MASON CITY – More developments continue to come to the NIT newsroom regarding a sleazy case where the city has moved aggressively to bulldoze a man’s house.
NIT has learned that Phillip Flinchum and City Hall are now in possession of a court order that sets a hearing on the city’s move to tear down Flinchum’s house at 32 6th Street NE. Earlier today, at 1:30 PM, city officials opened two bids from contractors for the job of demolishing the structures on the property. McKinness Excavating was the low bid at $11,000. City officials indicated that no city council vote will take place to approve the bid, and the demolition would move forward.
Forward, that is, until a court stepped in Friday. NIT will report more on the legal documents as copies are on their way to our newsroom.
In another development in the case, NIT took a call from a Mason City citizen familiar with city building code, and said that the city’s reasoning to tear the house down is based on problems that “dozens, if not hundreds, of other structures in town have.” The former city official told NIT that “if they can knock that house down based on that extremely weak list of issues, they can go after anybody, and we should all be highly concerned.”
In yet another development, NIT was told by another source that the issue with Flinchum’s house got serious when a socially and politically connected neighbor who lives just south of Flinchum, “got in the ear” of certain council members who he does business with at Hy-Vee East. The sources tells NIT that “promises were made. Votes to tear down were guaranteed. The whole thing is sleazy and blowing up in their faces.”
I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, I AM FIGHTING THE CITY OF STEAMBOAT ROCK IOWA, THEY WANT TO TEAR A HOUSE DOWN THAT I HAVE REPAIRED AND UPGRADED BECAUSE OF A MALICIOUS ATTACK FROM CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS,THEY EVEN GOT ALLIANT ENERGY TO PULL MY POWER,QSTATE INSPECTED WIRING, AND HAVE A CONTRACTOR LINED UP TO DEMOLISH, WITHOUT A REASON. IF ANYONE HAS IMFORMATION ON HOW TO STOP THIS INSANITY I WOULD BE GLAD TO HEAR IT MY EMAIL IS SINGINCOWBOY36@YAHOO.COM
I know where your coming from. I could be in the same situation if the city had its way. this is why I dont use my real name. Spending money and hiring a lawyer that is out of the county is my advise. this is what the city wants. for you to give in, or spend all your money. another option is to buy a gun and use it.
This once source told the other source that a person sold another person a handful of magic beans!
I know that you can’t name your sources, but it is constantly “a source.”
Just seems at one time you will have a name or a person that makes the story more credible.
Do you ever interview people that are willing to put their names down as a source? Or maybe report items that doesn’t involve components of gossip?
Now why would anyone in there right mind use their real name on here or want their name used anywhere else for that matter in this town who has information? We all know the consequences of that, right? Every information that NIT posts is TRUE FACT and if informants don’t want there name used NIT respects that.
@Bill-you are exactly right in your comment. No one except someone who loves abuse would ever use their real name on a site like this. One exception is Matt who owns the site so in one respect he is paid to take on the crap up to a point.
People don’t use their name because this is Mason City. Unless you want to be a target by the mayor, council, law enforcement, etc. Anonymity is the best choice.
I bet your one of the Mayors trolls are you not Gary? Is Gary your real name? Don’t lie because NIT knows. Does it chap your ass that there are people out there willing to expose your corruption and you’re butthurt that you will NEVER know their IDENTITY to F up there life?
Well, I messaged Tornquist and my response was “go outside it is beautifu”. No answer on this or many of the other issues I asked about. I asked who was going to take the lead on making certain that fellow council member Travis Hickey’s property is in compliance. No answer. About this comrades packing heat at the meetings– He did say he was a member of the NRA and since it is legal it is ok with him. The legal part is not the point. He railed against it when Gary Horn ran for office.
Hypocrisy. He sounds like a putz tool.
What about all the buildings on North Federal? Are those not worthy of demolition? Or are they exempt because of who owns them? This is Mason City, it’s who you are, and how much money you have. And if you cross Bookie, you’re doomed!
@anonymous-The building on North Federal belong to Russ Hardy and are therefore untouchable. People in this town have been complaining about them for years and nothing ever happens except excuses on why they can’t be cleaned up.
Doesn’t Tim Latham own some properties on North Federal also?
@anonymous-he could, but the ones that are falling down belong to Hardy. As a rule Latham is pretty good about taking care of his property. I know of no complaints about Latham at all.
I think I have read where the city has developed a master rehab plan for the North End Corridor. If true, I hope some demolition is part of the process. LVS lives in that area, perhaps he can shed some light on the situation.
@Mother Nature-I had heard something about that a year ago or so, but nothing ever came of it that I am aware of. E en though there are a lot of houses and buildings up here that either need to be fixed up or torn down, the center section of the city is much worse. We drove by the area by Mohawk Square the other day and I could not believe how those fine old houses had been allowed to deteriorate. Slum lords at work. Suck everything out and put nothing back.
People that are making this decision, who put you on the pedastel. Your your way of life or friend/family could be compromised. No empathy for anyone now days.
Is there any info on help he’s been offered? There has to be more in the background of this. There are funding streams – albeit small and hard to find – that might be able to help him fix portions of his house. OR maybe someone needs to start some crowd funding on his behalf. At any rate, the city should to use this opportunity to show as a ‘good guy’ and work with him.
Ultimately I’m for tearing out these old clunkers and replacing them with modern, efficient, solar dwellings…built for a fraction of the cost. Keep the lot of land, but tear down the house and start new. Contact Habitat for Humanity, and see if they’ll help him build a new one.
The fact that he doesn’t actually live in it is probably a big part of the problem. Lots of funding that would be available for his residence wouldn’t be for this house.
Here we have a “local city government” totally out of control!
Here is what baffles me.
What is wrong with the people of Mason City?
Why are they not standing up against this Tierney?
Like I said before, go get-em Phill. I’d donate to any cause that would stand up to this administration, and put them in their place, except a beer joint…
There is a house two blocks away from that house that a woman was murdered in. It is boarded up and an eyesore yet allowed to stand? There is definitely more to this story
Interesting grey area regarding concepts of blight, and aesthetic disorder. Sound decibels can easily be measured to set a legal standard. Strong odors-more difficult, but can be legislated based on measurable physical reactions such as watering eyes, runny noses. However the sense of sight is highly subjective, and the argument of Emergency Responders needing access to a home for inspection doesn’t seem respective of individual ownership rights, as disorganized and dirty as it may be
I like how our neighborhood floods every year due to a bad sewer ($6,000 dollars average a year in damages..causing 3 people on my block alone to move). And the city doesn’t have the budget to fix it, yet can come up with $11,000 no problem to demolish a home.
Who is this neighbor? I think the name should be posted. Anyone know?
I’m wondering if this neighbor wants the property for himself to expand?
Unbelievable!
@Anonymous-I know who the neighbor is and the lady has a valid complaint. This has been going on for years and has affected her health and her ability to enjoy her home. As much as I believe the city is wrong in how they handled this I agree that he need to clean up his property. If he lived next to me I would pitch a fit. When you have property in a neighborhood you have a obligation to keep it decent. They pat for their property too.
Agreed, LVS. It’s not fair to the neighbors who keep their property looking nice. No way would I want to live next to a smelly mess.
Yay,Phillip!!
Maybe the city should show a compassion,and take some of the money that they waste on projects not needed in the city and help him repair the house so it’s can be lived in instead of trying to take it away because of a neighbor who doesn’t like him or the color of the house.