One of Moose Jaw’s more infamous derelict properties finally received some recognition that it’s a problem during the most recent city council meeting.
During the July 13 regular meeting, Coun. Chris Warren pointed out city council has received many emails in the last few months from resident Carter Currie about 1511 Hastings, which is adjacent to his property. The councillor wondered what steps city administration was taking to address the property.
Many people are frustrated with this particular property, including city administration, said city manager Jim Puffalt. City hall has issued more than 20 cleanup orders in the last 10 years to Dr. Elizabeth James, who owns this property and another one in town.
City hall issued a remediation order on June 15 and then another one on July 10.
“We continue to monitor and inspect and issue orders on that property and many other properties throughout the city,” Puffalt said.
City hall has sent this file to the provincial ombudsman for review, he continued. City administration hopes this independent review can shed some light on the situation since Currie has not believed anything they have told him. They offered to have the municipal Administrative Review Officer look at this issue, but Currie was uninterested in that proposal.
“And of course we do not respond to letters to the editor. We don’t respond to letters or emails that are bullying or harassment,” Puffalt added. “That is contrary to the Occupational Health and Safety Act. So we continue to try to get this property to a reasonable standard.”
The next council meeting is Monday, July 27.
