Zoning violations cost family home
Girard woman to serve five days in jailBy RAYMOND L. SMITH Tribune Chronicle
Article Photos
GIRARD - Allyson Krist and her three sons have less than 24 hours to vacate their home because the city's Health Department condemned the house Thursday morning.
Not only will the 56-year-old woman lose her home, Krist also will have to spend five days in jail beginning Saturday because of a probation violation given in connection to the family's failure to correct the zoning violations on their home in three years.
The porch at Krist's home, 432 Hartzell Ave., is crowded with boxes and yard tools. The main and porch roofs, gutters and downspouts need to be replaced. Some windows need to be repaired.
Krist's oldest son, Marshall, 32, has the mental abilities of someone younger than 3 years old.
"I don't know what I'm going to do," she said. "Who is going to care for my son? He needs a special provider to take care of him."
Jeremy Clark, one of her sons, said the family has lived in the home for at least 23 years.
"We are living on a fixed income," Clark said. "Right now, we can't afford to get a new roof. We don't have the money."
Both Clark and his mother say they were planning to work on the roof later this summer. They were looking to do the work themselves.
Monica Rea, who works with the zoning department, said the department has been working with Krist since 2005, and virtually nothing was done to the house.
"We tried working with them," she said. "The house looks about the same today as it did when we first went out there three years ago."
The city sent its first notice of violation to Krist's home in August 2005.
The order to condemn the property was done by the Health Department.
"It is not something that we wanted to do," Jim Dobson, the city's health commissioner said. "They've been given plenty of time to address the health and safety violations."
Dobson said the family had an above-ground pool in their backyard that they refused to remove after a tree fell down on it.
"The city had to send a crew to remove the remains of the pool," Dobson said. "We're not unreasonable. If a family is trying to work with us, we'll work with them. We've given this family due process."
Dobson said Krist can always appeal the Health Department's order in court.
"They have the right," he said.
Earlier this year, city officials said they were going to crack down on exterior property code violators and vowed to inspect every city property.
Last month, Councilman Larry Williams complained to council that there are 60-plus zoning cases that have been at a virtual standstill. City officials suggest that it is not fair to other home owners have unsightly and unsafe homes next to them.
Helen Maderitz, whose home is next to 127 E. Prospect St., a vacant house with numerous exterior housing code violations, said she has talked to Mayor James Melfi over the phone and plans to visit city hall next week.
"When we get a bad storm, the vinyl siding has been coming off the back of the house," Maderitz, 56, said. "Some have hit my house, knocking a hold in my siding. Who's going to fix it?"
The property was cited for numerous violations in September 2007, including downspouts not being correctly pointed, missing siding, broken windows, painting and general garage repair.
Maderitz, who has lived in the area for more than 50 years, said the neighborhood still is a nice place to live and would like it to remain that way. She said she hopes that the property is sold and fixed up before it becomes a target for vandals.
"Someone has already gone in there and stole all of the copper," she said.
Just northwest of the two properties is the empty North Avenue School building.
"Kids will break into the school and do what they do in there," she said. "Neighbors watch the school building and when we see there is a window or a door broken that was not there before, we'll report it to the city."
Tracy A. Medley, 204 Wilson Ave., has lived in her home for more than a decade. The city notified her in November that it received complaints about the condition of her property.
Among the items that were originally cited, the city is requiring her to remove a washer and dryer was left in the rear of the house; the front steps and porch require repair; the front door needs to be painted; the peak of the house needs to be replaced; the soffit at the rear of the house needs to be repaired; and debris needs removed.
"The washer and dryer was not on my porch for more than a week when they inspected," Medley said. "It was not junk. My son has taken it and is using it at his house."
Medley said she likely would not be able to make the repairs the city demanded if she did not qualify for the Community Housing Improvement Program. CHIP will help to pay for some home repairs projects for low-income residents that meet its requirements.
"I would not have known about the program if it was not for the zoning inspectors," Medley said. "They are the ones who told me. I hope they are telling everyone. It has been a blessing for me."
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TRACflw
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07-05-08 9:22 PM
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Whatever happened to "do unto others" instead of standing on the so called high horses and pointing fingers. Now I know of several people who have tried to help over the years and been turned away or ignored. Can only help those who help themselves, and be slapped so many times before it hurts to even consider doing it again.
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Pandora
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07-05-08 8:23 PM
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I feel bad for this family that cannot afford to fix their home, however, it does not take any money to clean up after yourself. That front porch alone is filthy! That junk needs thrown away. People are willing to help people that help themselves. They need to at least start. If a tree falls on your swimming pool do something about it. Don't rely on the city to take care of everything. That is just lazy.
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kellar4
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07-05-08 2:08 AM
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out of all of this, the violation shouldve been fixed than clean up. im sure this woman knows a few people!
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Shahan
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07-05-08 12:45 AM
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For the people that feel so sorry for this woman. Take her in or let her move in next to you. She likes cats!!! Lots of them. That way you can love thy neighbor and help her out at the same time.
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Shahan
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07-05-08 12:37 AM
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There are other families on that block that live on fixed incomes that look alot better than that home. Being poor is no excuse for living in filth. They have had ample time to make the needed repairs. She has had 3 years to do this and has done nothing. There are plenty of groups that help low income families fix up their homes. She chose not to use these one. But she has no problem pulling out the disabled son card when she needs her water bill or electric bill payed. She is a con artist in plain cloths. Watch out.
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Shahan
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07-05-08 12:31 AM
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WATCH OUT!!! Mrs. Krist or Mrs. Clark or Mrs. Micthal is a piece of work. She uses all three of these names. She claims to be disabled but she can walk her dog and and cut her grass without any trouble at all. She has used every charity to pay her bills in the past. She will tell you anything you want to hear to get you to help her. Her two sons of age and could get jobs to help her pay bills. She also has a daughter that stays with her that was conviently left out of the story. The handicap son is rarely out of the house. Someone should look into his care. The smell that radiates from Mrs. Krist's home is awfull. If you have any doubts of the smell, just drive by and roll down your windows. She has had 3 years to make repairs and the only thing that has changed at that house is the condition has gotten worse. If you think the outside looks bad....what must the inside be like. She has not welcomed her neighbors or friends into her home in years. Doesn't that make you wonder why?
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Clarke24
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07-04-08 11:43 PM
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we are buying shingles this week, my brother and I are planning on fighting for this house and keeping our disabled brother sheltered...If anyone wants to help in any way at all it will be greatly appreciated. Whether it be a donation or helping us picket city hall to mere good thoughts and well wishes. Please call and tell us what you would do.
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Clarke24
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07-04-08 11:39 PM
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While some of your comments are extremely rude to my family, I do appreciate anybody who is willing to help us. We desperately need help...We are willing to pay a contractor to help us fix our roof so that we may stay in our only home. We also talked to a few lawyers and a the district judge who did not sign any court order for the health department to do this! If anyone can please help us please feel free to contact us in any way. (330) 545-1077...WERE NOT SURE HOW LONG WE ARE ALLOWED TO STAY BUT WE DEFINITELY PLAN ON COUNTER SUING AND GETTING THE ACLU INVOLVED. If anyone knows of any good contractors we will help us please do so as this is our last desperate plea...May God bless you all.
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parrotslove
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07-04-08 11:18 PM
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I also lived in Pa, My neighbor would call me ask if i needed to run to town and take me shopping, Bank or what ever. My other neighbor plowed my garden and gave me Hay for my animals Never charged me a dime for there help, gas hay or anything. Thats true neighbors. Ive seen more people In pa that will more then be happy to lead a helping hand then my state OHIO, Here no one cares, they would rather spit on you, rob you or kill you. What happen to Love thy neighbor.Put shoes on a child, feeding your neighbor before they starve, No one cares, and thats a shame in its self. Why do you cass that stone get off your lazy duff and help. Any contractors willing to supply and help for Free.. Answer that. Contractors always have left over material i know this for a fact, I know to many.
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parrotslove
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07-04-08 11:04 PM
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Heres what i think.Ive lived in ohio most of my life, 9 months in W.Va 6 yrs in Pa. In Ohio no one wants to Help no one. Its hard to ask for Help its called Pride and when you do No one will come to help. When your on a fixed income how can you afford to pay for that help. No one want to do nothing to help there neighbor. They close there eyes and walk away. People act like Retardation is a Disase, People should be out there to help the diabled and elderly. But there not and thats awful. I use to live across from an elderly lady i use to send my husband over to shovel her driveway and walk way Because i seen her try to do it herself. In Wva I seen homes with dirt Floors, and Bad housing also. I use to clean this elderly ladys house who had a Retarded Son. She had 3 big dogs in the house plus a baby goat. I cleaned after her animals to This woman had a hand made so called wheel Chair because no one helped her. They took a chair and put wheels on it so she could get around.
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ivynmatt
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07-04-08 7:02 PM
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problems now would they i dont think so im really and i mean really upset that there is nobody out there that will help theses fine people out ok this is what i think people should get money to be parents if your rich and have everything then no you dont desaerve it and quit makeing fun of thoses that dont have what they need its not their fault so i think everybody needs helped out every once in a grat while right right so why dont everybody in the area pull together and help out the familys in need thanks for your time
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ivynmatt
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07-04-08 6:59 PM
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this story should have never went in the paper first off this ladys house is her sons lives . they grew up on a fixed income in wich nobody helped them out all that much I think if her sons clean it up with in some more time needed right now then they can do it but maybe so people should help out the people and consider she has a boy that needs his mom home with him I'm verey disapointed in this articial maybe people should be more christian like and help a fellow man / woman in need help them re build the house send them on vacation and re do the whole house over so she shouldnt have to worry about everything ok the city should help out all the other people also everybody knows that Ohio has alot of low income so does other states but Ohio is one of the biggist hit states for low incomehouseing and the worst thing is is also know as the biggest drug state in the U.S.A if they was to clean up everything and find jobs for the people that really need them then they wouldnt have so many
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brokenstack
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07-04-08 6:31 PM
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OK this amazes me. She had three years to do something. According to the article, the only thing she did was get the washer off the porch. Why did she not ask for help before? Now I don’t know what she did for the 3 years. But if she asked for help, she would have said something. But she did not. Now what I do know is this. If he is disabled, the least amount he would receive for disability is $600. A month and that would be if he never had a job. He would also get free medical from Medicaid. And he would also get $150. A month for food stamps. But that would be if they don’t own anything. But his mom owns a home, and I know that should not be held against her. But it may. My point is, she should have done something, anything just to show that she is trying. But if she did she would have said. So that what it looks like now is a woman who had dared them to take the house. Now for those who want to help in some way, I am sure that the newspaper would give you some ideas on what is need
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DMSharpSr1954
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07-04-08 3:33 PM
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If all is true as we read it in the paper, then where is Habitat for Humanity. We dont always hear or see both sides, but we do know that Habitat for Humanity could have been doing something over the past three years. Look how long Habitat has been working on Plaza Street in Warren. Over a couple years and still not done. Where is the help that they folks need? Come on people, come on churches, lets 'get r done'.
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victorson
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07-04-08 1:45 PM
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ok well then I guess from what you guys are saying they should bulldozer the house level, put the son in a state nursing home, and the mother in jail for not keeping up with the jone's.
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james30
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07-04-08 1:13 PM
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The photo shows that they have cable television service in the house. Anybody who can afford to pay cable television bills can afford to have the gutters repaired. And picking up the trash in the yard costs nothing, it is FREE!
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victorson
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07-04-08 12:31 PM
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West Virginia is the poorest state in the country next to mississippi. My remarks about the lack of sensitivity to this family is valid, as well as my comment about West Virginia's povery striken areas, of which you seem to take offence to for some reason. Yes I agree that they should clean it up, but on the other hand it seems to me that they should be given some margin of flexibility, especially with their 32 year old disabled son. In this economy coming up with 10,000 to put on a new roof, etc can be more difficult then some of you city slickers making 70,000 year realise. Perhaps this eviction should be covered more on the news media, too better inform the community how bad our local economy is becomming.
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jcg868
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07-04-08 11:05 AM
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Thank you Mammie. My inlaws are from West Virginia and I have been there many times. It is a beautiful state that always gets a bad rap. As for this article, it is stated this family has had since 2005 to make repairs to their home. They haven't made the necessary repairs so the zoning department is following the city's ordinances.
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Mammie
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07-04-08 10:53 AM
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I just love VICTORSON how you give a long comment on not judging people right after you mention take a tour to West Virginia. I was born and raised thereand I can tell you first hand..yes some homes are in bad shape..yet there is homes there that also are VERY nice.This is the same anywhere you go..so please take your own advice about judging..
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victorson
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07-04-08 9:37 AM
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Some of you city slickers in girard need to get on a bus and take a field trip down to west virginia. As for the neighbors who complained about this family, there are parables in the bible about throwning stones at glass houses from Jesus himself. "For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." What Jesus was condemning here was hypocritical, self-righteous judgments of others. This may or may not be the case here, I don't know.
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Handala
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07-04-08 9:22 AM
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Homeownership, what a delusion!If you truly had ownership a government beuracracy couldn't demand you pay for a "PERMIT" to make improvements that meet THEIR demands lest you be jailed!Now she gets 5 healthy days in jail followed by many more healthy days sleeping in doorways downtown Girard.Another City improvment!Hmm?
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Dangel
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07-04-08 7:28 AM
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Everybody is 1 stroke of bad luck away from being in the same position this woman is in. Instead of y'all running your mouths about how it's about time her and her disabled son are thrown out maybe someone should have stepped up to the plate and offered to make the repairs for her. Donations are tax deductible, a sign in the yard of the company doing the work is free advertising and the good deed is good for the soul. This country wants change well try THAT for a change.
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OldManGrump2
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07-04-08 7:14 AM
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The home is a dump according to the picture and description in this article. Thank you Girard Health department for doing your job. If you can't afford to maintain your house on fixed income, you should move out. Sounds like this one is beyond repair. I feel sorry for her, but I also feel sorry for her neighbors who have to put up with this house in their neighborhood. I wouldn't want it in my neighborhood.
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brokenstack
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07-04-08 2:37 AM
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Yes this is a tough place to be. But she still has the obligation to keep up her home. That is what being a homeowner means. You are responsible for the wellbeing of the home. Keeping it up to code is part of that. Now yes I do feel sorry for this family, but she should have seen this coming. If she could not keep the home up, she should have sold the home. At least if she did that she would have money in the bank. Now I am sorry for being so harsh about this. But we need to know that we have to do what has to be done. I had a good job, a home and everything was great. Then I lost my job for health reasons and had to sell the home, and then after that I did not have much money so I needed to go into low income housing. I was there for a time until I could stand without the help. But it is still her responsibility to keep her home up. And they are saying it is a health hazard. Not just because of the rain gutters, They do not condemn a home just for rain gutters.
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victorson
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07-04-08 1:21 AM
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This story is fairly upsetting, especially after looking at the picture of the mom and son standing there. I don't like to judge people by looking at them, but they don't seem like "bad" people. Quite frankly this raises some important questions in my mind, especially on this independence day, one must really wonder if they really should be thrown out of their home for simple zoning violations such as vinyl siding coming off the back of the house and crooked draining spouts.
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