Criticism Not Warranted
Chapter 3 of the junked-car saga that began in last Thursday’s “Bagpipes” comes courtesy of Dennis Hein, director of the city Code Enforcement Department.
The original comment from a reader criticizing the department’s handling of a cluttered-yard complaint amounted to “biased journalism based on unsubstantiated testimony,” Hein said.
He said his office investigates 3,000 complaints a year with a staff of four enforcement officers and a supervisor.
“The enforcement staff has responded to community concerns ranging from adult arcade book store compliance to public health concerns and abatement of accumulated garbage,” Hein said.
The complaint that Larry Steinmetz of Northwest Spokane brought up in “Bagpipes” last week first was recorded in the Code Enforcement Department on Oct. 1 and the appropriate form was sent out, said Hein. The completed form came back on Oct. 4.
A staff officer investigated on Oct. 9 and an enforcement order was sent to the property owner on Oct. 11, giving him 30 days to comply.
On Oct. 28, before the 30 days had expired, Steinmetz submitted another complaint, Hein said.
The issue popped up last Thursday in “Bagpipes” where Steinmetz contended someone in the code enforcement office advised him to get a camera, take some pictures of the problem and send them in.
Steinmetz reported happily this week that someone from Hein’s department showed up after the column appeared. “I’m kind of pleased with what they did,” he said.
Hein did a follow-up inspection last Thursday, the day the first column appeared, showed that the property owner had “voluntarily responded to the enforcement notice and removed several vehicles and miscellaneous vehicle parts.”
His department has provided “consistent quality service in a timely manner,” Hein said.
Adequate housing good for whole community
“If a person has a decent place to live, he or she will work to try and improve it and themselves. We all prosper from this production, especially the community,” said James A. Nelson, Spokane.
He exalted Habitat for Humanity as setting the standard for government and non-profit agencies that care about affordable housing.
Thanksgiving break
“Bagpipes” will return on Dec. 5.
, DataTimes MEMO: “Bagpipes” appears Tuesdays and Thursdays. To respond, call Cityline at 458-8800, category 9881, from a Touch-Tone phone; or send a fax to 459-5098 or e-mail to dougf@spokesman.com. You also can leave Doug Floyd a message at 459-5577, extension 5466.