NOT Losing Mr. Foster

[sheclown]

[sheclown]

Jacob Long, First Coast News

[IrvAdams]

This should be a good news segment. I'm glad he's getting all this positive attention!

[sheclown]

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/story/news/local/springfield/2014/06/25/jacksonville-veteran-springfield-blight-urban/11358043/

[BridgeTroll]

Saw you again on TV last night Gloria!  As always... great job!

[strider]

Here's part of my problem with how Code Compliance does it's job.  Look up the referenced ordinances and you find that while the first one is sort of OK, 518.412[c] does refer to Cleanliness and Sanitation,  the second one refers to the incorrect ordinance, 518.412[g] is the section about venting the heating equipment rather than anything to do with peeling paint and the third one, well, that language simply does not exist as quoted anywhere in 518.412.  How can you ever hope to deal reasonably with people either that incompetent or that egotistical that they feel they can make up the law as they go? People depend upon these city employees and officials to accurately present the issues, when they do not, folks can easily find themselves losing their homes for no good reason.

[sheclown]

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Volunteers in Jacksonville's historic Springfield neighborhood are facing what they call a major setback.

"It makes me angry," said Gloria DeVall with Preservation SOS (Save Our Springfield).

For about one month, close to 100 people have been giving up their own time and money to help John Foster and his daughter, Doris, 53.

First Coast News first told you about Foster, 87, in May when the Korean War veteran found himself on the brink of having to sell the house on Market Street he's lived in for 41 years.

"We've been nervous about this ever since it came up," he said.

Foster is disabled and lives on a fixed income. As a result, he said he hasn't been able to pay or make repairs to the more than 100-year-old house in several years.

In April, the City of Jacksonville warned Foster he was going to be fined $250 a day if he did not comply with its new Urban Blight code enforcement initiative.

The initiative aims to clean up unsightly properties around the city that do not comply with city code.

Knowing he could not afford the penalties, Preservation SOS, a local non-profit, organized helpers to paint, prime and pressure wash the home out of the goodness of their hearts.

Each person was touched by Foster's story and hoped their work would bring him back into compliance with the city.

"All throughout this process, he's been very afraid that he was going to end up homeless," DeVall said.

But First Coast News has learned the exact opposite has happened.

"They're saying what we've done isn't good enough," DeVall said.

The city's neighborhoods department issued a report this month that stated Foster's house was still in violation of three city codes. Specifically, it said the house needed more exterior repairs, including paint and a pressure wash.

DeVall said that's work that's already been completed.

"They don't need to bully anybody into compliance. They need to help people come into compliance," said said.

Now, the Fosters are on edge all over again. They said they don't want to pick a fight with the city.

Their primary goal is keeping the place they love to call home.

"I just want to live here. I've been sitting on this porch for 41 years," Foster said.

Jacksonville Public Communications Officer Kristen Sell issued this statement to First Coast News in response to our request for comment:

The City appreciates all the work that has been done at the home at 1521 Market St. and the progress that has been made. However, there are minimum code standards that still need to be met, as outlined in the notice. The notice allows the work to continue up until the date that will be given for the homeowner to appear before the municipal code special magistrate. These standards protect the quality of life in the neighborhood.

It's expected Foster's hearing before the special magistrate will be held later this summer. DeVall remains confident all fines and penalties will be dropped.

"I'm confident he won't be fined," she said.

http://www.firstcoastnews.com/story/news/local/springfield/2014/06/25/jacksonville-veteran-springfield-blight-urban/11358043/

These standards protect the quality of life in the neighborhood.

This quote really makes me laugh. 

Neighbors on both sides of Mr. Foster as well as across the street joined in with the other 80 plus neighbors who sweated in the heat to paint his house.  Now THAT, ladies and gentlemen, is "quality of life."

[JaxUnicorn]

Here's part of my problem with how Code Compliance does it's job.  Look up the referenced ordinances and you find that while the first one is sort of OK, 518.412[c] does refer to Cleanliness and Sanitation,  the second one refers to the incorrect ordinance, 518.412[g] is the section about venting the heating equipment rather than anything to do with peeling paint and the third one, well, that language simply does not exist as quoted anywhere in 518.412.  How can you ever hope to deal reasonably with people either that incompetent or that egotistical that they feel they can make up the law as they go? People depend upon these city employees and officials to accurately present the issues, when they do not, folks can easily find themselves losing their homes for no good reason.

Couple the above with the vague way that Code Enforcement tells you what you need to fix, and you have a recipe for failure.  Using terms like "entire" and "south side" in no way, shape or form tell the homeowner EXACTLY what Code Enforcement expects him/her to fix.  This also leaves the door open for them to say you've missed something.  Well of course you have - because the City failed to tell you specifically what needed to be fixed.

[sheclown]

Update: The house is painted!

514 Volunteer hours painted Mr. Fosters home in 33 days.

Indeed, Jacksonville, we Made it Happen.

[sheclown]

Mr Foster's home was cleared yesterday by code enforcement.  We passed our inspection with the city and he is out from under the threat of rolling fines.  Additionally, he will not have to go before the special master.

[Noone]

^Congratulations to everyone. Positive news.

[JaxUnicorn]

Mr Foster's home was cleared yesterday by code enforcement.  We passed our inspection with the city and he is out from under the threat of rolling fines.  Additionally, he will not have to go before the special master.

Always good to hear positive news such as this!!    So glad we as a community were able to offer assistance when it was needed.

[IrvAdams]

Congratulations to all who worked hard on this! And for the activists on this forum.

[AuditoreEnterprise]

Mr Foster's home was cleared yesterday by code enforcement.  We passed our inspection with the city and he is out from under the threat of rolling fines.  Additionally, he will not have to go before the special master.

Congrats P.S.O.S. you guys/girls did a fantastic job and your dedication to the community will forever be in that mans heart I am sure! Keep it up!

[Charles Hunter]

Huzzah!  Good work everyone!