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Thursday, October 11, 2007

St. Paul's House of Cards by Nancy Lazaryan.

Please click onto the COMMENTS for the story.

34 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

On Monday I arrived to see the "first group" of the vacant building files. Robert Humphrey and an intern by the name of "Ka" met me. Humphrey showed me the "STAMP" reports...a summary list of the data that is supposed to be a report of what is contained in a file...there was a report for each file.

The STAMP report comes off the computer, and I suggested that I just get an electronic file of these reports, so that they could reduce the amount of time spent by the staff in printing out all the reports. Humphrey was quite bothered by my suggestion, saying that the firewall and their software would prevent them from being able to give me the reports on a disk.

I then questioned my being charged $,25 per page for the STAMP reports, and offered to bring in the statute that says I shouldn't be required to pay for the copying, especially since the data was available in electronic form.

Then I looked at the report (one page) that showed what had been redacted (removed) from the file. I asked what was the controlling statute that was used to redact each of the items of data. Humphrey became very angry and told me he was not going to tell me, and that he didn't have to tell me. I told him that the law says he does.

He then tried to take the boxes of files away from me, pulling the boxes across the table towards himself. I pulled the boxes back towards me and said, "Let's call Shari Moore".

I called the city clerk, Ms. Moore, on my cell phone. I told her the challenges I was having with Mr. Humphrey, with the summary reports and the redacting of data without citing the statutes. And, that I needed someone that was willing to explain the data, and that she had agreed, in writing, that someone would be their to answer my questions when I inspected the data. I then ended the conversation.

At that point, Mr. Humphrey again pulled the boxes away from me. I pulled them back and said, "This is childish." He again pulled them away, and I pulled the boxes back, and said, "You're an asshole."

Humphrey then said, "I'm calling the police." I replied, "Now you're a jerk."

At that point, I used my cell phone to record what ensued. When the police arrived, I shook their hands and told them what had happened.
The lead officer told me to get in front of a judge and get a court order, and then the police could force the city to let me see the data. The officer said to come back on Wednesday and "try again".

After being escorted out of the building by the police, I then went to Shari Morre's office. We spoke and came up with some solutions for the very tense situation with Mr. Humphrey.

When I returned on Wednesday, Mr. Humphrey showed me the list of redacted data, with the statutes cited. We agreed that I would make notes of my questions and email them to Shari Moore.

Then I began looking at the files.

My thoughts were that I may find a few discrepencies, maybe identify a pattern so that the problems with code inspections could be addressed and solved.

What I discovered made my head spin. Never in my entire time of doing research have I seen such fraud. The landlords suing the city in the RICO case are too kind.

In the first file, I made THREE pages of questions concerning over thirty (30) errors in the public record. I spent over an hour on just one file, trying to make sense of the how anyone could be so inept in handling the record.

The second file was equally disturbing. My allotted time then expired.

The first group of files that I have requested are from Helgen's district, in the same area that the house my family bought is located. These files represent the lives of the people that we call neighbors.

If the remainder of these files are anything like the ones I reviewed, then I am convinced that the demise of the communities in St. Paul has been excelerated by the direct actions of the St. Paul Department of Safety and Inspections (DSI).

As the representative of the people, I hold Councilman Helgen responsible for the abuses and mismanagement. The city council purports to be a method of appeal for the Citizens when the adminstrative agency known as the DSI wields its power against the property owner. Instead of investigating the complaints against the DSI, the council has "rubber stamped" the malfesances.

Next week I am returning and bringing a scanner, so that I can bring the data to my office. I can't stomach sitting in the DSI offices while reading the files and seeing how the city methodically destroyed people's lives.

Nancy Lazaryan

8:24 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

What you have experienced with St Paul Nancy is typical in the way they do things. They believe they are above the law and they have had this attitude for so long that they just think they are doing anything wrong.

9:49 AM  
Blogger Sharon4Anderson said...

YOU GO GIRL, We will Bail you out if necessary, try to take a witness 10Oct07 Agenda, Budget hearings Kessler backing way down, re: configuring License fee's, Sharon member of www.fear.org, Tues.8oct07 Electricity went out, 4 cop cars, 8 cops packing guns banging on door at 697 Surrey. HaHa Sharon will never answer the door to dirty cops, Black Lady Yolanda next door at 699 Surrey is moving out PS 693 Surrey, 6xx Conway are on vacant lists, altho occupied,News Complaint filed against tim nelson http://tacky-journalism.blogspot.com

9:51 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The city has to be hating this whole ordeal with Nancy. They are basically being forced to reveil information that they know will show many discrepencies in the way property complaints have been handled.

I love it!

10:01 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Not only that, but I'll bet anyone who wants to bet that those landlords who are suing the city are getting copies of everything she gets her hands on. Once again it seems they have picked the wrong person to tangle with!

1:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

OK explain this to me slowly... If the City is treating all of these cases the same (being tough on them all), how is that any help to the landlords who are suing saying they were the only ones who were treated that way (the City picked on us)?

At a certain point doesn't the more of these cases begin to show that the City treats everyone the same?

If everytime Nancy picks up a file she thinks that this person was treated the same or worse then the landlords, then I think she is making the City's case that they act the same no matter who you are.

The point of the RICO cases are that the City is treating these people diferently. That they are being selected out for harsher treatment. That there is some kind of discrimination afoot, (and someone who benefits...we haven't figured out who that is suppose to be but they are getting to it somewhere in the next ten or twenty years...) is what the landlords are saying.

So, if everybody is getting screwed as Nancy suggests, then there isn't any discrimintation.

JMONTOMEPPOF

Chuck Repke

1:39 PM  
Blogger Nancy Lazaryan said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

4:18 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I believe Robert Humphrey is the city's front line alibi artist - someone who bears watching. Hopefully all his emails are being retained.

He would probably be jobless again if he handled these issues professionally.

4:19 PM  
Blogger Eric said...

Nancy,
Sometimes I just don't get you. You're like a college freshman who just finished her first undergrad course in legal research, you can look up and regurgitate what is written on the books but, you lack the ability to explain the law.

The Law is explained mostly through much precedence. See, judges are charged constitutionally with interpreting the law and its their rulings and opinions that really determine what it says- no matter what you may think you read.

Pass the bar, then we can talk law.

Now, I happen to know Robert and have known him for years. Being anything but professional does not match up with someone I have known 1000 times longer than you.

My high school principal told me something that stuck with me that I think you should think about Nancy. Sometimes when you go looking for a fight, you find one.

On another note, in which I can relate with you, the story of your friend is one I've seen in rural, urban and suburban communities. Too many punks that have something to prove have slipped through the ranks of the police departments across the state (country). One only has to look across the river to see what that gets you (coupled with weak leadership)- an occupation force that could give a damn about half the people they 'serve'.

Cops will be the first one to tell you that there are assholes among them. Your less likely to get them to tell you who.

Eric

10:56 AM  
Blogger Nancy Lazaryan said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

1:29 PM  
Blogger Eric said...

No Nancy I don't need a Supreme Court ruling to understand that.

I do however see that you are a big believer in Natural Law over Positive Law (common law as you call it).

I believe that some basis of Positive Law are derived from Natural Law (closer to the writings of Cicero and Aquinas). History is dotted with those who have strong Natural Law beliefs and you know what happens to their causes? Nothing because these people end up being the equivalent to anarchists.

Aside from Chuck, I'm not sure how many on here could even follow the discussion on Natural Law vs Positive Law, however, I'd love to come on your show and debate it out.

Eric

1:56 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Eric,

I know you would like to give readers here the impression the majority who post here are a bunch of ignorant fools who don't know nothing about anything.

One thing we do know ERIC.. Is... this city has willifully victimized innocent people over housing and YOU Eric don't give a damn because you have HIGHER concerns.. Your PARTY. The DFL.

You Eric are here ONLY because you feel this public forum is a threat to your party. This blog is the focal point of property rights and housing in this city. People are uniting and they are blaming democrats Eric and YOU don't like it.

I also found it very interesting how Bob "roped a dope" YOU ! ! And exposed the way you run shotgun over your district council. Remember that thread Eric? You know the one where Martin spoke up and pretty much certified everything Bob was saying about district councils.

5:38 PM  
Blogger Nancy Lazaryan said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

9:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Oops, I posted this comment on a wrong thread earlier.

From personal experience with Robert Humphrey, I think he is a good example of the deadwood in the inspections department. This is a big part of the inspections mess. people just collecting a paycheck and hanging on.

9:21 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Now Eric feels Chuck and himself are better then the rest of us? I have two words for Eric on his statement that refers to the rest of us being under educated, but I was taught better then that so I won't use that form of language!

Eric is that the way the city also feels when they go after this particular group of individuals? Like we are under educated so they can get away with doing whatever they feel to use? Then we have individuals that use a non-profit organization as a front to make a good living and feel good about them selves when in reality they could care less about the less fortunate. Just as you and Chuck have no problem degrading the people I am speaking of which I would assume I was included, because I write here also at this blog.

8:35 AM  
Blogger Eric said...

Everything written on here comes back to the poor poor slumlords who are getting screwed by the big mean city and all they're trying to do is give the poor a place to live just like Jesus would have wanted.
PFFT!!!

So, that's why I commented that a good discussion on Natural and Positive (or common law) won't be appreciated here. In spite of what Bob or anyone else claims this blog has one purpose and that's to be a sounding board of grips and complaints against the city. Same shit, every thread.

5:38pm
You are as ignorant as they come. The DFL has three parts; activist/voters, elected officials and funders. Around the election is the only time when all three work together, the rest of the time the three are fighting for different interest and don't even talk or meet. But, you're stupid enough to believe in a conspiracy by a government entity but, can't explain it or have no proof.

I care about people who have been wronged by city officials AND slumlords who treat them like animals. I've done my own homework and the people you supposedly are helping or providing a service to- HATE your fucking guts. That's why you can't get any number of them involved in your suit.

Martin Owings told you his version. At the time this happened, I was just another member of the board of directors, I wasn't elected- read elected, into leadership until later. Martin shouldn't have come back to the meeting he stormed out of, that was his mistake. Me being the patient and understanding individual, let him say what he had to say without whipping his ass. The entire board saw him and thought it was cause for concern and called a special meeting to discuss that. You just can't have board members physically threatening others because of their views- which is what it appears Martin did.

11:26,
I've got a very lovely wife so that's not necessary. You are very welcome to keep that offer.

Eric

2:57 PM  
Blogger Eric said...

8:35
Your posts remind me of Queen Gertrude from Hamlet (Act III)
"The lady doth protest too much, methinks."
You feeling guilty my friend?

Nancy,
I've studied the foundations of this country at length, as a matter of fact, my BA degree is focused on Early American History and Political Science. You want to discuss how and why the colonies and first US Citizens governed themselves, I'd love it.

I assessed your viewpoint as being a pure naturalist (or purist)because you seem to kick the 'common' law to the curb when it doesn't suit your argument.
I know you are down on education but, one thing we learned is that when the results of your research are not what you expect, you can't just cherry pick the points that support your pre-proposed position.

So, what I'm saying is that there is bit of both in the foundations and I'll grant you that Natural Law is a base- a base, not the base. All of the people you named, have writings that contradict each other if you take it as a purist would.

So who do you want to discuss first? Bacon or the inconsistencies of Locke's major work on politics and religion?

Any of you who want to join in, feel welcome but I'm sure it will devolve into something that has to do with the city or DFL.
I could be wrong, it happens.

Eric

3:31 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Eric
Who do you work for.
You are against the people that are speaking out against the city.

Every day you are saying everybody is wrong about something.
That the landlords are slumlords.
These landlord are people with a good gripe, and you and your city friends are wanting to shut them up.

Why is this?

I like Clyde as a person because he help so many of our people.

Ask Art about when he kick in my back door and came in and put a gun to my head, my cousin Rick was there and given a ticket because he would not unlock the door.
He fought the ticket and beat it.

How about when Jesse had a Judge he appointed put a temporary restraining order on Leslie Davis and myself to stop us from protesting at CH 2.
I was held and not given my Dilantin, and when I bitch about it I was beat up and shackled.
That is 1 more time that the city and county did wrong.
So if the city and county dogged in some way over the years, how many people had the elevator ride at the old jail?
People that were beaten on the elevator, the cops stop the elevator and beat them and said that they slipped and fell, or they resisted arrest.
Is everyone lying or do we have to many cops like Vick, most police are great people and nice to chat with.

Bill Dahn
www.billdahn.com

7:31 PM  
Blogger Nancy Lazaryan said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

8:43 PM  
Blogger Eric said...

First Nancy, yes or course we learned this in school. You can't explain the 'building blocks' for the court system without knowing this.

However, with many contemporary comments such as 'activist judge' and 'judges making laws' I wonder if those people know of this or that the courts are an EQUAL branch of the government.
---
On to my opening:

The last part of this makes a point I want to tie in to our discussion here:

"But man was formed for society; and, as is demonstrated by the writers on this subject, is neither capable of living alone, nor indeed has the courage to do it.

Municipal law is also "rule of civil conduct." this distinguishes municipal law from the natural, or revealed; the former of which is the rule of moral conduct, and the latter not only the rule of moral conduct, but also the rule of faith.

These regard man as a creature, and point out his duty to God to himself, and to his neighbor, considered in the light of an individual.

But municipal or civil law regards him also as a

CITIZEN, and bound to other

DUTIES towards his neighbor than those of mere nature and religion;

DUTIES, which he has engaged in by enjoying the benefits of the COMMOn UNION;"
-----
That's a very important conclusion to what you wrote. It ties in directly to what we're discussing on this board. Follow this:

As a citizen in St Paul you are bound to duties of your neighbors MORE than that of mere nature (law) and religion. The city defines these 'duties' through its codes and ordinances.

If you want to 'benefit of the common union' in St Paul by operating a business or renting property for profit (and non-profit), (in other words, this being a populous city affords you great opportunity), then you agree, not through social contract or implied agreement but WRITTEN CODE, that you will comply.

You, Nancy, seem to forget and skip over that part. You seem to revert back to basic Natural Law even though your own example presented state your obligation is greater than that.

How's that for an intro statement?

Eric

1:02 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Eric said;

Aside from Chuck, I'm not sure how many on here could even follow the discussion on Natural Law vs Positive Law.


I say;

We know enough about the law to know when our rights have been violated and that maybe, just maybe someone would be a big enough person to stand up to this city for our rights, of course not meaning you!

I don't come come here to be talked to and degraded by someone that feels they are better then the rest of us by someone that supposedly has a non-profit organization that looks out for the best interest and rights of citizens yet does nothing. We are all human remember that, your no better than any one of us!

7:22 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If, as we’ve been told, the longest journey begins with the first step, then the first step of our journey through time will place us at the threshold of an era known as the Renaissance and the year 1500, the date chosen by numerous scholars as the dividing line between modern and pre-modern times. It was a time when civilization, particularly European civilization, was emerging from the stagnation of the dark ages where life was often described as being, violent, brutal, and short. And it would be the scholars of the Renaissance who, seeing their own time and that of the ancient Greeks and Romans as eras of great enlightenment, would brand those centuries of the dark ages with the Latin “Medieval”, from which we get “Middle Ages”

What we see as we move through these centuries are how the historical forces released by the Renaissance and the factious competition unleashed during the Reformation during the late sixteenth and seventeenth centuries affected not only the lives of those involved at the time, but our modern-day era as well. For this was a time not only of discovery and expansion, but also the first steps toward a global economy. It was an age unprecedented in human achievement, opportunity, exploration, danger, discovery, conquest and, many would argue, exploitation and destruction.

Driven by ambition, the desire for empires and wealth, and aided by significant advances in military and maritime technology, Portuguese and then Spanish explorers navigated new seaways around Africa, India and the Far East eventually crossing the Atlantic and discovering the Americas. In short order, European empires would appear around the world as all of the nations of Europe were scrambling to compete for trade routes and foreign colonies. And by 1800, the Europeans had succeeded in dominating, both economically and culturally, much of the world.

Initially the Europeans only sought wealth through very tightly controlled, and often brutally enforced, systems of colonial expansion where the colonies were required to trade only with the mother country. But over time, this system of mercantilism was superseded by global interdependencies that were still under European hegemony.

European empires around the world where often established and maintained literally on the backs of the native peoples in Africa, Asia, and the Americas who would be subjugated, sometimes enslaved, and robbed of their culture. And even though the Europeans may have long departed their former colonies, our own time is still marked with the consequences of these first encounters with a wider world.

Two interesting aspects of history:

1) Even though the players and costumes have changed, humankind itself has changed very little over the last 500 years—greed, avarice and lust for wealth and power still abound.

2) There is a striking similarity between empires and human life. For much like life, empires are conceived, born, nurtured and grow in size and strength. And also like life, they reach that point where suddenly they their youth is long behind them and the period of collapse and deterioration begins. For some empires the process was slow, but irrevocable, as with the Romans.For others, such as the Aztecs, the end was swift but merciless.

7:31 PM  
Blogger Nancy Lazaryan said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

10:14 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Eric seems to think he is better then the rest of us here because he has studied history, try living in society and treating all as one! That includes us here that have a grief with the city Eric, has it ever occurred to you maybe the stories you read here are based on the truth and the city really has fabricated code violations and violated these citizens of there rights? I find it very difficult to believe that all these people seem to be making simular accusations against a few of the same individuals that are employed by the city without there being truth to what they are saying.

I guess time will tell with the lawsuits but then again what can you get from a lawsuit against a city that is just about bankrupt already on there own even before the settlement.

7:57 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Eric feels that if he can get us discussing the noble and tragic endeavors of humans on a high esoteric plain, then it will take attention away from the screwed up realities of low intelligence and arrogant demeanor rampant in city government.

9:24 AM  
Blogger Eric said...

Nancy,
I went to a crappy public school on the South side of Chicago. I found a way to learn as did SOME (less than half) of the kids that graduated with me. You can not even begin to compare my high school with all of the advantages of a Tartan. One thing Chicago had was a mandatory civic exam in 7th grade and 11th grade. You couldn't graduate unless you passed it (and other things). That is unless you reached the mandatory age to be passed on. I think the age thing has been removed and they just kick your ass out now if you don't graduate in a certain time.

It only took us to posts on topics to see where we really have a problem.

You don't believe the judiciary is an equal branch of government with the executive and legislative.

Please find me proof of that assertion in our constitution. I never heard of a 'minor' branch of government.

Going down your line of thought, you seem to think that the judiciary is a part of the executive. Correct?

Eric

9:48 AM  
Blogger Eric said...

7:57,
I can believe everything you wrote.

As a matter of fact- for the 100th time, I have NOT debated any of that. I have stated that there may be corrupt individuals. I have said it over and over.

What I don't believe, and I have not seen any burden of proof met that this is a conspiracy against minority renters. What I have experience is just the opposite. Poor renters piling up the complaints about their landlords and the city doing nothing for years.

Corruption = believable/plausible
Conspiracy = bullshit/impossible

Eric

10:18 AM  
Blogger Eric said...

9:24
I think you meant to say 'esoteric plane'.

Anyway:
1. I didn't start this, Nancy did. I actually warned her that you guys would turn this back to the city. Thanks for continuing to prove me right.

2. You got any examples of the "screwed up realities of low intelligence and arrogant demeanor rampant in city government" ?

I mean if its rampant you should be able to cite a few incidents in several city departments. Or, do you have a beef with one department in particular and a few individuals in that department doing their job?

You're a little thick with hyperbole.

Eric

10:24 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Are you referring to the city that could do no wrong to a couple of individuals that just happen to line their pockets with the help of city funds?

Gee I can't imagine what the city is hiding in those public files that they a having such a difficult time handing over and explaining some of the city employees actions.

10:29 AM  
Blogger Nancy Lazaryan said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

11:56 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"As if every man should say, 'I authorize and give up my right of governing myslef to this man, or to this assambly of men, on this condition, that you give up your right to him and authorize all of his actions in like manner.' This done, the multitide so united in one person is called a COMMONWEALTH....This is the generation of the great LEVIATHAN...that mortal god, to which we owe under hte immortal God, our peace and defense."

6:45 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"A prince is bound by no law of his predecessor, and much less by his own laws....He may repeal, modify, or replace a law made by himself and without the consent of his subjects."

6:48 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

"St.Pauls House of Cards"

I don't think the house is playing with a full deck, ya know what I mean.

11:04 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

JOIN LETS JOIN FORCES GOOGLE MY NAME JOHN HUTCHISON

3:44 PM  

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