Mortenson, or one of the other companies he was on the take for going to war for them. Maybe the Medical Insurance companies will have a job for him after he forced the St Paul residents to stop smoking in St Paul Bars.
Dave, didn't you go work for MA Mortenson after they were awarded the Xcel Arena Contract? Didn't you have something to do with them getting the contract Dave? How long did you last in the private sector Dave? Or was it Kraus Anderson Dave?
David Thune, you are a piece of work.
To 11:07
The thing that has been the so called "challenge" for the "beat reporters" is finding any facts that bash the landlords and vindicate the city. The Pioneer Press has known about these lawsuits for years and hasn't said anything about them, and now when it appears the city is about to get their lunch handed to them, the paper is all of a sudden interested in a story?
That's a bunch of crap!
The only paper that will tell the story is the Watchdog newspaper.
9:26, The local media for the most part ignores this subject.
News venues have on a couple occasions out right lied about this issue.
The City was determined to demolish a home at 14 E. Jessamine. The Pioneer Press story claimed the home's floors were sagging badly they were being supported with jacks that were tilted, one lie after another.
The facts were I and many others including an independent structural engineer inspected the house and it was in great shape and looked much better than the homes around it.
The owner had put thousands of dollars into the remodeling of this home to meet the ever increasing demands of code enforcement.
The City claimed to have an independent inspector from West Saint Paul inspect the house to get it condemned after they had the owners put thousands into it.
Turned out the independent inspector wasn't so independent. He lived in the neighborhood of the Jessamine home and has ties to Saint Paul City bureaucracy..
The home was demolished.
Channel 5 done a story on a landlords rental property who was complaining about unfair enforcement.
The landlord had a renter who owned a car that sat in the back yard with a broken window.
The City wrote the landlord up for the car's condition sitting in the back yard. They ignored the conditions of surrounding homes back yards that had piles of trash and abandon vehicles.
Channel 5 panned the camera during the interview of this complaining landlord in such a way that it appeared the trash in the yard next door was on the landlord's property giving the interview.
I am assuming big money interest have bought and paid for some of our local media venues.
And these big media venues wonder why BLOG's are gaining so much credibility...
I have a friend who is one of the inspectors for the city and without saying too much to get him in trouble or give any ideas to expose who this person may be, let me just say this: my friend tells me that the city is screwed, there have been wrong doings, the landlords have all the proof they will ever need and from what I hear, and there are people within the city who have been working with the landlords to expose this corrupt behavior. This is going to be more than just interesting.
How significant is it that the court authorized the deposition of the Mayor, city council and others? I assume the city gets sued all the time... Doesn't every suit want to depose the city officials? Isn't this common?
What does this really say about the case? Did the judge state that he authorized the depositions because the case is strong or did he make no statements about the case?
No hyperbole please... Just someone with facts.
Regards, Tom Dyer.
Governemnt officials almost never get ordered to have their depositions taken, that's a fact.
Aside from that, why would they not want to have their depositions taken? In an election year, it would seem to me that it would be good publicity to come and bash these landlords and tell the city what you have done to get rid of them and their problems.
Who listens to what judges say? They are jsut as "politically correct" as the rest of the politicians. Reading between the lines, if there wasn't soemthing to these cases, the City Council would not have been ordered to answer questions, that's a no brainer!
This group of landlords should be applauded. They came together and fought this city like never before. It also looks like they are winning. This is so interesting to watch. I'm a property owner that believes I've been violated by this City. I haven't had the guts or never thought you could stand up to big government. These property owners give me courage and should also give others the strength to stand up and fight!
Steve H.
Hey Repke what do yo have to say now?
Chuck Repke is probably out to dinner with Dave Thune right now. Repke has his head so far up Dave Thune's A__ it is sick. Even if Repke knew the City was wrong, he is to candy ASS to admit it.
Keep working for that Joke non-profit Repke.
You are a train-wreck Chuck Repke.
What is wrong, Thune got your tongue Repke??
The St Paul City Council has made political careers out of bashing and bad mouthing landlords for problems that were out of their control, but politically advantagous to the Coucnil. As the crime rose and the problems increased, so did their banter about how landlords are responsible for it because they don't do a better job screening their tenants, etc. Now that crime is almost out of comtrol, and summer coming, we are reading in the papers about a family that has been going around the city for 40 years killing people. I hope the landlords ask them about how their landlord bashing policies have had any kind of deterrent effect on these kinds of people and why the focus has not been on the actual crime and the people who comit them instead of a building or its owner.
He's proably busy trying to sell his house before the judgements come in and he has to help pay for the city's behavior.
To Steve H.....I agree 100%. These landlords are the heros to a lot of people in my neighborhood, not the city council.
Is it true that government officials are almost never deposed? I know when it happens on the federal level (Clinton, Libby Scooter, etc) it is all over the papers & TV. However, I never read about a Mayor or city council member being deposed. So, is it really true that this "almost never" happens? When was the last time an elected official was deposed in St. Paul? Anyone?
I agree that most county judges are biased. I have seen too many ridiculous rulings to believe otherwise. but, I do have faith in our federal judges (their not perfect, but pretty good). I am struggling to determine if this ruling means the case has merit or the federal judge just couldn't find any precedent to prevent the depositions.
If this is the victory some out here claim, why is city hall and the press so quiet?
Finally, I do applaud ANYONE that takes on city hall. I am just trying to figure out if this victory signals a trend.
Regards, Tom Dyer.
From court order-
III. CONCLUSION
Although the evidence Plaintiffs have produced to date is perhaps far from
sufficient to establish liability, they have satisfied their burden of
making a prima facie showing that most of the prospective deponents could
have personal knowledge relevant to the allegations regarding municipal
officials alleged intent to discriminate against certain landlords and
tenants. This Court cannot conclude that an otherwise normal channel of
discovery should be foreclosed, particularly in the present context of
civil rights claims where the evidence of discriminatory intent is
essential but often difficult to discover. The Court reiterates, however,
that it is expressing no views on the merits and the ultimate disposition
of Plaintiffs claims.
Actually, I think they are losing this case.
There, now you see why the local media doesn't cover this. There is nothing to the allegation's The federal judge stated so in her conclusion.
Santa isn't coming boys!
From: Erik Hare Date: 2007-04-08 06:26 (UTC) Short link
> When a judge had to order you to do something I think most believe that
> makes a statement about a persons ethics and integrity.
This statement is outrageous to the point of possibly being slanderous.
The City Councilmembers ARE NOT parties to the suit. They are being asked
to testify because they might have material evidence relevant to it. What
kind of evidence? Read the conclusion of the actual order:
The court conculsion followed the statement above.Erik said you are a slanderer Nancy.
Sorry the above statement was copied from Saint paul issues and Forums.
It's funny how quick they are to start with the names to protect their Democrat asshole buddies. The city of St Paul was the one making the argument to the court that they did not want to have their depositions taken, and if there was any way in hell the court could have ruled for the city they would have, and everyone knows it.
For another matter, there are some serious allegations being made in this lawsuit. Why wouldn't the City Council want to come and give whatever information they have about it. One would think that they would want to get to the bottom of this and either prove it or disprove it, but no, they try and hide. For someone to say that is slanderous that someone would question their ethics and integrity is nonsense and just makes it clear waht side the Eric guy is on.
I am not slandering anyone, no one needs to, all I have ever done was speak the truth. It was others that tried to make accusations of me with prostitution amongst other lies about my home, yet I all I have done is asked in an e-mail that Mr. Helgen give me a few moments of his time to meet me to hear my side of the story and see who I actually am to judge me for himself rather than from the rumors about me. Guess what I didn't recieve a response from Mr. Helgen, someone that I thought was suppose to be considered a public figure to answer questions from the public.
So Eric can state whatever comments he would like to state because I wouldn't expect anything different from him or several others at E-Democracy that feel city officials could do no wrong and that I have lied about the accusations I made against several city officials. I have witnesses and documents to support my statements and I will leave it at that.
Nancy
Gee I wonder if these officials still think they are so powerful now? Looks like they have lost their safe gaurds now that it is the federal courts instead of their pals at the Ramsey Co. courts they must answer to now.
I seriously feel there has to be some merit to the corruption accusations to support a federal judge in ordering officials to follow through with depositions that they obviously had some sort of fear in doing or they wouldn't have fought the issue. I also noticed the federal judge denied them for their attorney fee's in their fight no to be deposed. That should also tell you something.
Anonymous said... 9:37 PM
That's what politicians alway do is play dumb by saying I don't know or I don't remember,
That's just what Jesse said in 2003, in court when I ask him when he first met me.
Judge Fetch - let Jesse off the hook when I ask, The
Ex Governor to tell the truth.
The politician that we know, they are NOT playing Dumb.
They are all Drummer, then the freshest Doggie "Do - Do" --- on earth.
12:52 PM
Anonymous said...
Chuck Repke is probably out to dinner with Dave Thune right now. Repke has his head so far up Dave Thune's A__ it is sick. Even if Repke knew the City was wrong, he is to candy ASS to admit it.
Keep working for that Joke non-profit Repke.
You are a train-wreck Chuck Repke.
What is wrong, Thune got your tongue Repke??
I would like to say thank you, for your comment
www.billdahn.Blogspot.com
www.billdahn.com
I think the city of St.Paul housing code will be changing their policies real soon. If the plaintiffs prevail in which I feel they will, do you realize how many more suites will be coming out? Many of the victims of housing code enforcement were left in a financial situation as they tried to comply with the demands of housing code so they could not afford to hire an attorney to represent them. This could open the doors for many other citizens to take action on their rights being violated as well.
Where are the big mouth no it all city council members now? Helgen, you seem to always have an answer. You have been a complete failure in your ward! Lantry, well I won't even respond to you-- absolute waste.
I can't wait to read some more deposition transcripts.Its only a matter of time before we all learn the outcome of these suits.But one thing to remember folks is that the jury will decide not a judge and thats a big difference.Who likes big government?
These inspectors caught in the middle of this should start speaking up now to save their own ass instead of someone elses.
Mary
And they probably will! As with many other lawsuits, the minute someone wins and gets some money, then all of a sudden there are a ton of victims and scores of Attorneys coming out from under rocks like a swarm of lizards, and they'll be looking to represent anyone and everyone who ever owned a house in the city!
The City Council members sit in their half million dollar houses eating steak while the poor cook soup under a bridge!
I pray for justice to be served on these officials that have left many families homeless, and a big thank you for those that stood up for the rights.
As I posted at "e" what was granted by the court was the ability to ask council members and the former Mayor what was the reason why they wanted houses inspected? The pointed questions that will be allowed are, were you aware of the race of the tenant when you called in the complaint?
What the lawyers "proved" is that may be information that the elected official might have had when they called in a complaint.
No employee would have known what the elected official was thinking.
JMONTOMEPPOF
Repke
This is just totaly disguting. A major city using their housing codes to run the poor out of the city? Landlords that have to sue them to get them to stop? Wannabe beauracrats that want to stick up for their city pals? Stupid taxpayers that just blindly believe what they are told? City officials that obviously know about it and go to court to try and get out having their depositions taken? Government "spin off" groups that want to stiffle any conversation about it?
I'm not very proud calling this city home.
I knew we could count on Repke to come back with some lame information as he always does.
Hi Chuck,
Do you think they might ask Dave if he really feels a house is a 30 year progress in work?
And, if so why doesn't he feel the people he sits in judgement over shouldn't have the same amount of time to repair their homes?
Now Dave won't be able to say I don't recall, I don't recollect. this is all documented in threads at SPIF and through numerous photos of Dave's properties.
Repke must really get a kick back from the city for him to act like the federal judge ordering the city to have their depositions taken is nothing and continue to stick up for them. If it were nothing to be concerned about then why were the city officials fighting about it why didn't they just have their depositions taken like a person with nothing to hide would do? Or maybe the city had an over abundance of extra tax money laying around that they wanted to use up on attorney fee's and court time.
I think Chucky boy might have his foot so far down his throat that he will be unable to answer that last question for you 10:23!
Who's this Repke guy? Someone needs to wise him up a little, as it is citizens who call in complaints, not Mayors and Council people. Geesh!
Congratulations to those in the federal case for winning this step in their case! I have full confidence that you guys will continue with success at proving your case.
A Blessed and Happy Easter to all!
At least we know this waste Repke is reading all of these comments to him. Repke, you are a phony and so is your pal Thune. Do you have little man syndrome?
I apologise for the name calling Chuck. This is not representative of everyone who post here.
I believe a protected class of people could also include low income people of any race, handi-cap,vunerable adults and so on.
I don't believe this is solely restricted to people of color.
Will one of you attorney types give us a clue on this subject.
I hear a lot of big talk here, but no one has the guts to take on Thune or Lantry. You are all a bunch of blowhards, all talk and no action. You all talk big, but you are not willing to step up to the plate and run against these guys. I am not talking about Sharon or Bill, but real candidates. Thune and Lantry get reelected because not one of you is willing to stand up to these guys. So stop your crying already if you are not willing to run against these guys. All your talk is just talk until you get off your seat and do something about it like Bob Johnson is doing here.
Bill Said
To Nancy and Bob.
Have a nice day, and remember this is the Lords Day.
They "killed him" because he spoke out, against the people that thought they were the Government controllers of 'His" time.
We are Not or ever will be Doo Doo,
on the Democrats shoes.
WE ARE,
"GODS" PEOPLE.
Happy "Lords" Day.
Bill Dahn
6:53 AM
Bill Dahn Said...
To Chuck Repke
What were "YOU" thinking back in 1996, when "you" and the other "Government Controllers" dogged me?
I was a "disabled" person, that asked Thune for help.
About RAP's BAD work and the BAD insulation, that was installed in my home.
This 1 case will Haunt You, and the others for life.
To the Dumb People of MN.,
They put this BAD insulation in 200,000 homes in our state.
It Was Banded in "Canada",
but it's "OK" for "US"
Bill Dahn
Ward 2
651-453-1992
PS.
I have to be better, then Thune and the St.Paul City Hall Click!
There are a few people that decided to run against them, only they chose to do it in a courtroom where someone with someone with some inteligence makes the decisions instead of the taxpayers that time after time continue to elect the garbage we have now. With the exceptiojn of Hariss, they're all just a bunch of political whores that would do anything to keep their position.
In Minnesota, an aspect of the political concept of legislative independence and the legal doctrine of legislative immunity that has been codified in the Speech or Debate Clause of our constitution, which says, in part, that "For any speech or debate in either house they shall not be questioned in any other place." Minn. Const. art. IV, § 10 .
In Harlow, the Court made clear that “a reasonably competent public official should know the law governing his conduct.” Harlow, 457 U.S. 819. The Court instructed the judiciary that:
“On summary judgment, the judge appropriately may determine, not only the currently applicable law, but whether that law was clearly established at the time an action occurred. If the law at that time was not clearly established, an official could not reasonably be expected to anticipate subsequent legal developments, nor could he fairly be said to “know” that the law forbade conduct not previously identified as unlawful. .....If the law was clearly established, the immunity defense ordinarily should fail.” Harlow et al v Fitzgerald, 457 U.S. 800, 818 (1981)
The claims of Legislators to “absolute” immunity have not done better. In Gravel v United States, 408 U.S. 606 (1972) the Court held that neither absolute nor qualified immunity can be relied upon to protect interference with the criminal process or grand jury investigations.
In the oft-cited Monroe v Pape 365 US 167 (1961) the Court said that actions undertaken by those who would claim immunity:
"Should be read against the background of tort liability that makes a man responsible for the natural consequences of his actions." 365 US at 187, 81 S Ct, 484 (1961).
I know some people in high places that have stated that the attorney defending the city Louise Seeba is way over her head. She had this case dropped in her lap and don't blame her for being alittle behind on this case.Good luck to all in this case.This seems like a very big case for the city and are in a position to loose a lot.
Mt friend is in that lawswuit and he told me that during the depositions of some of the people they are suing that the people just tried to play dumb like they didn't remember anything. What a bunch of fools! What it looks like is that they found a creative way to invoke their 5th amedment rights to avoid self incrimination, and the jury is going to see right through that in minute. Talk about pointing the finger at yourslef!
As usual when St Paul gets sued, in the end it'll probably come out that they could have avoided all of this suing stuff with just "doing the right thing" and a simple apology to the people involved.
When my son was falsely arrested for painting graffiti.. The police apologised.
The regulars here will remember my son was so pissed he helped the police apprehend the perps.
Councilman Dave Thune praised my son publicly for my sons efforts to stop the graffiti tagging..
If it hadn't of been for this apologetic police investigator and Dave we would have sued!
42 U.S.C. § 1983, which is derived from the Civil Rights Act of 1871, "was intended to create a species of tort liability in favor of persons deprived of federally secured rights." Smith v. Wade, 461 U.S. 30, 34 (1983) (quotation omitted). It is well-established that "a jury [is] permitted to assess punitive damages in an action under § 1983 when the defendant’s conduct is shown to be motivated by evil motive or intent, or when it involves reckless or callous indifference to the federally protected rights of others." Id. at 56. It is "likewise generally established that individual public officers [are] liable for punitive damages for their misconduct on the same basis as other individual defendants." Id. at 35.
These city people don't care if they get sued or not. If the court finds them guilty they just pay out some more money and then go to the taxpayers and raise their taxes again. Some of these people should go to jail for the damage they've caused to some peole's lives.
A simple apology from the honorable Kathy Lantry???
LOL
Bob Johnson,
In looking at the new renters inspection program, passed recently by the city council, I think the liberal (progressive) city council members (Lee, Kathy, Jay and Dave) have a brilliant, progressive plan to raise money for the city. By inspecting all single family homes and requiring all homes to be in code compliance, it will raise the value of the property. This will enable the city to tax homeowners at a higher level and increase the amount of taxes collected by the city.
This is how it works: You are given an order to fix something on your house. If the repair is over $300.00 then you will need a city permit to complete the work and have it inspected. All building permit information is given to the Ramsey County Assessors office. Once you have repaired your property. Your property is now valued at a higher level and is assessed at a higher level. If you do not repair your property it will be demolished.
This citywide inspection process has started and will cover the all of St. Paul. The cost of the inspection is $128.00 per year. Unlike code compliance (LIEP), the fire department will be doing these inspections not LIEP. Under the old system the LIEP office did not charge for each inspection except in cases of excess consumption, but the fire department will charge for each reinspection and the initial inspection. I can see these $128.00 per inspection fees adding up just to get your certificate of occupancy.
The motive behind this program is to raise the value of properties in the city that have typically been underpaying property taxes. The liberal members of the city council (Dave, Jay, Kathy and Lee) have devised this program as a way to collect more property taxes for their favorite programs. The mayor supports this program and pushed for this program. After this plan is started, there will be a great division in the city with the haves and the have-nots. The liberal (progressive) city council members (Jay, Kathy, Lee and Dave) lead by the mayor will force out these marginal renters and property owners and increase the property values to gain more property tax revenue. The properties that can not comply will have their homes taken and the property will be redeveloped, thus making more money for the city due to new construction.
The city must give the property owners the ability to get rid of these problem tenants. If the goal of the city is to rid the city of these problem citizens through this property inspection program then the city needs to give the property owners the power to get rid of these problem tenants if they are going to make this program work. If you are required rent to all people without discrimination (as required by law), then the city must give the property owners the ability to collect for damages done to their properties by renters who damage the property. Sort of a personal responsibility thing for both tenants and property owners. The city can not have it only one way the renters must be held accountable also.
This whole thing smells like a lawsuit waiting to happen.
People are suffering due to these policies by a few progressives on the city council (Jay, Dave, Kathy and Lee) and the mayor. If no one is going to run against these people, they will get reelected again and again. Change is needed in Wards 2, 4, 5 and 7.
The Easter Bunny has to go as I have a few more eggs to hide.
They would have never gotten this into law but they made it apply only to landlords and rental property, and as usual, they sell it to the public all wrapped up in the "SAFETY" issue. Down the road, with legal the foundations well established, THEY WILL expand it to the homeowners properties also. Then all you homeowners who thought it was such a good idea for the landlords can start paying through your nose to be "safe" in your own home.
It used to be that you could be kind of stupid, or different, or nerdy, or poor and still have a good life in St Paul.
Now you have to be pretty wealthy, a con man, a gangbanger or a politician to be able to survive here.
We're not another New York or California and we don't want to be.....are you listening Kathy Lantry and Lee Helgen?
Take your liberal BS and get out and give us our city back. It's really time for a change.
To 3:37 pm
It is called,
"Conspiring A Conspiracy"
Dear 7:25 PM
That is the type of attitude I like to hear.
Are you going to run against Thune of Lantry for city council?
Please let me or Bob know and I will be happy to assist you.
To 7:56
No I am not running against them. I moved out of the city a couple years ago because of this housing code BS, and don't tell me I don't have a right to complain either. My wife and I were born and raised in St Paul. We raised our family there. 3 generations of our families worked hard and paid taxes for years to make St Paul what is WAS, and we're not happy about what it IS now.
7:25
7:56
And another thing....life is not too bad in the suburbs. In fact, it is much better than I thought it would be. Much lower taxes for a better house, City Council members that are more inclusive rather than divisive, free parking, a driveway, much faster snow plowing, and a Police Department that does something about noise if you call, instead of come out and blame everything off on the landlords on the block.
Barb C Mrs. 7:25
8:07 PM
You have every right to complain.
The city is in a mess. The house (city council) needs to be cleaned.
I am sorry you had to move away. I also think St. Paul was a great city and it can be great again.
The first thing is we need to get rid of our progressive members of the city council (Jay, Lee, Kathy and Dave) and pack mayor Coleman's bags.
I have to agree that living in the suburbs has been a very positive move in my life also. You are correct that if you attend a city council meeting they are more than happy to hear what you have to say, I have also had several dealings with the police/sheriffs being that I do property management and have found the law enforcement in the suburbs to act more in a professional manner, and best of all, they will give the criminal the citation not the property owner!
My friends and I have been watching and listening to this subject for over a year now, and someone yesterday brought up a very interesting point. In all this time I have never heard any landlord or property owner say that they did not want to fix their property or that they thought they had a right to operate sub standard housing or that they think neighborhoods should have to endure some of the bad problems that have besieged them. What I have heard is that some people are sick and tired of having their civil rights violated by a city that seems to out of touch and out of control. There are too many people saying the same things for there not to be any truth to these charges. Thee is also no actions, investigations or explanations from any city leaders. If the city has done nothing worng and there is nothing to hide, I would expect more-----a lot more from our city leaders----but instead they clam up, hide from depositions, and just go on with the status quo which seems at this pint to be denial. I don't know how anyone with even a minimum level of inteligence could think there is not some truth to what is being said by these porperty owners.
I dragged this over here from SPIF.
From: Chuck Repke Date: 2007-04-09 04:07 (UTC) Short link
In a message dated 4/8/2007 2:34:21 AM Central Daylight Time,
minnesota_free2003 ( at ) yahoo.com writes:
> There should be zero question in anyones mind that St. Paul focused on
> neighborhoods with a high concentration of minorities just read the
> documentation they have published over the past few years. The vast majority
of the
> sweeps and aggressive attacks on housing took place in communities of color.
> The city wants you to believe this was an effort to help, or even protect
> those most vulnerable amongst us, but their message to landlords was clear:
> Evict the tenant or we will shut you down and maybe bulldoze your property.
> How does that help those most vulnerable?
>
>
This is the circular logic that the landlords are using in the case. The
landlord says I didn't damage my property the tenant did. You shouldn't take
action against me, I'm the victim of the tenant. So, if an inspector or the
police or some other City staff person shows some empathy and says, "Well then,
you should screen your tenants better or evict the problem tenant," then the
landlords say, "see, the City is out to get the poor tenants!" "Its a
discrimination issue, they agreed with me when I said my tenant was the
problem!"
Unbelievable, but that is what is happening.
So, not being able to read the judge's mind, but seeing what is in the order,
the judge is allowing that since council members from time to time called in
complaints and may have knowledge that the inspector doesn't have about the
reason a particular property had a complaint, then those bringing the case
should be able to ask them questions as to the reason for the complaint.
The discrimination case you sited above will have no merit because the
purpose of the code is not to move people out of the City, but to require
property
owners to maintain their property. The fact that slumlords will victimize more
minorities than whites will not prove to be a reason to allow them to
maintain substandard housing, which is what is being advocated in this case.
The
effect of the City's action isn't to evict tenants at all. The effect of the
City's action is in the vast majority of cases is to get the property improved,
NOT DEMO'ED. So, the effect of the action is not what you are alleging.
The last time I remember Council members being deposed is back when the
council went after adult uses and the owners of those problem properties
claimed
that the City was discriminating against them. Good company.
JMONTOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
Chuck, when the City went after adult uses, they weren't putting people out on the street!
This City has condemned homes putting home owners and renters on the street.
Often because some white neighbor didn't like those black folks living next door or on the block.
My neighbors called the police cause they thought us black folks shouldn't be barbecuing outside in the evening after 10:00.
Yeah right Repke!
You're so full of shit it's pitiful. The city routinely says the landlord should screen better, and they do it as a way to make it the landlords fault for behavior issues, and the landlords have never said the city was out to get the poor. What the landlords have complained about was that the city was using the screening issue to blame the landlord for damage caused by the tenant when the tenant was trying to beat the landlord out of the rent and use the damage element to gain an upper hand in court to get even more money out of the landlords. Another favorite is when the racist white neighbors who don't want blacks in their neighborhood. They just call the city council or the block club who calls the city council to complain, and the council does the neighbors racist bidding for them through the police and code inspectors.
The purpose of the code and the city's intent and the outcome of the vast majority of properties being fixed up is not going to amount to a hill of beans in this case. I think the city and some of these inspectors are going to a steep price because of the impact and damage caused by the misuse of those codes.
My question to everyone is "Where are the courts and the FBI in this?" Finally, "Why isn't this important to the media?" The City of St. Paul city council are no different than the mob, just now call themselves politicians. Are there any good politicians left that will stand up and do something about this? This is the beginning of a new government, is this what the people want? NO FREEDOM, just corruption!
These people on the council sure don't represent the "Democrat Values" that I believe in. I'm starting to wonder if I need to leave the Democrat Party or leave the city of St Paul!
Dear 10:31 PM
I hear what you are saying. The DFL message has always been there, but the party has been taken over by progressive individuals who think they know what is good for you and I.
Kathy Lantry is one such individual. Lantry has used the code compliance to target a particular class of individuals. Lantry’s misuse of the code compliance is her way of taking care of her political opponents.
Lee Helgen is another one. Dumb as a rock, clueless and unable to complete a sentence without help. Kathy Lantry leads him through the council meetings by his hand. The guy has been on the council for over three years and he still does not have a clue as to what is going on.
The only DLFers on the council who still have some sense of decency are Dan, Pat and Debbie. These individuals are and have been a true representative of the DFL party in St. Paul.
What a disappointment Chris Coleman has been. He supported this new inspection to go after the poor. This is not the DFL Party I knew.
City council members, Jay, Dave, Kathy and Lee (Gang of Four) have to go as they do not represent the true values of the DFL party or the majority of people of St. Paul. The DFL Party back in the days of Jack and Bobby Kennedy represented the people and not the "progressive" DFL we have today. The Gang of Four are not trying to help the poor, they are pushing them out into the street and moving the problem out of St. Paul. This is not DFL I knew and it is morally wrong. They talk about what is happening around the world, but just take a look at what they are doing in their wards. Shame on them. Jay is particularly arrogant in his dealings with people. Jay has a heart as cold as stone. Jay is too busy dodging his mistress’ flying pots to really care about the needs in his ward.
I also hear Susan G.; our county attorney wants to be governor.
God help us!
Bostrom and Montgomery are no better than the rest. I know of people that Montgomery don't even call back cause she doesn't like what they are going to have to say to her.
And Bostrom, well he's a real piece of work. When they threw him out of the Council "Presidency" on his ear, they were going to just start with a new Council "President" without even saying anything about it. Pat Hariss wouldn't let it happen and made them at least talk about it first. I thought it was extremly disrespectful and humiliating to Bostrom to be ousted that way, and any self respecting person would have quit right then and there, but not Dan....he just hangs in there for whatever bones anyone will throw to him. How can he respect the rights of people in his ward when he doesn't even have any respect for himself?
Chuck, you and your pals bit off more than you can chew. Some people don't take to kindly to being pushed around. We are strong minded, strong willed and absolute in our resolve.
We fight back in the interest of justice and human decency. You, and people like you have destroyed the trust in government for thousands of us in this City.
Tony said it best when he went before the City Council concerning the demolition of his home he lost to the City after they had him put thousands of dollars into it only to tear it down in the end like so many other properties before his..
Tony said to the council- I served my country. I love my city. I can't believe this. My home is demolished, I had no control over it, NOW you want me to pay for the demolition ($14,000).Tony was almost in tears. The City Council looked like concrete statues sitting before him.
Anyone interested in seeing Tony's video before the council let me know I will look for it in the archives.
It is time for a change. You and people like you Chuck must step aside for people who will truly serve the interest of the citizens of Saint Paul.
Folks, I reprinted this here from the bowels of Saint Paul Issues and Forums. Thank you "MR".Tom Dyer!
Federal Courts Order for St.Paul Depositions
From: Tom Dyer Date: 2007-04-09 13:15 (UTC) Short link
Chuck wrote:
This is the circular logic that the landlords are using in the case. The
landlord says I didn't damage my property the tenant did. You shouldn't take
action against me, I'm the victim of the tenant. So, if an inspector or the
police or some other City staff person shows some empathy and says, "Well then,
you should screen your tenants better or evict the problem tenant," then the
landlords say, "see, the City is out to get the poor tenants!" "Its a
discrimination issue, they agreed with me when I said my tenant was the
problem!" Unbelievable, but that is what is happening.
My response:
I don't remember the adult uses case. When was that?
Do you believe that if landlords just screened better, they would never
(seldom?) have tenant problems? I suspect most landlords use screening
criteria, but I have a philosophical problem with screening in general. The
notion that increasing screening would eliminate tenant created problems
REQUIRES one to agree with the following statements:
a) A Landlord can predict future actions by an applicants history.
b) People with a blemished history should not be allowed to rent a home.
If you (and St. Paul) want to push stricter rental screening criteria, then
what criteria do you recommend? Should people with poor credit never get
rental housing again? What about people with a single drug use conviction?
Homeless forever? What criteria would you recommend landlords use? I suspect
you wont answer because you know this is not a real solution.
The real answer? Charge problem tenants for their criminal actions. If they
damage the property, file criminal damage to property charges. If they are
dealing or hooking, arrest them. Why is this not the obvious answer?
I think society looks at the rental industry backwards. I believe there
should be no criteria to rent an apartment. But if a tenant acts up, it should
be easy, cheap and quick to remove them. This is precisely what hotels and
motels do and most of them operate with few problems. It is exactly the
opposite direction our state and city is forcing the rental housing community
in. Sad, I think.
I am way beyond my interest in this case. I just wanted to know how common
it is for lawsuits to depose elected officials. It sounds like this is rare.
Time will tell if this ruling is a trend or a blip.
I honestly hope you or someone else on this board publishes the rental
criteria landlords should use. I cannot wait to see who you think should not
have the opportunity to purchase housing.
Regards, Tom Dyer.
Eastside.
P.S. For some reason, SPIF bounced the letter I sent this morning. It only
went to Chuck. I copied that letter here as Chuck already responded to it:
Chuck and everyone,
You didn't answer my two questions. I left those questions below for
everyones review.
However, you wrote:
One has to remember what the issue is here and what the Judge is allowing.
The issue is has the City used its code enforcement as a way of discriminating
against people of color?
Back to me (Tom):
I am no legal expert, but I think the supreme court has ruled on this
already. Intent to discriminate is not required. The McDonnell Douglas Corp
V. Green case
(http://caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scripts/getcase.pl?court=US&vol=411&invol=792),
defined how the courts should deal with cases where intentional discrimination
does not exist, but actions that cause a disparate impact does exist. It
states that actions which cause a disparate impact to communities of color is
illegal even if the person does not intend to discriminate.
The Mpls fire department had a case like this a few years ago. The fire
department had a requirement that all applicants can lift 200 pounds. The
idea, according to the fire department, is that a fireperson must be strong
enough to lift and remove a disabled person from a burning building. Sounds
reasonable However, most fire fighters never encounter such a situation, so
the requirement was considered illegal by the courts as it had a disparate
impact on female applicants. I write this entire paragraph from memory, so
forgive me if I get it wrong. But, it does show how a good intention can lead
to prejudicial and illegal -- actions.
There should be zero question in anyones mind that St. Paul focused on
neighborhoods with a high concentration of minorities just read the
documentation they have published over the past few years. The vast majority
of the sweeps and aggressive attacks on housing took place in communities of
color. The city wants you to believe this was an effort to help, or even
protect those most vulnerable amongst us, but their message to landlords was
clear: Evict the tenant or we will shut you down and maybe bulldoze your
property. How does that help those most vulnerable?
The McDonnell Douglas Corp V. Green case describes how a plaintiff may shift
the burden of proof from the complainant to the defendant. From what I have
read, it will be interesting to see how St. Paul, a city that has openly and
aggressively targeted their most diverse neighborhoods, defends their actions.
Regards, Tom Dyer.
The answers I still search for:
1) Could/Would the judge have stopped the depositions if the case was clearly
without merit?
2) When was the last time an elected official in St. Paul was deposed?
---------------------------------
Food fight? Enjoy some healthy debate
in the Yahoo! Answers Food & Drink Q&A.
☺
I almost forgot..
A fair warning Mr. Dyer, you were posting information and stirring controversy on a subject at Saint Paul Issues and Forums the (Democrat Indoctrination forum).
I am confident the Movements of the Bowels of Saint Paul Issues and Forums are strategizing to get you removed from the membership of that forum. They don't like folks who press issues that may make their friends in the City Hall look bad.
Hey Bob,
So far 97 comments on this thread, how cool is that.
Maybe the folks over at E-Democracy could learn a few things from you.
Next this Dyer fellow will be bounced from E-Democracy like they have kicked off so many others (Tom Swift, Bob Johnson) who dared speak against the liberal DFL Party line mentality. I think Mitch Berg is the only one left.
This is the way a forum should be run, by being able to express your ideas.
Bob, you are right, E-Democracy is really a just a forum for the progressive liberal portion of the DFL.
Give them hell Bob.
Well, I feel compelled to say something now....
Bill Dahn, equating the resurection of Jesus to what is going on now in St. Paul is assinine.
Take a deep breath, make some inquiries about increasing your daily dose of whatever yo're taking, listen to the Gospel you profess, and lay off the Kool Aid.
To 7:38 am
What are you afraid of ???
Bill Dahn
www.billdahn.com
www.billdahn.Blogspot.com
Ward 2
A question and a couple of quick points. First, Bob, do you have any idea which part of the case they want to question Thune about? From what I have read and I get all of my stuff on this from you, the only case in Ward 2 I have seen sited was the home next door to Thune secratary that Kelly called the inspector on the carpet for. Do you have any idea?
Thune's history on demos is to give home owners in his ward as many chances as possible to repair them. For those who claim to "know people" around the inspectors office, I would love to hear even one house where the idea to demo was Thune's. I was his aide for eight years (90-98) and during that entire time I can't think of one house that Thune pushed to have demoed. In fact there are many buildings that are standing that Thune flat out wouldn't allow the City to demo. I laugh when I read some of the right wingers in this group that assume that the push to demo comes from the "lefties" on the council, most of them are opposed to seeing any of the old historic houses demoed and try to find someone to rehab them. So, I'm dying to see what they want to get from Thune.
To my friend Bill D. do you remember who I am? You called Thune's office after the City had gotten a restraining order on you about your threatening calls to the City. I sat on the phone with you for hours listening to your complaints. Thune OK'd me going over and meeting with you to your house despite the fact that Norm's office had desided that you were dangerouse and might hurt the Mayor or one of the City staff. I sat in your living room and tried to explain what powers the City did and didn't have concerning your potential of a law suit against RAP. I tried to get the City to back off on their concerns that you might "come down there and hurt some one." I tried to explain that you were just frustrated.
Remember me now Bill? All that was before you got Jesse V to pay attention to you...
Thune's office did all that they could to help you and the rest of the City was none to pleased that Dave had let me go over to your house. So, give it a rest.
Anyway, we shall see where this current issue goes. Again, the issue in the suit that is being explored is was the City using code enforcement as a way of displacing minority peoples. Was the net affect to adversely effect these protected classes. The City would argue that color or other status made no diference and that the vast majority of properties tagged were repaired not demoed.
Just My opinion Not Those Of My Employers Past Present Or Future
Repke
Thune isn't named in the lawsuit. But he'll spill beans anyway.
My belief is Thune is one of the few that is actually understanding to this issue being that he has issues with his own properties. What I don't understand is the special treatment that has been given to Mr.Thune for the repairs that have been underway for many years when the average citizen is only allowed minimal time to do the repairs in which the city adds a complete new home code compliance as being necessary before a home is considered habitable.
Chuck, How bout that historic house next to the Hazelton treatment center on Stewart Ave.? )The old VFW. Did Dave save this one?
Last I heard the poor woman that owns this house had to fight her ass off to keep it to this point. The City was determined to demolish it.
To give Dave credit on 2 buildings Dave has saved so far. The old power plant. The Headhouse.
NOW, this brings to mind more questions. Why are these buildings allowed to sit for years in a dangerous state and yet a different standard is applied to others in the City.
Bob, your historic building is a cement block square one story building. Your owners have been "working on it" since 1999. That's eight years and there are no, as in zero orders on it for demo. So, from time to time, someone complains that they have piles of crap laying about and the city makes them clean them up... the evil City out there harrassing the wonderful Minneapolis investor who is sitting on this land with river front views waiting for the market to come around.
So, no effort to demo from Thune's office there. Try again Bob.
On your list of other buildings Thune has saved, add in the Brewery too.
But, my favorite building saving story was the building on East 7th just East of the Savoy, where the Subway is now, they had demo orders and a crew ready to come out the next day when Thune had the demo orders cancelled because someone had a restoration plan.
This is why the case is bound to fail the only thing the landlords have in common is a reluctance or inability to invest any more money in the property and no plan to get out of the mess they are in.
These issues go on for years before there are demo orders.
JMONTOMEPPOF
Repke
Bob
Any way you can find some of those Jessamine photos someone was talking about a while back? I think people should see what the city considers habitable and what is not.
This Repke guy doesn't sound so bad after all. He sounbds like he has a heart to me. How come people are making bad remarks about him all the time?
Hey Repke why don't you ask Thune what type of questions are asked of him afer his deposition.I'm sure he'll tell you.Also this case is bigger then all you city types can understand.Its not all about Demo's and this or that.Its the big picture.Maybe Dave should have put alittle more thought into these suits before.Now its to late and would take forever to get up to speed with it.
And for your information Sir, most of these landlords were stake holders in the city and investing there own money in this once great city.Do you know any of these landlords and their properties?Well I do and they were a great asset to this city.So if you don't know them, shut it!
And one last question Sir, Who's money do you invest?Exactly!And you don't even have to make money.
Hi Chuck,
First of all the old VFW is not a cement block building. It is a very old limestone building with a new cement block attached garage in the back. I am assuming the building was built in the late 1800's.
The owner has done a very good job of saving the character of the original building. In fact, this building looks better than it has in over 45 years.I agree it is not under threat of demolition NOW. It has been in the past.
So Chuck, you didn't answer my questions.
Is it a double standard for the City to allow the head house and the old power plant to sit in such a dangerous condition for years while pursuing other owners of property to repair or demolish their homes?
I would like to add to Bob's questions of Chuck.
Is it discriminatory for Councilman Dave Thune to take 30 years to fix his home while expecting people who came before him on the council to fix their homes within days?
Bill - the only thing I have to fear is the untreated person with an axe to grind. Get some help, here's some numbers:
Lighthouse (612-752-8200), they provide outreach, social reflections, and linkage to other services
First Call for Help (211)
OK Bob I'll bite. Let's see the nearest property to the old power plant is Xcel. I don't think they are complaining much. And for years there wasn't nothing within blocks of the Head house either. So, again no one to view the properties as dragging down their values.
So, is that unfair?
You guys always forget that most of the properties that get on the demo lists get there because the people who live near them complain about them. They get sick of living next to a "problem property." Be that trash in the yard or broken windows or whatever is the issue. The City is being asked by the neighbors to stop the owner of the problem property to stop making their lives miserable.
The landlords who get code issues for the interior usually get them because someone who lives there complains. The City is invited in by the tenant. The other major time that the City does interior inspections is after a building goes vacant, when for what ever reason it has been totally shut down. Again, the City's issue there is to make sure that before someone lives in what had been totally vacant that the building is up to code.
So, yes we hear the stories here of the poor real estate investor that lives in Mpls and is being harassed by the City to fix their properties and we should feel bad for them because it is one of the twenty properties they own and they shouldn't be harassed by the mean City. Or, we hear the story of the crack head who sold their home on a CD to slum lords or drug dealers and lost their investment when the City demoed the property years later and we are suppose to be angry at the City for taking action after seven years. Because clearly the City's number one issue should be the financial health of the former drug addict not the neighbors who have had to put up with this crap for years.
So, your right Bob, I guess it ain't fair that the head house and the power plant that don't hurt anyone else's property values aren't treated the same as the properties that are bringing down the neighborhood.
Remember Bob, I got to spend $10,000 getting my house painted last year when one of your friends decided that the "chalking" paint on my SLATE sided house need to be repaired. So, I know that the inspectors can be used, so start your campaign to demo the head house if it makes you feel good.
JMONTOMEPPOF
Repke
12:38
It is not a double standard to let the head house sit in its run down condition, it is a violation of the equal protection clause of the United States Constitution. Our constitutional protections however may be a bit above the heads of the current city leaders, so I will not go into the explanation of it. What it means in general is that they cannot treat themselves or some other citizen in a manner that is different than how they treat you such as the enforcement of laws and codes.
Chuck, you provide me with some home work here and I am feeling lazy today. However, as usual your statements can not be allowed to go unchallenged.
The old power plant. KIDS could get hurt or killed exploring the interior of this large vacant building.
It was partially occupied for a short time when low income people kept their boats there as a make shift marina. These people were displaced when the plans for development came about.
The homeless peoples "village" in the woods next to the old power plant was razed because the powers that be didn't want these people seen because it would of been more difficult to sell the condo units to be constructed in this building.
It is my understanding there is no longer any financial backing to do anything with this building.One thing came of it, all those desparate looking homeless and poor people aren't there anymore. All that is left is a big vacant building and lost dreams.
All of this being said. I have fond memories of this building as a kid myself. I have explored every inch of this building. This is how I know it is hazardous inside.
Like the head house it is an eye sore to the entire City.
Along this same route (Shepard Road),the City was concerned about a messy yard and faded siding at 785 Butternut Ave. the house faces Shepard Road. The concern was the President of the United States may see this home in route to the capitol.
The City ordered code enforcement to vigorously write this home up for a code compliance. The home owner was in poor health, the pressure from code enforcement added to the deterioration of her health and she died. Her significant other of over 35 years committed suicide.
Chuck, these people were close to my heart! I am in touch with the family and I am sure some considerations will be given as far as a coarse of legal action.
You can find links to the 785 Butternut story by typing 785 Butternut in the search this blog area on the front page. Or, type in "Deposition of Code Enforcement officer Steve Schiller".
The Headhouse- if those folks that live in those brand new condos there Chuck seen the pictures of RATS I have around this building they would be having a bird! Maybe I should pass out the "A Democracy News Letter" down there and inform people.
This building is also an eyesore and a blight on the Cities landscape and has been written up by the Citiy's code inspectors and they have declared it a dangerous building.
Now the Headhouse and the old power plant are on the same route as 785 Butternut and these buildings are a bigger eye sore than 785 Butternut ever was. The difference is big developers have more pull than the Citizens of Saint Paul.
Your house Chuck- You didn't have to spend all that money Chuck. You know that. I offered to help you paint your home. I offerd to bring equipment and volunteers.
You must get some kind of favortism shown toward you Chuck. It was documented right here you had a burned out car in your driveway for months. One of your neighbors even comment here about it.
I told you early on you should cover that car with an earth tone tarp. You didn't and your non compliance to code was documented.Nothing was ever done about the burned out car. Is it still there?
I am sure others will have more to say about your comments. I could go on but like I say i am feelig lazy today.
I'm afraid a dark cloud is starting to set over city hall.
Repke with a due respect-you know that most complaints that the city gets are from non profits like yours that are trying to clean behavior issues out of nieghborhoods so you can make a bigger buck on your developments.Police.neighborhood councils.Fire inspectors.City council assistance.and so on.Its really never the average neighbor living in the neighborhood That complains.
So Chuck what about these so called sweeps.Why are they almost always in poorer neighborhoods?
And Chuck is it alright for the city to target a landlord with no complaint?Because thats what they were doing.Targeting teetering neighborhoods.Whats a teetering neighborhood?A neighborhood that contains a high amount of rental properties.Ask Dawkins that one.
The City F'd up.Admit it.Quit trying to weasel out of the truth.This way you won't feel like a total idiot when the city falls.
Steve
I for one Chuck have many pictures of the burned out car.I believe it to be around 6 months worth.This is one house you have and can't even conform to code-we also see Dave has trouble on all 3 of his-multiply it by 20 houses and you'd meet the guidelines that you government type set of a so called "SLUMLORD".Talk is cheap Chuck.You,Dave and the city can sit there a spin the truth but these plaintiffs in the case have the proof and the truth.There is not one jury in the US that will side with the city on this one.Remember most people don't trust government unless they are government!!!!!
Tim Ciani
Your an ass Ciani and weren't missed.You're the one that put councilman Thune in this spot.You should be ashamed.
Bob, here you go again. So, are you saying that what you want is all buildings to be demoed that are in disrepair? That is the position now?
See I thought you didn't like the City demoing buildings. I guess I was wrong. You want more buildings demoed. If they aren't occupied knock 'em down.
That is the circular logic that always comes from your side. You complain that the City knocks down one building and say that it was terrible to do, and then you turn around and say the City should knock down all vacant buildings or we are violating equal treatment laws. What is it that you want???
Do you want the head house, and the power plant and that vacant VFW on Stewart knocked down? I'm sure that Thune doesn't want any of them knocked down but if you rattle enough cages you could make it happen I guess.
I've read the story on Butternutt, and have heard that some of the neighbors had tried to help the woman out too. Sounds like she was in pretty rough shape at the end.
As to my situation Bob, you know as well as I that the complaints came when I had the balls to stand up to your friends and they called me in... for the SLATE siding "chalking" (anyone own slate siding over 2 years old that isn't "chalking") No matter.
The burned out car was a tennants car and another good example of the problems that landlords face. You can't just make tennants get rid of their cars. It was in her name at that address. Evicting her car was as hard as evicting her and as you know,,,,she trashed the up stairs.
As is already seen here you and Tim and who know who else "watch" my property and take pictures. Why? Because I have the balls to answer back to you guys and you're use to being bullies and getting the last word. I'm just a private citizen, I haven't worked for the government in ten years, but it drives you guys crazy that someone will talk back to you. We still don't know who that coward that hides behind the phoney name is...
I know all of the problems that landlords face and I know the diference between someone who is trying to keep up their place and someone who is sucking every dollar than can out of the property.
JMONTOMEPPOF
Repke
Now there you go! You are showing your colors again. This bunch of progressive liberals can not accept personal responsibility.
Dave and the other City officials concerned put themselves in this position.
Geeeeesh, I hope future city officials practice "Individual Responsibility"
To Mr Repke
We also hear stories about how inspectors come to porperties on complaints of the behavior of the renters that live there rather than the Police which would be a much more appropriate response.
Some of those renters do "invite" the city in, but it is usually because they cannot pay the rent or because they have an ax to grind with the landlord because he is already there trying to enforce the behavior codes that the city demands from him or her, and it is almost ALWAYS concerning damage the renters have done themselves.
When those inspectors get to the house they fabricate much more serious violations that DO NOT exist (along with the minor ones that do exist) in order to condemn the house which is the vehicle they then use to move the problem (tenants for you democrats) out of the house (as in condemn it) and on to a new neighborhood. They then require a code compliance which is altogether different than just fixing the minor code violations that exist at the time of the inspection. The cost of these are in the range of $50,000.00 each. What the city has done is fraud and extortion at best, and the end result is that the poor people who lived in those properties cannot now afford them because of the increased rent that is being charged to cover the cost of the frivilous and false repairs cited by the inspector. Lots of these landlords have been forced out of business becasue of the high costs of these inspection tactics. Lots of other landlords who did not have any trouble with the city at all sold or re-financed their property and fled the city because they were scared to death of these kinds of enforcement activities and wanted to get out before they became the next vcitim. This is one of the reasons there are so many vacant buildings around the marginal areas of town, which also drag down the property values you speak of.
DOn't you dare come here and try to put the democrat liberal progressive spin on this you little prick. People have had their lives ruined over this crap....landlords and renters alike. Lots of people have lost all trust in government as a result of it. People who are crime victims area afraid to call the Police because the city has the Police looking at the condition of the house and reporting to the code inspectors.
When you talk about the crack head seeling the house to the slumlord or drug dealer, I am assuming you are talking about Nancy Osterman and her house of ill repute at 14 Jessamine.
I am calling right now for Bob to get the photos the Watchdog had of the house on Jessamine and post them so we can all see what kind of condition this home was in that it made people's lives so miserable.
How about the numerous private inspections that were done on this porperty Bob....can we see them?
Perhaps Bob could also get some photos of the house across the street that has been allowed to stand there even yet today. I think the comparison would be dramatic.
Perhaps Lee Helgen would also like to make an announcment about how much better his constituients tell him the area is since the likes of Osterman and her clan have fled the city.
I have forgotten about the many people that have came home from work or vacation and found a "registered Vacant Building" sign on their homes and couldn't even live in them till they spent tens of thousands of dollars doing these BS code compliances the city wants. Would you like me to start in on that also? I know 2 of them as friends, so I could articulate about it quite well or perhaps we could just skip it and let the landlords talk about it to the jury when this thing goes to trial.
You're a "spin miester" Repke and no one is buying it. You're asking us to not believe what we have seen and heard with our own eyes and ears.
to 3:05 If the last paragraph of your statement is true, then you should know that the landlords suing the city were some of the better landlords in town. I know. I live by 2 of them and talk to them regularily when they are taking pictures in the neighborhood. When they had the houses they kept them clean with the grass cut and snow shoveled. Drive by them now and see what you think. 954 & 966 Carroll Avenue. These were some of the best kept houses on the block while the landlords had them. They have been empty for years now, are dirty and unkept, and it is the neighbors who usualy have to cut the grass and shovel the snow. From time to time the city stops out and hauls off the trash. These are in addition to the other dozen of these types of buildings we have within a block either way of me. The city is not inteerested in getting houses in this neighborhood fixed up. What they are interested in is constantly coming out and hitting all the neighbors for fines for not fixing the houses. It's about making money not fixing houses and all on my block know it. Like I said, come see for yourself. I'll be interested in your response after you have driven through my neighborhood.
Chuck -
Just remember, arguing on ademocracy is like being in the special olympics, even if you win, everyone is still retarded.
Retarded as we are we still have civil rights and westill see through your sham inspections programs and we are going to do something about it in the elections in Novemeber.
retarded? You wouldn't be talking about me would you?
Chuck- Bob, here you go again. So, are you saying that what you want is all buildings to be demoed that are in disrepair? That is the position now?
Bob- NO...
Chuck's Spin- See I thought you didn't like the City demoing buildings. I guess I was wrong. You want more buildings demoed. If they aren't occupied knock 'em down.
That is the circular logic that always comes from your side. You complain that the City knocks down one building and say that it was terrible to do, and then you turn around and say the City should knock down all vacant buildings or we are violating equal treatment laws. What is it that you want???
Bob- OK Chuck I will pretend you can fulfill my wishes.
1. I want criminals punished for crime not innocent landlords and other renters.
2.I want Intense Mentoring Programs for the "Worst of the Bunch" at risk youth.We will save lives and help kids without the tools to succeed be productive. Exaple- We need only to look into families like the Lindsey's to understand this. I know members of this family, they are friendly and like able. Mentoring over the last 30 some years would have save lives and helped this family.The legacy now is "Murder A Family Tradition".
3.I want real affordable housing available to be sold to people who earn a minimum of $13 an hour. (I have researched this concept and it is possible with what is termed MICRO HOUSING.
4.I want the private sector to be allowed to establish rooming houses. The type in which every one shares a common bathroom. As a young man I lived above the furniture store on Payne.(DEMOLISHED NOW)
This bathroom we shared in common brought all of us together as a small community within the building. We had to learn to get along and share this bathroom, and you could not help but run into your neighbor. This type of housing is affordable to low income working class. There is many homeless working people.
5. I want elderly people at all cost to be aided in staying in their homes till they part from us.Nancy has a good plan for assisting the elderly using sentence to serve offenders like traffic offenders to shovel snow, mow grass and so on.We have some good programs now that need to be expanded.
6.I don't want to see homeless people rousted from a tent and told to move on without the sleeping bag and tent.
7.I don't believe the City Council is a good place for these housing issues. A court of law is the place for these issues.(politics plays games with justice)
8.I do believe there is homes that need to be demolished. I am a experienced handyman. I can determine the structural integrity of a building Chuck.
9. I'd like to see the old detention center renovated into Micro Housing.
This isn't about buildings. It's about social and behavioral issues and the policies the City uses to address them.
Chuck, there you go again saying these people are my friends. To this DAY, I have not befriended any of the plaintiffs in the lawsuits. THEY DO NOT WANT TO MEET ME EITHER CHUCK! They fear they would jeopardise the integrity of their case I image.
Chuck,my only concern is civil rights violations and low income people.
Chuck if you are not responsible for you tenants burned out car why should I be responsible for my tenants behavior?What am I suposed to do say"referee Yanish,could you please evict this tenant because the racist neighbor to the left of my property says he's selling dope." Wake up Chuck.The city writes me up a tag if a tenant has a flat tire on a vehicle in the driveway.Why the owner of the house a not the tenant.This city sucks!
To Chuck Repke:
I wish I could go through life talking out of both sides of my face. You seem to always have some candyass response to someone when they have a negative opinion about City Government. What do you mean you have been out of City Government for over 10 years? You are so conected with these government folks it makes the playing field so unfair. I am not going to go down to these city council meetings and kiss these arogant people's ass's like you do! I am not in to this. You on the other hand, will go to this level.
You run a non profit Chuck. Your outfit has more benefits than some of these government programs.
By the way Chuck, you do not have the balls to speak out against landlords. You are just afraid we are getting VERY CLOSE TO AN ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN IGNORED FOR LONG ENOUGH!!
For 3:29 I did a quick check on the two properties that you mentioned on Carroll and both have absentee landlords. Both properties were bought in 2005. 966 by a guy in Mpls and the other someone from Apple Valley.
954 Carroll is a vacant building has been written up constantly over the last two years. So, it sounds like the inspecters have been out there.
Not much on 966 Carroll other than being rental.
And Bob, if I could I would grant all of your wishes except 4 and 9. On 4 - shared bathrooms suck. I grew up in a family of seven, sharing one bath that was bad enough... give 'em more bathrooms Bob. And on 9, I don't want to see the county spend anymore money on that money pit that is the jail and West - they should have kept a jail annex in the old jail and they should have never given West Publishing a 15 million dollar tax credit for that dump.
JMONTOMEPPOF
Repke
Repke,
I was involved with you and Thune over 20 years ago. I see you are still using the same tone to people when they speak out about something you say. You are not involved with The City of St Paul Government any longer because why? Tell people why you really are not working for the City of St Paul no longer. Come on Chuck, cat got your tongue?
The Thune-Repke show was, shall we say a little out of the "Norm".
I was there with you Chuck. I saw you almost daily.
You are in an area where you have not idea what is really going on Chuck.
Christine.
ST Paul
As to the statements about me and the house on Jessamine; I had never asked for special treatment from anyone, although the city officials were offering special treatment if I would become an informant and do their dirty work all while risking the lives of my family and I. The consequences were if I did not do their dirty work "I lose my home, my children and my freedom" so I took the consequences from the city instead of putting my family at risk, which makes me question if maybe some law enforcement had forced someone on Burgess to do some dirty work...??? Just a thought being that some past history was made public on one of the individuals there.
I witnessed the inspectors being told to write me up beyond what I could afford to handle, I was told I would be looking at a hole in the ground if I didn't sell to a particular individual, I had no choice but to sell immediately or they would bulldoze... so yes I sold on a contract for deed and recieved a NSF bad check.
The only choice I had is the best one I made for myself and that was treatment and a fight all the way to the court of appeals to get my children back and I won that fight! I could not afford to fight the housing code dept. and comply with codes in which they had no intention of allowing me to ever meet to their satisfaction anyway if you look at the reports each time things were close to being completed the list was added on to.
So yes this former crackhead
(almost 3yrs drugfree) as you would like to call me did lose financially, but it was not necessary for the city to mishandle their power the way they did. What it showed me is that some of the city officials in several of the departments do not operate in a professional manner and/or really care to much about the future of the people in the community or at helping an individual get the actual help they need. I guess we are all suppose to be perfect like they seem to think they are.
Don't worry Nancy, these council members are far from perfect. Why don't we ask Thune and Lantry about their skeletons they have in their closets. We already know Jay B. is a misfit. I'm sure with Lantry's lifestyle, she has plenty to hide (what bars shall we talk about Lantry).
Thune what about you, any other 20K loans you want the city to forgive for you?
"Don't forget Council Members, you still wipe your ass the same way Nancy and the crackheads do".
Whoever is slandering any person who has medical problems must seize and desist. The truth will set us free go to www.divas1.blogspot.com for Knockout Nancy and to Whistleblower www.sharon4council.blogspot.com
futher the Murder of www.cpljimanderson.blogspot.com is paramount
PS The city is having an Earthquake with the Motion to Compell
To 4:21 the point I was trying to make was not that the properties at 954 & 966 Carroll are owned by absentee landlords, but rather the landlords who used to own them did a fine job of taking care of them, and whoever owns them now doesn't lift a finger. We've never even seen the owners and no one has ever moved into0 them since the day they were sold back in 2005. Contrast that with the old owners who around all the time doing something. We also checked on these buildings, one was sold for $200,000.00 and the other for $300,000.00 Who spends that kind of money and never moves in? You're attempts to change the focus of what I had said by introducing the "absentee landlord" term to the discussion is insulting, we're smarter than that. We had "absentee landlords" and they were 2 good landlords and now we have 2 owners who do nothing! And your right the city inspectors have been out here all the time, but nothing has ever gotten fixed in years, they just keep collecting the fines they put on people for not fixing their property.
Hey Repke pass on then news to Dave Thune he is done in this town.He has never met opposition like what he will meet this November.Bar patrons,property rights people and just regular home owners that have been forced to make repairs on their houses why Thune was waiting for the construction season.We are gunning for him.
And you can also Tell Dave to tell Lantry and Helgen their done also.They pushed way to much and now we are poised and ready to push back.We all have nothing else to lose and so much to gain.
The whole thing is digusting and the City Council people should be tar and feathered and run out of town on a rail. Corruption, shake downs, lies, people thrown into the streets, elderly sent to their graves with tears in their eyes and a City Council that does NO investigation, but rather tries to hide grom giving testimony about it. Disgusting, absoloutly disgusting!
Folks I dragged this over here from Saint Paul issues and Forums.. Jeanne, get a life.. It sounds like they are fixing the house up for peet sakes.
See what crawls out from under the rocks at SPIF.. The usual City Hall mascots..
From: Jeanne Weigum Date: 2007-04-10 09:42 (UTC) Short link
The quality of a whole neighborhood is impacted by a single blighted
property. We have a situation right now in my neighborhood that is
interesting and telling.
For several years I suspected the house, 168X Hague (no secret what the
actual number is, but actually there is. There IS no house number on the
structure.) was a trash house. Trash could easily be seen through the
window. The garbage sat in an unemptied can on the boulevard for at least 6
months. I tried to move it but it was too heavy for me to even pull. The
garage door was broken and open and the garbage spilled out. A new porch
was built a few years ago but never painted.
Then a dumpster appeared and the garage disappeared. I saw the woman I
believed to be the owner a few times after that but then she and her car
disappeared too. No building permit has ever appeared on the structure but
gradually over the last several months the place has been gutted in the most
unceremoneous of manners. Plaster, lath, windows, lamp shades, etc. have
been heaved out the windows. Actually most of the window casings have
been removed leaving gaping holes for wind and weather to waft through.
Some of the siding has been removed and that may well be lying in the piles
around the yard also. All and all a huge mess.
Flotsom blows about the neighborhood and there seems to be no end in sight.
Today I called the building inspectors and discovered many permits have been
pulled, although none are visibly posted. It is considered a vacant
building, not surprising since there are no windows. The inspector said
they would check on the progress of the work and look into the litter and
general disorder.
Permit and code inspection? Boy am I for that.
Jeanne Weigum
Living near a trash and trashed house in an otherwise lovely area of Merriam
Park
So Jeanne you would want the HEADHOUSE DEMOLISHED
Dear 7:38 PM
Your statement would be true if only someone would run against Lantry and Thune who were good candidates. Many people would vote for them.
Lets get some names and we will support them. With over 138 posts on this subject and about three on SPIF I can really see where the people are at.
Bob Johnson keep it up!
Fud
Funny how Bob 'lifts' posts from SPIF and then post it here and respond to the post like these people participate or even know about this blog. They don't and they don't care. You're winning a fight without an opponent. In the real world I still see you getting your asses handed to you.
There are about 40 posts on this on SPIF. Without Bob ignoring his own rules about civility, Bill Dahn, the inability to post anything without signing your real name, and a more informed audience, I'd say that SPIF is doing A-OK. Or, should I say E-OK?
What's E-democracy? Oh yeah, I forgot! They don't care? Oh no. You just foiled our plan, broke our hearts, hurt our feelings and shattered our security that they don't like us and don't want to know what we think and feel. Boo hoo hoo. I'm crushed. In this cruel world of men's hearts growing cold, how could those individuals over there be so disinterested in this blog.
But you will come in and chat again now won't you?
Do only landlords get property rights, about their units.
The Property Rights people are thinking to far ahead,
that they already own city hall.
I think one of the reasons Bob post things here from Edemocracy is so the people here can see how ignorant, rediculous, and intelectually lazy the people at Edem are. There is a huge difference in the mindset of the people at both sites, one wants freedoms and civil rights for everyone, and the other site wants those things only when it benifets them. Can you figure out which is which?
Hey 12:51 PM
You said, "There are about 40 posts on this on SPIF."
Where are these so called 40 posts on SPIF that you talk about?
As of 4:47 PM on SPIF under "Courts Order for St. Paul Depositions" there have been only 13 posts.
As I write this there have been 143 posts on this topic here on A-Democracy.
That is very telling.
Has anyone put their name forward to run against Lantry or Thune?
Keep on posting and drive SPIF into the ground.
Fud
The 'braintrust' here at this blog seems to be comparing its bubba banter to the discussions that happen at E-Democracy. You're way off.
E-democracy is not a blog, its a listserve of an online community. SPIF is but one of many. For those of you that make up your own minds go here: http://e-democracy.org/
Aside from Saint Paul, there is Canterbury, New Zealand http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/canterburyissues/index.html
There is Brighton and Hove over in the UK:
http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/bh/index.html
Also in the UK the city of Bristol has two:
one for Knowle West neighborhood and the other for the Greater Bedminster area:
http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/kw-forum/index.html
http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/bemmy-forum/index.html
And, when in the UK- how can you forget London?
The Newham borough in London is here:
http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/newham-issues/index.html
Bringing it back to sweet home Minnesota, you can discuss state politics here:
http://www.e-democracy.org/mn-politics/
Minneapolis Issues here:
http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/mpls/index.html
Winona:
http://www.e-democracy.org/winona/
Roseville:
http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/roseville-issues/index.html
And everyone over here' favorite:
http://www.e-democracy.org/stpaul/
With plans set for Chicago, Atlanta, Blacksburg Virginia, Toronto, LA, Portland, Utah, Colorado and Washington DC later this year- SPIF is only a small part of a very big E-democracy.
I know it is a sorry shame Democrats are pulling the wool over the publics eyes with their false doctrine E Democracy.
What have republicans done for anyone?
You have a point! It is time to vote LIBERTARIAN!
Hmmmm, find me a true Libertarian (not a Democrat or Republican reject) and you may just get a vote out of me.
My experience is that these guys are either anti-everything (therefore not sure of what to stand for) or using the Libertarians for their own personal agenda that runs against the Libertarian Platform.
I'm a Dem and think that a couple of Libertarians on the Council can really raise the level of discussion. Unfortunately there's not a Ward left that could elect one. That's why I support two city-wide council seats.
The Republicans have done nothing. There is no organization to speak of.
There is only one elected Republican in St. Paul and he is on the school board. The rest are DFLers. If you look at the city council, there are four very liberal-progressive DFLers (Jay, Lee, Kathy and Dave) and three independent minded individuals (Pat, Debbie and Dan) who are doing the people's work.
There needs to be a change in St. Paul. This mentality that it is business as usual has to change. The stories told here are very telling. About four years ago a friend and I sat in housing court to see what happens. We saw a large number of people sitting waiting to talk to the judge about their problem. I had never seen so many people in court before. I saw first hand old people who really could not afford to fix their property, making ends meat treated like scum. They were old and in some cases they were just helpless. We went back on two other days and the place was full.
Recently, Take Action Minnesota Board voted unanimously to endorse the following candidates: (Liberal – Progressive take away your rights individuals)
City Council - Ward 7
Kathy Lantry
City Council - Ward 2
Dave Thune
St. Paul School Board
Anne Carroll
Keith Hardy
Kazoua Kong-Thao
Kevin Riach
The question I have for everyone, are these the people that we want to representing us in St. Paul?
Scary thought.
An even scarier thought is what if we do nothing and just let them get elected and continue this purge of St. Paul?
Ya know I keep hearing some support here for Council people Harris,Montgomery & Bostrom.
Look at their voting record. they are sheep. They vote right along side these not so fabulous 4.
When was the last time anyone seen a NAY on any vote on any issue?
I think I seen maybe 1 NAY in a year and a half.
You got that right Bob.
Montgomery stood by and allowed many blacks to be displaced via an out of control code enoforcement in Frogtown.
Bob -
I still like Bostrom better than his opponent who is "progressive".
From City Hall Scoop:
Class Clown Dan Bostrom offered the following amendment today to a City Council resolution spelling out in black and white that protesters would be welcomed at the Republican National Convention when it comes to St. Paul in 2008:
"And be it VERY FINALLY resolved, to avoid the undue angst and the hard feelings of the RNC, visiting protesters, hometown protesters, and other citizens of St. Paul who want to do their daily business in St. Paul without the disruption and inconvenience of a national convention, the St. Paul City Council, choosing to forego any monetary or other tangible benefits to our community, therefor encourages the Republican National Convention to locate elsewhere."
Unfortunately for some, it wasn't added to the resolution.
At least Dan has a sense of how stupid most of some of things our progressive candidates do.
3:43, I would publicly support anyone who is for REAL change.
I am concerned for low income people of all ethnic groups. Some people in City government would disparately want us to believe there wasn't an all out effort to displace low income people for the middle class. There WAS, and for all I know still is.
Our minority youth are being profiled and harassed by the police for the color of their skin and what they wear.This has to stop. Hassle crooks not innocent people.
And of coarse we have the issues of blaming landlords, businesses,and multiple others for criminals behaviors all because it is easier to package crime in these terms to minimize political fallout over our social ills."PEOPLE COMMIT CRIMES NOT BUILDINGS"
Micro housing can benefit a City.
We have this invest in Saint Paul. Lets really make a big impact with that funding and minimally renovate the old detention center as micro housing rentals.
The cells in the old detention center are very large by jail standards.This would make an ideal rooming house. These rooms could be rented for about $325 to $375 a month.Almost indistructable rental housing. A landlords dream.
I forget how many cells (ROOMS) there is but this could be substantial revenue for the City to ease the burden on us tax payers.
Mentoring program- Oh boy, this is the big one for me here. If there was anything that could impact a society this is it! We need to identify the worst of the bunch and get over this thought we can house criminals forever.. IT DOESN'T WORK!!! One bad guy "on the life installment plan" (term used for habitual criminals)can lead a life time of crime in which people die, lives are torn.
I hear about some after school programs and some deal to paint the elderly homes. This is all good, but, we can do more without spending big money.
Also, Nancy Osterman suggest we put traffic offenders sentence to serve to work helping elderly and disabled mow grass & shovel snow.
On another note concerning micro housing. I'd like to see the REAL definition of affordable housing come about in the form of Micro Housing Condominiums.
This gives a person earning $12-$15 an hour an oppurtunity to have a stake in their community. This type of affordable housing ($35,000 a unit 250-350 sq. feet) can help jump start a students career. They wouldn't be wasting money on rent. They would be investing. Also, the blue collar man who is lacking the ability to achieve could achieve the American Dream of home ownership. We all win when others feel hope.
With a stroke of a pen the City can bring back rooming houses from the private sector. This will have immediate effects also.
The mentoring programs are costly. However, everything else I speak of is attainable and would give us the biggest bang for the dollar.
Now that I have said all this. I want you the reader to think about how wishy washy these campaign speechs have been so far.
Montgomery fought the progressives when they opposed every business that was 'big box' tried to open on University avenue. Well those big box stores were offering jobs at 11/hr and she got them to agree to hire 80% from the very neighborhoods that people find it ok to have high unemployment rates.
She was working on some pretty good housing and has said over and over that there is enough affordable housing in Ward One- we just got to get people in them.
Most of Frogtown is in Ward 5- Lee Helgen. Montgomery lost her family home in Rondo due to I-94 and she has put some pretty good legislation forth to protect homeowners from that same fate do to light rail, new developments.
Do Check their records.
---------------
9:13
Others that Take Action has endorsed:
Ward 1-Melvin Carter III
Ward 4-Bernie Hess
Ward 5-Lee Helgen
Ward 6-Pakou Hang
Mr Chuck Repke
I really like would you said about being at my home in 1996,
you said you were there as the former aid to councilman Dave Thune.
If you were there do to me begging the Mayors office, Dave Thune and so many others.
here is a web page that says there was sewer gas coming in through the furnace from the work that RAP did in 9-1995
READ THIS PLEASE
http://www.angelfire.com/
mn3/billdahn/houseberkley.html
Please read this site and see where in December 1998 and it was sent to Dean Barley.
This comment back to you Chuck, shows that I was saying that my house was making me Sick from the fumes.
Jesse and Dean got Sick in there after 20 minutes.
But after Dean and RAP agreed that there was sewer gas going through
my home from the work done by RAP.
The city and all involved let me stay in that home fighting for my rights as a human being.
I had a call from the Humane Society after they found the sewer gas.
They said to get my two cats out of the house, or they would come and take them.
Ckuck -- That house was NOT FIT FOR my CATS.
BUT it was fit for ME?
Now with the e-mail you sent me saying you were working on this, and then the City Attorneys office said to stop helping me.
1 year ago you said one thing and now you make it look like they said before you came out to help me.
One way or another
That house was NOT SAFE FOR ME OR MY TWO CATS.
And the city of St.Paul "condemn's"
homes for the smallest reason,
and they let me in that home until
9-11-2001.
After spending all my money fighting for my right to good housing.
Lost To Forcloser 9-11-2001
That was 6 years, after the fight began!
If a house is NOT SAFE to live in The City Inspectors should have "condemn" it when they were there with the people from RAP,and NSP in 1996.
Bill Dahn
www.billdahn.com
651-453-1992
5:24, there is no affordable housing to someone earning 12-$15,000 a year anywhere in the City. I have the research reports for the City.They are linked to the right of the screen on the front page.(The homeless report)
Also, I question why Council woman Montgomery hasn't done anything to address racial profiling. She is a black woman and must not be ignorant to this subject.
Vast numbers of minority people are being harassed by police for nothing more than the color of their skin and how they dress.
As for housing issues. I have spoken with a number of black people who have had trouble with code enforcement. They call her to try and get some help. She does not return their calls.
I did like what I heard about Council woman Montgomery and the big box's and labor. Good for her and those it has benefited!
I wonder if the City Council will welcome the property rights protesters as well who will want to show the world what a corrupt brand of leadership we have here in St Paul? Or maybe they were just talking about protesters who want to bash Republicans?
Bob and Nancy,
Whatever happened to Steve Manger. He was photographed taking Items from a house that was about to be demolished.
Does he still have a job?
Was he ever prosecuted for taking these items?
I would like a follow up on this
Interested on the Eastside.
Word around town is that Magner got a promotion....probably to shut him up in the corruption scandle so he doesn't rat out the others. That's the way it usually works!
Did anybody see the movie, "THE TOWERING INFERNO"?
It is about a dedication ceremony of The Glass Tower, the world's tallest skyscraper.
The original plans were designs, above quality for safety reasons.
A contractor changes electrical blueprints, just to save money in deal that had a tremendous kickback.
Then the developers saved on the bid, and brought down the quality of safety.
The overloud to the electrical, causes fire that kills many.
Who cares?
They made a 2 million dollar savings, do to poor craftsmanship on the electrical alone.
Get the DVD or Tape
See how people say,
" Money Talks"!
4:45 -
You're seeing a whole team of psychiatrists aren't you.
11:15 - 4:45's problem is that he isn't seeing a whole team of psychiatrists.
I heard we have an african-american woman in the lawsuit against the city, she is a woman and of the protected class, with the other protected class represented by landlords with all civil right violations. Where is our Urban League? The NAACP? The Federal government on our rights being violated? We african -americans have the right to live in this city! All I see is city policies, courts, police and code enforcement on the landlord so they don't rent to us. That's discrimination and racism. I will not stop here and neither should any of you, youall be next!
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