Harrisburg activist Lori Davis again asked the Augusta Commission on Tuesday to form a task force for drafting a Chronic Nuisance Properties Ordinance, and once again left dejected after commissioners voted to take her proposal under advisement.
Just as the commission's Public Safety committee did last week, the commission asked the Law Department to research whether an ordinance holding landlords accountable for their tenants' criminal behavior would pass legal muster and to look at similar laws on the books elsewhere in Georgia.
This time, Mrs. Davis had more people with her than just fellow activist Butch Palmer, a District 1 commission candidate. After the vote, she, Mr. Palmer and 21 supporters left the meeting and stood along the sidewalk fronting the Municipal Building, holding up signs reading, "Support Richmond Co. Chronic Nuisance Property Ordinance" and "Clean Up Corruption in Richmond County."
Though commissioners seemed open to getting outside input, with City Attorney Chiquita Johnson suggesting a public forum, Mrs. Davis said she was disappointed they still wouldn't move on forming a task force.
"They didn't even discuss the proposal I made," she said, standing along Greene Street holding a placard. "That is what should have been discussed, whether it would be legal to form a task force."
Last week Mrs. Davis, a Crawford Avenue resident who has organized four demonstrations against problem landlords since July 4, told commissioners that although the city has ordinances dealing with overgrown grass, broken windows and noise violations, it has nothing regarding properties with repeated instances of drug crimes, assaults, harassment, discharging firearms and prostitution.
On Tuesday, Mrs. Davis addressed the board as part of the delegation agenda, meaning she had five minutes to speak. She told the panel that she and her neighbors have tried sending letters to landlords and picketing them, but nothing's working.
"We have had little success in changing the negative social behavior that surrounds us," Mrs. Davis said.
She asked that the mayor form a 10-member task force to "research and shepherd" a Chronic Nuisance Properties Ordinance, with the committee including one commissioner and representatives of the Richmond County Sheriff's Office, Planning and Zoning and the License and Inspection Department. She said an ordinance should be put in place within a year.
On a motion from Commissioner J.R. Hatney, the commission voted 10-0 to receive the presentation as information.
Commissioner Corey Johnson said he's in favor of the ordinance, but first the commission has to make sure it won't conflict with federal or state laws or any city codes. There's no need to "reinvent the wheel," he said.
"We have to make sure it's legal," he said, "or what is legal and what isn't."
Commissioner Joe Jackson said he's not against amending or adding to existing ordinances, nor is he opposed to forming a subcommittee, but he's wary of trampling on personal property rights and the taxpayer expense of additional enforcement.
He said he went through the materials Mrs. Davis passed out at the Public Safety meeting, including a report by The Enterprise Foundation called "Solving Chronic Nuisance Problems," and Augusta already has codes addressing most of the problems cited.
"Having more government is what we don't need," Mr. Jackson said. "For them to get up on their bandstand and picket the commission, you're going about it the wrong way."
Reach Johnny Edwards at (706) 823-3225 or johnny.edwards@augustachronicle.com.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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And some thought the police just happened to show up at the demonstration on the slum lord's street. Heh. Corruption runs deep and outward in waves until it changes to ripples at the smallest level. We have syrupy Deke writing haikus about Augusta when we need Buford Pusser and his club making pulp fiction of the recalcitrants.
Ok. Let me try and understand this. The commissioners are saying they need to send this to the oh so effective and efficient law department to study whether they can form a citizens task force to study a Chronic Nuisance property ordinance? Were the commissioners even listening to what this lady was saying? She was asking for a citizens group including a member from the commission, law enforcement, code enforcement, realestate professionals, and neighborhood associations to study the issue and find a legal solution. We see yet again how ineffective this commission is and how out of touch they are with reality. Too bad we can't vote them all out in this upcoming election.
I certainly support it. Although, without any new laws or ordinances, we could assign a code enforcement officer to work dilligently ticketing and enforcing exisiting code violations against these landlords and many would clean up their acts and ensure good tenants were in place.
I think the purpose of this ordinance is to simplify the process. The Sheriff and George Patty say they like the idea and it would make their job easier. I agree. Instead of having a bunch of different ordinances, how about have one umbrella ordinance that takes care of all of these issues. That would make things simpler and more efficient.
I think I'm seeing that this Commission doesn't like to be told what to do. They see the rallies and picketing, whether they be in front of the Marble Palace or in front of a landlord's home/business, as a subtle slap to their face, showing their ineptness and slowness. I would bet that 95% of ordinary people polled would support these homeowners and question why they Commission is dragging their feet. Maybe, just maybe, they're dragging their feet to allow their landlord friends time to prepare to legally protecting their property rights? I think these homeowners should continue with their pressure until they get what is right, because it's not just right for them, it's right for all of Augusta.
What Mr. Jackson may not have thought through before commenting is that nuisance properties affect other homeowners. Property values in a neighborhood go down when it's ridden with crime. I agree, more government is not necessarily the answer, but in this case, landlords DON'T have the right to circumvent the general peace of the environs just to keep their Section 8 tenants. Maybe the Harrisburgers should consider legal action outside of the commission.
If the commission will not (and they won't)...then the PEOPLE need to take action...it's high time for the tax paying citizens of Augusta to tell the commissioners to KOA and start a vigilante movement...of course it would have to be "undercover" but when the government fails the people as it is doing from the White House all the way down to local levels the people must RISE and fight back.............Burn baby Burn!!!!!
The commission needs to be reminded they are there to serve the public for the good of all! Cleaning up Harrisburg is a must. It’s getting dangerous to do any business in that area. They are pouring tons of money in to other areas of Augusta but not Harrisburg. Then again it shouldn’t surprise me after all it’s the dirty politics of Augusta. Talk about the Revolution!
Unfortunately, the commission doesn't like being told what to do, but since it's the people that elected them who's asking them to take specific action, is it really "telling them what to do"? Could it be the action would affect one or more of the commissioners?
Why not band together, buy houses next door to the commissioners and rent them as section 8 housing. I'll bet that would get some action!!
If I had enough money to buy a house where they live I'd just bribe them to change the law. I do believe I could buy Betty Beards vote
PERUSING, you are a dangerous nut. I cannot believe that the Chronicle allowed you to post what amounts to criminal provocation.That is why we have laws, so that actions that took placed in the past would not be repeated.IMHO, you are no different than the THUGS you are so against.
Along with Grantum and Brigham, right NOFRILL?
LOL.... ispy just What are you trying to say? Sweetie don't get your panties in a wad...have you not figured out yet the the law-abiding ,taxpaying citizen does not stand a chance anymore?? Stand up and yell..fight and cause as much dessention as possible!!!!........
ALL OF THEM and start over!
The only one that has their G-String all wadded up is you. You are no more than a thug. You advocate arson and then advise me.? You are speaking that familiar rhetoric that caused a lot of people their lives and the hypocrites on here refuses to challenge you on it. I will.
Harrisburg activist you went before the Augusta Commission you lost now please sit down and shut up you are becoming what you protest a pest and nuisance
I believe that people have a right to stand up to slum landlords and against violence in the community that they live in and to you thankgodforaugusta if you are so tired of hearing about it then don't listen and don't read and don't comment, that will solve your problem. Apparently you either don't live in a neighborhood like this or perhaps you are part of the problem.
Buy or rent houses in the commissioners neighborhoods then invite all the thugs over for saturday night and sunday afternoon cookouts and thumpin' on the front lawn. It shouldn't take more than one or two rompin' good times to get an ordinance.
Actually, the Harrisburg group didn't "lose". Their request was not voted down.
It's odd on how many comments on blogs complain about local government and then turn around and complain about local folks trying to improve things.
your right it was not voted down it was simply ignored which is worst
I'll bet an ordinance will be in place before they can get all the empty 40's, used condoms and brass picked up!!!
Thank god, thank God more people doesn't think like you. What is wrong with wanting to live in a safe crime free neighborhood/city. Ms Davis keep on them, don't give up.arrisnvironment
Sorry to asdvise you, but our Commissioners are not going to pass any such ordinance - - - too many of them ARE Slum Lords themselves.
how about an ordinance prohibiting parading around with a shotgun that seems to be more needed in Harrisburg
Keep it up Harrisburgers, fight the good fight. You are making progress. This is just another obstacle.
All they have to do is require landlords to have a license period. It would make money for the city and if the landlord isn't keeping the property up pull their license to rent. We charge license fees for all activities that people use for income, why not rent?
thankgodforaugusta,
It was not voted down. The proposal went right over the heads of the Commissioners. Joe Bowles got it, and so did Grantham They didn't know how to react.. If Joe Jackson thinks that the study that was presented to him includes everything we already have in Augusta, the poor man cannot read. He needs to read back over the ordinances we have in place, and realize that there is nothing that covers the 35 or so negative social behaviors listed in the Enterprise study. He is truly the least intelligent on the Commission.
As to mr. Johnsons comments about personal property rights. I believe those rights were surrendered when the personal property was offered to the community for rent. I would agree if the property was used exclusively for the owners residence. And as for the "bandstanding" I see our darling commissioners really didn't care what the lady said it went straight through their empty skulls. Keep protesting Lori, maybe you will get on the national news and the world will see what a drip water town this is.
Most everything goes over the heads of our commissioners.