1000 x 90

LETTERS / Ignoring Ordinance Violations Connected To Boone Town Council Member?

Dear Editor, 

According to the Boone Town Ordinance as cited below, the Hospitality House properties on King Street are in constant violation of the Noxious Growth Ordinance § 91.20 NOXIOUS GROWTH. (See photos, ordinance below.)

With Lynne Mason being the responsible party as the Director of the Hospitality House and her being a member of the Boone Town Council, the ordinance is seemingly and constantly being ignored.  On countless occasions, I have personally driven by and taken photos of the properties, un-mowed, litter bound and in direct violation of the Town of Boone’s Ordinance.

Question is, are sitting Town Council members and their associated parties EXEMPT from the Town’s Ordinance?

Seems like preferential treatment to me, and many others think the same.

This is an embarrassment to the Town and with nearly 4 million dollars in Assets, it seems they could keep the property up, otherwise it should be condemned as I believe, from personally experience  it is being used by vagrants and for drug use.

Thanks in advance for your prompt reply to me as to why Lynne Mason and the Hospitality House has and is continuing to receive special consideration, without formal citation.

After all, Mrs. Mason and the Town Council passed these ordinances to be enforced. Why should they not be enforced?

I am currently writing my dissertation on the Town of Boone and the inside special preferences received, unethical behavior and quid pro quo’s  in local government as a Master of Public Administration Graduate student, and Interested in knowing why?

Thanks,

Michael Williams

Town of Boone, North Carolina Code of Ordinances – General Regulations Section

CHAPTER 91: COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT

Section § 91.20 NOXIOUS GROWTH.

  • (A) Duties of owners, occupants; recutting and removal. It shall be unlawful for the owner and occupant of property to fail to cut grass, weeds and other overgrowth vegetation on property when the grass, weeds, and other overgrowth vegetation is of a greater height than 12 inches on the average, or to permit the property to serve as a breeding place for mosquitoes, as a refuge for rats and snakes, as a collecting place for trash and litter, or as a fire hazard, any one of which situations is declared to be a nuisance. It shall be the duty of the owner and occupant to cut and remove all grass, weeds and other overgrowth vegetation as often as necessary so as to comply with this provision of this code. Vacant lots adjacent to improved property shall be kept cut within 100 feet of such improved property and shall be cut at least three times per year, as required during the growing season (April through September).
  • hh 003
  • hh 004
  • hh 005
  • hh 006
  • hh 009