Recently I was served with a violation of Village of Wausa Municipal Code 8-103. The notice further specified that I had trees or bushes obstructing alley access (I’m glad they pointed that out since I did not receive the Municipal Code with the notice). I have included a picture of my trees near the alley. None of the branches are obstructing the alley. Although, I did trim the trees near the alley as some probably were close to the alley.
This notice stated that I must provide proof within 2 weeks from the above-stated date or I would be subject to fines of $100 per each 24 hour period.
I was very discouraged with this manner of notification as I know other Wausa Citizens were. I felt like it was similar to being turned over to a Collection Agent for a Bill that I was not aware of. There was no verbal communications before hand just this rather harsh notice and then a follow-up call stating that I had not completed the project in time (which I was over by a few days). I truly did not feel there was an obstruction in the alley by my property; I didn’t have a car parked in the alley or anything like that.
We live in a small town, we work together to keep our town thriving, we work together to keep it nice and we work together to make it a community others would want to live. Village Board members please remember that we are your neighbors, friends, business patrons and not faceless home owners. Maybe a verbal notice is a better way to talk to a friend rather than a threat of fines and court action. This is definitely needed if a verbal request does not fix an issue, but not a first line of communication.
Category: Opinion
I wholeheartedly agree. I too received this notice about branches obstructing the alley and promptly trimmed the few branches that were supposedly such an abomination. The letter lacked any courtesy, was harshly written, and rude. When I read it I felt like I was living in New York City and there was complaint about a meth lab in my back yard… instead of a few straggly branches in an alley of a little town.
No doubt, these type of city government interactions are always testy and it may be a simple case of misunderstanding or misdirections
on their part. I’m sure there are ‘clearance’ guidelines/statutes they must use in order to create a ‘notice’ to the homeowner’s property infringement. However, using a blatant or threatening type of residential hyjacking is totally uncalled for. We were downwind of another similar notice that caused infuriation to the homeowner like we never have seen before.
Sometimes this is a simple case of too many
“big fish in a little pond” syndrome, and for others, a simple lack of tact. Either way, the community LEADERS need to be that, and not nomatic henchmen in search of another trophy. Let’s all hope they revamp their methods to enlighten and keep the peace. If they don’t, serving for another term could be in jeopardy.
It was in the minutes that Tim Albrecht, Village of Wausa employee, asked the Board if they noticed that the alleys are getting overgrown. He then asked the Board if they could mail notices. He made the “list” himself and could have easily communicated verbally with all individuals and not even have to bring it up at a meeting.
It would be way too hard to give everyone a verbal warning. Maybe just revise the written notice so it is not as harsh and send it in the mail.
Since the notices were all hand delivered, he could have communicated verbally instead.
The Board could have done this: 1.) Entered into the Gazette a ‘Special News’ (alleys only) covering the statutes and need for public safety
goals. 2.) Followed up with a brief letter and explanation (with abbreviated Statute)to those with related alley-clearance problems. 3.) List
options for the homeowner to follow relating to time, costs, and penalties. 4.) Follow up with a phone call to have Tim ‘inspect’ the premises for compliance. This could all be done professionally and tactfully while keeping everybody’s trust in our elected officials that they are indeed, doing a great job. I’m not sure that just telling a homeowner to ‘clean it up’ would be that effective. Best act with tasteful clout.
I see we don’t have comments on the water project article. There are several on this subject. Please submit comments on the proposed regional water project too!! Nothing is set in stone on the project, and the Board would like comments not anonymous from the residents. Your view point matters!
Thanks!
There are several people that don’t get the Gazette in town so they won’t even see the alley notice.
Let us all SEE, #2 says: Follow up with a brief letter including those statutes/council intentions for alley safety issues. There are (4) listed actions of sequence since you can’t get all birds with the same stone. Ignorance is no excuse; not having a Gazette is. I’m borderline stupid and it looks simple to me, but maybe that’s why it looks that way. Please don’t shoot the messenger.