To the Editor:

It seems the SS Gestapo has come to the homeowners of the City of Ogdensburg that have trees or grass on their property. Last weekend I received a “Notice of Violation” from the City of Ogdensburg Office of Code Enforcement. “A routine field inspection revealed a problem regarding the above referenced property caused by a Brush pile out of schedule “If I fail to remove within 5 days the City will have no other choice but to take “appropriate” actions to resolve the issue. A threat to have City crews remove and charge me the actual cost plus 10% and a civil penalty of $100 shall be added to next year’s City taxes.

I have 15 trees on my property and several others that border my property. Several times this summer I’ve spent hours cleaning up branches from around my property due to the numerous windstorms we have witnessed this summer. I understand that it is part of my responsibility as a good citizen to keep my property cleaned up and orderly.  

However, I don’t deserve, and many of my fellow city residents don’t deserve, to receive such a threatening letter from the city that I have lived in my entire life and spent  years trying to make this a better place to live and work. If I were told in a professional manner to take care of the brush or yard waste within a reasonable time, more than five weekdays, I would understand and will comply.

Too many residents that I’ve known for years now live outside the city of Ogdensburg. How many more of us taxpayers will join them because of how we’re treated by the City Office of Code Enforcement?

Sam Burns
Ogdensburg