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Thread Title: Clinton Treehouse
Created On Thursday August 07, 2003 12:05 PM

rgarner
Member

Posts: 153
Joined: Mar 2002

Thursday August 07, 2003 12:05 PM

Scot and Mary Welch were ordered to tear down their childrens' elaborate Victorian-style two-story tree house in their front yard by Clinton aldermen. The officials said the tree house violated a city ordinance. On July 23rd, Hinds Circuit Judge Tomie Green disagreed and ruled that the aldermen had no legal right to order the Welches to remove the tree house. Aldermen responded to Green's ruling by voting five-to-two in a closed-door session this week to appeal the judge's decision to the state Supreme Court. They have maintained that it is important that
the city's building ordinance be enforced.

What do you think? Is this really about a city ordinance? Should the City of Clinton continue to pay for this legal battle? For more, visit SaveOurTreeHouse.com Then, voice your opinon here.

12Watcher
Junior Member

Posts: 7
Joined: Oct 2002

Thursday August 14, 2003 4:42 PM (NEW!)

My thoughts on this is that the treehouse is just that....a treehouse, meant for children to play in and not for anything else. If it was another residence built on this property I could understand why the city of Clinton would think that it was breaking an ordinance, but it is not a residence.

Now that the judge has made his ruling, I think the whole thing should be dropped. Let the children have a safe place to play instead of wondering the streets looking for something to do.

Peggy P.

WGW
Junior Member

Posts: 2
Joined: Aug 2003

Friday August 15, 2003 2:35 PM (NEW!)

This was never about the character of the parents, the children or the treehouse. It's about the location of the treehouse. Clinton has several treehouses, all of them are located in the backyard. No one has ever asked them to be removed. The City must be consistant with their rulings. What if your neighbor built a treehouse in the front yard and you thought it was ugly? What would you expect the city to do? You would expect the city to enforce it's ordinance. If the city can not enforce this part of the ordinance how can they enforce other sections. This Judge's ruling has implications for the entire metro area, because most zoning ordinances have the same wording. This is well worth the fight and any expenses that they may have. I would not want something in my neighbors front yard that would lower my property values or become a detriment to the neighborhood

spiderbait
Junior Member

Posts: 12
Joined: Dec 2002

Friday August 15, 2003 6:34 PM (NEW!)

Give me a break! This treehouse took five years to build with the understanding that all was well given to the owners. If anyone in the neighborhood or the city government thought it was improper or "ugly," there was plenty of time to complain about it.

Why was nothing said until the treehouse was built? It should have been quite evident how large the structure was going to be.

Frankly, if the neighborhood has no covenant or other stipulations and the neighborhood doesn't have a problem - let it be. Otherwise, write a law that prohibits such structures in the future. The wasting of tax payer money on this is typical of city government bodies. Much like the Jackson City Council, these Clinton officials should be removed from office and run out of town.

Cervantes
Member

Posts: 23
Joined: Mar 2003

Monday August 18, 2003 1:04 PM (NEW!)

<< This Judge's ruling has implications for the entire metro area, because most zoning ordinances have the same wording. >>

I knew sooner or later the contagion theorists in Clinton would try to spread some type of region-wide FUD regarding this issue. It is a sign of desperation to allude that this has implications for the entire metro. It doesn't.

I live in Jackson and I can tell you that many residents of this city would happily live with that treehouse next door, or down the street. Compared to the blight that is many front yards in this city, that treehouse would be a welcome oasis in many neighborhoods.

If the City of Clinton loses at the Mississippi Supreme Court, are they going to next appeal to the US Supreme Court? LMAO

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Support NE Jackson secession!

WGW
Junior Member

Posts: 2
Joined: Aug 2003

Tuesday August 19, 2003 8:34 AM (NEW!)

The neighborhood does have covenants, prohibiting buildings being located a certain distance from the property line. The treehouse violates these regulations. null

Keenan
Junior Member

Posts: 1
Joined: Aug 2003

Friday August 22, 2003 5:41 PM (NEW!)

WGW is Gary Ward, the Clinton zoning administrator, who arbitrarily (according to a court ruling) called the treehouse an accessory building and illegally (according to a court ruling) threatened legal action against the family. The city cannot enforce covenants. So why are you even commenting about covenants? Covenants are enforced by neighbors. From what I understand, the neighbors overwhelmingly signed a petition to keep the treehouse. It appears to me that you are being arbitrary again.

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Thomas Keenan
Madison, MS

spiderbait
Junior Member

Posts: 12
Joined: Dec 2002

Saturday August 23, 2003 2:19 PM (NEW!)

Well, that makes sense. Only a politican could be so blinded by their own agenda. Seems to me that the political landscape of Clinton will be changing for the next elections. The leaders of that great city wish to waste time and money on a structure they have no legal means to battle. Seems me they should pay more attention to the city they're supposed to be serving. If they were, this whole issue could have been avoided 5 years ago.

Instead, the treehouse is built and then the stupidity begins. Mr. Ward, seems like your trying to cover your own mistake and save face along with your other little cronies. Hopefully, each of you will take a flying leap and let some people into control that are more in touch with the City of Clinton!

TheBaptist
Junior Member

Posts: 3
Joined: Aug 2003

Tuesday August 26, 2003 12:17 AM (NEW!)

It seems to me that there are many people who have forgotten. Do you remember being a kid, grabbing ever little stick and board to put together your treehouse. These people built a treehouse that we all wish we could have had. If we all put this much work in something for our children, Our children would grow to be much better off. Maybe their kids treehouses will be bigger and better. I can't wait to build one for my son. Maybe a colonial style, three story, 3 bedrooms, and a bathroom. If you come knocking at my door, remember who ellects you. Who wants to be known as the city official who took a kids treehouse from him.. That has to help come ellection time, huh.. Who will vote for an idiot who has nothing better to do than waste tax payer money on removing treehouses. Why not go state wide. There are many more treehouses that havn't been seen yet. Why start there. I know a kid down the street whose bicycle looks a little too big. Wanna take a crack at that too.

I can't wait to see who all gets fired over this one..

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Concerned christian

Cervantes
Member

Posts: 23
Joined: Mar 2003

Thursday August 28, 2003 12:31 PM (NEW!)

<< Seems to me that the political landscape of Clinton will be changing for the next elections. >>

Really sad issue to divide a nice city over, don't you think?

Wonder if Mr. Ward has the courage to stand for election himself.

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Support NE Jackson secession!

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