Comments on: Couple Cited For Code Violations At Tornado Damaged Century Home

By: Rufus

Rufus — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 18:49:00 +0000

Agree with Peecee. Sounds like the mayor is afraid of someone. These people were trying to help others and the His Royal Highness called Code Enforcement ’cause someone has ’something’ on him! Mayor and Code Enforcement, organize a clean-up group, or use grant money to hire some of the unemployed in your area to help clean up. Remember, there were “blue roofs” in Pensacola for 2 years or more after Ivan. Give these folks some time!

By: Xpeecee

Xpeecee — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 13:18:49 +0000

Shame on y’all! What ever happened to “Neighbor helping neighbor”? Instead of complaining, y’all should get your butts over there and help these people! You are acting like a pack of wild dogs when they smell blood. Cut these people some slack and quit abusing your power. This is The United States of America!!!!!!!

By: MSHELLEY

MSHELLEY — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 16:26:13 +0000

@dagb – Anyone can call code enforcement and make a complaint that they are then required to open a case for. They give callers a choice, provide a name or be annyomynous. Guess it is no suprise that most complaints are given without a name. In my neighborhood we have a few overzealous neighbors who mistakenly have the understanding that we have an HOA and they use code enforcement to harass everyone. As a result, if you are working on your yard, better make sure you don’t have a leaf/brush pile for more than a day, code enforcement will come. Have leaves bagged ready for pickup? Better make sure you don’t bag them more then 2 days before trash pickup… The fact is, code enforcement is a goverment agency being utilized to harass & threaten many communitties. In fact, code enforcement cannot open a case on a property without someone callin in a complaint. Which is why we have so many bad, abondonned overgrown areas that nothing ever gets done about.
Code enforcement can and shopuld be a resource in ourder to help keep our community safe and free from harm. With the threat of mosquito borne virus, rabies and other threats we face, their funding would be better utilized working towards those issues. Instead they are tasked with making thing pretty when petty people call and whine about something witholding their name.

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 02:56:26 +0000

So sorry about your recent bad luck…here’s a fine to pay to make ya feel better! LOL!

By: Frank

Frank — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 02:34:27 +0000

@ Citizen, You try living on $12,000 a year or less, as Most of these people do, and try fixing things up!

By: Citizen (#1)

Citizen (#1) — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 00:31:43 +0000

ok @lfish..Thanks…It must be difficult all around. No I would want understanding in a similar situation from all sides. But if someone intends to abandon their property with no intention to clean it up, it is an issue for others and to let the county foreclose and clean up is a valuable necessary evil if you will. This is complex and to be able to freely comment discuss it helps us to be able to reevaluate our opinions such as they are.

By: Ifish4

Ifish4 — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 23:30:56 +0000

@ Citizen
You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about saying people should be able to repair their damage in two months. I didn’t have but three thousand dollars worth of damage to my house still it took almost two months to have it repaired. Getting a LICENSED contractor to do the work sometimes takes a while, you have to work on their schedule, not yours and most have been very busy with two major tornado’s hitting the area. Some of the people are elderly and need help with all aspects of the repairs including getting the permits. Others have circumstances we know nothing of that may delay their repairs. If you get into a situation where you have a hard deadline to meet but can’t for reasons beyond your control are you going to be willing to give your property to the county. Naw, didn’t think you would want to give your place away because you couldn’t do something due to circumstance beyond your control, try to have a little more understanding.

By: Concerned Citizen

Concerned Citizen — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 22:51:11 +0000

This is an interesting article, one with a variety of interesting responses. What a drama! It includes several different points…

* One is that with the privilege of home/property ownership comes responsibilities, to yourself, to your neighbors and to the community in general. A property owner is responsible for keeping the property reasonably neat and clean and within established codes. Every property owner, in and around Century and elsewhere has such a responsibility; and, if everyone took this seriously it would be better for us all.

* This house is in the area most effected by the tornado and certainly those whose homes were damaged need time to clean up and make repairs. Neighbors should be helping neighbors to do just that. Home owners should be doing what they can to take care of their property, not waiting for someone else to do that for them. If you get help that’s great, but understand that it is ultimately your responsibility.

* No one likes or appreciates a busy body, nosy, bully of a neighbor…in any neighborhood…under any circumstances. Instead of complaining about your neighbor’s property, communicate your concerns to them and ask what you can do to help.

* There are some comments that mention crackheads. If anyone wants to be a bit nosy and be a good citizen, consider this. Neither Century nor any other community needs, nor should they tolerate, crackheads, drug dealers and other criminals. If you see or otherwise know of such a criminal activity, you should report that to the proper authorities. Help to clean up our community literally and figuratively. Take a stand and help make this a great and safer community for us all.

* Perhaps some of the comments pertaining to code violations are correct. Perhaps it would be better if code enforcement was ongoing and proactive. There are plenty of places in this area where code violations are likely to be found. No one will like it and most will gripe, but in the end, the area will look better.

* There is an old saying…”You can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can’t please all of the people all of the time.” This is especially true for all elected officials. A number of the comments seem to be anti Freddie McCall. Some of you want his head, or at least want him out of office. Most of you probably have no idea what all he has to deal with as mayor. In reviewing the comments, I saw no constructive criticism and no reasonable solutions to Century’s problems. Some of you don’t want him for mayor, but are YOU willing to run for mayor in the next election? Can YOU do any better under the same circumstances? What will YOU do to make Century a better place for all of its citizens? You would quickly find that being the mayor means dealing with a lot of responsibilities for very little compensation, and never being able to please everyone no matter what you do.

Man up, folks. This is our community and it will be only as good as what WE make it to be. Lead, follow or get out of the way.

By: Citizen

Citizen — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 22:49:16 +0000

Look at the comment on previous article that many will not qualify for housing assistance. There is a comment from@neighbor that I think may be under the misguided notion that the reason thier house didn’t miraculously get repaired is blaming it on this unoccupied home owner allegedly attempting to get in line for the benefits. Point your finger..try it…you have three more pointing back at you. Quit whining and clean up your own slum. Elected officials have to rise above and use codes and laws already in place. Who wants Century…Slum and I will elect someone who keeps it this way…Feel lucky someone even takes the job..

By: Citizen

Citizen — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 21:54:36 +0000

Ok. So people lose everything they have and now we are going to cite them. What a Christian attitude.