Comments on: Mayor Hotline March 17 to 23

By: boisecynic

boisecynic — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 10:51:59 +0000

Yeah, this is why code enforcement has made themselves somewhat unavailable. WAY too many people are abusing the system. The right way to do it is just email them with a picture. Also, it helps to know exactly what the law says regarding any given situation.

One officer told me he’s been to numerous reported violation sites only to find NOTHING.

By: Clancy

Clancy — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 03:39:41 +0000

Boisecynic, drove by on the way to the dump(sanitary landfill for Nonlibrary types), 36th and Hill looked fine. The vacant lot contains no weed and there is a pile of brush that looks not bad. Didn’t see much graffiti either. No wonder code enforcement isn’t cooperating. I wonder if she has ever heard about the little boy that cried wolf.

By: boisecynic

boisecynic — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 23:57:25 +0000

So I went by the Peterson house, hey, it’s all public record now, and guess what? They have a junk car in their front yard on the grass. I think I’ll turn ’em in to code enforcement tomorrow.

By: Clancy

Clancy — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 12:41:27 +0000

Okay, who here is messing with Jan Peterson? I am surprised she still calls the mayors hotline and doesn’t have Dave’s direct line.

By: idagreen

idagreen — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 12:39:07 +0000

This points out a major flaw in City Code Enforcement – that all complaints must originate from a citizen. A code enforcement officer could drive by the most hideous situation every day, but without a citizen complaint, nothing will be done. Jan Petersen is not on the City payroll, but she’s certainly performing a service, that according to most surveys, addresses a top concern for residents – trash and other code enforcement issues. She may need a hobby or something, but I know she’s not imagining things.

The City has recently enhanced Code Enforcement with an additional officer (I think), and added several positions to the BPD that are intended to deal with code issues and nonviolent stuff. But, they also moved from accepting an anonymous complaint to requiring contact info for “legal reasons”.

Although I believe that people should be willing to be open about complaints (and ideally deal with them directly with neighbors before they get to that point), it’s not always practical or desirable. Many people feel intimidated by this and will endure horrible situations with recalcitrant or hostile neighbors before posting an official complaint.

Neighborhood security and cleanliness shouldn’t be based on whether or not there is someone like Jan Petersen around to complain. Why have ordinances on the book if they are not uniformly and adequately enforced (I hear some of you libertarians say, “exactly”)

Anyhoo… that’s what we pay the City to do, take care of garbage and stuff like that – actually create and protect basic elements of that so called “quality of life”, rather than simply use it as a marketing phrase for the Chamber of Commerce.

And yes, Doug, Gary has arms and legs, one of each, at each end.

By: boisecynic

boisecynic — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 11:46:51 +0000

In the 10th post down, Doug Peterson writes;

“I wouldn’t be calling you if this wasn’t a last resort. I’ve been looking all around town trying to find an answer, but I can’t seem to find one. I have a dog; the dog’s name is Gary. I can’t seem to tell if Gary has four legs or two arms and two legs. If you get an answer, I’d love to hear back from you. Thanks a lot.
Humane Society ;)”

I don’t know if this is funny or not.

By: Not Dave

Not Dave — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 04:15:08 +0000

Is it possible to put a link to the mayor's blog in the link list? EDITOR NOTE--Not, I need to think about it. It seems more self serving than the GUARDIAM ego postings. HEre it is just for you. http://cityofboise.org/Departments/Mayor/NewsReleases/page14004.aspx