St. Paul orders tenants out of condemned site
Please click oto the COMMENTS for the story.
posted by Bob at Saturday, November 20, 2010
Custom Search
Saturday, November 20, 2010
A DEMOCRACY TOWN HALL HOME
Do you have a topic you want to discuss at the Town Hall? Email your request to A_Democracy@yahoo.com
“A DEMOCRACY” Disclaimer- While the administrators and moderators of this forum will attempt to remove or edit any generally objectionable material as quickly as possible, it is impossible to review every message. Therefore you acknowledge that all posts made to this forum express the views and opinions of the author and not the administrators, moderators (except for posts by these people) and hence will not be held liable.
You agree not to post any abusive, obscene, vulgar, slanderous, hateful, threatening, sexually-oriented or any other material that may violate any applicable laws. Doing so may lead to you being immediately and permanently banned
THE ROOF GUYS
Mickey's Diner 1950 7th Street West, St Paul, MN
(651) 698-8387
AX-MAN SURPLUS
1639 University Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55104
Tel:(651)646-8653
LANDLORD.COM LINK HERE
SHHHH! While we listen to words of wisdom from a wise man.
Conscience is the light of the Soul that burns within the chambers of our psychological heart. It is as real as life is. It raises the voice in protest whenever anything is thought of or done contrary to the righteousness. Conscience is a form of truth that has been transferred through our genetic stock in the form of the knowledge of our own acts and feelings as right or wrong. A virtuous and courageous person can alone use the instrument of conscience. He or she can alone hear the inner voice of the soul clearly. In a wicked person this faculty is absent. The sensitive nature of his / her conscience has been destroyed by sin or corruption. Hence he or she is unable to discriminate right from wrong. Those who are leading organizations, business enterprises, institutions and governments should develop this virtue of the ability to use their own conscience. This wisdom of using the clean conscience will enable them to enjoy the freedom.
Dr APJ Kalam, President of India given during the inauguration of the seminar on “THE EFFECTS OF CORRUPTION ON GOOD GOVERNANCE AND HUMAN RIGHTS
Previous Posts
- The next generation of public housing: A closer lo...
- UPDATE Saint Paul Fair housing lawsuits/ City deni...
- From Barack's classmate........
- In historic push, Minnesota Republicans grab contr...
- Pioneer Press/ St. Paul, Minneapolis get $16 milli...
- Pioneer Press/ On paper anyway, a tough choice for...
- Minnesota Boxing Great and friend of A Democracy T...
- Saint Paul Housing Lawsuits Update/ PLAINTIFFS-APP...
- St. Paul hires new chief of safety, inspection
- St. paul man sees valuable possessions; City sees ...
140 Comments:
St. Paul orders tenants out of condemned site
Last update: November 20, 2010 - 1:11 AM
The city of St. Paul on Friday condemned a building that houses at least 20 residential tenants and a corner grocery store, and ordered everybody out by 8 a.m. Monday.
The action came after the building failed a third inspection.
After several earlier warnings, the City Council on Wednesday night gave landlord Jeffrey DeLisle two days to get almost 100 items fixed or risk condemnation. A representative of DeLisle said that night that the work would be completed.
DeLisle declined to comment Friday.
The three-story building at 520 Rice St. was built in 1889. Inspection reports allege code violations ranging from electrical problems to holes in ceilings to an unsafe stairway exit.
About a dozen residents attended the public hearing Wednesday and told the council that they didn't want to leave their apartments.
Council members said they didn't want to put people out, but that they also couldn't allow them to stay in a dangerous situation.
"It's not the kind of place where I can sleep at night knowing there are people there," said City Council Member Melvin Carter III, who was at Friday's inspection.
CHRIS HAVENS
Well sometimes the city has a point.
Sullivan Construction is working hard to fix the place up.
Look at who has inspected the place. Same players, same old story. Did Magner's friend offer this guy a short sale for the property? My guess that by next Friday the place will be just a hole in the ground.
12-27-2004
UNIT #7. FIRE -- THE OCCUPANT WAS FOUND IN THE ROOM OF ORIGIN WHEN THE F.D. ARRIVED. THE VICTIM WAS TRANSPORTED VIA MEDIC #4 TO REGIONS HOSPITAL. MEDIC #25814. THE VICTIM WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AND HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE.
Does anyone know anything about DSI Inspector Joel Essling?
I need this info ASAP.
Anonymous said...
Well sometimes the city has a point.
10:43 AM
My response;
BULLSHIT! I have known people who lived in this building for over 30 years. It is old but it is livable.
The real intentions of the city in Andy Dawkins own words is to remove the lowest rung of rental properties. This objective makes landlords like Delisle a target.
Melvin Carter, I can hardly wait to canvass your ward with literature about you and the true intentions of this city. Every time I lay a paper down on a porch or door step with stories about you and the city of Saint Paul I will get great satisfaction!
How bout that, the word verification for this comment is "Berate".
Bob, the fact that you know people that live there is beside the point.
If the building is not up to code then how can you argue against it ?
DeLisle has created his own problems and that is evident by the fact that he has people trying to get it fixed.
He pushed the city to the edge and now he is standing over a cliff ready to take his tenants with him if he doesn't get the repairs made by Monday.
Save your sympathy for a landlord who really needs it.
12:23, not up to code? Who's code? The city of Saint Paul or state code?
The city is violating state law when they force a property owner to bring his buildings up to standards far above state building codes(Morris vs Sax). They are violating Jeff Delisle's rights and creating a burden on the families who have to vacate this building, and the city is doing all this under the "false" pretense of safety.
12:23 said;
DeLisle has created his own problems and that is evident by the fact that he has people trying to get it fixed.
My response;
Bullshit once again. The city is threatening all kinds of actions to force Jeff to make these repairs he isn't legally required to do.
One more thing, I know Jeff Delisle. I have emailed Jeff and asked him to join our property rights group. I want him to have the advantages of being in the know and to have access to the best attorneys to deal with these rogue entities in city government.
With every property owner the city screws over our numbers grow larger. Expanding the financial resources to wage an honorable fight against city corruption.
More threats big deal. Your problem with this group Bob is that they are OK with just complaining here. They don't show up for hearings, they don't show up political debates, they don't show up for anything. So, why should the city feel threatened by them. At least the Tea Party knows how to mobilize vocal groups to get people to listen.
1:12, or should I say ERIC?
SO you think my statement was a weak threat. GOOD!
You can say what you will about our group, the fact is we have been vocal in many ways.
A full page Pioneer Press ad describing the city of Saint Paul's dirty dealings and referring citizens to our group.
Thousands of Watchdog News papers passed out door to door. And thousands of A Democracy Town Hall News letters passed out door to door.
Hundreds of people linking stories at this town hall all over the Internet.
And of coarse it is our group having luck suing the city's ass all the way to the supreme court!
And now our group is working on lobbying the legislature now that it has been turned over to a house that will listen to us.
Bob, over 100 violations reported and a faulty stairs can make for a pretty serious injury.
Out of 100, you would think at least 20 of them were out of compliance with even a partially lawful city code.
Every old home in the city has code violations. Any of you homeowners in the city don't believe me send me your address and I will hook you up with a free code inspection compliments of the city.
Why is the city going after this building now? It passed a code inspection last year! Many of the repairs the city is asking surpasses state building codes and have nothing to do with health and safety issues and everything to do with the cosmetics of the building.
The city is attempting to do away with more affordable private sector housing.
All it takes is for one disgruntled tenant to call in and complain and the city is then obligated to come out and inspect.
You act Bob as if the city has DSI employess staked out at DeLisles property.
The fact that there was an apparant inspection on the property last year indicates that DeLisle was allowed to slide.
Is it really so bad to have a city code that requires you to keep your building and property looking presentable ?
The city gave this landlord the appropriate amount of time to comply and it's still possible to meet the deadline.
It has to be a disgruntled tenant that has called him in.
All it takes is for one disgruntled tenant to call in and complain and the city is then obligated to come out and inspect.
My response;
The city uses these complaining tenants to aide in fulfilling their agenda of removing the lowest rung of rental properties.
MOST OFTEN a low income renter never complains about damages unless they come up short to pay the rent. Then they think of anything they can to complain about.
Many renters who do not have their rent abuse the system the city set up to deal with negligent landlords. They complain about damages "they most often caused" and never reported to their landlord. The city is all to anxious to accommodate these renters who complain because it helps them in fulfilling their objectives of removing the lowest rung of rental properties from private investors. It is an all out attack on capitalism.
These well intended but foolish people in city government believe the government can do a better job of providing housing to the poor vs the private sector.
Now Jeff Delisle is left with only 2 options. *1. Renovate the building to the point it is almost new and raise rents, no longer making this affordable housing. OR, #2. Join our group and fight these out of control government officials.
You can call me what or who you want, fact is, the landlords are not a vocal or politically active group.
There was a debate advertised on here between the Senate candidates on the East Side and no one showed up.
Betty McCollum had town halls across St Paul in October, no one showed up.
The Mayor ran for re-election and his opponent, a genuine Republican, could not get enough money to even make a decent run for it. The city council was pretty much re-elected. The County Attorney, who is instrumental with landlords, is a strong DFLer. Even the open judge seat went to the party hack, less experienced DFLer.
You guys need a win. The legislature is not on your side. Have you forgotten what happened two years ago when you were going to get a hearing? The Republican didn't even ask for real time to get it on the record. Now that the Republicans are running the show, let's what excuse they come up with.
Bottom line, you don't give enough money, you don't have a big enough following and you don't make enough noise. Why should any elected official listen to you? You know that when they do, the voice from the people who don't want problem properties in their backyards will be louder.
You need a better plan. This one has done nothing but cost a lot of ink. You said the city is in violation of state law. That's a good point to build a rally around. The tea party will rally around that.
What law are they in violation of? Why won't the state do anything about it?
Don't give me any bullshit about the state doesn't care or they are all in bed together because that's just not true. Its a bullshit answer when you don't have the evidence.
The city is all to anxious to accommodate these renters who complain because it helps them in fulfilling their objectives of removing the lowest rung of rental properties from private investors. It is an all out attack on capitalism.
-
-
How can it be an attack on capitalism when the lowest rung usually have section 8 and other government subsidies? That's not capitalism, it dependence on the government for income or business- welfare. Its capitalism, in a socialism kind of way.
Capitalism is the property that is at market rate, making above the rate profit.
Feeding off people who feed off the government makes you a parasite on the tax dollars.
2:43 you make some valid points.
It has been difficult to organize property investors. The number one reason for this is personal experience of investors being retaliated against by the city.
And posting multiple stories here of documented evidence the city is "retaliatory". Makes a lot of investors want to run for cover and hope they don't become a target.
Then there is the investors who just can't believe what we are saying until it happens to them.
We also have folk's who believe the only answer to this problem is sue sue sue! And they aren't willing to seek change through negotiation. They grew tired of begging for a partnership of working hand in hand with the city to resolve these issue. These citizens were offended by the disrespect and unprofessional treatment they received from code inspectors and city officials. They are shocked at the lies and deceit at every turn.
Although, there is a small group of us who have been very vocal and put our money and actions where our mouth is!
Our numbers were very small in the beginning but we have grown substantially over the years.
For obvious reasons most members of our group wish to be anonymous.
Judging from your comment, you are a regular reader of this forum. I believe I know who you are. I can't believe you don't have the gut's to sign your name. I won't push that issue. You only know what you see here. This forum is not representative of everything being done to strive for change. This forum does not represent the opinion of everyone in our group.
The opinions expressed here are of those of us who feel we have nothing to lose or maybe looking for a civil fight of wills, what we see as good vs evil.
2:50,
Citizens who collect government subsides spend the money in grocery stores, gas stations, fast foods, health clinics on and on. Are these businesses or establishments parasites too?
It is an attack on capitalism because these private investors provide housing for the poor with money they earned. Tax payers aren't paying for the upkeep of this housing like they are at PHA.
Delisle has provided housing to the poor for many decades and never had a problem until recent years.
Betty McCollum had town halls across St Paul in October, no one showed up.
Finney supports her. She can't be trusted.
DFL shitbags in Saint Paul city government can't be trusted they are busy covering their ass from the fallout of disparate impact.
I expect the city of St. Paul will try to negotiate their way out of this mess with the landlords, so they can get dispirate impact behind them and continue their dirty ways.
It appears that DSI promotions are dependent on levels of visciousness.
It will be interesting to see what happens.
What I think is a shame in these situations is that the tenants remedies act isn't used to order the repairs and set up a receiver to hold the property and make the repairs.
The State TRA allows tenants to withhold rent, assign a non-profit to become temporary receiver of the property, use the rent monies to make the repairs of the property and keep the tenants in the building.
If we are concerned about the impact on tenants we should use that more often.
JMONTOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
Now that would be a responsible way to handle these types of situations Chuck! You have plenty of connections with the city and non-profit organizations why don't you push for some actions? It would be great to see the homes of these people saved by Monday!
Chuck,
I have a question for you. How do you handle a dispute with the city? The city automatically thinks you are guilty.
When one asks questions or goes to a higher body in the city, the city inspectors come down on you harder. I am working with a friend who is having a dispute with the city. Every time he tries to resolve the situation it gets worse and worse for them.
I have even called the city and it is very difficult to work with them.
Chuck do you know someone to turn to for help?
Many of these issues could be worked administratively, but the code inspectors are too quick to issue orders when the issue could be resolved before it gets to that point, thus saving the city a lot of time and money. My friend talked to the city before the orders were issued, but this was of no use.
7:33,
You ask how to handle a dispute with the city ? Sounds like your itching for a fight your most likely going to lose before you've opened your mouth.
Landlords just need to keep their properties up and compliant to avoid confrontation with the city.
As evident in the DeLisle case, this irresponcible landlord neglected and ignored serious repairs to the possible detriment to his tenants.
He attempts to fix them only when faced with shut down.
I am sure his tenants appreciate him just enough to want to ring his neck.
Did his tenants not pay their rent ?
Any responcible landlords has an escrow account for just that purpose. TO MAKE REPAIRS !!!!!!!!
Finally, your resolved to asking Chuck to help you solve your problem.
Chuck may have a good sence of how the city works, but Chuck has no power to issue a reprieve.
Get your shit together brother and take care of your property or get out of the buisness.
8:10 AM
Your comment glows with ignorance!You need to educate yourself with the truth and not the propaganda city elites expect you to believe.
Your problem Bob is that your blind sighted to seeing only one point of view. Your not only hostile and bitter, but your also stale.
If you read the Star Tribune and the comments section it will shed some light on why the property at 520 Rice St. is having difficulties with the city. It is not all about code violations, that is a lame excuse to remove these families from their home! Complaints, police calls, and possible drug dealers hanging out on that corner is the truth behind it.
We all know that the city will use code violations to get rid of people. If you go to the city permits online and rad through it many of the violations are very minor such as several light fixtures with missing/broken covers (typically broken accidentally by tenant, broken outlet covers, torn/missing screens (Possibly removed by tenant(window Ac units). Holes in walls/ceiling (no threat to humans) and yes tenants/children cause holes in ceiling & walls. Out of 100 issues over half are minor and the MANY are repeated over and over. Then how many are fabricated or possibly corrected already?
The city would rather see these families homeless for the holidays over what appears to be an issue that relates back to what the city calls a problem property and rather than handle the individuals causing problems it is easier to rid the city of the property and families.
I am not blind sided. I am immersed in the truth, surrounded by victims of the city.
It isn't possible for hundreds of citizens in Saint Paul to have the same story of malicious treatment by the city and all of this not be the truth, they don't even know each other. What we have here like with any CRIMINALS is a Motive of Operandi that has been established to screw citizens out of their property.
If you knew me personally you would know I am not hostile or bitter. I am tenacious and focused on seeing this issue resolved. What that means is when the fair housing lawsuits go away, I will still be grinding the axe until the city changes it's way.
Sure is easy for you being your own critic isn't it Bob ? Because you don't have to bear the truth that not every effort of the city to make it a better and safer place to live is a hostile and out to get you motive. True, i don't know you personally but following this blog for a long time now It's not hard to see where you stand and in my opinion, you have lost an ability to keep an open mind about the bottom line. Safety and neighborhood wellness.
The system is broken 8:10 AM. My friend has a good property, but in dealing with city officials is the problem. Too many code enforcement officials think they are above the law and they get off on that.
In looking back at just a few cases that have been brought here, we see how several city officials have abused their office. One of Bob's friends killed himself because of the city's actions. The city was unwilling to work with him, as they were following Mayor Kelly's "Code to the Max."
There was a lady over on the East Side, I think Helgen's district where they tore down a very nice house. If I remember correctly a city official was even caught taking things out of the garage of the house to be torn down.
Even Chuck was a victim to retaliation by an individual who called the city on his house. All too often the city is used as a means to "get back" at another. They aren't man enough to face their intended target face to face and have to have the city do their dirty work.
No my friend does not have a "piece of shit" property as you claim, just city hall out of control.
If you read further into this picture of 520 Rice St. you will see that the main cause of this code to max is from complaints such as; police calls, noise, and possible drug dealers hanging out on the corner. The city then came in to do a complete code inspection as their way to rid the city of what they consider problem people thus hurting many families once again that are innocent.
If you go to the city of St. Paul's online permits you will see that this property passed inspection recently in 2020. Also many permits have been pulled to make corrections. The list of violations repeats several minor issues such as; broken outlet cover plates (usually tenant caused), light fixture covers missing/broke (typically tenant caused sometimes accidentally), torn/missing screens (tenant caused as well usually sometimes removed for window AC units then accidentally damaged or misplaced.
By reading the list you can read between the lines and even a blind person could see that the city is obviously coding to the max to rid the city of the people living there and using the building as their escape method again.
8:49 AM
I disagree with you assessment of the situation. Bob has been tireless in his efforts to hold the city accountable for their actions.
Shadow knows all.
That should of read: passed inspection recently in 2010.
Look, almost 100 violations ? Add to that several warnings to make repairs and we begin to see a landlord who neglected his buisness obligations.
When you do that, you may lose the right to operate a buisness same as any resteraunter who won't keep his kitchen cleaned and gets shut down by the Department of Health.
I guess i just see this landlord trying to make and save a buck from a property he bought for pennys on the dollar and he probably lives out of the city limits. Even if this landlord lives in the city, no excuse not to be fully aware of the conditions of his property and he sure is close enough to make repairs on a daily basis.
Hire a caretaker for christs sake.
Not for Christs sake, for his tenants sake.
Look, the Dorthy day runs a homeless shelter for some of the most unkept and sometimes crimminal type but also for many unfortunate souls. The center too, has to make the grade with keeping it's property compliant and as safe as possible. if they can do it so can you. Don't hand me a line Bob that I'am out of touch !!!!!!!!!!
9:10, the truth was posted at 8:54AM!
Like I said over and over for years here, the city is removing the lowest rung of rental properties at every opportunity they have. And if that means twisting the truth and violating citizens rights along the way to meet their objectives they do it!
Look, the Dorthy day runs a homeless shelter for some of the most unkept and sometimes criminal type but also for many unfortunate souls. The center too, has to make the grade with keeping it's property compliant and as safe as possible. if they can do it so can you. Don't hand me a line Bob that I'm out of touch !!!!!!!!!!
9:23 AM
My response;
And all the landlords suing the city have better kept rental properties than most private home owners.
And Jeff Delisle has provided clean safe affordable housing with his father for decades. Doesn't it seem odd that Delisle has never been on the public radar like this until recently? Isn't it odd this building on Rice just passed a code inspection in recent months and now the city is after him?
Who was right, the first code inspector who passed the property in recent months or the second one who inspected it lately?
8:49 said;
Sure is easy for you being your own critic isn't it Bob ? Because you don't have to bear the truth that not every effort of the city to make it a better and safer place to live is a hostile and out to get you motive.
My response;
I have said numerous times in the past and present the city is well intended. I don't agree with their objectives and I think they are foolish with the approach to their objectives.
The city is OUT OF CONTROL they have NO right to hurt so many people needlessly over and over!
Whats wrong with removing the lowest "rung" of rental property ?
Raise the standard for christs sake ! That starts with personal and financial responcibility.
You know if you look at the city as a buisness, you can find many comparisins to that of other buisnesses that do what ever they can to get customers and advance whatever line of community product they happen to be involved in.
Many landlord's in these kinds of neighborhoods will always hope that he can slide as long as possible to maintain a profit margin.
The city is not just leading us to believe they work for us, they are revenue machines that can only be sustained through enforcement and taxes.
You can get rid of the beast by following the code.
If like you say, the city is engaged in a comprhensive operation of illegally enforcing the code, then you do what the landlords do and fight them in court.
But you can't just lambaste everyone in city hall for the actions of a few corrupt city officials.
From the article;
About a dozen residents attended the public hearing Wednesday and told the council that they didn't want to leave their apartments.
Council members said they didn't want to put people out, but that they also couldn't allow them to stay in a dangerous situation.
"It's not the kind of place where I can sleep at night knowing there are people there," said City Council Member Melvin Carter III, who was at Friday's inspection.
My response;
Melvin how is the immediate threat of freezing to death in the streets better than the enormous odds that this building will never burn to the ground? I'm sure you will sleep better at night knowing these people could be freezing but who cares you helped white institutional racist empty another building that houses minorities. Chalk one up for the token Oreo cookie of the city of Saint Paul.
Not only will these people lose their housing, most of them will be forced to sell possessions and have other related cost to being thrown out into the street. The city will be ruining lives as they have over and over in the past.
Since the city council is so concerned about the welfare of these tenants maybe they will offer up their homes for refuge when they kick these women and children out into the streets.
Bob, they figure they will just go down to Dorty Day and the city will be proud that it's contributions to the center financially are paying off.
Bob ? Instead of asking Carter how he feels, ask DeLisle how he would feel.
10:18 said;
Whats wrong with removing the lowest "rung" of rental property ?
My response;
Ever play monopoly? Not all of us are born with a silver spoon stuck up our ass. We start at the bottom of the economic ladder and work our way up.
Low income properties like Mediterranean and Baltic is where we start.
Affordable private sector housing in the late 60's and early 70's allowed my parents to obtain a better life. They saved money, built credit and bought a home in Highland.
I have used the lowest rung of private sector rental housing to recover from a financial crisis.
Removing the lowest rung of rental properties removes opurtunity for many who do not have wealthy families to support them.
10:19 said;
You can get rid of the beast by following the code.
My response;
A city code that surpasses the state code and violates Morris vs Sax. You got the beast part right.
10:19 said;
If like you say, the city is engaged in a comprhensive operation of illegally enforcing the code, then you do what the landlords do and fight them in court.
But you can't just lambaste everyone in city hall for the actions of a few corrupt city officials.
My response;
I can and I will. The present city council and mayor in Saint Paul support all the policies that have put the city at great financial risk with these lawsuits. It is my right and responsibility to tell the story that isn't being told in public.
It's one thing to purchase a home cheaply for the purpose of raising a family, but rental property requires an added respocibility to tenants you hardly know. Your comparing apples to oranges Bob.
The city fucked up here when it violated Morris but chalk that up to an ass licking city attorney who ignored the code as written when compared to state law. The city attorney will fight for the city with all it's will and financial resources, as has been the case here with the landlords.
Then, you have an overeaching DSI Department running hogwild and this is what you get.
For landlords, nobody ever said it was going to be easy. I am willing to bet that not one of DeLisle's violations he was cited for exceeds state code compared to city code. If I'am wrong, let him come on here and point this out and he will have my sympathy.
Bob ? Instead of asking Carter how he feels, ask DeLisle how he would feel.
10:50 AM
My response;
I have heard these stories time and again for over 5 years.
Like anyone who crosses paths with this bunch, he can't believe this is the America or the city he grew up in.
Bob, when you live in one of the most powerful nations in the world, expect anything. If our president can lie to us at the peril of our young men and women, what makes you think something like a code enforcement scandel is anymore or less signifigant ?
Your just a peon like everyone else and they have the power and you don't.
Until you actually rid city hall of those particularly responcible, it's going to be more of the same.
St.Pauls motto is move it or lose it and my way or the highway.
Bob you said, "Who was right, the first code inspector who passed the property in recent months or the second one who inspected it lately?"
You are 100% correct. One inspector says it is ok, then another one comes by with a new standard. This is the whole argument, code enforced differently, no uniformity.
If an inspector has it out for someone, like with Nancy's situation then anything goes. There was nothing Nancy could have done to save her home because Steve Magner wanted her to sell the house to his friend.
I saw the pictures of the home and it looked very nice. The city got picky because they could. Nancy's house was better than the majority of homes in St. Paul, but the city had it in for Nancy.
11:19 said;
It's one thing to purchase a home cheaply for the purpose of raising a family, but rental property requires an added respocibility to tenants you hardly know. Your comparing apples to oranges Bob.
My response;
Let me clarify this for you. My parents "rented" a home for $125 a month at 721 Laurel. This neighborhood was predominantly black until the city gentrified it. No apples and oranges analogy here.
I promise you if renters were given a choice, 99% of them would waive the DSI inspection. It is pitiful the government has determined a certain segment of our society (renters) should have their homes inspected.
What the government isn't telling folks is these inspections are also illegal unauthorized searches for contraband. That's right police work hand in hand training these inspectors what to look for in renters homes. In the name of security and safety why not extend all this to private homes too? Andy Dawkins the former director of code enforcement stated the city in the long term should get into every home in Saint Paul for an inspection.
Sounds a little creepy to me. Everyone is suspect to Big Brother.
This is the crime strategy of the future we are implementing right here in Saint Paul.
If youy watched the Video with the SMRLS lawyer, also Chad Lemmons it would be reasonable that the City m,ust pay relocation costs to the Tenants
"But you can't just lambaste everyone in city hall for the actions of a few corrupt city officials."
Why not lambast evryone? The good ones are just as bad as the bad ones because they refuse to blow the whistle on them. They just keep holding their hand out and taking the paychecks and don't give a shit who gets hurt as long as it isn't them.
"Removing the lowest rung of rental properties removes opurtunity for many who do not have wealthy families to support them."
Opportunity? Are you fickin nuts or what? The DFL doesn't want opportunity, they want dependence on them so they can solve a problem!
"Andy Dawkins the former director of code enforcement stated the city in the long term should get into every home in Saint Paul for an inspection."
Maybe Mr. Dawkins should have gotten busy fixing the dumps he had. While his gang was out ruining other people's lives with the illegal code enofrcement, his places had plenty of the same violations.....as did the property of other city officials.
As my former representative, the Pioneer Press had articles about the junk in Dawkins yard. He was also living in another district with his girlfriend and representing mine.
Dawkins was an extremely unlikely pick by Mayor Kelly for property improvement.
I've heard the landlords are building a gallows near his office.
7:43 PM said I've heard the landlords are building a gallows near his office.
Use it for all the office holding dity
DemO-"Rats" in Minnesota.
Yours Truely Bill Dahn
10:02 Bill Dahn,
I remind you this is NOT France.
Bob....
You are the big defender of Property Rights. The reason why this City or any City takes a closer look at property that is rented out rather than property that is owner occupied is just that... the right of the individual to be able to do what they will (up to a point) in their own property. If you want to live in a dump... unless the smell gets so bad your neighbors notice, you can pretty much live in a dump.
What happens in a leasing situation is that the City feels there is a business arrangement that may not have a reasonable power situation.
Ms Smith has limited resources (little cash). Mr Jones owns a building in disrepair. Mr. Jones agrees to lease the building to Ms Smith with the understanding that she keeps her mouth shut and doesn't complain about the conditions. There is a power issue. She has limited options of where she can rent with limited cash. Mr. Jones holds all of the cards.
The City feels an obligation to make sure that people are living in safe conditions and are not being exploited.
The City inspectors are there to level the playing field. If every rental unit in Saint Paul is safe enough to live in then Ms Smith isn't at a power disadvantage and knows the building she is leasing is safe to live in.
That is the main difference between liberals (like me) and conservatives (like you). I believe the purpose to the government is to protect the weak from the strong and the poor from the powerful and you believe the purpose of government is to give tax credits to your wealth benefactors.
The wealthy are powerful enough.
JMONTOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
Repke,
Despite your sugar-words about the city's intentions, how do you explain my experience that was documented on ademocracy:
The city initially sent a letter to me that contained a threat.
The city forced their way illegally into my house under threat without a search warrant, which was necessary.
City personnel claimed my proof of electrical permit was forged, which contained a permit number and inspector's signature. I later found checks paid to the contractor.
I was slandered by city personnel.
My wife was verbally intimidated to tears by a health department employee using false information. The health employee was hand selected by Marcia Moermond.
The code compliance report was extremely vaguely written using 'as necessary's' and 'do to code's, without saying which code. The contractors couldn't bid on it because of the vagueness.
My mother was threatened by city personnel after I posted a quality documented complaint on ademocracy.
The problem, Repke, is the city's abuse of power and an inspections department completely out of control.
This has ruined a once decent and responsible city. It has cost the city of St. Paul and enormous amount of prestige, money and support. Resolution of the several federal cases will cost the taxpayers and additional enormous amount.
The city is a disgrace, and you support it with endless empty words.
Bob G.
Thank you Bob G. for giving us a summary of your experience with the city of Saint Paul.
Fact is folk's stories like Bob G's have been told here over and over for the last four years.
The city is responsible for financial and emotional burdens to hundreds of property owners in Saint Paul with no regard for civil rights or the well being of these people.
Yeah yeah yeah! Stries told over and over for years by different people that do not know each other.....documented evidence and testimony by city employees and a lot of hot air out of you Bob and we are supposed to discount Chuck just based on simple fact? What world are you living in?
12:11 PM, you are right. Some of the city employees from DSI post here supporting their rational for doing what they are doing, but the bottom line is they are just trying to find a way to justify their evil ways.
What world are you living in?
My response;
Unfortunately, I live in a world where there is people who have ambitions to force their influence and control over others regardless of ethics and morality.
Well you are right on that one Bob. Your wealthy friends are more than willing to spend as much money as needed to be able to continue to exploit the poor and continue to be above the law.
They have no concern about what damage their business practices does to the value of their neighbors properties and in fact have targeted neighborhoods for selected abuse in order to bring property values down and their personal profits up.
You are correct you know a lot of people with absolutely no morals or ethics and are willing to exploit the weakest among us.
JMONTOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
Bob G - address?
Chuck Repke
"Well you are right on that one Bob. Your wealthy friends are more than willing to spend as much money as needed to be able to continue to exploit the poor and continue to be above the law."
Unfortunate for you Chcuk a court has said the city is the lawbreaker nad most landlords are going to tell you that it is the city that acts in a way consistent with thinking they are above the law. Actually Chuck it si you who are exploiting the poor in my opinion because you continue to rally around the city and stick up for their illegal code enforcement and atrocities against minorities. have some respect for yourself Chuck and join us on the other side of the aisle.
10:41 - The Federal Court has thrown out all of the allegations of abuse by City employees. It has thrown out all of the claims of malicious intent by the City. It has thrown out all of the charges that these landlords were signalled out or targeted for inspections or retaliation.
All gone. All done. Over. The City has won the case on all of those charges.
The one charge left "Disparate Impact" is clear. The issue before the court is: Did the City, with good intentions, and with good reason to do the inspections and handled appropriately and with no malice, still end up enforcing a policy that impacted a disparate amount of people of color?
That is the ONE charge left. That is it. There are no charges left that suggest that the City acted with evil intent. The only charge left is acting on good intentions were more people of color impacted?
So, the court has pretty much said that the only evil people are the ones that didn't take care of their property like they were supposed to.
The remaining issue is since the City knows that there will always be evil landlords that refuse to take care of their property, was the best practice to go after those criminals confrontationally and with the strongest threat of action or should it have continued with PP2000 where it did more hand holding of the landlords before taking action?
And the test of that will be were people of color more disparately impacted by "code to the max" than by PP2000?
That is the case.
Like I said Win - win in my book. Either the City did everything it should of to assist tenants or it will be told to do more. There will be nothing for the landlords out of this...
JMONTOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
Chuck said;
They have no concern about what damage their business practices does to the value of their neighbors properties
My response;
I challenge anyone reading here, drive through Frogtown or the East Side in the Dayton's Bluff area. You will see a lot of new porches, siding, windows, roofs and paint. Most often these properties you see with all the exterior renovations will be rental properties. And what you see on the outside is only a cover to what renovations have been done inside.
Now if you dare to see the truth, when you take that drive, you will notice most properties that are unkempt are private homes.
Code enforcement will come down on a low income rental property for violations and drive or walk by private homes in the immediate vicinity with numerous violations and never bat an eye.
Chuck said;
in fact have targeted neighborhoods for selected abuse in order to bring property values down and their personal profits up.
My response;
Property investors do not target neighborhoods for abuse. That is ludacris Chuck.
Property investors who provide housing to the poor take advantage of the economics of communities. They can buy homes cheaper in these low income neighborhoods clean the property up to livable standards resulting in affordable rental housing to the poor.
The city of Saint Paul leadership past and present believes citizens at the lowest rung of economics are undesirable. Your friends in city government Chuck are the people who are morally bankrupt. Putting families on the street under the rouge of safety so they can force property owners into rehabs to increase property values removing the lowest rung of opportunity to those who weren't born with a silver spoon up their ass.
There are lies, big lies and then there are the whoppers that Bob posts here.
Take this one:
"Now if you dare to see the truth, when you take that drive, you will notice most properties that are unkempt are private homes."
Are you freaking kidding me?
It only shows how much you actually hate the good men and women who have invested their lives in their one big asset their home.
Bob I am a Real Estate Broker. I see what happens to properties all of the City because of the investment activities of the SOB's who made a million dollars in real estate without paying a dime. Their properties are scattered all over the City in foreclosure after foreclosure.
These flippers bought and sold properties/houses/homes/places people should be able to live as "investments," that they bought with nothing down and sometimes with "cash back at closing." They never put a dime into them and then flipped on to the next SOB destined to make a million before the bubble burst. The rented them out and made a proffit on them while putting nothing into them.
Look at the list of vacant, foreclosed properties on the MLS and you tell me those were single family homes. And don't blame it on the inspectors. These were properties that SOB's with the cash in their pocket took a hike on their mortgage by having their LLC go poof.
Lying dog.
Go curl up at the feet of your masters Bob.
They own you outright.
JMONTOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
"It only shows how much you actually hate the good men and women who have invested their lives in their one big asset their home."
You are talking about the racist bigots who have the city council and code inspectors do their bidding right Chcuk?
Repke said ...
Bob G - address?
Chuck Repke
9:32 AM
All right Big Mouth Repke . . .
It's show down time at the A- Democracy Corral.
It appears you have a penchant for self destruction.
You can get my information from Bob J. I'll guarantee you you won't get all the answers from the city files or the inspections personnel. Go ahead and make your answer claiming the city was not cruel and reckless.
The city did not hear the whole story. I tried to talk to my city council person. Despite a very high level of referral, and despite having some important information, my city council person refused to meet with me.
I'll forward the information to Bob and let him be the judge. I'll also answer any pathetic answer you provide. Give me a couple days on this because I'm writing an important letter. If it turns out you are full of Bull Shit, I expect you will not open your mouth again.
Also the city has lost a lot of money on this, and will continue to lose. I'm not likely to change my mind because I've seen it with my own eyes.
Bob G.
Bob G
Look, I have no issue with you. I was just interested as to what property you were talking about.
If you don't want to say which house, that is fine by me.
JMONTOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
Bob, we need to get this Hackbarth politician off the streets. He has no buisness stalking women with a handgun.
Chuck,
Asserting one's rights with the city can is a great big hassle because of the city's unlimited resources to go after little old ladies who have lived in their home their whole life. Some down at DSI have a very large ego.
Having worked with some, I can attest to their unwillingness to work with an individual and others are great to work with.
That is the problem here, the ones who have "issues." I can name at least three inspectors who are very good at the job they do and I can also name three who have cost the city lots of money due to their inappropriate actions, their power struggles.
Chuck, defend the city all you want, but the bottom line here is there are major issues with how things are currently being done. Once these issues are addressed and the public has once again regained confidence in DSI and Fire inspectors, can these issues can be put to rest.
Right now you have some in the city (DSI) that are playing games with individuals people's lives. I can see why the landlords sued. Selective or retaliatory enforcement of the city codes is the reason.
Chuck, you know as well as I do that if the codes were enforced fairly we wouldn’t be talking now (writing). Individual city inspectors interruption of the building codes that is different from state code. We saw this with Phil Krinke and his business Snelling Heating. Mr. Krinke took the city to court after it was discovered that the city was "targeting" him. Mr. Krinke won his case with the city and the city backed off. Mr. Krinke has the means to fight city hall, but what about the others that don’t have the means to fight city hall? Homes are being invaded by city inspectors who don’t know the code, interrupt the code too much different standards than the state.
You only have to see what is going around us today. The old line from government officials is we are doing it for your safety. This is only an excuse to take away your individual freedoms and impose total government control over your life for your own safety. We are seeing this in the airports with the radical searches by TSA, and we are seeing it on a local level with the St. Paul Housing Police AKA DSI. Chuck, just how much of your individual freedoms are you going to give up for your "socialist community" you envision?
Two points...
1. I get paid to fight City Hall.
For those of you who don't know me, I have several jobs. I am a real estate broker and the director of a non-profit that owns the brokerage... but I also do "government relations" work. So I am employed part time as the Ex. Director of District Council on the east side and I do independent lobbying work and government relations consulting.
Which means people pay me to argue for them at the Capitol or at City Hall.
If you read the editorial page, you will note that right now I am fighting the Parks departments plan to close a recreation center on the East Side.
I have had clients fighting with DSI on multiple land use or licensing issues. I have argued for and against business licenses, for and against bar owners, for and against rezonings, for and against non-conforming uses. Earlier this spring I helped a guy stop a demo on a building so that he could rehab the property.
Sometimes I win, sometimes I lose.
2. I understand that not all people will read any part of the City Code the same at any one time.
It is because we deal with humans that happens. That is why there is an appeals process.
A part of your problem here is that you personalize everything. The issue is always that someone is out to get you. The paranoia here you could cut with a knife.
If you want to change things, you have to first determine what is the public interest in the issue and how can you solve that and still get what you want.
The problem with the landlords is that they want the right to fuck poor people and not have the City meddle in their affairs.
That isn't going to happen.
JMONTOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
Chuck you said here many months ago that you felt your government buddy's could do a better job of housing the poor. Your mind set and people who think like you are the problem.
All city's have bad landlords. In Saint Paul you can count them on one hand. Most property investors are responsible property owners.
Below is a link to the address's of a small number of vacant rental properties in Saint Paul. Most of these properties have obvious signs of recent work.
Link at city website-
Where it states "select one"
Select "dwelling type"-
Then select "duplex's" and "multi-family dwelling".
LINK HERE
Folk's go take a drive and look at the truth for yourself. Also, don't forget to look at those occupied rental dwellings real close too.
To anonymous 10:30. Joel Essling has been around for a long time. Met him in the early 2000's when he was on Magner's team. Old School... Not sure what his role is now as I sold the properties that he was involved with. He was strict in his role but it appeared that if he believed you were an honest business person and believed that you were willing to work with him and go by the book (his book) and you followed through doing so, he would be reasonable.
I don't believe he has much sympathy for anyone running properties who isn't involved with keeping them up and monitoring their tenants behavior and it appeared that he doesn't appreciate ANY work being done without a permit that could possibly need a permit.
Bob
You sent the link to the ENTIRE vacant building list in the City of Saint Paul. All 1469 of them.
Of those VB 490 are either not single family... So, to start with 1/3 of the vacant buildings in Saint Paul are INVESTMENT PROPERTIES.
Then lets go to the list of the 979 single family dwellings and start looking at either who owns them of last owned them before the bank. So, picking a street where we know your "friends" buy property, lets look at Aurora. First one 249 - owned by an LLC in Wisconsin; next one 650 - some guy in Bloomington...
Come on Bob - just admit that you are full of it and are totally a sell out for these people who make a living out of destroying other peoples neighborhoods.
JMONOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
Repke,
I am offended that you should try to frame this as evil rich landlords against the poor long suffering city.
Many of the people victimized by an inspections department that won't work with people and wants to push people around. I am far from being rich.
You are sounding increasing desperate now the city has lost.
I am glad there are people who can afford the huge federal lawsuits needed to overcome government immunity and the abuse of immunity.
The real people you need to convice now are Bob J. and the Landlords, since they won and now hold all the cards.
Your issue is with me and everyone who has been wronged by the City of St. Paul.
Bob G.
Chuck wrote: "I understand that not all people will read any part of the City Code the same at any one time."
Chuck, how about if the city would start hiring inspectors and supervisors who ARE capable of interpreting the state code correctly instead of making up their own version and trying to enforce it illegally. Get rid of the inspectors and supervisiors who are uncapable of doing the job that the taxpayers are paying them to do.
Landlords are not out to fuck poor prople Chuck.....your city council buddies and inspectors are the ones that have those aspirations. Landlords want to be able to run their business, fix their property and be treated within the law by the city. The later is not happening and you know it so stop trying to give us all this Bullshit about landlords.
fix their property?!?!
Are you f@$%ing serious? HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
They wouldn't have the trouble they have if they didn't have multiple violations and multiple complaints.
What?
Bob G
The City hasn't lost the Federal Law Suit they have won on all but one charge before the trial even started. Every charge that claimed the inspectors were up to no good were thrown out. All corruption charges thrown out.
The only thing left is one charge that says the City was acting properly but may have displaced a disparate amount of minority members. If that is true action may be taken against the City to repair that.
That is it.
You need to read the case.
It is about wealthy land owners forcing poor people to live in bad housing.
JMONTOMEPPOF
Chuck, you can say the city has won only because a court said that the malicious tactics the landlords have proved to have actually occured, do not meet the legal requirement of some of the claims alleged.
How can you say that he court thinks the city acted properly when the court points to the aggressive tactics that forced the landlords to incur financial losses and other indignities ?
Again, your ignorant to the parts of the case that you would rather not hear.
Like the truth about how some of the defendants are biggot black haters and commented refering to :
( ie. " the black plague " )
I think you need to read the case.
Gobble Gobble !!!
Jeff Matiatos
I guess I'm not going to push for an explanation of abuses right now.
The city is dangerous to be around right now in light of the court ruling. People will go to any length to save face in a rancorous political climate, or to blame someone else. They may go to extreme levels in communications to try to cover it up, blame others, create confusion, or create dirt. Political tricks are expected.
I will answer any negative info if pertaining to me.
Onward to the trials, and may the best man win!
Bob G.
Jeff read the charge...
"Disparate impact" means: a policy while neutral on its face, adversely impacts against a particular racial, ethnic or sex group.
That is the charge left. Everything else is dismissed. So, the court is saying that everything else that the landlords has claimed is pure BS. They had no facts, no evidence.
Its just like poor Bob G here thinking that the landlords had won the case. Just because clowns post on here that they won, someone reading this crap would think it was the case.
The facts are that everything that was important to the landlord group is lost. Other than their ability to use their money to force the City to waste more money in court chasing this last charge that has no chance of benefiting the landlords, there is nothing for the landlords to win.
The point of these suits from the begining is for a bunch of wealthy landlords to spill off a litle bit of their monies on attornies in order to cost the City money. I don't think they ever thought that they would actually win anything only that they wanted to show the City that if you try to enforce the law on us, we will cost you money.
They are a bunch of bullies use to getting what they want and are trying to bulley the City.
That is the point of it.
JMONTOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
No Chuck, the city bullied the landlords and now the city is getting what is coming to them, an ass kicking in court.
There is 20 families and one store owner out on the street they can be thankful this Thanks Giving Day to the city council.
How do you know this ?
Repke,
The things you advocate for are sick. There is more to life than bureaucratic empires.
Go upChuck along with your 'friends'.
Bob G.
Chuck, according to a chart on the wall in dawkins office, he had on it a $ 200.000.00 figure that indicated a quota representing the amount of fees he would obtain from the enforcement of the malicious code enforcement agenda.
Now I don't think the police chief in St.Paul would dare put something like that on his wall that represented a figure his officers must collect in traffic violations , I think that would be illegal. BUT, I am sure both agencys have hidden quotas anyway it's just that dawkins was too stupid by posting it on his wall the way he did.
Jeff Matiatos
Jeff,
I don't know what was on Dawkins wall or not, but if what was on his wall was the Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI) Budget, then there would be line items that said "revenue" and "expenses."
Jeff, you ever have to run a business? Or have you ever been in charge of anything?
Any business or agency does a budget and that budget has project revenues. In retail that would be "gross sales." So, lets use that as an example if you were selling shoes you would base your budget and the number of employees you had based on past sales and then make a projection of future sales. This projected sales figure would be the "revenue" part of your budget.
In an agency like DSI a part of their budget is based on fees. They collect fees every time someone takes out a building permit. And, I don't doubt that they get part of the fee collected on violations.
So, when Dawkins did his budget for the Mayor he would have to show how much money came from fees, how much money came from fines and how much money he would need from general revenue.
Its a budget you dough head.
And if that $200,000.00 figure in your head is so scary you know what $200,000.00 pays for in the real world?
TWO $65,000.00 employees.
A drop in the bucket of the overall budget of DSI.
God, you people are slow.
JMOTOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
Chuck, tell me something I don't already know. The landlords made this claim in support of their lawsuit. I see nothing wrong with the landlords pointing that out since they were trying to connect the dots on this thing.
One could look at that fact of
200K, if it could be later determined that the sought after fees for alleged overhead were perhalps in excess of what prior budjets were with the same number of employees. This might help support the contention that the landlords make, of Dawkins hidden agenda.
I have no idea myself what DSI's budget is and we don't know if the 200K figure was annually or monthly.
Between fines, fees, permits for this and that, 200K could be raised in a month. The way Dawkins enforced the code, I believe he could have brought in 300K per month.
Jeff Matiatos
Oh, and another thing Chuck, If you know anything about what attorneys do to develop a case once filed, they first allege what they do know prior to filing the lawsuit, then and only then do they have the power of discovery to develop the alleged facts in order to solidify the claims. If discovery shows the parties that the facts alleged are not supported with discovery, then the wheels of justice turn, someone files a summary judgement motion and those claims are quickly disposed of and sometimes without objection.
Your really this little man running around pretending you know how and why attorneys do what they do and you really don't.
I hope I have set the record straight. Ask your soon to be wife if what i am saying is true, then go back to planning your honeymoon.
Just stay away from the courthouse.
Jeff Matiatos
I think Jeffs right Chuck.
Let him do the legal work and you take out the trash ;)
Jeff
You dolt - that was what happened. The landlord lawyers alledged all of the things people here claimed occured and they had discovery and ALL of it turned out to be TOTAL BS and they were all dismissed as summary judgement.
That means your side lost.
What is left is exactly what I keep telling you: disparate impact.
Disparate impact is the ONLY charge that has passed summary judgement and it is a charge that clearly says even though the intent is for a good purpose and the action is with no mallic; the policy may have treated people of color disparately.
That is the only thing left to be tried.
You are correct neither of us are lawyers. The difference between us is that I can read. And I know what the word disparate means. Clearly from your posts you do not.
JMONTOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
Disparate impact or disparate treatment - what difference does it make make which one? As long as there are damages the city has liability. So take your pick of either one, what difference does it make how you get there? Point is that the landlords did get there and the city is going to be on the hook big time.
Chuck, 11:50 PM,
What we saw id the city doing a dance during the discovery process. They truned over material that was not in a format that the lawyers could use. Next the city said they didn't have the documents, but at the last minute they discover the backup tapes while talking to the judge.
The city is no saint here Chuck.
Chuck is being smartmouthed because he doesn't have to pay.
The poor sucker taxpayers will have to pay, right Chuck.
There was nothing BS Chuck about what the landlords had on the DSI employees. The landlords had more ways than one to prove that DSI employees were engaged in a covert and colusive attempt to ruin them.
The court didn't agree with how the landlords presented those events in connection to the claims alleged.
What the court did say about RICO is that the landlords fell short (not by much) of making a case for RICO.
You can't deny Chuck that some if not most of the defendants named had engaged in a repulsive manner in the performance of their duties.
You say correctly that you and I are not lawyers but what I can do
as a litigator and frequent court filer far exceeds your abilities.
You read what you want to read Chuck and block out the parts that hurt your pride and your friends in city hall.
In the end, the city will pay the landlords on this remaining claim.
Makes no difference to any of us that you have a problem accepting that reality Chuck.
Clearly, 99% of those who post here support my view of the situation.
If I were you, I would go see your booky and tell him to put all your money on the landlords.
This way when the city loses, at least you'll have made out.
Jeff Matiatos
Jeff,
The panel said to the bulk of the RICO charges that there was "no evidencery support." On your planet that means that it was close?
On this world Jeff that means the landlords were laughed out of court on the RICO charges.
There is absolutely no evidence in anything that the landlords have that there was ever a plot from anyone at the City to do anything to anyone other than to enforce the city code.
No blotting, no conspiracy, no benefit to the city other than the benefit of having people live in safe housing.
JMONTOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
Well RICO or no RICO, the landlords will tell you what they believe and Nancy Osterman will tell you how they tried to extort her and intimidate her into selling her home and stealing stuff from her garage.
Like when the city has been stealing citizens automobiles.
Maybe you can read Chuck, but the words just don't make sence to you thats all. If english wasn't your best subject in High school no problem. Maybe hooked on phonics could help.
Jeff Matiatos
Chuck "You" should know better then to lie to these nice people here at "A Democracy" by telling them that in the city there is No blotting, no conspiracy, no benefit to the city other than the benefit of having people live in safe housing.
Here is the evidence that Chuck and Thune and these people that control the city are the lowest form of life on this earth by allowing Me to live in a house that was not fit for animals with Sewer Gases and Formaldehyde
GO TO THIS SITE and tell me that the city cares for the people and safe housing
.
http://www.angelfire.com/mn3/billdahn/houseberkley.html
.
The city allowed me to stay in that house at 256 W. Morton St. until I lost it fighting the City on 9-11-2001.
Piss on Bill Dahn all you want, but the people in the Sholom Nursing Care Home on
W. 7. Th. St. and Otto St. deserve not to smell gasoline, but they also have blowers in the basement to get rid of any fumes that might get by the vapor barrier under the building.
Multiple Chemical Sensitivity and can smell these fumes and can't speak to say that this smells are making them off base
Chuck you slimy Demo-Rat-Tic all out for Himself and no one else.
Bill Dahn has shown the people of Minnesota that He will blow the whistle and see who listens.
The city got away with murder on the racketeering verdict. They were successful in confusing the issue with their tricks in discovery.
The disparate impact still sticks.
There was a conspiracy Chuck. There is already testimony from city workers that the city fixed the Ramsey county Court before they started bringing charges against property owners. You lose on that one pal.
How David Plumb play out in all of this? David is a city attorney who does a lot of houseing court cases.
12:18 - That "conspiracy" has already been thrown out on summary judgement. Which means oh thick headed one, that there was no evidence of a conspiracy and that the both the judge and the appeals panel pointed out (to those ignorant enough the think that was a conspiracy) that cooperation between government agencies are not a "conspiracy."
I don't lose on that one, since that one has already been not only thrown out of court, it has been laughed out of court.
Your "conspiracy" because the city/county created a housing court with a judge educated on housing code issues was as much a conspiracy as saying that having a family court having a judge educated on domestic abuse issues was a conspiracy against all males.
Its just not.
Anyone who thought so is just stupid.
And, Bill, don't forget I came to your house to help you. I was instructed by my boss at the time Dave Thune, to do what ever I could to assist you.
We were informed by the City Attorney that we could no longer have contact with you because the City had a restraining order on you because...YOU KEPT THREATENING WOMEN. You could not stop getting your kicks out of calling women either in the Mayor's office or DSI and threatening them.
So, despite our desire to try and help a constituent, we had to stop and I told you that at the time.
You can blame your personal misfortune on me as much as you like, but I came to your house and I told you I would do what ever I could to assist and in less than a week I was ordered to stop communicating with you because you had to get your kicks being a bully and scaring women.
JMONTOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
As a former assistant to Dave Thune, you cannot expect Chuck to be very perceptive about real world issues. I think he does very well for himself, considering his limited intellect.
"Your "conspiracy" because the city/county created a housing court with a judge educated on housing code issues was as much a conspiracy as saying that having a family court having a judge educated on domestic abuse issues was a conspiracy against all males."
Oh relly? Well let see - the way it really went Chuck is that the city had some test cases they knew they were going to bo going to court with. In advance of charging these cases they went to have a private meeting with the head of chief judge of the court. They demanded and recieved not only a judge of their choosing but also assurances that other certain judges would not hear any housing cases in the event that the "choosen ones" were not available. The reason given for not wanting these certain judges was that the cases were too important to lose. Then a St. Paul city attorney along with members of the police department met with the judges to "train them." The then city proceeded to parade scores of landlords through that court for code violations that were fabricated and not true according to some inspectors.
You are talking crap again Repke.
I believe 11:03 is reffering to whats called :
"Ex-Parte Communication" with the Judge.
Not only is it a serious violation of court rules but sometimes a reason for a mis-trial followed by a notice to remove the sitting Judge.
But, if this was so and could have been proven, why didn't the landlords take action to remedy the situation ?
Jeff Matiatos
The topic of this thread was "St. Paul orders tenants out of condemned site."
Does anyone know or has anyone followed up on the outcome of this and what happened to the tenants? Was there some assistance in finding the families a place to call home for the holidays? Moving is expensive and takes time, this would be extremely traumatic specially for children with school and etc.
Concerned
11:03 - what you said was exactly what the landlords charged and there was NO EVIDENCE that any of it occurred. It was all 100% Grade A certified Bull Shit.
It was garbage that one whining landlord said to another whining landlord confirmed through rummer and innuendo, suspicion and paranoia.
It didn't happen.
What happened was almost exactly what created Family Courts and Mental Health Courts and other targeted responses from the bench to these kinds of problem. The people through their elected representatives asked the bench to have a court that was focused on one area of the law where a judge could become educated about the public's concern and why their elected representative had written the laws.
So, a housing court was created where a judge could spend a long enough time hearing these kinds of cases to be able to understand the impact of the problem.
The rationale for these kinds of courts is that if a judge heard a murder case on Monday, and a complicated fraud case on Wednesday, he is probably not going to take a tall weeds and grass case to seriously on Friday.
The City asked the bench to take the people's interest in public health seriously and to have a court that could fairly hear those issues.
That's all there ever was. Because on this one Jeff is right if there would have been anything like was alleged any case like that would have been thrown out. But, of course since it never happened there was no issue.
And, 6:38 though I don't know anything about this particular case, both the City and the County have funds for emergency housing assistance and that is what should have been offered here. With this much attention I would be surprised if it wasn't.
JMONTOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
"11:03 - what you said was exactly what the landlords charged and there was NO EVIDENCE that any of it occurred. It was all 100% Grade A certified Bull Shit."
Not grade A shit Chuck......Grade A testimony from city officials is what it is. You can spin your BS all you want but in the end the evidence is what it is. It is of record and it was testified to by city officials not only under oath but there were hand written notes to back it up. Would it be to rude to just cut to the chase and call you an outright liar?
On top of it all I am wondering if you see a problem with any violations of the seperation of powers act? Are these different branched of government supposed to be getting together like this to plan out the railroading of people?
Excuse me but, it hasn't been determined by anyone if there was a planning to railroad people. From all that I've read here, it appears that we have three factions:
1. The city enforcing building codes.
2. Landlords who WERE in violation of multiple codes
3. Tenants who some say are the victims, others say are the problems.
The city has the power and right given to it by its citizens to enforce the ordinances and codes. So the only way to stop that is to say the codes are in violation of superseding law (hence the constant reference to other rulings). However, in several years of this, the courts have not found the city to be in violation of superseding law. If the basic action of writing and enforcing these codes were out of order, that would have been the first thing the courts noticed. Long before any testimony or discovery- they would have slammed the city hard. But they didn't.
Why these landlords?
Landlords claim it because of who they rent to. Minorities. However, a review in 2008 found that in the testimony of several landlords, the clients were not of a minority status. (the disparate affect is a different matter that is based on the result, not on the intent). However, right or wrong, each one of these landlords had multiple violations over multiples time periods.
The suit has changed focus several times. At this point, tho only thing left is for a review to find out if the legal actions the city took had an adverse affect on a protected class. Nothing else. The result at the most will be some kind of reimbursement to the TENANTS who were affected- not the landlords who's irresponsibility led to the city to take action in the first place. Legal action. I don't understand why the landlords think they are owed anything and why they think this lawsuit will help them. If they really want help, hire some lobbyist to rewrite the code and get the council to pass it.
All of the criminal activity is just rumors that have and will not make a dent in this particular case. There still has been no proof of an agency wide corruption. And, Repke hasn't been proven wrong.
What I don't understand is all of this wait and see. Its been five years.
And, Bill, don't forget I came to your house to help you. I was instructed by my boss at the time Dave Thune, to do what ever I could to assist you.
We were informed by the City Attorney that we could no longer have contact with you because the City had a restraining order on you because...YOU KEPT THREATENING WOMEN. You could not stop getting your kicks out of calling women either in the Mayor's office or DSI and threatening them.
So, despite our desire to try and help a constituent, we had to stop and I told you that at the time.
You can blame your personal misfortune on me as much as you like, but I came to your house and I told you I would do what ever I could to assist and in less than a week I was ordered to stop communicating with you because you had to get your kicks being a bully and scaring women.
JMONTOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
9:41 AM
My response;
I feel I should speak up for my friend Bill.
Fact is Bill was acting irrational during the time period Chuck speaks of. BUT, he was never violent and Chuck leaves out the explanation for Bills irrational behavior.
Ramsey Action Programs had a low budget contractor insulate Bills home with insulation that had formaldehyde levels far exceeding
the state regulations. Bill is chemical sensitive.
The contractor also poked a hole in a sewer pipe causing sewer gas to vent into Bills home.
One day in 1999 a long time friend (Bill Hughes) came over to visit Bill Dahn at his home. Bill Hughes was the previous owner of the home
on Morton, they watched Mac Hammond then Bill Hughes laid down and went to sleep. He never woke up he died from inhaling sewer gas.
The humane society found out Bills cats were living in this home, they warned Bill he better get those cats out of there or they would take them. The city wasn't to concerned about Bill, they didn't force him out of his house.
WHY?
Bill was threatened by the city in many ways. Police kicking down his door and beating him. He was
rousted from his home at gun point
and locked up for mental health evaluation. After his release he
was threatened with mental health hospitals if he didn't shut up about his home.
Bill thinking they can't shut up a politician went down and registered to run for Governor as an Independent.
Well this didn't sit well with Jesse Ventura he was running for governor on the same ticket.
Jesse bribed Bill to change over to the Republican party. All caught on tape.
Community watchdog Leslie Davis got suspicious and went after Ventura and Bill Dahn. After hearing the story from Bill Dahn
Leslie learned Bill wasn't competent at that time and had been taken advantage of by Ventura. Leslie took Bill under his wing and wrote a book "Always Cheat" telling the story.
Jesse Ventura as we all know went on to be governor and did all he could to avoid prosecution for violating campaign laws.
Then of coarse is the undisputed accusations that Ramsey county
Attorney Susan Gaertner covered for Jesse Ventura for personal gain.
Years later Bill has fully recovered from the stress of living in a home that had the potential to kill him.
Bill recently ran for Attorney General. Bill spent $80 on his campaign and he got 104,000 votes. 5% of the vote. People under estimate my friend who occasionally stutters but is always friendly to most everyone he meets. Looking at the vote tallies most of the votes came from the 7 county metro area. An area this town hall is most widely read. I won't say this forum put all those votes in Bill Dahns corner, I am saying this town hall
certainly helped.
So all the nasty talk about Bill here hasn't done one thing to hurt him.
Some of you out there who have a disdain for Bill Dahn better hope he doesn't get a sponsor for any election, because with a lousy $500 he'd probably clean the clocks of everyone he ran against. :)
Another thing, Bill is my neighbor, lives directly across the street from me. We look out for each other. At times he drives
me nuts spamming this blog, but just the other day I looked out the window seen Bill and thought to myself, that Bill Dahn is a real good friend and I don't call just anyone my friend. People have to earn trust with me.
Chuck I feel you are sincere when you said you wanted to help Bill.
Bob,
Thank you. Anyone that actually knows me and knew me as Thune's assistant, knows that I enjoyed the heck out of constituent service work and dealing with just those kinds of issues. If what Bill says is true, it would have been a kick to have been able to have taken on that interesting of a problem.
The problem for Thune and I was that if I continued to talk to Bill then the City Attorney and the cops couldn't do anything the next time he scared some woman in the Mayor's office.... and I couldn't get him to stop.
Whatever shit he was putting those girls through would be on our hands if I kept talking to him.
We couldn't do that.
And Bob, I know you know that Thune's office has helped people who have posted or printed some pretty vile things about him. Bill could have been blaming every Democrat on the planet for his misfortune and we would have been there to help.
In fact, helping someone who hates you is just about the most satisfying thing one can do.
Sweeter than revenge.
JMONTOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
9:44 If what you are saying is true about what they said, why did both the judge and the appeals panel laugh the landlords out of court on that one?
They didn't testify about a conspiracy to railroad someone, they testified that they asked the bench to develop a housing court that would focus on public health issues. That was the evidence that is what the notes are... that is why they laughed the paranoid landlords out of court.
As to your questions:
"On top of it all I am wondering if you see a problem with any violations of the separation of powers act?"
What would be the separation of powers issue, if all of the powers remained the same and are all still separate. No one stole any-one's power. The police powers stay in the Administration, the legislative power stays in the City Council and the judicial power stayed in the court.
"Are these different branched of government supposed to be getting together like this to plan out the railroading of people?"
First are they supposed to get together to discuss issues? Yes, yes they are. And we would have better and cheaper government services if they got together to tell the one hand what the other was doing more often.
Second, should they plan on railroading someone? No. And, I would be the first one in line to ask for the head of anyone that would try to deny someone their day in court.
What the City asked the bench for and got, (they didn't have the power to demand or make the bench do anything) was a housing court with a judge who would be their long enough to understand the impact of public health issues.
The City has no power over the courts at all. They don't fund the court, staff the court, do anything to or for the court.
The idea that the City could make the bench do anything was one of the most insane charges in the entire case.
JMONTOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
Hello Chuck
This was just sent to the nation and tells about others getting sick in my home.
Bob and I think you tried hard at first to help me, then people wanted this about the insulation install in my home hushed up.
Sandy Papass worker Anne Cook Thunder-Hawk had the insulation tested at Twin City Testing and she and I received the report from them at 1.51 PPM Formaldehyde that is 15 times over
MN. Health Department .10 PPM
US Government Refuses to Act on Cancer-Causing Zonolite Insulation.
Here is The
Whistle Blower Bill Dahn
To the Government with in Minnesota
Now they are talking about this one insulation and around 1995 the Government sponsored agency was using "insulation that had 1.51 PPM Formaldehyde that was purchased from Canada where there outlaw it for high levels of Formaldehyde, that is 15 times over what Minnesota Health Department allows at .10 PPM Formaldehyde.
Ramsey Action Program aka "RAP" in Bill Dahn had this "insulation" install in September of 1995 and complained to everyone in St.Paul and Minnesota Government and this was covered up by the Democratic people in these offices.
July 19, 1998 Jesse and Dean Barkley came over to my home at 256 W. Morton St. and after that people started listing because Jesse Ventura was on the Joe Soucheray Show KSTP 1500 AM Radio - and told how Dean Barkley and His-self "Jesse" became ill and they were only they 20 minutes, Jesse described that the two got burning eyes, nose and throat and nausea.
I Bill Dahn suffers from Multiple Chemical Sensitivity. >>> What is Multiple Chemical Sensitivity? (MCS)
Different people over the years became involved and they were Democrats and after they found out more from Ramsey Action Program aka RAP and they kept telling everyone that my insulation was safe and they did 200,000 home in Minnesota and I was the only one that complained.
I was not the only one, but I was the most persistent one.
This is why Jesse Ventura and Dean Barkley were at the home of Bill Dahn
YouTube - JESSE VENTURA AND DEAN BERKLEY BRIBING BILL DAHN TO CHANGE POLITICAL PARTIES
Dump the Hump LoL ;)
"9:44 If what you are saying is true about what they said, why did both the judge and the appeals panel laugh the landlords out of court on that one?"
"If" what I am saying is true? There is no "if" about it you democrat lapdog. Read the depositions Bob posted. They did it they said it they own it and you are just fine with it as long as it is not you who is getting screwed.
3:35 - then answer the question...
Since you claim that it was true, even though it was nothing but accusation, and rumor, why did both courts throw it out?
How come the charge was dismissed on Summary Judgement and will never be heard of again?
Are you paying attention at all? The landlords lost on that charge. Its gone. There was no evidence. Accusation is not evidence.
Dough head...
JMONTOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
The city lost because they are going to have to pay through the nose, despite what some ass kissers have to say.
I wonder if Andy Dawkins should be treated as a terrorist, have his assets frozen and sent to Guanatanamo.
Dough head...?
We don't have to debate this with you Chuck. It's not accusations, it's facts. Read the depositions you fool. It was city people who testified to it.
Facts and testimony are not accusations and you are the dough head my friend.
10:08 - read the Summary Judgement and the appeal of summary judgement.
Those charges have been dropped.
There was no on who testified that actually were in any of those discussions that said anything like what was in those charges.
There was one person who testified that they "heard" that those things happened.
100% certified grade A garbage.
They laughed that charge out of court.
That is the fact - that charge is gone - lost - over.
JMONTOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
I will have more to say about this subject when I get my facts straight.
The judges are not supposed to understand the impact on the public Repke or give a dman about how they feel. The Judge is supposed to understand the law and apply it according to the facts.
Anonymous said...2:18 AM The judges are not supposed to understand the impact on the public Repke or give a damn about how they feel. The Judge is supposed to understand the law and apply it according to the facts.
Then along comes Chucks woman that wanted to be a judge and if she would have got elected the city and county would have used her against the landlords, like the Gestapo they are
2:18/8:24
Are you freaking kidding me?
Of course judges are suppose to understand victim impact.
They understand that in a murder case... somebody is dead, a family has lost a loved one.
They understand that in a theft, how much money was stolen, how much the jewelry was worth.
The issue in code complaints was getting judges who live in rose gardens (most of them don't live anywhere near where my wife and I live) to understand that properties that are not maintained have an impact on the community. The neighborhood is victimized.
And, for the judge who had Daddy put him through law school and bought him his first house as a graduation present, he doesn't understand what it is like to live with the sink not working in the kitchen, but you don't complain and do the dishes in the bathroom sink because the landlord doesn't boot you out if you are two weeks late with the rent.
So, for the judge that has always lived in a rose garden in a wealthy part of town, he doesn't understand the concept of what is the damage done by not maintaining a property because he hasn't been exposed to it.
With that simple understanding of that the court wasn't taking the law seriously and wasn't understanding that by letting these guys walk because to them it was no big deal, they were victimizing people... the City needed to educate the bench to how the other half of the world lives.
No conspiracy, no plot, just open your freaking eyes and understand what it is like to live in or near properties that are not maintained.
JMONTOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
Chuck, If you want to educate a silverspoon Judge on what life is like in the not so glorious side of town, you do it in a legal brief not behind close doors and, that briefing had better be relevant to the issue at hand.
Any ex parte communications with a Judge and his staff are not permitted and any such communications violate court rules.
It's also un ethical and are grounds for removal of the Judge for cause in certain circumstances.
So I guess it's alright then if the landlords and the Judge had a nice little fireside chat about what corruption is like in city hall ? WRONG !!!!!!!!!
Jeff Matiatos
After reading on this blog, it appears that this condemnation is just another blatant example of what happens to a landlord in St Paul when they fall out of favor with the city.
Nothing new here...
Question is, when will the lawsuit be filed.... I'll be staying tuned for the next episode.
And the renters do not cause any of that damage such as the sinks not working do they Chuck? It is probably the lanldord going over there when the renter is not around and damaging the place right?
The ethics of code enforcement by St.Paul is the Mob and if you don't do as some freaks in government wants you to they destroy your character or have you arrested for not asking how fare when they tell you to jump.
Jeff,
The point is to educate the bench about the purpose of the law without discussing an upcoming case.
The problem is that if they have no idea what is the value of the law and who are the victims, they dismiss the value of the law and are more likely to see no harm in allowing the criminal to continue on with his behavior.
I am in no way suggesting there ever was ex parte communications.
What I am saying is that the evil conspiracy that was thrown out of the Federal Court was the notion that the City couldn't educate the bench on the reason for a law and who were the victims the law was intending to protect.
Who else can educate the bench about the reason for a city ordinance but the City?
JMONTOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
Again Chuck, It is justified for an opposing side to file a bias charge or recusal in court anytime their appears that a party or judge has made extra ordinary communications about anything having to do with a case outside the presence of the opposing side.
One of an attorneys first concerns after the case is filed, is judicial assignment and attorneys profile judges and have the first right of removal without even needing a reason.
There happens to be a reason for the rule. I need not elaborate.
If a judge feels he needs information on let's say, how the city communicated according to you, the city need not do this because that duty can be given to the judges law clerk.
We cannot under estimate the reasons why any amount or form of ex parte communication should be allowed. It should not be period.
Impartiality is the most basic but crucial element of fairness in the Judicial arena and should not be taken lightly.
Jeff Matiatos
Again Chuck, i can't tell you enough how many times I witnessed Judges doing their own research in the law library.
Any Judge that agrees to hear a party outside of a brief or in the absence of the other side is acting foolishly.
Jeff Matiatos
Jeff,
I will try this one last time, typing as slowly as I can so you get it.
There were no cases in front of the bench - nothing.
The City meets with the top Judge and says we have a problem, certain misdemeanor cases are not getting serious review by the bench.
One solution might have been to go back to having a "Municipal Court" in Ramsey County that only handled misdemeanors.
But, it was Public Health issues that were being ignored in general by the bench.
So, instead they developed a plan to have a housing court.
How in the hell does that have anything to do with ex-parte communications?
That is why the Federal Court through out this entire issue from the landlords. They understood in an instant that State government, County government and Municipal governments need to communicate with the bench about how it functions. The proper communication is with the Chief Judge.
That they were able to create a housing court to deal with these kinds of issues is a great thing. It is exactly how governments should function and communicate with each other. Otherwise they could have just gotten it legislated, mandated and that would have ham-stringed the bench. Not allowed them the ability to develop the court themselves.
JMONTOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
Chuck, whether or not there was a case, unquestionably the city has had and will have numerous lawsuits filed for and against it concerning the very issues you speak of.
( misdemeanors and public health ).
The city wants to communicate to the bench prior to these cases being filed to indoctrinate these judges into a certain way of thinking so that when the opposition comes in, the judges are biased from the onset.
That is my point and there are other ways of properly communicating these concerns upon judges and that is the various committees appointed by the Supreme Court to deal with the concerns of Judicial education for the way Courts see and deal with certain levels of offences.
The city creates an element of unfairness, impartiality and impropiety when they operate to try and tell Judges how things should be done.
Sounds to me like the city attorney charged with prosecuting misdemeanors isn't liking things as they are but perhalps the city attorney had better find more creative ways of doing his job instead of sobbing to the judges.
I am concerned that the Judges themselves even gave the city the time of day because when a typical citizen has concerns about how and why Judges do or don't do what they do, they are ignored or referred to the legislature for a remedy.
These District Court Judges Answer only to the Governor, Supreme Court, and the Chief Judge. Those are the bosses and all complaints need to be addressede to them formally not informally.
Jeff Matiatos
Actually, neither the Governor not the Supreme court is their bosses Jeff. Only the voters can remove them. So, learn a little bit about how the system works and who is whose boss.
Your attitude would suggest that the only way one should change how courts function is through legislation. That the City delegation of legislators should have developed a housing court with no input from the bench and passed legislation making them hear housing cases... maybe designate seat 3 as the housing court seat... because they could have and that seat wouldn't have had a damn thing to do but hear housing cases.
It is clear that you don't understand how government functions.
Different levels of government talk to each other. They have a need to do so to make government work better. The elected City Government is more than a party to a law suit (since they are always being sued) they are the public. Whether you like it or not the elected government speaks for you.
You voted for them.
The bench wants to hear from them.
JMONTOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
Chuck, not every Judge is elected and most Judges in Minnesota are appointed and we all know that they are appointed by your present Governor.
I Judge can be removed from serving for reasons of mental incompetence, misconduct or illness by a Supreme Court Justice.
Nobody is going to question that different levels of Government communicate with each other but then again, most would reasonably conclude that when it comes down to each agencys methods of operation, no other agency is going to tell the other how it should run.
Courts are a very unique level of Government Chuck. Cities and Counties simply cannot and should not, seek direct influence over an entire Judicial District bench and sit around and tell them how they should be handeling misdemeanor cases no more than the city has no right to tell the Judge what he ought to do with the sentencing guidelines because a Judge has wide discretion to depart from those guidelines absent only legislative authority.
Jeff Matiatos
Post a Comment
<< Home