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Something Stinks
When you have a city business owner standing before council saying that for three weeks raw sewage has seeping into nearby properties and city streets -- and city officials appear so nonchalant about the ordeal -- what can one even say?
Tyrone Harley is the owner of an auto repair shop in the 400 block of Fleetwood Street, a tire retail business in the 200 block of Lumber, and several rental properties in the city. His issue is in the 400 block of Lumber Street where a sewer pipe that goes underneath his property is running into the street and garages.
Codes Director Dam Molina said he has been working on the matter. At Monday's council meeting Molina suggested talking to attorneys about the issue. But no one seemed to know why the leak was even occurring nor did anyone say whether the residents (Harley's neighbors) using the broken or clogged up pipe had even been contacted about that issue. Molina did mention that no one has been cited over the matter. Meanwhile sewage continues to leak into people's homes and into city streets and council seems content allowing Molina to resolve the problem.
"It's always been in my hands," Molina said. That's reassuring.
Last night, no one seemed to have any idea how to fix the problem. And the lack of concern from nearly all city officials should be disturbing to city residents. If city officials don't seem to care about sewage leaking into their residents' homes and into the city streets -- how can city officials expect residents to stand up and care enough to volunteer for their public safety programs that are in the works?
At the very least, shouldn't city officials see the health risks involved and take immediate action? Apparently not. Meanwhile, the sewage continues to leak into the city streets.
Tyrone Harley is the owner of an auto repair shop in the 400 block of Fleetwood Street, a tire retail business in the 200 block of Lumber, and several rental properties in the city. His issue is in the 400 block of Lumber Street where a sewer pipe that goes underneath his property is running into the street and garages.
Codes Director Dam Molina said he has been working on the matter. At Monday's council meeting Molina suggested talking to attorneys about the issue. But no one seemed to know why the leak was even occurring nor did anyone say whether the residents (Harley's neighbors) using the broken or clogged up pipe had even been contacted about that issue. Molina did mention that no one has been cited over the matter. Meanwhile sewage continues to leak into people's homes and into city streets and council seems content allowing Molina to resolve the problem.
"It's always been in my hands," Molina said. That's reassuring.
Last night, no one seemed to have any idea how to fix the problem. And the lack of concern from nearly all city officials should be disturbing to city residents. If city officials don't seem to care about sewage leaking into their residents' homes and into the city streets -- how can city officials expect residents to stand up and care enough to volunteer for their public safety programs that are in the works?
At the very least, shouldn't city officials see the health risks involved and take immediate action? Apparently not. Meanwhile, the sewage continues to leak into the city streets.
posted by Daily Local at
10:14 AM
12 Comments:
Had a very similar problem last year with a neighbor. Raw sewage was leaking from cleanout trap for 8 months. Called the city three times and wrote a letter before repairs were made. Not sure if the code department or city every contacted the neighbor, but finally repairs were made after speaking to the neighbor many times as to when he was going to correct the problem.
Good points Jenn - actually I couldn't believe what I was seeing. No one took accountability - no urgency was given. At the end all you had to do was look at Tyrone's face when Marty told him I think we have this under control. You knew he was b/sing him. I mean Marty literally had to pull Andrew Lehr out of his chair to get him involved with Molina. What a joke. The man is begging for help following the rules and all council can do is sit there. Again this is the issue with some of council. I heard too many times last night 'lets table this for later'. How about lets not and resolve it now? You know why they say that? Simple because none of them want to resolve it. If you keep pushing it to another date people will forget about it. Unfortunately in this situation it's hard for this gentleman to ignore it when he have sewage on/in his property.
I like the suggestion Mr. Molina had about talking to attorneys about the issue. Attorneys in general and especially the City's Mr. Lehr are experts at dishing out sh** and it sounds like this situation calls for a real expert! Of course, City Council seems to be equally adept at it as well!
I've just been informed that the sewer matter is finally being addressed and a property owner is expected to fix the issue by installing his own sewer line for his property to prevent future backups. It's unfortunate it took so long to fix the problem, but it is great news I'm sure for those who live and work in the area.
Jenn,
Power to the press! Keep peeling the onion skin back and eventually the odor gets noticed! Good job!
JB
Good job Jenn. Now maybe we can get the sewage off the sidewalks!
People usually speak out of ignorance. There where unusual circumstances, pertaining to what was causing the problem, what property was at fault and both property owners wanted to blame each other and not cooperate, but it is always easier to point fingers I guess.
Listen,
The fact is that these council members are totally unprepared to deal with the governing of this City. They have no professional background and the level of education of the council prevents them from being able to hold Walker and Matthews to task.
This next election needs people who are educated, professional and willing to hold the adminstrations feet to the fire and be actively involved in the business of the City.
I heard from someone who recently met at the DA's home that there is an attorney looking to run in the 4th ward and that there is a real estate agent looking to run at large.
This seems like a decent start for candidates. No one can blame anyone but themselves if Coatesville re-elects the current council members up for re-election. They knew for 3 years the City has been going downhill and have done nothing. Of course they are now going to step up and act concerned but that is because they are up for re-election.
To be honest it would almost be better if the Council kepy Matthews and Walker for one more year. If they elect two new officials you are going to saddle the new administration with two more flunky hirings.
How about we get some people that actually have worked for a living and understand the issues that are truely needed in this City. I for one know that we pay more taxes then our neighboring towns and townships, and they don't have all these problems!1
Ever since Mr. Walker came to this City, it Stinks. And i can't believe that council lets this go on. Can't they see that he is just lining his pockets and all his friends that work there also? Why would Walker or Matthews care about Coatesville? They did not grow up here or even live here until hired. They are all just getting a free ride for nothing. Where are your brains City Council?
We need educated, professional people to turn Coatesville around or the state to take over the city. I do not believe on council member has a college degree as far as my research has given me.
There is too much corruption in the city government. There is something wrong when the city has a parade for Rip Hamilton and his father continues to sell drugs in Coatesville. This should not remain a secret anymore. Any one who has lived in Coatesville for 20 or more years knows this and nothing is ever done. This is only one example of the corruption.
In response to several comments I say this;the only current member of council who does not work is Patsy Ray. Secondly we had ' educated people ' in city council and we landed in the worst financial shape in the city's history. Third thing, lets be fair, as uneducated as they may be the current Block have not performed as poorly as there predecessors. Still thats no excuse for poor performance. If better candidates come forward do what you have to do. Again let us be fair, reasonable and intelligent in our critique of our public officials. If the 'educated council' could not achieve success in the greatest boom market in history, how could an 'uneducated council' do any better in the worst economy since the crash of Wall Street in 1929? I'm just saying.
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