Property owner Dr. Elizabeth James blamed the local media’s “reckless reporting” and a resident’s “spurious information” for causing her stress over her property’s condition and its overall fate.
James, who lives in Brockville, Ont., is the owner of 1511 Hastings Street West and 749 Stadacona Street East in Moose Jaw. Residents near those properties have raised concerns about them during the last several years; the Hastings Street property has received the most attention during the past two years.
City hall issued cleanup orders in June 2016 and December 2017 for that property, but James did nothing to correct the deficiencies, a city council report said. However, she has taken steps since September 2018 to ensure the house complies with municipal bylaws.
City hall issued another cleanup order for 1511 Hastings Street West on July 10, demanding that by Aug. 15, James should address unpleasant odours coming from the house; replace the shingles and roof sheathing; and repair the fascia, eaves and downspouts. If she didn’t comply, city hall would take action to address the situation, including up to the demolition of the home.
In response, James appealed the order and asked for an extension to Nov. 30. She also appeared by video during city council’s Aug. 10 regular meeting to request an extension.
Council eventually voted 6-1 to uphold the cleanup order and give James an extension until Aug. 21 to address all the concerns. Coun. Dawn Luhning was opposed.
Presentation
It takes about 62 days to sell a home in Moose Jaw, based on the most recent data, James told council. That would be beyond the deadline of the cleanup order. She would have to have a fire sale to comply with that demand.
James blamed the neighbour adjacent to the property, Carter Currie, for allegedly dumping his garbage over the fence into her yard. She blamed him for his continuous complaints, while she also accused him of interfering in her affairs, including harassing the people hired to clean out her house in 2019. This forced her to contact the Moose Jaw Police Service.
“I expected interference, but not to this degree,” she remarked. “I have never had contact with the complainant despite there having ample opportunity … Although I have never even met this individual, (he) has been waging a one-sided war in the press.”
James contacted the ombudsman, but the ombudsman said she shouldn’t appeal the issue, she said. The ombudsman also told her to tell city hall that she does not own 749 Stadacona Street East.
However, research by the Moose Jaw Express shows she still owns that property.
Possibility of demolition
James received a cleanup notice on June 25, with the issuance date from June 15. She wondered how a situation could go from a cleanup order to the complete demolition of her home by August. She questioned whether it was enough in Moose Jaw for “incessant complaints” about cosmetic issues to force the demolition of a home.
Lisa Eritz, the municipality’s building official, emailed James in July and told her city administration wanted to use one of her emails or portions of it as evidence in a legal case against the Express for publishing Currie’s opinion pieces, James claimed.
“‘The defamation, stress and bad publicity caused to you by articles they published in their paper would further demonstrate the harm they have caused by reckless reporting,’” she said while quoting Eritz’s email.
The Express published a statement from city administration that said it does not respond to letters to the editor or emails that harass and bully people, and would continue to have the property reach a reasonable standard, James said. Yet, she was told demolition was the only option city council was considering.
James is a front-line health-care worker and believes this situation is an opportunity to increase the pressure and stress on her. Quoting from one of Currie’s letters to the editor, she wondered if he was a “media vigilante” out to get her. She also thought council was folding from the onslaught of complaints.
“It’s an unsatisfactory situation all around. I certainly empathize with the elected officials who appear to be targeted,” added James. “However, demolishing a private citizen’s house due to complaints based on spurious information does not seem democratic.”
After her presentation, city council discussed her appeal.
