Buffalo's Control Board Secretary/Treasurer, Rev. Richard Stenhouse is due in Housing Court again this morning at 930am. fixBuffalo readers may remember he did not show-up last week.
This morning at 8am I visited the properties on Michigan Avenue, directly across the street from the new permanent home of Performing Arts HS, with a neighbor to see the past week's progress. Fingers were crossed that the properties were at least boarded and secure.
As you can see no progress in securing the houses since the story hit the local media last week...
Just in from Buffalo News....
Stay tuned...
Update...11am...
Just back from Housing Court. Rev. Stenhouse sent local attorney Gregory Zini from Damon Morey. He could not enter a plea for Rev. Stenhouse because he appeared without a signed waiver. Another adjournment...
I presented copies of the above photographs...
Greg Zini was asked by Judge Nowak what Bethel's plans for the properties included. And as we learned from Brian Myers BN article this morning the church plans to demolish the properties. Greg confirmed this and reported that Bethel has one bid and is looking for additional bids from other demo contractors.
I asked Judge Nowak to ask Bethel to secure the properties. Judge Nowak reminded Bethel's attorney that it would be less expensive if Bethel did the board up as the City would end up billing the Control Board Treasurer for the expense. The City's representative said the Mayor's Impact Team was overwhelmed with their current case load.
Seems like Rev. Stenhouse is overwhelmed, too...
Update...530pm...
Noticed the BN reporter Brian Meyer has a new article about this morning's Housing Court case...right here.
__________________________________________________________________________This morning at 8am I visited the properties on Michigan Avenue, directly across the street from the new permanent home of Performing Arts HS, with a neighbor to see the past week's progress. Fingers were crossed that the properties were at least boarded and secure.
As you can see no progress in securing the houses since the story hit the local media last week...
The secretary-treasurer of Buffalo’s control board has assured the city that crews will soon tear down some decaying vacant properties owned by his not-forprofit group.Just heard from a neighbor who read BN article. She asked me, "Where they getting all that money to demolish the houses, if they can't afford some plywood?" Let's see...four houses at $15,000 plus the additional cost of any asbestos related abatement, maybe 100K total? We'll see...A judge has ordered the Rev. Richard A. Stenhouse or a representative to appear in court today to address code violations at four structures on Michigan Avenue between East Ferry Street and Woodlawn Avenue.
Buffalo’s top inspections official said he spoke with Stenhouse Saturday. Richard M. Tobe said Stenhouse was getting bids from demolition contractors, and that work was expected to read the rest...
Stay tuned...
Update...11am...
Just back from Housing Court. Rev. Stenhouse sent local attorney Gregory Zini from Damon Morey. He could not enter a plea for Rev. Stenhouse because he appeared without a signed waiver. Another adjournment...
I presented copies of the above photographs...
Greg Zini was asked by Judge Nowak what Bethel's plans for the properties included. And as we learned from Brian Myers BN article this morning the church plans to demolish the properties. Greg confirmed this and reported that Bethel has one bid and is looking for additional bids from other demo contractors.
I asked Judge Nowak to ask Bethel to secure the properties. Judge Nowak reminded Bethel's attorney that it would be less expensive if Bethel did the board up as the City would end up billing the Control Board Treasurer for the expense. The City's representative said the Mayor's Impact Team was overwhelmed with their current case load.
Seems like Rev. Stenhouse is overwhelmed, too...
Update...530pm...
Noticed the BN reporter Brian Meyer has a new article about this morning's Housing Court case...right here.
Artspace • BAVPA • Tour d'Neglect - 2007 • Woodlawn Row Houses • faq • my flickr
the creativity exchange • CEOs for Cities
5 comments:
The average proprty owner would be slapped with fines. The Rev gets preferred treatment ever since he and Mayor were married in New Jersey! Maybe the city is waiting till someone is found murdered in one of these unsecured homes or an innocent child has an accident and dies. Its an outrage that Mayor Ahole does not step up and say something and do something. That loser has no balls at all. Rev is connected so this is acceptable. No wonder Buffalo in such a mess.
If the Reverend Stenhouse can't make a wise decisions to board up first, then get the money to tear them down the houses, how is he making decisions as the Executive Director of Bethel Head Start program. It sounds like the CDC doesn't have any money, where is he going to get it from the Church? OH NO!!! The Reverend is Executive Director of the Bethel Head Start Program. This federal program serves lots of children in our community is it stable? I spoked to a several staff people at my center and it sounds like he is planning big layoffs in that program. Will my kids still get their education or will there not be enough people to teach them or will some of these services be eliminated. This is another federal program run with federal dollars that he is managing.
Why do we think the Reverend can help get the city out of its financial woes when he cant take care of his own stuff. He thinks he is above the law and rules and regulations that apply to the masses don't apply to him because he is the Reverend. It appears that he is right to think so, because nothing is being done. If this happened to a lay person in this position, you better believe they would have been fined by now. All of this talk about him trying to do good for the city and restore the neighborhoods, ask the people about the houses that have been built under his direction. They would tell you how fair, caring and concerned about our community he is. Why should we as tax payers pay him a salary to help run the city. He should resign, then the city could use his salary to tear down the houses.
The following by Anon 1:15 is untrue:
"Why should we as tax payers pay him a salary to help run the city. He should resign, then the city could use his salary to tear down the houses."
Control board members serve voluntarily and are not paid.
Aside from that, I agree the Rev deserves much more punishment from the city for his housing code violations than he has received.
Demolition of these buildings seems like a wise decision.
Once again....the good old title of Minister has been a good cover for a wolf in sheep's clothing. Is anyone ever going to check up on where he gets his money, or why four fiscal people left Bethel Head Start within two years? Someone is really covering this jerk....It is time for his empire to crumble....not the person people seem to think he is.
Hey, get a look at 1461 Main Street
this property is owned by Bethel CDC under the guidance of Mr. Richard Stenhouse. The garage is falling down and the parking lot is in deplorable condition. Several employees have fallen because of its condition and when they complained about its condition, they were told to park at their own risk. Is this how we want our Federal Head Start dollars spent.
Post a Comment