Comments on: County’s Top Code Enforcer Questioned By Century Council

By: Joe

Joe — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:14:01 +0000

If you think this is bad, listen to this. My wife was in the process of selling her dead parents home when it was discovered that there was a 73,000 dollar lien against the property. When in fact there had never been any code enforcement problems at that address. There was a code violation at our property where we live which was cleared up in April of 2005, a letter sent to us stating the problem was cleared up and code enforcement never let the clerk know. We were being charged 200 dollars per day because code enforcement did not do their job. Just another mistake? If they get a judgment against you, they will place a lien on your property.

These people make mistakes, do as they please and we the public have to pay the price. Pay close attention to these people.

By: Century resident

Century resident — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 19:32:44 +0000

Its storys like this that make me ashamed to live here. First chance I get i’m selling my doublewide and movin out to bratt. Them people take care of there property and they aint got no council to make em look bad.

By: Apology not enough IMO

Apology not enough IMO — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 00:13:16 +0000

The Century Town Council and county’s code enforcement division owes Mr. Herman Pleasant and Mr. John Stallworth more than just an apology. It is too late for that. The information they provided and approved for print in a public venue for the entire world to see was quite embarrassing to these men, and IMO equates to Libel. I am certain a court would agree. I hope these fine gentlemen sue the Council’s pants off………figuratively of course. I am sure many attorneys would be willing to accept this case on a contingency basis. Once the city coffers are drained a little, maybe the code enforcement folks would understand that these type mistakes DO send people to court. Then the Council might be a little less quick to use public embarrassment as a means of compliance.

By: Observer

Observer — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 17:34:51 +0000

In agreement with Shaun as this should not be an option. Unless Century Council differs from other governmental organizations, Mr. Hawkins has no real authority except as a quorem member in a council meeting. A “common” citizen has the same authority as Mr. Hawkins outside of meetings. Shaun’s comments deal directly with the issue of outside influence. Code Enforcement has the authority and knowledge to deal with the issues. Mr. Hawkins has no experience in this area and his assertion that the codes are being applied unfairly should be brought before town council not personally handled by him riding around Century. The other council members should address these actions and stay out of it. What is to prevent all citizens from requesting to ride with Code Enforcement and “assist them” in pointing out “code violations.” Small town politics continues.

By: concerned citizen

concerned citizen — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:20:41 +0000

It just floors me that everyone is making such a big thing out of cleaning up their property. If it had been clean to start with, they would not have been cited in the first place. Just clean your darn mess up and that will be the end of it!

By: Shaun

Shaun — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 19:26:57 +0000

I understand that you say he is riding along because he doesnt think its being done fairly, but that shouldn’t be an option for him. You council people voted to have code enforcement back and to let them make the decisions. I dont remeber seeing an exception on that vote to allow him to ride along with them. And whether or not he is influencing code enforcement opinions or not, its a small town, and to know that he is riding with code enforcement until they get 20 nuisances… just doesn’t look good. The town is going to get in a situation where someones property that doesn’t get along with Mr. Hawkins is on the chopping block, and you can bet your sweet dollar that they are going to pursue the fact that he is harrasing them because of their disagreements. Just my 2 cents worth.

By: Ann Brooks

Ann Brooks — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:20:46 +0000

Just for clarification, Mr. Hawkins is not riding with Ms. Slay to point out properties that need to be cleaned up. Mr. Hawkins felt that code enforcement was not being handled fairly, so he requested that he be able to ride with code enforcement. I also agree that we do owe Mr. Herman Pleasant an apology..

Ann Brooks

By: Observer

Observer — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 18:18:10 +0000

Other than common courtesy the town council should not be deeply involved with this issue. They agreed to let Escambia County Code Enforcement Division to handle this long overdue issue. Code Enforcement is a bureaucracy and problems will occur. However, they are handling the problem in a positive manner and the Century area is improving visually as derelict properties are being removed and/or cleaned up. Certainly Mr. Hawkins has more important things to do than to ride around and assist Code Enforcement. I am sure they know their job. Small town politics only deals with small problems. Meanwhile the bigger picture remains untouched. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

By: P.S.

P.S. — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:24:59 +0000

Excuse me, I have lived in this area thirty nine years and there has never been a code of any kind, anywhere up here. It’s about time. In Pensacola if you leave a newspaper on your lawn too long you are cited. If people would just clean up, the problem would be solved!! Why all the whining? From what I understand, from a councilwoman, your neighbor can report you for not following the codes set in place. Maybe YOUR neighbor is tired of your mess!!!

By: Tina

Tina — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:00:27 +0000

I think they need to apologize to Mr. Herman Pleasant.