MASON CITY – He got his house and property cleaned up and put-up for sale by a local realtor, but the Mason City council showed no mercy for an elderly man, deciding that his house shall be bulldozed to the ground.
The house at 32 6th Street NW owned by Phillip Flinchum has been declared unsafe and unsanitary, and by a vote of 5-1, declared that it will be demolished.
Flinchum, with the help of neighbors and other volunteers, had cleared away truckloads of “stuff” from his property and even done some painting and weed removal.
But it wasn’t enough for the council, who last month had given Flinchum 30 days to clean up his property or else.
Flinchum’s home sits about a block and a half away from a boarded-up property where a person was murdered and countless crimes have been committed in recent years, but council has taken no action on the structure at 410 North Washington, critics say. These same critics say that the council and mayor have found a new elderly person to bully, and others point to council member Travis Hickey himself, who has flagrantly flaunted the law and the ruling of a Mason City board several years ago that ordered him to attach his two large garages, which he never did. Hickey, recently, had criticized Mason City code enforcement officers who he claimed don’t do their jobs “until someone complained”.
Others, however, say that the council is just being tough an a citizen who was hoarding junk and forcing him out was overdue.
Phil you should of gave that Donald duck Hat to the mayor.
Hey Matt!
A piece on the decrepit conditions of some bank owned foreclosure property–how much of it is hazardous and no more up to city code than this man’s house–would be a great article.
Like I said before It would be nice to publish photos and the names of the property owners. Under each ugly house photo could be the caption “who owns this house” to that everyone would reply. ***bank, ***landlords from hell
Yeah, I think Matt needs to take NIT into the next level and make it more interactive beyond silly polls and endless street crime stories. It’s a great starting point to get some REAL CHANGE DONE. The ‘ugly house gallery’ as you describe would really shine the light on blight. I think he needs to do more contests such as best restaurant, best automotive repair etc. with viewer contributions. Give us the real meat and potatoes so we can move forward, and not in circles.
In other words, Let the viewers respond in their own words to a poll, and not the few options that dont always fit our thinking.
pretty much. I’d also still like to see a thumbs up or down IP based rating system, with TOP COMMENTS showcased on the front page for the day and week. Interactive keeps it fun and challenging. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy coming here and writing my thoughts and discussing certain things, but it does take on the feeling of Walking The Wheel after awhile.
I wonder why the city doesn’t go after all the crumbling bank-owned via foreclosure properties which dot this city?
There’s one around the corner from my house–the windows are broken, the gutters are falling and hanging, pulling parts of the structure off.
I think I’ll call the city tomorrow about it. We’ll see what happens.
I am a neighbor of Phil’s house and I just want to say that unless u truly know the situation then back off. We all care about Phil but the house in question is a hazard and isn’t a residency. It hasn’t been for many years. The property is not safe inside or outside. Its not about tearing down Phil’s home. Get all the facts before u judge others, thanks
Jamie: You claim to truly know the situation. does this mean that you are the one making the complaints. Must be other wise you wouldn’t “truly know the situation”. SOOOO exactly what is unsafe with the outside of Phils home today, and what is unsafe with the inside of his home today. Since you have been inside it? Can you say this is the worst property in town? Shouldn’t everyone be treated equal?
Here’s a possibility–that house is old, old enough to seek some historical preservation protection.
Let the owner file an application for that. I suspect things would grind to a halt.
There is no historic preservation protection in Mason City.
There are historic districts in Mason City. I would say that such a designation makes demolition difficult, particularly since many of those property owners take advantage of tax benefits for renovation/preservation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Register_of_Historic_Places_listings_in_Cerro_Gordo_County,_Iowa
In addition to individual properties, there are at least 2 national historic districts–east park place and downtown, with forest park pending.
http://www.masoncity…
There is nothing in Mason City code that prevents demolition of a structure in a historic district. The only regulation is in the downtown but it applies to all buildings, not just the NRHP listed or contributing districts. It mandates specific finishes and limits some modifications. There are only two districts in Mason City. The East Park and Parker’s Woods districts have not gone to the National Park Service yet. The Forest Park District was delayed.
@Anonymous-Can’t do Forest Park. Mercy wants it all.
But they are nominating Forest Park.
The East Park Place district was identified but never listed because most of the houses went down in the buyout. The two listed districts are the Rock Crest/Rock Glen District and the Downtown Historic District. Do some more research. Listing on the National Register does not give you any protection unless there is federal $$ involved and there is an adverse affect due to the federal undertaking. Local governments can choose to regulate historic properties. Mason City doesn’t.
I wasn’t proposing historic designation as a serious solution–although the building probably qualifies–just as a way to throw a monkey-wrenh into the city plans.
And while demolition of a designated historic building in Mason City may be allowed, I still suspect a pending application by the homeowner would cause a delay at City Hall, based on, at least, some scurrying around by the city to determine if the demolition funds involve any federal money such as some form of urban renewal.
The demolition funds come from the City’s general funds. No federal funds involved so no scurrying necessary.
They–or apparently you since it appears you work for the city–would do as much scurrying around as a judge would order to produce the documentation showing no federal monies are involved.
Trust me! We’re from city hall!
No thanks.
I love old houses , historic preservation and I read Council packets.
I agree with the council on this decision. This guy had more then enough time to clean up this property and didn’t do it. No one on here would like this guy next door to them bringing down their property values with his crap. We have a city code and I for one am glad it is being followed.
@rukidding-I agree with most of what you are saying but, if he was making a effort to clean it up it seems they could ave worked with him a while longer. I think they were trying to send a message and he got caught in it.
@LVS If I’m not mistaken this man was cited and given a deadline to clean it up. When he didn’t have it done he was given an extra 30 days. I guess how many extensions should a person get. I don’t want slum lords in my neighborhood and I wouldn’t want this type of home near me either. You might be right with the council trying to send a message but if they follow through and enforce the codes on everyone I am ok with the it.
How long has the city givin one of its own to finish connecting his garage. More than 60 days? wasnt a local business to do something about the smell it produces? how long have they had to complete that project? have they completed it yet? 30 days and an extension of 30 more days isnt really that long to get some jobs done. At least he did complete the task.
What task did he complete? A little paint and cut some trees down….really.Drove by it again today and the hearse and camper are both back. It’s going to look like it did. Jamie, l see the person who commented on your post must not have watched the council meeting to see all who complained. If it was you, congratulations….if not thank you to did!
Read the editors reply just below this one. Matt says that he DID DO IT. Also anyone who puts a house up for sale does a bit of painting first. so whats new. Also everyone has a vehicle in their yard, So whats new. I still have yet for Jamie or anyone to specifically say what is unsafe about this house. I am assuming Jamie is female, but what is everyone else excuse for not having any balls to answer that question. No specific answer only means NO PROOF.
Actually, he did do it. And it is up for sale. Why can’t the man sell the house and leave, and take his investment dollars with him?
Phil is a very nice man. I served with him in the gulf war. Theres a lot of homes that are in very poor shape. Mason city period is like a dump including the city government.
Mason City is a dump directly as a result of national, state, and local policies which have eviscerated the middle class.
Big chunks of town look like a cross between Detroit and Appalachia. The skinny, pasty-skinned young folks remind me of extras in a documentary about hollowed out industrial towns in the north of England.
You paint an accurate picture, Rahmbo. It seems like most of the young people with any positive goals leave Mason City. What is left is a population that keeps the MCPD and Prairie Ridge very busy.
Let’s not forget that the state and county keep the Beje Clark Bed and Breakfast for the Criminally Insane full at all times and when those crooks get done serving their time, they stay in MC to keep frying chicken and flipping burgers. They stay here, rent the slums, go on welfare, deal the dope, attend the dope meetings, buy the booze, beat up each other, get arrested, lose their job, get sent back to Beje, get a new job, serve their time or perhaps run away and hide out… you see what I mean?
An accurate and perceptive analysis of one of the major factors contributing to the decline in the quality of life in our community. Thanks for sharing your observations!
This is good stuff. Spot-on. Welcome to NIT.
Only Mason City would boze down Santa’s house.
This man did not do what was asked of him- bring property up to safe standards. He also had no plans of doing anymore because he put it up for sale as is before he even cleaned the yard up – listed for $15,000 which is almost exactly what the ground property is worth so he even knew the house is worth nothing. If he gave a crap about it the house would certainly been listed for more. Just watch and see as he will fill the yard up again with boxes of moldy stuff!
You want to talk safe standards? How about I post a few pictures that I took of one of Russ Hardy’s houses huh? I’ll look through my files and try to find them for you all. He is allowed to rent his crap out to people which at any moment could collapse. He gets by with it why? We all know why!
HEY MATT!! this comment would be the very reason to start a photo shaming section within NIT. weather its a lawn not mowed, unsafe vehicles, junk in a yard. You get the point. embarrassment is the best way to get results. we have seen it here in the past. Someone complained about a lawn not mowed, only to have it mowed the day after it was here on NIT.
Yeah, there’s a dump across the street from me owned by a member of the other Mason City slumlord family. A real eyesore.
There’s a dump not too far from Perkins that is still standing. We ride by there all the time and I’m sure the neighbors that live close by wish it would be condemned. I heard its not safe but it is still standing.
Wouldnt it be nice to post photos and names of owners of these properties. Also this way the city cannot say they were not informed.
So no his address is listed as a po box. No mail is delivered to this property either. This is not his home! this storage unit has already started back to its old self by the placing of vehicles on non approved surfaces, and since it rained last night the inside of the house is probably soaked cuz the only thing covering the window are garabage bags and shades, no glass! So goodie now its gonna get humid again and the mold is gonna get worse coming from the house and garage!!!
Your observations put an entirely new light on things. Is a Mans home his Castle or is this a run down, in town, uninhabitated, unsafe, storage building?
The hearse is parked there again as is the camper. I just drove by this morning.
Mind YOUR own damn business. Keep driving!
And what makes this situation or my observation your business?
SON OF A BITCH my neighbor has a truck and a camper in his yard too. OH WAIT I see a trailer, lawn mower,,,,,
We need the NWO or the outsiders to come here! I know Big Kev would not like this!
He needs a human chain around his property when they show up with the equipment to take it down. He did what he was told to do, and even then, the city counc-hell takes HIS property. Ridiculous!
Just my opinion here. But this is more bullying from City Hall. They are known to pick on the weak, poor, elderly and politicly and socially disconnected. The culture was set by Mayor Eric Bookmeyer and infiltrated the council and some staff. Our own second ward councilman Travis Hickey doesn’t even follow the law. What kind of en example is that? He ought to be ashamed of himself for his vote. As for the mayor, he has been bullying people since he got to town. He is a liar and a spineless coward who has others support him and do his dirty work.
Hey matt aren’t you worried the mayor will come after you? I heard he doesn’t like you. I heard what he said about you on the radio, all those rotten things he said so I can’t really blame you. Just watch your back 🙂
@Matt-It is much easier to push around a old man with few resources than it is one of the haves that live here. The damn council needs to come up here to my neighborhood and clean up the Hardy trash on North Federal. But no, they let that go on for years with no sign of having the balls to do anything about it.
Russ literally ownes this town and pays hundreds of thousands in property taxes. No council or mayor is gonna mess with him. Follow the money – so sad but true.
thats kinda stupid about Hardy paying all those taxes. doesnt matter who owns the property, landloard or owner. the taxes will be paid. only thing is that if someone else owns a house they might take more pride in it and therefore need to pay more in taxes. SO in reality because of Hardy the tax rates are LOWER than could be.
To prove my point just look at Cedar Falls. They have just put a 6 month moratorium on NO MORE NEW RENTAL PROPERTIES. Because it lowers property values. read this. http://www.kwwl.com/story/26311528/2014/08/18/cedar-falls-issues-a-moratorium-on-rental-home-conversions
A moratorium on rentals is a great way to cause a shortage of rental properties and jack up what are already sky high rents.
As much as he DESERVES to have his property the fact is is that it was a safety hazard. As others have stated I believe he only cleaned the outside not the inside? If a fire were to start for some reason all that hoard inside would make an AWFUL situation. Firefighters wouldnt be able to get inside (if anyone was in there) and it would take longer to put out putting surrounding properties more at risk. If the inside was cleaned as well then this is a sad situation.
Heres an idea to ponder for you fools up there on your pedestal.
You better hope that people don’t start rioting because of your poor thug decisions in this town because one thing is for sure PEOPLE ARE GETTING TIRED OF YOUR CRAP! Taking a mans whole life from him.. who the hell do you people think you are???
Really? No one has lived there for years according to the council meeting. How can anyone call it a home!Could be an eye opener for the rest of the city!
It doesn’t matter if he lives there or not its HIS dam house. Who cares what or how much he has in HIS house. He cleaned the property up as asked by the council and they STILL are going to bull doze it. This seems to be a little fishy if you ask me not to mention BULLING!
Disgusting
..and BTW I bet your one of the neighboring complainers!
this person has to be one of the complainers and have an arterial motive. And just because the city council says he does not live in the house does not mean it is true. Does he get mail at that house? Is this listed as his residence? Like I have stated before he is gone south for the winter months, and travels most every weekend during the summer. He is not the only person who goes south in the winter.
The correct word is you’re not your, and no I live in Clear Lake and have been by there when getting ice cream and always wondered how anyone could live like that. Sorry to disappoint you!
Oh now YOUR the grammer police huh? I’ll use any slang I feel fit!
Now,
go back to your own corrupted little town!
This house looks no different than hundreds of other houses in Mason City! Why the discrimination? Even if he is a bonified hoarder, there are lots of hoarders out there and that is a mental health issue.
The property owner can call Disability Rights Iowa or Legal Aid for assistance. Also Ombudsman’s office.
Who voted them back into office ? when you do not vote, this is what you get…..JR
I only know of Mr. Flinchum from what I have read here. It seems to me that he remedied the charges against him, mostly concerning the grounds around his house. That is what the neighbors had a valid complaint about. They really shouldn’t worry about the inside. Nor should the city.
Its to bad Phil doesnt have the money or took the time to hire a lawyer to fight this. where is the justice? the place looks MUCH better and acceptable. he is almost 70 years old. It didnt get that way in a month, it will obviously take longer for him to clean it up.
Phil is a man of substantial wealth. He retired as an executive from a very successful local business. He has traveled extensively all over the world and is a kind and gentle soul. I still havent decided how I feel about this unfortunate situation but lets not portray Phil as poor and helpless.
Retired as executive from a very successful business????? I guess I dont know Phil that much. He sure doesnt use any of his money if thats really true.
And they wonder why some people get shot.
Why would you want to shoot Phil. He seems like a nice old man.
Not Phil, government
LVS— boy you got it right!
The worst part is the bike paintings are totally WRONG! Ask any bike store or official rules of bike paths. YOU DON’T PUT THEM IN WITH TRAFFIC! ALWAYS to the side ! No wonder no one wanted to ride with the Bookmeyer he’s so dumb.
So there we have it ass backwards and still a weed mess all over. This poor guy hasn’t hurt anyone, he cleaned it up for their viewing pleasure. Nun their biz about the inside.
Ferguson Missouri took over so CAN Mason City!!!!!!!
Sounds exactly what the council thugs need!
DO IT !!!!!!
What I don’t get is they worry about a house that looks just fine now but let THEMSELVES GO ! Really have you seen the council members and mayor lately? THATS unsafe and unsanitary, cripes almighty! They represent and have the gall to do this? Yet walk around looking like they do? WOW EEEEE
Assholes. Cannot wait for the day it ALL comes back to them. Won’t be in the form of bulldozing (should be for illegal bully Hickey) but count on it everyone of them will get it somehow. Exciting!
The whole town looks trashed anyway. What’s with all the weeds? Along sidewalks bridges and the mediun along the highway. What city doesn’t plant grass or flowers in those places? Why wouldnt anal Bookmeyer see about that? To think all of the riders saw this long before a few houses…
@Jess-they spent all of our money on the fireworks and the stupid bike signs they painted in the streets, Then they spent more on RAGBRI. Not enough left to clean up the city. Go figure. If it was one of the elites they would be treated a lot differently.
So who picks up the demo tab, Phil or the City?
the bill will be assessed to the property. No interest will be incurred. When title changes the bill will have to b e paid. So the city will pay and the taxpayers will be stuck till Phil dies, sells, or lets the property go back for taxes.
Phils place looks better on the out side than half the shit that our slum lords rent out, drive down south adams between 4th and 8th st sw. Our leadership in Mason City should have the sknot kicked out of them. Displace a VET you disgraceful council.
Yeah seems peculiar why they’re not chasing Hardy down on at least half dozen of his properties. How about that big yellow thing that sat burned out for a few years before Hardy finally fixed it up? I don’t like junky properties, but if you’re going to start demolishing…be fair about it. But this town and area aren’t fair about anything. Their entire modus operandi is bias and selective application of law.
The Council won’t ever mess with Russ because the slum load pays the city hundreds of thousands in property taxes each year on homes that arent worth squat that would otherwise sit empty and generate nothing. He is their sugar daddy. Search Hardy on the site below and see what I’m talking about.
https://www.iowatreasurers.org/
In July of 2010 I was trying to build an accessory building on my property. I use the word accessory, because at the time, that is what the city called garages/storage sheds. I had a lengthy go around with the powers that be, even to the extent of hiring a lawyer. I was told that I could only have (ONE)accessory building on my property as per city code. I brought up the (TWO) garages of council person Hickey, and was told it will be taken care of. I should of asked when. Do as I say, not as I do
Who are the REAL THUGS of this town? People need to come together and make a stand against this bulldozing.
This is absolutely disgusting!