The proposed code adoptions are not imposing any new requirements that have not been enforced since 1975, he said. Any code taken out of context, interpreted by someone who does not want to provide safe, decent homes, can be made to appear as unreasonable. The controversy flared up again when the public works committee met recently to discuss the BOCA proposal and citizens showed up to oppose the new codes and to protest past and current enforcement efforts. Opponents claim the current code enforcement program unfairly targets older homes, especially rental property in the north part of town, while ignoring code violations in newer, more expensive homes and in city-owned property. Some landlords also suggest they are unfairly cited for violations that should be the responsibility of the tenant.
Officials counter that it s only natural that most citations involve older homes.
The public works committee will meet again on this issue on Feb. 26, and no council action is expected until at least March 13. Include your name and hometown and we ll publish some of your responses next week. Others will be archived on our Web site with a link provided. Answers may be edited for length. I knew John Ashcroft was popular in this neck of the woods, and the responses to last week s poll once again confirm the fact.