Manassas Liberty Street hearing set
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By Kipp Hanley
Published: May 30, 2008
A court hearing has been set for July 8 to deal with building and zoning citations issued by the city of Manassas to the 9500 Liberty Street co-owners, Zoning Administrator Lorene Payne said Friday.
After months of inaction by Delia Alvarez and Gaudencio Fernandez, the matter will now go to General District Court in Manassas. According to city manager Lawrence Hughes, the city will be seeking a judge's order to correct the violations.
The first citation was issued because the owners failed to apply for a building permit after reinforcing their partially demolished structure, a violation of the city building code, according to the city. The owners reinforced the struc-ture in order to hang a more permanent political sign than the previous incarnations that were in place starting last September.
The house, which was badly damaged by fire in 2006, was partially demolished by the owners before they decided to use the remaining wall as a way to criticize Prince William County's resolution targeting illegal immi-grants and the city's participation in the Immigration & Customs Enforcement 287(g) program.
The zoning citation, the city contends, resulted from excessive litter and trash on the premises, which is against city code. The owners had used the property for several social and religious functions last fall.
The city has done several inspections of the property, including one this week, and says the owners were not in compliance on both occasions.
On May 15, the city sent a letter to the owners directing them to obtain a demolition permit for their sign in 10 days, a deadline the owners missed. According to Buildings Official Brian Smith, Fernandez obtained a six-month demoli-tion permit on April 12, 2007, which has since expired.
The letter states Fernandez needs a new demolition permit in order to submit an application for a new structure, which he plans on doing.
Staff writer Kipp Hanley can be reached at 703-369-5738.
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Reader Reactions
Posted by ( kef84 ) on June 09, 2008 at 1:30 pm
Are you serious RICH? When is the last time you saw a black, white, chinese, or anyone else that does not resemble a hispanic around this area, get pulled over, and have their citizenship status checked? Everyone says that the illegals are crying racism. That is obsurd. I’m hispanic myself, and have already been pulled over by some of these police officers for no reason. I did not know that AMERICAN’S had to show proof of citizenship in this country. My only issue with this situation is that some of these law enforcement officers will abuse their new power, and yes, some of these illegals need to go back and stop messing with our communities, but where does the line get drawn? I cannot stand these people that say that it has to do with post 9/11, and that is a reason why this is happening. That has nothing to do with what is occurring here in the surronding area’s of P.W.C. I have a right to get upset if my tax dollars are paying for these officer’s to pull me over and harass me. I’am an american!!!
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Posted by ( Rich ) on June 09, 2008 at 9:41 am
Now you have nothing to worry about. The police are checking everyone’s status. No matter where you are from or skin color. So now you can’t scream racism.
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Posted by ( Calisto ) on June 03, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Posted by ( kef84 ) on June 03, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Calisto. That was a good response. However; I have a question for you? How old were you when you came to the United States? I mentioned that I’am from this country, and that I have been harrased by police officers in the past.
I respect your reasoning. I have nothing agains legal immigrants, who try to assimilate and better themselves. However, it has to be done the legal way and I believe that many immigrants trying to do just that by obeying the law to enter the U.S. legally.
And you are right - there are many immigrants from many different countries. But unlike a lot of illegal immigrants south of the border they don’t abuse the system by sneaking illegally into someone else’s country. Sorry, if you are illegal in this country the only legal right you have is being transported back home.
What help are you suggesting? Isn’t welfare, rental assistance etc. enough? If you haven’t achieved legal status the contributions to the U.S. are slim to none. And that is a fact.
The reason I am citing that Hispanics cry the loudest is that we seeing them complain all the time. I have yet to see a Russian, Norwegian, Canadian, Dutch or any other nationality complain about being treated unfairly. What, because they are white - correction, friend, not all of them are white.
I have Hispanics as neighbors, but guess what, they are legally in this country. They are hardworking citizens that contribute to the economy.
I did not insinuate that you yourself are looking for handouts - I’ve meant the majority of illegal immigrants are looking for it and this is a fact.
Before coming into this country I had to sign an immigrant form that stated that I would immidiately seek work and cannot claim any state/federal assistance for 10 years. No problem for me - I don’t want handouts. I am healthy and can work.
But what do you think free health-care is? Not a hand-out? Please, who do you think pays for it? The illegal immigrant? I don’t think so.
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Posted by ( kef84 ) on June 03, 2008 at 1:42 pm
Calisto. That was a good response. However; I have a question for you? How old were you when you came to the United States? I mentioned that I’am from this country, and that I have been harrased by police officers in the past. I have not asked for any handouts, and you insinuated that it only happens to people that are like that. Latino’s are also not the only one’s that feel like they need handouts. You are far from the truth my friend. Every race does the same thing. It is only a problem, because the majority of them are really trying to better themselves. Of course we do not hear about. Instead we here of how one of them has broken the law. I respect what you and your family have done for yourselves, but know that everyone is not as fortunate, and that they, and their families are being victimized, and they need help.
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Posted by ( kef84 ) on June 03, 2008 at 1:24 pm
First things first. Hispanics are not the only one’s that behave in that manner “COBRA”. Unless you have been a constant victim of racism, you will never understand why some of us “cry” I have been harrassed by police officers, and I was born in this country. Is it wrong for me to say something about it? I love this country, but we cannot forget how this country was built. It’s a little hipocritical to say the least dont you think? Let me ask you something else. Have you even read the sign at all? This is no longer a law thing, but a human right to live. Remeber that not all of us are the same; legal or not it does not really matter.
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Posted by ( Calisto ) on June 03, 2008 at 12:25 pm
Posted by ( raywilliams ) on June 02, 2008 at 4:43 pm
Gee Calisto, I just wish the HSM members who tried to burn down the first sign, necessitating a more permanent sign AND perimeter fencing, were as law abiding as those they chastise for being illegal. “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone”.
Quote by a famous teacher.
Hmmm, Ray, I am confused: I don’t know what HSM means. Furthermore, I don’t believe crying racist all the time will make the citizen of PWC more tolerant nor does it foster communication on both sides. Let’s just go by facts so far: The zoning citation, the city contends, resulted from excessive litter and trash on the premises, which is against city code. The owners had used the property for several social and religious functions last fall.
The city has done several inspections of the property, including one this week, and says the owners were not in compliance on both occasions.
On May 15, the city sent a letter to the owners directing them to obtain a demolition permit for their sign in 10 days, a deadline the owners missed. According to Buildings Official Brian Smith, Fernandez obtained a six-month demoli-tion permit on April 12, 2007, which has since expired.
Sorry, but I miss your point. If I have a zoning violation on my property, don’t you think that I am held responsible??? Or do you think I’ll get a pass??? I don’t think so.
BTW: The famous teacher you quoted also said “Pay Ceasar what is Ceasar’s.“ Jesus had a funny way of obeying the law or doesn’t that suit your reasoning?
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Posted by ( raywilliams ) on June 02, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Gee Calisto, I just wish the HSM members who tried to burn down the first sign, necessitating a more permanent sign AND perimeter fencing, were as law abiding as those they chastise for being illegal. “Let he who is without sin cast the first stone”.
Quote by a famous teacher.
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Posted by ( cobra ) on June 02, 2008 at 2:47 pm
This situation just confirms what we already know. Hispanics both legal and illegal think they have a right to do as they please. The will cry racism at every turn and never except responsibility for their own actions. Why is it that it’s acceptable for them to post a sign calling those that oppose illegal immigration racist when they themselves have utter contempt for laws that affect them? The signs first sentence notes PW & Manassas as the capital of intolerance? That is correct. We don’t tolerate law breakers.
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Posted by ( Calisto ) on June 02, 2008 at 1:13 pm
kef84, I believe this was the reason:
The first citation was issued because the owners failed to apply for a building permit after reinforcing their partially demolished structure, a violation of the city building code, according to the city. The owners reinforced the struc-ture in order to hang a more permanent political sign than the previous incarnations that were in place starting last September.
If your are continuously ignoring law and order and make a mockery of the law that everybody has to abide by then people are getting upset.
I am a legal immigrant myself and have not experienced any racissism towards my family or me. Why? Because we didn’t ask for handouts or depended on the wallets of Americans, but worked hard to establish ourselves. And trust me, we know hard times. And yes, we fought for survival, too.
What makes me ask: Why do Latinos think they are the only ones that deserve handouts, free rides etc.? It seems they also think they are the only ones that are struggling. Reality check: in the current climate of the economy I believe there are many more that suffer.
And if there are illegal immigrants, please get in line to establish legal status. After all, we all have to abide by the law.
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Posted by ( kef84 ) on June 02, 2008 at 11:41 am
It is easy for most of us to be angry at this situation. However; unless you are fighting for your survival; you will never understand what it is like to struggle. We should all be so fortunate that we live in this great country, and that we do not have to run from anyone. Yes there are some bad people; but every race has them. I’am latino myself; born in this country, and I still get ridiculed by many because of the color of my skin. We should try to help some of these people out, instead of cutting each others throats. Why is that?
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