Sheryl, I think it is important for me to comment about your trash ticket. Don't even try to figure out what you did wrong. It's a quality of life code and it simply states, "premises must be clean and litter free." Unfortunately, this is a much bigger problem than your $25 and my $50. You seem to be the first to bring this to the attention of the list, but I'd like to confirm that the trash tickets seem to be back.
Over a year ago we had some lengthy discussions about these trash tickets here on this list. Through the shared stories, we discovered that these things were going out in waves and that this pseudo special services district, UCD, had a heavy hand in these. It appears that it could be anything on your porch or you may have gotten it for no reason associated with trash. Because this seemed to go away back when we put the spotlight on this practice, I've assumed that those planners behind these tickets put the policy on hold. This is very important to the community. Listen to this-Last time this was happening, I went to small claims court with this older, long term resident. (He is not on the list so I politely won't identify him). This guy was being threatened with over $1000 of these tickets and penalties. He had done nothing wrong and was being harassed. This guy had been a very respected community service activist but had a history of conflict with Penn. I started getting these again. I received mine on Feb 12th; it was dated Feb. 14; the handwritten part restated the code with a date 4 months earlier from November. Like you, I didn't do anything wrong and had no idea about the charge against me. It's such an old and fundamental principal in our legal system that we are told what wrongdoing we are accused of. I believe these vaguely written, "quality of life" codes, may be responsibly used by an officer of the city. But in plain language, doesn't the word "litter" convey to us something very different from something placed on our porches? Doesn't the charge warrant a reasonable description instead of restating the code? The huge problem is that these same vague codes have become a common tool of harassment and in the worst cases can be used to take peoples homes. I saw a documentary about gentrification in Ohio (can't remember the name). These same types of code violations were clearly highlighted as the tool to remove long term residents that like us, had done nothing wrong. There was a dying lady in this documentary and they kept hauling her into court for these code violations because they wanted her house. They threatened and bullied an artist over a nice handpainted sign he had over his door for thirty some years. I want to urge you to call our councilperson, Jannie Blackwell, and share your story. I'm going to take mine down to her office this week. I'm thinking of how distressed and violated that neighbor was that day in court. Certainly, it would be easier for both of us to pay the fines and wait for the next round. If others on the list are getting these again, I believe we should alert some of the newspapers and collectively tell our stories. Just share your stories openly and I'll do some of the legwork. One last thing Sheryl, unless you want the experience don't go to the offered adjudication hearing. It's a nasty little man who wants to act like a judge that hears all the cases. It's a complete waste of time. Sincerely, Glenn Moyer ----- Original Message ----- From: Sheryl Walters-Harbin To: [email protected] Sent: Thursday, March 15, 2007 10:28 AM Subject: [UC] Information Please! Need info on City regulations Can anyone please explain to me (in first grade terminology) what the city regulations are for trash cans and/trash bags on your porch? I would really like to vent so this may be a little loooonngg. My immediate complaint is the $25 citation I received on Monday. Over the weekend I did a little house cleaning and on my way to work Monday morning I placed some items on the front porch so they can go out for trash on Tuesday. I neatly stacked three non-working PCs and 1 monitor on my front porch. I also had 5 trash bags which I placed 2 each in 2 cans and one bag in another can. With 2 bags, I had to place the lids on the side. Within a few hours I received a citation for having the computers and cans with no lid on the porch. Okay, now my complaint is not the citation itself, because I have every intention of paying it. I just would like to know what specific regulations have been violated. Is there some type of guide I can refer to? I regularly keep my front free of trash/leaves/snow/etc. My normal practice for the last 5 years is to have my 3 cans in a corner on the porch. Is this right? Wrong? What? Now here is where the venting starts so you can stop now if you just want to respond to my immediate concern. No response necessary, I just want to vent. My frustration is fueled by the fact that out of the 4 houses on my side of the street, I am the only owner/occupant. The other 3 houses are occupied by whatever "squatter of the month" chose to be there. There is actually a family (with kids I might add) that moves from one to another. The porches are always piled with trash, beer bottles, and everything else INCLUDING the kitchen sink. They have electrical cord running along the back yard so to share. I complained to L&I about the drug traffic next door and the occupant tapping into the electric just outside the 2nd floor window. In January, someone must have tapped into my service because half of my house had no lights and I had to call PECO to fix it. A couple of weeks ago, there was an unreported fire there and I saw a burned fan and burned window molding along with other burned items thrown outside. This could have burned my home. My initial complaint to L&I was made 2 years ago and I have seen no response. Now the Water Department. For three years, I received and promptly paid $50 monthly for a $42 water bill. One would think that I would have a credit. Not!!!! One month I opened my bill and it was a whopping $1,200+ statement. When they could not explain to me how the bill got so high, especially since I have no leaks, I refused to pay it and you know what happened next...click!!! So long story short, I am paying a bill and I don't know why. So you see why in comparison paying the $25 citation is a "Drop in the bucket" ;-) Community Garden Recently, the city cleared the empty lots in the area. The one that was filled to the brim with God knows what really needed to be cleared out. Unfortunately they also leveled our community garden which had been used and maintained by a few neighborhood gardeners for over 10 years. The garden was made up of 4 fenced in lots and contained beautiful trees and rose bushes (I have pics if you would like to see them). In 2005 the city decided they were going to "Give" the property to a contractor, so we immediately drafted petitions and went to a city council meeting. Again long story short.No more garden. Thanks for listening! Have a Blessed Day Sheryl ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No need to miss a message. Get email on-the-go with Yahoo! Mail for Mobile. Get started. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Free Edition. Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.11/723 - Release Date: 3/15/2007 11:27 AM
