by E. Corning, both Als and Roscoe.
Mr. Corning, "Why isn't there such outrage when an uninsured person dies because they do not have access to health care?"
Ah, but there is. But most folks who learn of such things care little for those living and dying in poverty and even less about alleviating the ravages of poverty they endure.
Al N., "1) Windows are a secondary means of egress in the event of a fire. Putting gaurds over the windows will either create a physical barrier- if the gaurds are physically attatched to the window frame, or a psychological barrier. You know- the house is on fire and the windows have bars."
Most window guards easily swing out of the way and pose no more of a barrier, psychological or physical, to those seeking egress than does the window itself with its glass and latch.
"Maybe we should outlaw playgrounds." "Maybe we should outlaw bleachers." Has someone suggested outlawing windows, Al?
Acknowledging they serve the "greater good" of our society, we have enacted housing and building codes and have long recognized the need for such regulation. There are always those though, who ignore such regulations whenever it suits them, whether due to being perceived as a mere inconvenience, or because it profits them to act in such an unlawful way. (Dominic Cubello)
Al, once this resolution has passed and becomes an ordinance, and it surely will when we have a more responsive council, the appearance and cost of window guards will be as commonplace and as much of a non-issue for landlords and homeowners as stair railings or smoke detectors are today.
"When you couple that with the proposal to increase code inspections to every time a unit turns over ..."
This is not a proposal. It is an existing statute of Albany's Housing Code, See: Part 4 Residential Occupancy Permit, Sec. 231, subsections 128 - 135.
Especially, 231-130(A)(3), excerpted: ..."it shall be unlawful and a violation of this chapter to rent, lease or otherwise allow the occupancy of any residential rental dwelling unit without the inspection and certification as required herein."
My understanding of this is that once a unit has been inspected and it's found to meet all code and zoning requirements, then a Certificate of Occupancy is issued for the unit and it is valid for a period of 30 months. If the tenant moves out and the unit becomes unoccupied within those thirty months, another inspection must take place and a new CO must be obtained prior to re-renting the unit.
Roscoe, I really don't know what to make of your divisively prejudicial statment: "...that portion of the population we have encouraged, for a half-century, not to be responsible parents? Isn't that the sub-text of the issue?" I am surprised, that you seem to be "one of those people".
