Building inspector won’t say why apartments condemned

[WNYresident]

Building inspector won’t say why apartments condemned
By Al Vaughters, News 4 Reporter

LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WIVB) – More than two dozen tenants have been locked out of their apartment building on Robinson Road, in the Town of Lockport, since July 29 but they have yet to find out why.

Town of Lockport Building Inspector Brian Belson condemned the building, and ordered the tenants – men, women, and children – out into the rain, with only about 15 minutes prior notice. Belson was accompanied by Niagara County Sheriff’s deputies, first responders from the Rapids Volunteer Fire Company, and ambulances.

So why wouldn't Brian tell the news why the building was condemned? Think he would have told the landlord yet not tell the people who live in the building?

[twain]

This is unbelievable. The residents should be told what the problem is. What if the problem concerns the residents health? This hiding the truth is so wrong.

[FMD]

Another example of how you dont actually own property.

[NY The Vampire State]

Where is the owner or management company, they should know what's going on.

[WNYresident]

Another example of how you dont actually own property.

No, this isn't another example of how you don't actually own property.

Maybe there is some law that prevents Brian from telling the tenants what he is telling the landlord. Sad though. Wouldn't want to be in the tenants position.

Think about this. ALL the money that is being spent on housing, feeding, transporting people crossing the southern border illegally around the USA instead of helping our own. Maybe if taxes were lower those funds could have gone into home, apartment repairs and road repairs.

Let us not forget the tremendous amount of money spent to invade Iraq and the mess it is turning into now. The Republican party is no different than Democratic party when it comes to spending/wasting our money.

[FMD]

No, this isn't another example of how you don't actually own property.

this is where your wrong Res, and I'll explain why.

you have a single Govt employee dictating to civilians whether or not they can live in their own home.

Where is the due process afforded to Americans under the Constitution?

Sure, you can go to court AFTER the fact, however, you are still removed from your property, sometimes by force by the govt because the Govt has deemed your property unsafe for habitation.

Sometimes, the local building inspector gets a warrant, most often however you are left out in the cold - literally, and now must spend THOUSANDS of dollars trying to live in 'your' home.

Therefore, if the govt has the power, to remove you from your residence, with out due process, you dont actually own it.

[dgrzeb]

Must be something environmental, but just what, why not let the tenants "in" on what is suspected ? Most probably "orders" from "above" ? :/

[NY The Vampire State]

this is where your wrong Res, and I'll explain why.

you have a single Govt employee dictating to civilians whether or not they can live in their own home.

Where is the due process afforded to Americans under the Constitution?

Sure, you can go to court AFTER the fact, however, you are still removed from your property, sometimes by force by the govt because the Govt has deemed your property unsafe for habitation.

Sometimes, the local building inspector gets a warrant, most often however you are left out in the cold - literally, and now must spend THOUSANDS of dollars trying to live in 'your' home.

Therefore, if the govt has the power, to remove you from your residence, with out due process, you dont actually own it.

Good post. Unfortunately, most people won't get it.

[gorja]

The Lockport assessment site has the owner as Lin Jia Rong, 187 Enchanted Forest, Depew, NY

[4248]

I have to in principal agree with Vamp - If the building inspector can force people out - using sheriffs - he should have to serve each and every tenant with a valid court order that states the reason.

How does anyone know this isn't a plow to evacuate the tenants so the property can be repurposed. It sounds truly shady and if the building inspector is facilitating such a repurpose action - he should be fired and prosecuted.

The residents deserve information or a day in court prior to eviction. If the Sheriff was aiding him - doubt he would do this as a favor - there has to be a court order or a higher up ordered him to assist in these evictions.

Theres some real mystery going on here - Building Inspector Brian Belson has some splaining to do !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[WNYresident]

Anyone know what Brian's work email address is? I'll just ask him why he will not say why they are not allowed back in. He doesn't have to say the reason but why they would withhold the information. He is an employee of the property owners of that area.

[grump]

Another example of how you dont actually own property.

You're absolutely right! Being a tenant is another example of how you don't own property! Thanks for the explanation. And imagine the nerve...he wouldn't explain himself to Al Vaughters. Exactly what right does Al Vaughters have to know this information other than that he's a paid busybody.

[WNYresident]

You're absolutely right! Being a tenant is another example of how you don't own property! Thanks for the explanation. And imagine the nerve...he wouldn't explain himself to Al Vaughters. Exactly what right does Al Vaughters have to know this information other than that he's a paid busybody.

Valid point. Don't you think the tenants are owed an explanation from the landlord even if it wasn't publicly on the news ? Far as I know they are paying rent one way or another.

[dgrzeb]

It's a matter of public information, sad that someone has to file a Freedom of Info to get the answers from people we pay taxes to, really doesn't make sense, not on a local level, or ANY level of our gov't.....Right, I'm living in Fantasy Land...

[grump]

this is where your wrong Res, and I'll explain why.

you have a single Govt employee dictating to civilians whether or not they can live in their own home.

Where is the due process afforded to Americans under the Constitution?

Sure, you can go to court AFTER the fact, however, you are still removed from your property, sometimes by force by the govt because the Govt has deemed your property unsafe for habitation.

Sometimes, the local building inspector gets a warrant, most often however you are left out in the cold - literally, and now must spend THOUSANDS of dollars trying to live in 'your' home.

Therefore, if the govt has the power, to remove you from your residence, with out due process, you dont actually own it.

I agree 100%. People should be allowed to live in a property no matter how dangerous it is even (especially) when the govt knows there is a problem. As long as the govt (ie taxpayers) are off the hook for the damages that result. No one has cited any law that says that the tenants or Al Vaughters have any right to the information in question.