49 replies to this topic

[Bill]

That would be very cool, but I think, I will believe it whenI see it.

[command_prompt]

Miracles do happen. Let's wait and see.

[Herb]

I've been waiting for about 30 years or so , so what's another couple of years and a few Million bucks.
Still waiting for the first even to be held (other then the ribbon cutting ceremony) to be held on that Million dollar "Promenade" that was suppose to bring folks together in the Downtown area. Good luck

[smooth]

fact that floors collapsed in one or two is actually to developers’' benefit

How conveeenient.

Seriously, I wish them well.

[Herb]

Isn't it great that the City owned buildings are collapsing unto themselves and causing great stress to the one business owner that has stayed there for many years ! And now it seems that the City is going after a lady who owns 2 houses in the area and trying to put her in jail . Those Democrats are a hoot for sure....

Woman faces trial for Elmira code violations

DeadliThe case of the Endicott woman being prosecuted in Elmira City Court for numerous code violations at two properties she owns will now be settled in a jury trial.

The houses are at 514 W. Water St. and 262 Caldwell Ave.
Elizabeth Holloway and her attorney, Kevin Kelly of Ithaca, appeared before Judge Steven Forrest on Wednesday to provide an update on the repairs to be made on the properties -- one her former residence and the other a rental.
However, Chemung County Assistant District Attorney Jeremy Murray, who is prosecuting the case, told Forrest that the required repair work was still incomplete and the plea negotiations between the two sides had broken down.
"We tossed around some ideas, all of which involved jail time, but we couldn't come to an agreement," said Murray. "We discussed it weeks ago and again (Tuesday) night, but we couldn't work anything out."
The starting date for the trial, which Murray estimated could last two to four days, wasn't announced during Wednesday's court session. Forrest said he will notify both sides when it can be scheduled.
Holloway was initially charged in 2011 with nine misdemeanors for code violations at the two houses. She pleaded guilty in October and received three years of probation.
But in February, she was charged with seven new misdemeanors for the code violations that continued at the properties. It is those charges she will face in court.
The city's goal in filing new charges was to provide additional motivation to Holloway to make the corrections.
And during an April court appearance, the case was adjourned until this month to give her time to have the work done.
Some of the repairs have been completed, Murray said, but some haven't.
The chimney at 514 W. Water St. is still in a state of disrepair, work on the hand rails and roof is incomplete and the roof over a side rear porch hasn't been replaced.
There is still no primer paint on the home's exterior, Murray said, and there is junk and debris on the property, although he said that could be from the repair work.
At the Caldwell Avenue property, the porches that were in danger of collapsing have been demolished, but several broken windows on the first and second stories haven't been repaired. Murray said.
Meanwhile, Kelly told Forrest that Holloway is doing her best to repair the properties. But he added that she also has a full-time job and is caring for her sick mother.
Holloway, who formerly lived in the West Water Street house, is the first landlord in more than 10 years to be criminally prosecuted over property code violations.
Some of the violations, city officials said, have existed since 2005.
The city won a $500 civil judgment in 2007 and a $1,500 civil judgment in 2008 against Holloway for code violations at the West Water Street house.ne passes for repairs to be done on two houses

[Bill]

Can't have any green shoots, it makes the rest of the place look bad. Punish Success! For the Children! Forward!

[smooth]

"We tossed around some ideas, all of which involved jail time, but we couldn't come to an agreement,"

They seem intent on having her serve time in jail. How does that help matters?

[Bill]

It serves the singular purpose of making them look tough on this kind of thing. That a woman will lose her freedom, and maybe her life over a property dispute is secondary to the appearance they want to project.

[command_prompt]

Work is done on her Water street property (a bit slowly) and the front yard/lawn is one of the most beautiful (IMHO) ones in the area, colourful to the max.

[tony]

Let me get this straight. First they fine her, reducing the amount of money she has available to pay someone to repair the place. Now, the only plea options they are offering her is jail time, and is taking her to criminal court, which means she won't be able to repair the place herself, plus the lost income and added expenses associated with her incarceration and defense.

This is somehow helping in getting the houses to look better?

[Big Ed]

Who says american doesn't have debtor's prisons?

Remember, it is a crime to be undercapitalized and own property. You aren't allowed to own property and be too poor to fix it, or else you go go to jail.

[Bill]

I am unsure if I understand the legal justification of compulsion of my private property? I am sure lots of people like a neatly trimmed lawn, but what happens to the one person who sees the esthetic of a long, lush, prairieland for their lawn? What of the people who celebrate paganism and need the long grass and wild bramble for their religious observance?

Some code enforcement officer is going to try to trump my religious beliefs?

[smooth]

Let me get this straight. First they fine her, reducing the amount of money she has available to pay someone to repair the place. Now, the only plea options they are offering her is jail time, and is taking her to criminal court, which means she won't be able to repair the place herself, plus the lost income and added expenses associated with her incarceration and defense.

This is somehow helping in getting the houses to look better?

Plus, the properties will just sit there while she's doing her time, then we're right back to square one.

Here's a suggestion: take the money that they plan to spend on the prosecution and incarceration, and instead spend it on fixing the properties and getting them up to code, then put a lien on the properties for that amount.

[Bill]

Plus, the properties will just sit there while she's doing her time, then we're right back to square one.

Here's a suggestion: take the money that they plan to spend on the prosecution and incarceration, and instead spend it on fixing the properties and getting them up to code, then put a lien on the properties for that amount.

Uh, Duh, that makes too much sense Smooth. Whats the use of having the power to toss people into jail if you don't flex that power every now and then. The people need an example to be afraid of.

[smooth]

The people need an example to be afraid of.

I think that this is the main thing ... they want to make her an example to others.

[Bill]

Personally, in these cases, I always hope that backfires, that the persecuted person snaps and goes after the politicians pushing for the example to be made.

It would be very satisfying to see some politicians heads on pikes outside of some old ladies house, because her grass was too long.

[smooth]

Personally, in these cases, I always hope that backfires,

It might backfire in this case. She is asking for a jury trial. So ... will a jury of her peers convict a lady who is fixing her properties, but too slowly to suit the authorities, and send her to jail? It remains to be seen.

[Bill]

I wouldn't if I were on the jury.

[Ralph]

It would be very satisfying to see some politicians heads on pikes outside of some old ladies house, because her grass was too long.

OMG, That would make for the very best 6PM news broadcast EVER!!! I would archive that story for an entertainment value that would never wane.....

I never went to war with City Codes.... But, it was something that I always thought would be fun. I watched the ones who did it. They all lost, of course. But, they must have annoyed the hell out of City Hall in the process. There's a certain value in annoying such an entity.

But, that was during a part of my life when I had other more important things to accomplish. Now that I'm retired, I have the zeal for such things, but no longer live in the City.. Probably a good thing... Mrs. Ralph does not look on such things favorably. I do them anyway. But........