Ms. Elise Smurzynski,

Shady Cove City Administrator

P.O. Box 1210

Shady Cove, Or. 97539

Ms. Smurzynski,

This letter is response to the notice of Ordinance 165 published in both the May 14, 2002 edition of the Upper Rogue Independent and the June 2002 issue of the Insider. Although the mayor claims to be the editor of the Insider, your staff is known to prepare this document and in addition, the persons responsible for correcting the following complaint are under your supervision and direction.

First I present a brief history on this subject.  Last year the city published that portion of Ordinance 165 concerning weed abatement as a fire hazard. Like this year, the citizens were seemingly encouraged to respond in consideration of fire safety.  The response was to be the filing of a complaint with the city for investigation and upon a finding of merit the city would turn the problem over to County Fire District 4. This year that procedure has seemingly changed. That change may be incorrect.

Another problem is that in 2001 five property owners collectively signed a complaint in this neighborhood. Although I was not a signatory to that complaint, I alone was selectively disparaged by the city in a legal procedure on February 21, 2002 for the 2001 complaint, this as another example of the city’s blind haste to again harass me. I now assume that this complaint will result in either of two possibilities. One is that I have a freebie to be a signatory to a complaint without further disparagement. Second is that I run the risk of the city passing a Resolution in attempt to tar, feather, and deport me for advancing to a complaint signatory. Because fire safety is the principal consideration, I must take the risk of the city openly resolving the latter.

In summation, this letter is FORMAL COMPLAINT that the city property along the north border of Train Lane west of Cora violates the city’s own Ordinance 165 as it applies to a fire hazard and by that neglect endangers our home and property. Because Public Works has suddenly demonstrated a reprieve of having Karla’s and my property under surveillance, (though suspected temporary), it would seem that under your command, Public Works now should have manpower to bring this city property into compliance with Ordinance 165.  This will also answer whether public service and safety is the new priority or if harassment continues as foremost intention.

                       Very Sincerely,

                                                       Leslie K. Weaver

                                                            P.O. Box 620

                                                                   Shady Cove, Or. 97539

C: Thad Guyer, Atty. at Law                                                           

     Fire Chief, District 4

     Rogue Forum

     Upper Rogue Independent