Condo Owners Cited!!!!!!!

[homer]

I don't remember where Preston "worked" before JCOW. I do know this:

Mike Preston and Bill Turbett were political henchmen of the Aldo Palombo political machine. Nobody watched what they were doing. When the spotlight hit their comfy politically-appointed nests, they all scattered like cockroaches...some with large "buyouts."

Preston and Turbett both live in NW, so I don't know if they have anything to do with WC's exemption from the faulty condos. It might have something to do with the fact that WC has larger properties and a few more "pains in the ass" who watch what is being built in their neighborhood...but that is just a guess. I am suspicious of this, too.

[wildre]

Thanks Homer, more questions than answers as usual, that's the norm on the Island.
I doubt we will ever know the entire story.
I've done business with JCOW, I had a rough time with one inspector over how many electric meters should be on my property, 1 or 2. Stopped my renovations dead for 6 weeks. He didn't like my electrical contractor, so I suffered.
He's no longer an inspector he retired a few years back, but that's okay his wife sits on the WW P&Z Board, so he still involved.

re

He didn't like my electrical comntractor



re

[homer]

You hit the nail on the head, re. It's funny how your political alliances (or your contractors') can affect the timeline of your home renovation projects. I have heard numerous stories of the local construction officials harrassing property owners about minor issues such as your meter situation.

Meanwhile, the contractors and architects who truly bear watching get a pass thanks to their political conections or worse...

As I've told you before, I don't post using my real name here for much the same reason (among others.) I am currently renovating a home in NW.

I know it sounds paranoid, but I know of people who were cited for code violations on their home (on a Sunday!...since whan do inspectors work on Sunday?) The violations were questionable...and the person's father was running against one of the incumbent councilmen...coincidence?

So, for now, I'm homer...

[homer]

JCOW debacle update:
WW is not issuing mercantile licenses to the (480+) condos cited for fire code violations...they may not be able to rent this summer.

Copy n Paste the following (the whole address) into your browser for CBS-3 coverage:

kyw.com/video/?id=[e-mail]

(Or, go to: cbs3.com/video/ Then search "shore properties scrutiny")
It looks like the Philly stations have picked up on how big a mess this really is (finally)... And now the mayor wants to hold somebody's feet to the fire.

For more background on this, you can read articles at:
wildwoodleader.blogspot.com/2005/09/dca-finds-jcow-code-violations.html
wildwoodleader.blogspot.com/2006/02/jcow-files-suit-to-have-judge-decide.html
wildwoodleader.blogspot.com/2006/03/judge-orders-freeze-on-jcow-appeal.html
wildwoodleader.blogspot.com/2006/03/schooner-bay-owners-jcow-reach.html
wildwoodleader.blogspot.com/2006/03/jcow-to-withhold-portion-of-prestons.html
( and on and on: wildwoodleader.blogspot.com/ )

Getting back to another (related) topic:

wildre said:

...x-JCOW official, was the construction official in WC? Speaking of which I hear he's still on the Island selling real estate?
Anyone want to comment on that?

More specifically, Preston's selling real estate at Hoffman Agency...ex-Mayor Pantalone's office...
Such an incestuous little 'burg, this is!

The bottom line is: Like many places, the development here has been done primarily by an old boys' network of WW locals. JCOW was (is) part of it. Local developers could "get approved" condos and variances that no 'outsider' could even dream of (see wildwoodleader.blogspot.com/2006/03/in-time-when-variances-abound-this-1.html).

If those approvals include building plans which don't meet code (but are the absolute cheapest, most "cost-effective" way to go), then that was just fine by them. And when the heat turns up, they just retire...with pensions and bonuses.

Sorry for the cynicism...I have to look for something nice to post now.

[wildre]

Glad to see you back posting!
Thanks Homer for the update. So MP is selling real estate on the Island. Simply amazing but not surprising!