'Eyesore' irks motel neighbors

The Jamestown Sun

The City Council's Police Committee Thursday assured neighbors of the Ranch House Motel that the city is taking steps to get the property cleaned up and the fire-damaged building demolished.

Most of the neighbors were in the council chambers to complain about the lack of progress in dealing with the portion of the motel damaged by fire Jan. 20. Gail Fisher, who represented her parents, who live near the motel, said nothing is being done about the building or the area. It's an eyesore, she said, and presented the committee with a petition to take action to clean it up.

"He needs to clean his motel up. It's rundown and dilapidated," Fisher said. "It's a safety issue as well."

Phil VanErem, owner of the motel, said in a telephone interview that work to replace the roof on the fire-damaged portion of the motel would begin next week and other improvements would soon be implemented. He stressed that the repairs would be made but that they would take time.

Jeff Willers, who lives across the street from the fire-damaged portion of the motel, said little has been done to secure the area. He said the rafters are exposed, shingles have been thrown around and "nails are everywhere." Windows and doors are broken out and kids have been inside. He's found a lot of beer cans and other items in the building.

"I was told it must be secured. It's not," he said. "It's been seven months and nothing's been done."

City Administrator Jeff Fuchs said the situation has been discussed. The problem is, although the city has ordinances about blighted structures or dangerous buildings, removal time is not mentioned. So, although the owner has gotten a demolition permit, no ordinance says how long he has to get the job done. He's only required to secure the property.

The ordinances are being reviewed and Building Administrator Jim Weight is researching other cities' ordinances to create tougher ones for Jamestown.

"There's no teeth in our ordinances," said Councilwoman Kelani Parisien.

Meanwhile, whatever can be done following the present ordinances is being done. The owner has been sent a registered letter giving him seven days to comply with the requirements the city already has. That time is up today.

"The letter addressed safety and security issues," said City Attorney Ken Dalsted. "We have to go through procedures to establish that it's a dangerous building."

Police Chief Donegan said his department has issued the owner three junk notices. So far, it hasn't accomplished very much and he said three was enough. Now, officers are issuing court summons.

Residents in the area were also concerned about the two sex offenders and others with a criminal record presently living at the Ranch House.

"Is it a halfway house or a motel?" Willers asked.

Donegan said it's not a halfway house and it really isn't a motel anymore. It's become apartments, he said.

Asked if there was anything the police could do about the sex offenders, Donegan said his officers monitor them closely. But, as long as they're complying with the conditions of their parole or probation, they have a right to live at the Ranch House.

"They're free citizens," he said.

Dalsted added there have always been sex offenders. The difference is they're identified and the community knows about them now, he said.

Terry Wanzek, who lives in the area and is a state legislator, said he was concerned about the safety of the children in the neighborhood. He said he would talk to the attorney general and the Legislative Council about the sex offenders to see what, if anything, else can be done.

The Ranch House Motel issue wasn't on the agenda and Councilman Ken Schulz was concerned about that. He said he had no idea that this was going to come up.

"It feels to me as though I've been blindsided," he said. "We publish agendas ahead of time so people are aware of the issues that are going to be discussed."

He said too often the other side is unrepresented because no one knows the issue is going to be discussed. Schulz said he had no problem with the specific issue of the Ranch House. This was a general objection to bringing up issues not on the agenda.