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Benson Report: Fahrenheit 1891

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Contributed by: Louise Benson on 9/21/2008

Today, September 21st, 2008, Broomfield's new "Property Nuisance" Ordinance 1891 takes effect.

Already the brand new city Code Enforcement SUV is prowling the streets, and will be inspecting the yard and exterior of each house every six months, according to Code Chief Kirk Oglesby at the City Council meeting on September 9th. This is in addition to responding to complaints.

Even your back yard is no longer your castle. If your neighbor, the public, or the code officer can see over the fence into your backyard, anything there is subject to the ordinance, according to Asst. City Manager Standbridge, in response to a question from Councilor Bob Gaiser at the meeting.

Taking the list of 17 property offenses in hand, I have driven the streets of older neighborhoods in Broomfield such as Lac Amora, First Filing, Greenway Park, Northmoor, and Westlake. About one house per each one or two blocks will certainly be targeted, and perhaps more if the code officer gets out of the vehicle and more carefully inspects the property. I saw no dreadful houses, but a fair number of empty, for-sale houses, likely foreclosed, weedy and forlorn.

I spoke with several people who came to the door in homes who will soon be getting a visit from the code cops. One was disabled, one had high medical bills after a serious illness, one was elderly, one had been picked on for years by code, one had two jobs, one had no job. These people can't afford the payments for the low-interest city housing rehab loans, and Broomfield FISH (mentioned at the council meeting as a resource) is not going to replace their roofs or concrete.

Many people I have talked to are not in jeopardy, but have serious concerns about the freedom to decide when to make cosmetic improvements to one's home. Some figure this does not apply to them. And it doesn't ...yet.

A Citizen's Referendum is in process, but time is of the essence. If successful in gathering 918 signatures, the Council will need to repeal the ordinance, or put it to a vote of the people. This Big Brother ordinance is just not the American way.

We will need a lot of help. If you can collect at least 5 signatures from friends, family and neighbors, or want to sign, contact me at louisebenson@comcast.net or 303-465-4915.

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Submitted By: Paul Madigan

posted on 9/21/2008 @ 9:42:57 PM

Rated Story

How dare the city council thinks Fish has all the answers. Best laid plans, don't always get good results, so just wait and watch those we may doubt, so they may have a chance to work out all the little bumps in the new law....

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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

Louise Benson

Broomfield , CO

Louise Benson has posted 63 stories and 38 comments since joining on 3/11/2007. Louise Benson 's average story rating is 4.51.

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