After watching the community of Manchester, Michigan enforce ordinance in what seems an extremely inconsistent manner, I asked the mayor “what is the community standard”. Are ordinances enforced consistently, uniformly and are some residents allowed to not comply.
Checking with with community resources no one location was provided “where all ordinance is listed”. I’ve checked on line and the community site states “Ordinances not yet codified are listed and available here:”. Codified ordinances are organized, so that means organized ordinance are not listed? There are multiple listings on different sites that are not consistent so what’s the correct resource?
A responsible resident doesn’t appear to have access to determine if they are in compliance, if an ordinance is responsible or punitive and if the ordinance allows for special circumstances. There is no “Living in Manchester publication outlining guidelines”. Then there are special circumstances where neighbor is threatening or has applied toxic chemicals to the area in question.
I was talking to a county sheriff recently and they suggested that one stalk of grass not conforming to an ordinance in Manchester, Michigan could draw the dreaded “Red Tag”. The structure of the ordinance may not give enough time “3 days regardless of weather” for an older or working resident to achieve compliance. That would be discriminatory to older or working residents. Then there is the question, what constitutes compliance?
I’d have thought the answer was pretty straight forward in a small community. I’d have thought that the structure of an ordinance was to result in corrective action instead of being punitive. That on noting violation a warning would be the first action, then violation and then if no compliance results, action. That has not been my experience on other issues like burning green organics where the threat of a $1000 fine keeps me from burning in a fire pit anymore.
It’s been almost two weeks and no answer yet. Will keep you informed.
What's next? 