The final — and last — resort is buildings are demolished.” Fraser Tolmie.
First I must apologize [to many of you].
Please allow me to explain. When I walked into the backyard of 1511 Hastings St. recently to show the Moose Jaw Express reporter the property, I fell apart. Every memory, every disappointment hit me, in dealing with the city over the last 17 years. I thank Jason for his story that tried to make sense out of what I was saying.
I’m only trying to get this house [1511 Hastings St.] restored to a livable state or demolished; the same answer to the question Puffalt asked in our meeting of October 2018, when he asked what I expected.
Fraser Tolmie, Mayor of Moose Jaw, you seem to leave some facts out of your article.
Let me address the ARO:
January 20, 2020
Reply to Letter dated January 08, 2020
Derelict/Nuisance Property 1511 Hastings St.
City Manager Jim Puffalt,
I thank you for the opportunity to have the Administrative Review Officer review my complaint (inquiry) regarding 1511 Hastings St. (Administrative Review Bylaw 5200).
Councillor Warren asked me July 6, 2020, to consider an Administrative Review Officer (ARO) to take a look at the issue.
Why would I consider any process that goes through the city manager Jim Puffalt’s hands, as being unbiased?
I also have 12 months to decide on filing an ARO according to the city bylaw.
“Now their is a second house at 749 Stadacona East owned by James.”
I chose to file a complaint with the Ombudsman's office and I see the city is sending requested information for review.
Further to that, “information from the city” was requested by the Ombudsman, and I will hear towards the end of the month the findings.
I am also aware I can send any relevant information referring to the property to the Ombudsman for review and an opinion. Quite different from the city’s approach.
Amazingly, while the city is getting the grass cut on the above properties, the following words come out from city hall, courtesy of the Mayor Fraser Tolmie.
“The final — and last — resort is buildings are demolished.” Fraser Tolmie.
This revelation, since I went to the Ombudsman.
This all happened in less than three weeks, and yet we filed the complaint on August 15, 2018 with the city.
Fraser Tolmie your words:
“Legislation does not provide for open-ended regulation in these cases."
Councillor Warren your words: “very time-consuming and challenging due to the limitations of the Cities Act.”
So, for the last 17 years the problem rests with the provincial government not having tougher regulations?
Do you both not realize you get to write bylaws to resolve problems for all citizens, that’s in the “Cities Act?”
So, weak or nothing-in-them bylaws, as Chief Montgomery claimed was the reason he couldn’t collect fees; didn’t you changed the bylaw for him? (Executive Committee)
So, could it be the mayor and council’s responsibility to provide bylaws to meet the needs of all citizens, not just provide cover for administration?
The BEO said “Moreover, he told Bordessa that they didn’t have time to 'babysit' derelict properties.” (749 Stadacona E.)
That sounds like the BFO (Fire Chief) Montgomery, who took offence to my words in my Complaint Filed August 15, 2018;
“For a fire department chief or inspector to not consider the health and safety of all citizens of Moose Jaw a prime motivation for their jobs and duty to at least have the moral character to speak directly to a citizen about a fire hazard tells me they are in the wrong profession.”
Mayor Tolmie, I think you have some employees working for the city that should be held accountable?
So Mayor Tolmie, is demolition the consensus of council? If so, for me to take your words seriously, the property next door needs to be a vacant lot.
-- Carter Currie
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
