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DEL.ICIO.USFixing eyesore is no small task
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It used to be an Eckerd Drugs store.
Before that, it was a business that sells lawn mowers — Turf Machine Company Inc.
“I bought one of my first lawn mowers from them,” Gwinnett County Commissioner Bert Nasuti said. “Now they’re on Indian Trail Road” in Norcross.
Just off Jimmy Carter Boulevard, we take a left off South Norcross Tucker Road and pull into the shuttered Eckerds. Two men who appear to be day laborers mill around. Nasuti nudges his red Corvette to the back of the building.
“Look back here,” he told me, gesturing toward the litter. “Somebody didn’t buy that 12-pack here, but they stood here and drank it.”
This is Nasuti’s district, which takes in everything east of I-85 and west of Singleton Road. It encompasses some of the county’s most unkempt strip malls and standalone commercial property. Nasuti can recall when many of the malls first went up. He’s seen some of them transform from sparkling retail strips to recycled, run-down complexes.
On Thursday, we spent nearly two hours surveying this asphalt jungle. Some centers, like Wellington Square on Indian Trail Lilburn Road, are well-maintained. Others, well, I don’t have to tell you. You see them.
The question is what can Gwinnett do to make the owners and landlords tidy up. Turns out it’s not as easy as you’d think. Many of the property owners are absentee landlords. And sometimes the property owner is listed as an investment firm on the county tax rolls. The address might be a post office box.
“Who are we going to call and complain to?” Nasuti asked rhetorically. “We have to find a human being, and sometimes that can take days.”
Then there’s this little thing called due process.
Say someone lodges a complaint with the county about the Eckerds off South Norcross Tucker Road. One of the county’s 12 code enforcement officers would inspect the property and document violations. He’d make a report, then send a certified letter that outlines the violations. The owner would be given a certain amount of time to make corrections, depending on their severity.
Assume the deadline passes and the owner hasn’t officially responded. Then, an inspector has to return and note that the violations remain. At that point, a citation would be issued and mailed to what the county hopes is the right address. The owner or the tenant would be given an arraignment date to appear in Recorder’s Court. That date could be four to six weeks after the notification. If the owner or his representative shows up in court, he can pay a paltry fine or plead not guilty. If he pleads not guilty, a trial date gets set, probably 30 to 45 days out. The eyesore, meanwhile, festers with graffiti and graft.
All the above assumes that the county has identified the correct owner and has the right address.
There’s got to be a better way. Nasuti may have one. He’s proposed that the county adopt a comprehensive ordinance that addresses the condition of residential and commercial buildings, everything from paint to siding, gutters, litter and landscaping.
And here’s the part I like.
Nasuti wants to play hardball with those absentee owners or landlords who are given the chance to do right but refuse. Their property would be declared a public nuisance and condemned. The county would put a lien on it, clean it up, then pass the costs of the clean-up to the owners.
“That would be a last resort,” he said. “But there needs to be some real teeth in the comprehensive code to put owners on notice that there are standards and standards must be maintained.”
Nasuti also has ideas that would make it easier to track down property owners. He wants to require absentee owners to keep on file with the county the name and contact information of someone responsible for dealing with code violations.
Wonderful ideas. I hope the rest of the commissioners see the need for them.
Their respective districts may not have the eyesores that Nasuti’s has, but they could in another five to 10 years.
Rick Badie’s column appears on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Contact him at 770-263-3875. Or e-mail: rbadie@ajc.com.
Comments
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By jimcece
March 26, 2006 09:58 AM | Link to this
I know Ben Nasuti as a very concerned citizen of Gwinnett County. He walks the walk (and picks up illegal right of way signs along the way).
Keep this idea out front Rick.
By Michael H. Smith
March 26, 2006 10:54 AM | Link to this
This is one of the few times in which Nasuti’s use of big government intrusions upon property owner rights, where he might have actually got it right. Extreme situations force local government into taking extreme actions and this just happens to be a case study of these extreme irresponsible times. The City of Lawrenceville is now undertaking the long over due task of a broken windows campaign molded after the county’s program. It remains to be seen if the City’s bite will equal its bark and in truth the same can be said of the county’s efforts. A fix it or lose it law is well in order. Go for the gusto on this one Commissioner Kenerly and other state and local lawmakers.
As well a review should be undertaken to strengthen loitering laws. While traveling on GA Hwy 20 the other morning low and behold upon a small knoll off to the right of the Quick Trip stood a huddled mass or a huddled mess as ‘some people’ would refer to this lot, of ‘those people’ as other people would prefer to have it, of the so-called willing workers (i.e. willing to trespass, willing steal opportunity legally reserved for the law abiding others, willing to commit fraud, etc., etc.) probably about 20 or better hoping some scallywag contractor willing to operate illegally would give them a cash money day labor job no American workers can willingly afford do. Just so happens, this said knoll is located very close to one of the City of Lawrenceville’s hot-spot-eye-sores. A complex of duplexes which at times are run-down and in disrepair, where over occupancy and crime has often been slightly more then rumored to be occurring. Now if this were the City of Duluth expectations of an illegal alien day labor center would be in the works – throw in a soup kitchen, coffee and donuts just for fun –, in lieu of simply doing the American sort of thing called “enforcing the law”? Needless to say there may not be a loitering law sufficient to deal with this community demeaning affair? If so, ‘those people’ behind the badge may simply choose to ignore such said loitering law; or worse, ‘those people’ behind the badge sworn to uphold the law “that would be all the laws” have been told something to the affect by the higher authorities that be, “Don’t Rock the Boat”?
Best of luck on this “clean up the county” effort Commissioner Nasuti and City of Lawrenceville but unless you’ve got the spine and stomach to make life hell – as a certain person has so-called it — for the willing law breakers and ‘those people’ who thrive illegally upon them, who have made our little corner of the world look like hell, then all of this good effort to instill community pride in the rest of us is nothing but an inanely walking squawking laughing joke.
By Bruce Wilcox
March 26, 2006 04:05 PM | Link to this
Ben Nasuti is a very concerned citizen of Gwinnett County no question about it. What I see is too few serving too many. Each commissioner is concerned with just his big piece of the pie. Ben Nasuti’s piece just happens to the section that is in most need of help, to the other commissioners expansion is more important than restoring an older section. Now who do you think will win?
This county with a population of over 600,000 we have too few commissioners representing the people, just as we have too few police to cover the ever growing population. Some may argue this is just more big government but I have to disagree, it would offer better representation for all areas. The bottom line is the districts are just too big and diverse for one commissioner to handle.
By James McCoy
March 26, 2006 05:17 PM | Link to this
In response to Mr.Smith above:Why don’t you say what you mean,instead of beating around the bush with your quasi-legalease? But I see or hear of no one complaining when they are looking for cheap labor themselves!
By RegularJoe
March 26, 2006 06:25 PM | Link to this
Rick thanks for the information and thanks to Commissioner Nasuti for his efforts. What he is doing is important and I believe it will help Gwinnett’s appearance. We do have some good Commissioners now. I like Mike B. and the current chairman should get some credit. The prior chairman, Hill, seemed to do a good job moving the county forward, but like many professional politicians, he became very arrogant. He seemed more concerned about developers, many who just want to line their pockets, than the Gwinnett citizens quality of life.
By Michael H. Smith
March 26, 2006 08:10 PM | Link to this
Reply to Mr. McCoy: What was said was meant as stated or more like it is quasi-legal-ease stated most of the time? As for people not complaining when they are looking for cheap labor themselves, they’ll likely start complaining only when and if they have to live with the results in their back yard on a daily bases, especially when and if ever it affects the wallet in their back pockets!
Or do as many who once lived along Singleton Rd. did after often writing letters to the editor of the AJC and complaining to the county, before eventually giving up the fight and becoming just another statistic of bright-fight fleeing from this once prosperous area.
On a slightly positive note, just down the street a few houses it looks like someone decided to make the place where they live look like they really want that proverbial “better life”. From yours truly in this neighborhood thanks for cleaning up vato. Now the City of Lawrenceville has a mound of trash piled up nearly as high as the completely full community-clean-up dumpster it is sitting next to, which the City left after the neighborhood review as a cordial hint.
Oh and by the way Mr. McCoy SB 529 – which should affect a few wallets – passed the State Senate recently, which has some of the things I (and a whole lot of other pro-American immigration reformers) have advocated for since shortly after the last illegal alien amnesty was given back in the ‘80s, when the legal alien population was a mere 3 million as opposed to now in 2006 where “estimates” run minimally placed at 12 million.
Hey, President Bush, Senator Chambliss did it ever occur to “yous two internationalist guys” that it is our illegal alien amnesty system which is broken, that can’t and shouldn’t be fixed?
Broken Borders means more Broken Windows. When all else fails read the constitution, follow the instructions, enforce the laws against all unauthorized invasions and establish a uniform process of naturalization of great scrutiny, offer it world wide where lower numbers will mean a warmer welcome and a “better life” for all concerned in the good old U.S. of A.
By James McCoy
March 27, 2006 08:51 AM | Link to this
Well Mr.Smith you may not have gone too Washington,but you sure showed your hand when you mention support of S.B.529. If that’s the same bill supported by the D.A. King crowd you are walking in shakey territority. That bill and it’s sponsors are not interested in true reform of immigration policies. Their agenda is to disguise their true ID which is the rehashing of old southern racial politics. Let’s call D.A.King and his crowd what they really are Georgia’s 2006 Klan.
By James McCoy
March 27, 2006 09:03 AM | Link to this
When jobs and wages are not at a premuim,some folks always look for a scapegoat for their lack of employment. Years ago when I was younger Black Folks were the scapegoats,now the Latino population has graduated to that space. You bigots claiming to care about american jobs need to place the blame where it belongs,and we all know who the boogey man is ? You hire Latino’s for next to nothing wages and then complain when they live in 3 world conditions. You can’t have it both ways!
By Bruce Wilcox
March 27, 2006 12:10 PM | Link to this
Mr. McCoy that is the best summation of the problem I’ve heard, I applaud you. In the church going South where many say they care about their fellow man as long as he is not on the bottom of the totem pole, it seems a little hypocrisy is floating around. In Congress this week they’re debating immigration. Some actually want to make it a felony for a person to attempt to make a better life for their family. Cheap labor, unsafe conditions and a work force that has no voice, what more could an honest businessman ask for?
By Kathleen
March 27, 2006 05:56 PM | Link to this
Nasuti is my commisioner and I hope his proposal goes somewhere. I’m happy Mr. Badie was able to take a tour with Mr. Nasuti and tell us about it.
Bruce Wilcox is right there are too few commisioners in Gwinnett county. The county continues to grow and no new commisioners.
By Jan Houston
March 27, 2006 07:25 PM | Link to this
I agree with Bruce, too.
By Michael H. Smith
March 27, 2006 09:02 PM | Link to this
If I didn’t know better I’d say James and Bruce is one and the same person. No difference, the malarkey is certainly the same. You two call others petty names while choosing to ignore your own bias, prejudice and discriminations against people who only support the law by opposing illegal immigration and for calling it felonious, and then have the unmitigated gall to cry Hypocrisy? More than being a nation of immigrants as you liberals so love to tout, this country just so happens is a nation of laws. Laws which have to apply equally to all, that even means equally in prosecution of illegal alien immigrants in need of deportation according to “the settled law”.
Neither I or any other pro-American immigration reformers to my knowledge that I’ve been associated with, have ever opposed “LEGAL IMMIGRATION”, yet the above commenter’s and many at the AJC, have so knowingly, willing and obtusely chosen to bash everyone who opposes illegal immigration as anti-immigrant, and that is just the starter of the many unfounded slurs.
Looking for a boogie man, oh get off it you two of one genetic clone, and this whining about wanting to make criminals out of “people who just want a better life” bit? Bank robbers just want a better life too! Perhaps we should legalize these victims because of their oppressive society as well? And I don’t have to look any further than my own government and the corrupt governments south of the U.S. border to find the Boogie Men.
“I’ll stand on the same firm Pro-U.S. American ground I’ve always stood on: LEGAL IMMIGRATION only, without favoritism or refusal shown toward any nationality, notwithstanding “just cause”, for the rightful purpose of naturalizing into U.S. citizenship, in numbers that best assures our future fellow U.S. Americans the best possible means for assimilation and prosperity in this country, while maintaining the domestic tranquility, economic vitality and the security rightly and constitutionally due every citizen of the United States of America and for their posterity. For all unauthorized and deportable aliens a free safe ride on the quickest means of transportation available to take them out of this country!”
PS. You sure showed your hand at ignorance in regards to SB 529 Mr. McCoy, in a vain ad hominine personal attack. Try reading SB 529 thoroughly before challenging your own lack of knowledge and intelligence as to what is actually written therein. Just for the benefit other reading passers by, Sen. Sam Zamarripa took part in writing SB 529 – need I say anymore?
By Michael H. Smith
March 27, 2006 09:20 PM | Link to this
As much as some may think more commissioners will mean better and more effective government I’ll have to disagree. Commissioners, even more commissioners, cannot replace the efforts of concerned citizens, more cops and better enforcement which will produce the best desired results.
By James McCoy
March 27, 2006 10:16 PM | Link to this
Mr.Smith again you showed your hand with your deciding how I vote or how I feel. Try asking instead of reading out of your prepared rightwing rant!Sigh! While you are on your crusade to rid this country of “illegals”don’t forget we have many from European countries here also! Oh they don’t count in your view?
By Michael H. Smith
March 27, 2006 11:18 PM | Link to this
Might I suggest you do more research before blathering, since I’ve so unwittingly become the subject matter of your great interests? In a pervious Badie blog simply because it was apropos to the occasion I exposed my ancestral linage when it was brought to fore at that time a very delusional attempt to draw a parallel (a very false one at that) between the great Irish immigration which occurred during the famine period to that of this present day illegal immigration by the Mexicans.
To save you the trouble Mr. McCoy since it appears your caught-up it in this unenlightened phony construct of Race as being a multitude of anything but one as human, I’ll reinitiate my very mixed diverse bloodline composed of the indigenous Creek of Georgia (what the so-called white folk, call Indian), Irish, French and English; though I awake every day of my life, as I have from my birth, an American.
There are, depending on whose guess you choose to believe, anywhere between 50,000 to 200,000 illegal aliens from Ireland presently residing in the United States.
I expect to see these illegal alien Irishmen, if and when they can be detained, speedily DEPORTED!
You may view this reply away liberal leftwing slanted way you choose now Mr. McCoy.
By James McCoy
March 28, 2006 02:31 AM | Link to this
Mr.Smith please spare me the great cover story of the rightwing in this country of your American first and your declared colorblindness. I have yet to see a member of one of these anti-immigration organizations standing on the banks of the mighty Atlantic Ocean armed to the teeth,willing and ready to stop the migration of illegals from Europe. The Business of the USA for the past three decades has been to encourage Latino’s to come to this country with a wink and a nod to exploit their willingness to work for less and a better chance at life. Now that this explortation has reached uncontrollable levels and unemployment and stagnat wages has hit the mainstream population,we look to blame Latino’s for that situation. When what we really should doing is looking at the man or woman that’s in the mirror and say “boy did we get ourselves in a pickle”.
By Jan Houston
March 28, 2006 06:40 AM | Link to this
OH well I was agreeing with kathleen about what bruce said about Not enough commissioners I refuse to read the LONG comments so I really don’t know what all you all are “chatting” about……………..
By Bruce Wilcox
March 28, 2006 09:43 AM | Link to this
Back to the issue of too few commissioners, it’s impossible for one person to reflect the views of a 100,000 residents. The districts are too big and diverse to cover the issues that effect the different neighborhoods.
I would think the only way to change the number of commissioners would be to place it on the ballot and allow the people to decide. It’s too late for this years ballot, but it may start people thinking. When they realize it’s not bigger government, but better representation I think we may see a change.
As far as the long-winded comments I tend to disreguard them now, it seems the summation is always the same, applying labels to anyone that disagrees.
By Michael H. Smith
March 29, 2006 11:42 PM | Link to this
Spare me the insult of your irony Mr. McCoy you really don’t know what the heck you’re talking about do you? Past immigrants from Ireland were mistreated far worse than any immigrant from south of the U.S. border presently. If 80% of illegal immigration now occurred from Europe, from Ireland, the outrage genuine and disingenuous wouldn’t be any different. In fact, even to this day no European country enjoys the immigration privilege Mexico is granted, “Legal or illegal”. If bigotry exists, which it does in current immigration policy and will only become more pronounced under any guest worker form of amnesty; then clearly this ethnic prejudice has shown its hand against the rest of the world.
This pickle you say “WE” are in, how do you think America and the U.S. American people got into this predicament? It certainly did not come about from failing to look into a silly mirror, certainly not from putting America first. No, it came from putting the United States of America and U.S. citizens DEAD LAST!
I don’t need a mirror don’t need a cover story, not even a conservative one and don’t need blindness to embrace every color I see within the one and only human race.