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Morrow responds to derelict property critics

Aug 25, 2016 | 12:00 PM

Stories printed in a local publication, has one mayoral candidate wondering if it’s been a slow news week.

Josh Morrow was the subject of a recent Prince Albert Daily Herald article alleging the businessman not only owned derelict properties, but thumbed his nose at city process. The Herald purported Morrow was told by bylaw to clean-up the properties but didn’t, and failed to appear at a hearing to discuss his case.

For his part, Morrow said he’s not “evading” anything or anyone – language used in the Herald article. The Prince Albert mayoral candidate said attempts to smear him and his campaign are much ado about nothing.

Morrow explained plans for the 700 block of 12th St. W., plus 849 17th St. W. have been in the works nearly eight years. His long-term plan was to buy-up the entire block, tear down derelict homes on the above properties and erect something better.

“Whether it’s a seniors centre, whether it’s maybe a youth centre, maybe it’s low-income housing, that’s down the road when we can evaluate what is going to serve the community best,” Morrow said adding he’d hope in two to three years to bring something to fruition.

“Anyone in this community wants to see these horrendous, problematic houses go away,” he said.

According to Morrow, he received correspondence from city bylaw telling him to restore his properties to “an undamaged viable state” but the purpose of buying the block was to demolish it. The buildings were beyond repair and Morrow had no intention of renting or selling.  

He said a letter was sent to the city – to the bylaw appeal board – explaining there were plans for the properties. Morrow didn’t explain at that time he intended to demolish the homes.  

While a hearing was scheduled May 3 to discuss the matter of Morrow’s properties, it was his understanding attendance was not mandatory.

“You don’t have to show up to the appeal date. You don’t have to do anything…The decision was made to demolish these homes, so there was no point in talking to anyone about it because it was already discussed with everybody,” Morrow said.

In the meantime, Morrow said he applied to the city on July 27 for demolition permits for 849 17th St. W. and 753 12th St. W. When paNOW attempted to confirm the applications with the city, communications manager, Alanna Adamko said this was not public information and paNOW would need to file a Freedom of Information request. paNOW’s News Director, Nigel Maxwell, was shown a pink carbon copy of what Morrow said was the receipt for said demolition permits.                

Morrow is adamant he has had conversations with multiple city councillors and staffers regarding strategies for the 700 block. He said councilors Rick Orr, Charlene Miller, senior building official Kim Johnson, city planner Lars Ketilson, city planning and development director John Guenther, and bylaw manager Suzanne Stubbs all knew of his plans.

“(The city planning department is) amazing, because we’ve been throwing some ideas back and forth and they’ve been great, they’ve been awesome to work with,” Morrow said.

Both councillors confirm they’d had conversations with Morrow. Again, when paNOW attempted to confirm Morrow’s conversations with staff, Adamko said “City Administration declines commenting on any stories involving mayoral candidates or candidates for City Council.”

Stubbs, however, said she did have conversations with Morrow about his plans for the properties. Regardless of any previous knowledge, she maintained she had a job to do.

“I don’t care who you are, if you own a derelict home and I get complaints, I’ll serve you notice,” Stubbs said.

In the original Herald article, Mayor Greg Dionne and Coun. Martin Ring – both also running for mayor – chastised Morrow for keeping homes he owned in such a state of disrepair.

Coun. Miller referred directly to the local article saying she’s shocked Dionne is “shocked” by the state of Morrow’s properties, explaining Dionne was actually a councillor in Ward 2 – where Morrow’s properties are located – for over a decade.

“Those houses didn’t go downhill yesterday. And he’s in shock? I don’t understand,” Miller said.

She went on to criticize Ring saying “I think he could care less what happens ‘down stairs’ in our city,” referring to properties on the flat as opposed to Ring’s ward in Carlton Park.

Miller said neither expressed their intentions to clean up derelict properties when both Dionne and Ring ran for mayor and council, respectively.

 

nmaxwell@jpbg.ca

dreynolds@jpbg.ca