To the editor:

I feel that there should be a moratorium on code enforcement in Middlesboro.

It appears to me that private property owners are being hammered by code enforcement while commercial property and some rental property owners are given carte blanc.

One citizen said a code enforcement officer said they had too many plant in their yard. But could not tell them how many plants the city allowed in that particular area.

I told the person they should have asked how much pigeon crap the city allowed downtown property owners to have in their store front display windows and why these businesses didn’t have to board up broken out windows to keep the pigeons out.

Andy why some commercial property owners are allowed to let their buildings run down and become health and fire hazards and nothing is done.

I believe code enforcement is engaging in selective enforcement. And if you are a renter you have no rights at all. And you cannot get help from code enforcement. Leaky roof? Move, faulty electric or plumbing? Move kids cold in the winter? Move

I will say that if there was a patron saint for renters in Middlesboro it would most certainly be Ike Slusher. I like Ike.

One particular commercial property owner in Middlesboro, I like to refer to as the Tony Soprano of Bell Co.

I would like to make a public request for a citizen’s committee to be formed by the city council to revamp code enforcement and make it fair to all citizens whoever they be renters, private property owners, the wealthy or poor and especially landlords.

Make the code office more accessible to the citizens.

I’m requesting that city manager James Pursifull help in this important matter.

He’s the smartest man in Bell Co. friend or foe, big or little shot, he treats everyone who comes to him for help with respect and 9 times out of 10 he takes care of the problem.

Making code enforcement fair to all citizens should be a piece of cake for him.

Angela Jackson

Rose Hill, Va.