Letters to the editor, March 7, 2008

New laws not needed for housing issues This is in response to the March 2 Press-Dispatch article �Mitzelfelt to curb housing turndown.� First, aside from the title of the article not only being a mischaracterization of what Mitzelfelt proposes doing (which is in reality a media event for his re-election campaign that the paper is giving free press for), its an example of his and his predecessor ineptness and or ignorance and or willful failure to enforce existing laws. When an incumbent drops the ball on something, its classic Postmus-era politics to �pass a new law� to deflect the attention away from policy failures. When the properties were owner occupied, why weren�t the laws on the books enforced? What laws were and are already in place? San Bernardino County Code Section 63.063(h) prohibits unsafe buildings, 63.063(i) prohibits abandoned buildings and substandard properties which under 63.064(d)-(e) includes properties where overgrown vegetation causes a detriment to neighboring properties and property values. Under 63.064(g) the neglect of a premises causing detrimental effect upon nearby properties and or property values is currently illegal. Second, we don�t need more laws. Why? All the County Codes under title 63 of the County Code are applicable to the banks and or mortgage companies that have taken back the property. The County regularly enforces the codes against new owners who pick up distressed/dilapidated properties through tax lien sales already. Brad, please quit grandstanding and give code enforcement the direction and support they need to do their jobs. Bob Conaway Hinkley Why did it take so long for contracts to go before school board? Can someone explain why the BUSD had reached agreements with the classified and certificated staff in December and it wasn�t taken to the board for approval until the last week in February? Also, don�t we have an accountant and business manager (not to mention a superintendent) that should be on top of the money situation in the BUSD? Eliminating two of these very high paid positions should help to put back the much needed income for the district. How appalling that the teachers that work with our students and the many support staff that work so hard, can not depend on the �higher ups� to know what they are doing when if comes to finances! Thank goodness they are not in our classrooms and school. Linda Lytle Barstow Send us your letters to the editor by e-mailing us at editorial@desertdispatch.com.