Because of that you are likely to spot me power-walking through my neighborhood in the middle of the day, almost every day.
Walking helps clear away the mental cobwebs and unstiffens my legs.
I always enjoy seeing what's going on in my neighborhood, and I have to say there are a couple of spots I always look forward to reaching.
One of them is along Radford Drive, near the intersection with Kenbridge.
The house has a tiny decorative bench in the front yard, near the sidewalk, that's always decked out for the season.
I expect to see a fall theme shortly, now that the kids are back in school and we're about to hit Labor Day.
But not yet.
Here's this year's summer bench.
Hope you enjoy seeing it as much I do, every day, on my daily rounds!
POOL DECK: DISAPPOINTING DECISION.....ONCE AGAIN
I have to say as a lawyer I get very disappointed when courts appear to fall down on the job.
Despite hopeful signs during oral argument, the 8th District Appeals Court ended up giving the City a pass on the massive Rutland Drive deck.
The court noted, and then blithely dismissed in a footnote, the significant flaws in the permitting process that led up to the after-the-fact issuance of a permit for the deck.
It also shrugged its shoulders at the fact that the owners ended up erecting a deck 74% larger than the one actually permitted by the City.... even though city ordinances make doing that a punishable offense (a misdemeanor carrying a $500 a day fine).
No matter.
Essentially the court's message was:
The City didn't follow or enforce its own permitting rules and regulations?No, not all right.
No problem!
Since the permit wasn't rescinded...everything's Jake.
Right?
It is absolutely stunning to me that a court would think it's okay for a City not to obey it's own laws....and put its stamp of approval on such conduct.
Essentially residents have been given permission to do whatever they want....
As long as they have enough political clout with the Mayor and the Law Director to get away with it.Once again, enforcing City code is left to the intrepid neighbors.
Hopefully the Ohio Supreme Court will be willing to right the many wrongs in this case.
As always, I'll keep you posted.
