Dave08
I do not mean any offense, just offering something to think about and to be clear, I am not offering you legal advice.
No Offense taken.
It is clear that you are upset.
Not really upset just really frustrated at the inability of people to have enough courage to address the issues they have face to face. Your neighbor is not being very "neighborly" and that is a shame, but that does not negate the fact that you violated the property maintenance code (mow the grass, registration on vehicles and the like). You need to read the entire thread. The entire frustration factor is due to the fact that in reality, there are no violations....; Mowing the Grass- this is an unimproved wooded lot and is not required to be mowed. Peoples front yards were in worse shape for mowing than the lot was; junk and debris is up to interpretation of the terms "Junk and Debris", however, I removed and or picked up anything that could have been construed as junk and debris; and the unlicensed vehicles....every vehicle on the lot has a proper tag, is registered and insured, and or has the proper documentation showing that it has been applied for with the state DMV. So I ask where was the violtations? YOu tell me since you said that I violated the property maintenance code....Whether a neighbor turned you in or a code enforcement official was out looking for violations, the effect is the same, you needed to take care of some violations. Already taken care of; see above. I have called for the code enforcement officer to come out to reinspect and close the file; it has not occured yet. The grass will need mowed again before the Code Officer reinspects.
I undertand wanting to make sure that the person who turned you in complies with the same provisions, but I do not see that you have a right to be upset because you were compelled to comply with the law. Not upset about obeying the law; upset is a strong word. I obey the laws and require the same from others. People in glass houses should not throw stones. There is a thing called the law of the land and should be followed as well. I think John Wayne said it best in the movie "The Shootist" and I quote "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people and I expect the same from them." If you can understand that then you can understand why I am frustrated and that I do have the right to be upset as I believe that I have been wrongly accused of violating, as you say, the law.
If you do not like the property maintenance code in you area, go to the council's scheduled meeting and request a revision, get a petition together with other similarly minded neighbors to do the same, or run for council and change the rules. If you were not complying with the law, your neighbor had the right to turn you in and the code official had the right to issue a notice of violation. What rights does the accused have when the accuser is wrong and there is hard evidence to back it up? According to your philosophy, the accused just has to grin and bear it....I think not. I do get involved with the local politics, have been to the council meetings and have spoken my opinion on various issues. You see, I do take these things seriously and try to work the SYSTEM to the betterment of all. However, I do not go out of my way to turn people in for suspected viiolations. I tend my own business and would appreciate that others do the same. If that were the case, this would be a better place for all.
This is America, land for the free and home of the brave. We have free elections, the problem at the local level is folks do not want to be involved in local politics. It is easier to bitch about what is wrong with things than spend time and energy changing things within the system. You are right; it is the land of the free and the home of the brave which I spent 26 years giving people that right by serving this great nation of ours in the US MArine Corps. See the above response. When I complain I do something about it; I do not sit idle on the sidelines. I do not make shadey deals at the local football games and on the golf course. I do not modify rules to suite my position or to help my friends. What is good for the goose is good for the gander or did someone change that analogy to do as I say and not as I do.
I am solicitor for four municipalities in PA, it is a small part of my practice. We deal with code issues all the time. All of the folks I work with are on council or the boards to make sure the government is doing what it should. Sure they are upset about what the State and Feds mandate from time to time, but at least they are trying to help their communities.