Anatomy of a Neighborhood's Demise
Patricia Abbatoy & Richard Mack
Riverside ReviewApril 2000: Ask residents what the most pressing concern is facing small neighborhoods. Many will say "absentee landlords." Others admit that it's "irresponsible tenants." The truth is that it is both. Just ask the neighbors living along Beatrice Street. Their story is not an uncommon one.
Once upon a time there was a tight knit neighborly street. It was a well-kept street, a place where everyone knew each other, young and old alike. Over the years, the owners of a couple houses died off or moved, and were replaced by others. Maybe two or three of those homes were purchased by non-residents who view the properties as investments. Fine, some investors are really fine folks. But, just maybe, one of those property owners isn't so conscientious about their investment as the others and rents the property to some non-caring tenants.
And so the cycle begins . . .
Our story today picks up on Beatrice Street where one local property owner picks up his mail.Richard May, the owner of several homes in Riverside and Black Rock, has had his plate full in recent years with residency and labor relations issues, property violations, city tax woes, and problems with troublesome tenants.
RESIDENCYMay will soon face a hearing before the City of Buffalo Labor Relations Board. A hearing officer will determine if he violated city residency requirements in order to retain his position as a youth counselor with the City of Buffalo Division of Youth. May also works at Hispanics United of Buffalo (H.U.B.), a community agency that receives funding from the city.
According to the City's Residency Investigator Charles Flynn, May claims he lives at 33 Beatrice, as well as 11 Philadelphia Street."He doesn't live at either one," Flynn told the Review. He charges that May lives at 101 Devonshire Road in Tonawanda.
According to the City of Buffalo Civil Service Commission, "Residence in City of Buffalo is a requirement for all positions. In the absence of clear and convincing evidence to the contrary, an applicant shall be deemed a non-resident if he or she cannot show 90 days of continuous and uninterrupted residence in the City of Buffalo prior to filing application. Please take notice that the ordinances of the City of Buffalo mandate continuous residency in the city during your employment, except for positions specifically exempt under state law."
Sources have told the Review that as many as 15 residents of Beatrice Street signed a statement indicating that May does not live at 33 Beatrice. They originally brought their complaints to North District Council Member Joe Golombek, who acted as an intermediary, and referred them to Charles Flynn.
VIOLATIONSThe Review confirmed that some of the homes owned by May have been cited for housing violations in 1999, but May apparently took care of the problems, and charges were never filed against him in housing court.
Charles Flynn said the Labor Relations Board is also looking into complaints that May allegedly "had kids (he was supposed to be counseling) fixing-up" some of his homes. Flynn explained, "I have a thick file on him (May)."
Golombek said, "Anyone who has a city job (that requires city residency) should live in the city. They should be forewarned that (violations) will not be tolerated," adding, "I would hope that these children who need help are receiving help, and not being used."
TROUBLESOME TENANTSNeighbors say there are problems on Beatrice Street. Some neighbors believe "drug activity is going on" at 33 Beatrice, the block club member asserts, and that the problems have been going on for about 12 years. She also claims the house has been raided by police for drugs a couple of times in 1997.
The Review looked into the matter and learned that there were two complaints called in to 911 operators on October 17, 1997 involving narcotics. She was quick to mention, however, that "things have changed" and that the current tenant has not posed any significant problems. However, police have been to the home eight times this year.
Other Beatrice Street residents have complained to Council Member Golombek about loud music, garbage in the backyard and a myriad of other problems at 33 Beatrice.
Buffalo Police Department records validate these complaints. According to police records, the 911 Communications Center received 79 calls for service to 33 Beatrice between March 19, 1997 and February 26, 2000.
The nature of the calls run the gamut from loud noise and music, to animal nuisances, illegal parking, abandoned vehicles, criminal mischief and traffic violations, to threats and harassment, burglaries, violent family disputes, assaults and a person with a knife.
TAX WOESIn addition to May's trouble with the Labor Relations Board, he is also in hot water with the city's Department of Assessment.
Documentation shows May was notified of the pending foreclosure on several of his homes due to unpaid property taxes. He is delinquent on his taxes for the following properties: 24 and 34 Clay St., 119 Grove St., 87 Guernsey St., 265 East St., 86 Condon Ave., 153 Royal Ave., and 516 Tonawanda St.
He has until April 28 to pay all city taxes and sewer rent arrears in full, as well as a $425 foreclosure fee to avoid having his name, property address published in the Law Journal. If the taxes are not paid before October 23, 2000 the property will be foreclosed by the city.
May was contacted last Friday at the Devonshire Road address for comment, but said, "I have an attorney and union rep. I should probably talk to them first."
