MASON CITY – Police and city inspectors went to the home of an elderly woman in Mason City, and according to police documents, told the woman that due to a hoarding complaint, the condemnation process on her home is now underway.
On the afternoon of Friday, August 22, a police report indicates that officers joined building inspectors at a Mason City single-family home located at 504 South Georgia Avenue. A report from Mason City police says “officers assisted City inspectors with a hording complaint. Resident refused inspection. Inspectors advised they will begin the condemnation process.”
The owner of the house, Lavonne B. Golbuff, died on May 16, 2013 at the age of 85, and police said that her daughter has remained living in the house, and has resided there for years.
On Monday morning, police told NIT that “city inspectors are addressing this property for the various deficiencies.”
At the scene early Monday, the house seemed to be in order, although the grass was not perfectly cut and there were a few weeds here and there. No trash was in the yard, and the house appeared in decent condition. The roof seems to need attention. A knock on the front door went unanswered.
Minutes after that visit, in answer to queries for information, city staff told NIT that “code enforcement officers received a phone call from a citizen complaining about the condition of the house. Kyle Peterson and Ray Quayle (building inspectors) responded to the call. They were unable to access the front door due to the condition of the porch so they went around to the side door. No one answered the door but they noticed an odor coming from the house. They contacted dispatch to see if there was anything they needed to know about the house or owner before they proceeded. Upon learning about the odor, dispatch sent a police officer for a welfare check. The resident, daughter of the owner of record who died last year, arrived about the same time as police. The daughter was told why they were there and informed that she needs to clean up the house.”
A trip back to the house by NIT at about 11:00 AM revealed more, however. The front porch door was now wide open, and “stuff” was piled up nearly 3 feet deep or more inside. No odor was detected when placing a knock at the front door and a side door. Again, no one answered the door.
Neighboring doors were then knocked on, and one neighbor who discussed the situation on condition of anonymity told NIT that the person living in the house is “a hoarder. Her car was so full of stuff that only the driver and a passenger could fit inside. I’ve never noticed a smell, though. When the mom was alive, kids were paid to mow the grass and keep things nice.”
City officials, when pressed for more information after that visit, now deny that the house is in the condemnation process.
“In talking to the inspectors this morning, no mention was made of condemning her home at this point, although they did go over the process with [the resident],” said Pat Otto, Neighborhood Services Manager. “They will check back in a couple of weeks to see if a Notice to Abate is necessary.”
NIT readers will recall that last month, the city council told an elderly man – Phillip Flinchum – that his house would be torn down due to hoarding complaints if it was not cleaned up in 30 days. Even though he apparently complied with all their demands, the council voted to demolish the house.
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If the city is going to do something about this problem, they need to do it right, and treat everybody the same…
There are a lot of pigs who live in filthy deplorable conditions. Worse is that children live in these environments also. Beyond the fascia of seemingly ‘suitable’ exteriors lies a wasteland of piled up laundry, bologna sandwiches lying on the floor, half empty plastic bowls of Mac & Cheese, insects, and even rodents. One person who maintains such a home was even a Sgt. in the local National Guard. It’s despicable, and more frequent than you imagine. Door to Door inspections-YES.
Coast to Coast and Groundzero show were right , police state has started! First Ferguson now Northwood and Mason city!
Rental property is ruining this town. The north east section near the Highland golf course is fading fast. House are bought up and turned to rentals. Many renters live like pigs, not all but many. Move while u can highlanders before u can’t sell your house anymore. Section 8 here we come.
I rent over here and the neighborhood seems nice enough to me. I’ve only been living there for a couple months but the neighborhood I am in is all nice houses and well kept lawns. Very quiet as well.
I wish they would come and look at the rent house next door to us. The lawn has only been mowed once this year and the brush and trees are running wild in the yard. It used to be a nice home and the the slum lords bought it and it has gone down ever since.
Hey LVS: Just call Pat Otto at City Hall. She will start the process of checking it out and establishing a plan. Hopefully, it will be taken care of. That has to be an eye sore!!
@MaryBeth-I have done that and use “See/Click?Fix” as have several of my neighbors. They started to clean it up and then it just got worse. Now I am hoping for a fire. It does no good to call Hickey, he is a waste.