Sue raises an interesting point that I've long ruminated upon. I can't speak to Riverdale Park, but in Hyattsville and in every level of County code and permitting agency I've ever dealt with, it's been my experience that it makes a big difference whether the issue in question involves how you make a living or it's simply where you live. Landlords, contractors, commercial property owners nearly always get cut more slack in dealing with code enforcement or permit review staff than do residents/homeowners. <div>
<br></div><div>I don't think it's because "money talks" -- or, at least, because cash is being slipped under the table. I've never had any evidence that any money is changing hands illictly.</div><div>
<br></div><div>Here are my own theories as to why this might be the case:</div><div><br></div><div>1. Government personnel feel commercial entities have more at stake than homeowners, and thus are more willing to be flexible with them.</div>
<div><br></div><div>2. There is a certain rapport of professionals dealing with professionals that you don't have when the other party is a private homeowner.</div><div><br></div><div>3. Often the government personnel at one time worked for commercial enterprises in the same field (e.g., for construction firms), so there's a natural sympathy for the challenges they face.</div>
<div><br></div><div>4. Typically, government personnel have to deal with the commercial players over and over, whereas the residential interaction is often a one-off transaction. Thus, there is a natural tendency to want to maintain a good working relationship -- and that leads to more flexibility.</div>
<div><br></div><div>5. Commercial parties can bite back harder than homeowners can -- whether through lawsuits (or stonewalling in the courts), involving an elected official who receives their campaign contributions, or simply by raising a ruckus in interpersonal interactions (homeowners are usually more afraid and intimidated by government enforcers). </div>
<div><br></div><div>Does anyone else have other explanations, or perhaps challenge my premise?</div><div><br></div><div>Chris Currie<br>Hyattsville<br><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2011 09:33:24 -0700 (PDT)<br>
From: Sue Collins <<a href="mailto:wheadle@yahoo.com" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); ">wheadle@yahoo.com</a>><br>To: Vernon Archer <<a href="mailto:varcher@gmail.com" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); ">varcher@gmail.com</a>>, Sarah Wayland<br>
<<a href="mailto:sarah.wayland@gmail.com" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); ">sarah.wayland@gmail.com</a>><br>Cc: "<a href="mailto:towntalk@riverdale-park.org" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); ">towntalk@riverdale-park.org</a>" <<a href="mailto:towntalk@riverdale-park.org" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); ">towntalk@riverdale-park.org</a>><br>
Subject: Re: [RP TownTalk] Broken window - when will it be fixed?<br>Message-ID:<br> <<a href="mailto:1318955604.71596.YahooMailNeo@web112613.mail.gq1.yahoo.com" style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); ">1318955604.71596.YahooMailNeo@web112613.mail.gq1.yahoo.com</a>><br>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"<br><br>Very interesting; but I have to wonder if, for?instance, a private home owner in town who'd have windows broken out for such a long time would be cut any slack, and if they would be able to get away?with making the repairs when and if they got around to it??<br>
?<br>Bad enough a developer has for all intents and purposes bought up all of the town center and apparently wants to keep the properties vacant for all time; the LEAST they could do is keep the outside of the buildings presentable.?<br>
?<br>Oh well, money talks and the rest of us can.... walk.?<br></span></div></div>