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Man Spends $20K Cleaning Abandoned Lot Near His Business– City Threatens Legal Action

Sep. 21, 2012 6:55am Erica Ritz

Real estate developer Ori Feibush has tried for years to acquire the city-owned lot near where he planned to open a new business, he says. An eyesore filled with trash, weeds, broken glass and other dangerous substances, it was undeniably a deterrent to potential customers.

“Feibush…submitted seven written requests for either owning or leasing the parcel, has called the [redevelopment] authority 24 times and has visited its office four times,” according to the Philadelphia Daily News.

Philadelphia Says Ori Feibush Trespassing After He Spends $20,000 Cleaning City Owned Lot Near His Business

(Photo: Ori Feibus via Philadelphia Daily News)

Finally, fed up before the grand opening of his new coffee shop, Feibush decided to clean the lot himself.

Pouring $20,000 into the project, Feibush estimates that he removed 40 tons of debris from the lot. They poured a new sidewalk, and placed a bench and picnic table in the newly-attractive area, ABC reports.

Feibush said parents, children, and dog-walkers are now visiting the property, when before the homeless would sleep behind the nine-foot weeds, ABC relates.

“This was a lot of garbage,” Elaine McGrath said, observing the new plants and benches. “Now it’s gorgeous. I’m excited.”

Feibush said simply: “They promised they would get around to [cleaning it]…[but] I did not believe I could open up a coffee shop when people couldn’t traverse the sidewalk.”

(Photo via nakedphilly.com)

But as soon as the area was once again habitable the city apparently stepped in to say, among other things, that the lot is now a safety hazard.

“You are requested to immediately stop all work and return the j-barriers to the original location,” Paul Chrystie, director of communications for Philadelphia’s Office of Housing and Community Development, allegedly wrote in an email. The barriers are supposedly for the safety of the public, and to prevent trash dumping.

Chrystie added in a statement: “Like any property owner, [the authority] does not permit unauthorized access to or alteration of its property. This is both on principle (no property owner knowingly allows trespassing) and to limit taxpayer liability.”

Photo: Philadelinquency.com

The city also claimed Feibush never sought permission to use the lot, saying his action was “not fair” to taxpayers or other potential buyers. In letters and emails, the city reportedly threatened legal action, saying it was “actively reviewing” its options.

Feibush said he was both disappointed that his previous efforts to obtain the lot went unnoticed, and that he was surprised the city appeared to care so much after “ignoring” the lot for decades.

“I expected a thank you,” Feibush remarked. “I didn’t expect the reaction to be what it was, go find 40 tons of trash and put it back.”

“We made (the lot) what it should have always been,” he added, saying that it’s a shame the lot will once again become “a piece of squalor.”

(H/T: Reason)

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Comments (402)

essence428
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 8:24am
Government gone wild! It’s out of control.

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- lowerclassrepublican
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 8:33am
  Just call it art and it will be just fine.
  
  Report this comment
- NHwinter
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 8:34am
  Keep trash in the vacant lot, don’t wash bird droppings off sidewalks – it appears government wants cities to go downhill. And why is that? Advancing to a third world country is exactly what Obama wants for America. It is time for a true revolution. If some places in cities are filthy, then all places should be filthy. Equality, right????
  
  Report this comment
- guns-an-bibles
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 9:05am
  I think the guy should do what the city is threatening to do, legal action to recoup his losses.
  
  Report this comment
- Cemoto78
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 9:27am
  Government insanity continues in these blue states and cites. Maybe he should get the 40 tons of trash and “spread the wealth around” and put it in the front yards of every council member. This is stupidity at the highest levels.
  
  Report this comment
- arx
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 9:47am
  Another govt nimrod on a power trip. They consider themselves the ruling elite, and ignore common sense and civility when any of their ‘subjects’ step out of line. It’s way past time these power hungry jackoffs get dragged out of their tax payer funded plush offices and given a good thrashing by a mob of righteously angry Americans.
  
  Report this comment
- Twinspeedr
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 9:47am
  It’s called cultural insanity and we live smack in the middle of it. At least the Romans could blame lead poisoning from using lead pipes and cooking vessels. We have no excuse…
  
  Report this comment
- WakingSheep
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 9:50am
  Repeal and REPLACE
  
  Report this comment
- old white guy
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 10:13am
  sue the bastad-s.
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 10:13am
  Number one, he embarrassed certain people in the city government. And, they shall seek revenge. At the same time consider this. If someone living there failed to mow their lawn for two weeks in a row, I’m sure they would be getting all sorts of threatening nasty grams from the city. Followed by a visit or two.
  
  Report this comment
- neffy812
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 10:16am
  Just telling them you’re trying to be like Obama, and that it’s your attempt at being a “community organizer” and everything will be just fine. Maybe they’d like it a lot better if you hang some pictures of Marx, Mao, Che, and Chavez.
  
  Report this comment
- The_Cabrito_Goat
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 10:28am
  Even local government lacks common sense
  
  Report this comment
- Cavallo
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 10:34am
  Never forget that you are subjects, not citizens. You are subject to the wills and whims of the bureaucracy, no matter the inequity, or lack of common decency. Remember to thank a vet for sacrificing for all the make believe freedoms these petty civil “servants” deem to bestow upon us.
  
  Report this comment
- TomSawyer
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 10:35am
  This is more proof we need less government at the local, state, and federal level.
  
  Report this comment
- RANGER1965
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 10:37am
  @RJJING
  
  You nailed it.
  
  Doing the right thing is meaningless in this dictatorial culture. Embarrass a city counciller, make him look bad and he/she will use their power and waste tax payer money to hurt you. That’s the lesson learned here.
  
  The other lesson is this. The media loves a story like this. Citizen spends his own money to improve a place ignored and forsaken by the leaders of a city. With plenty of before and after pictures the city council will cease “exploring” ways to hurt the man and run for cover.
  
  But they won’t forget this, once it blows over they will send a legion of health inspectors, building inspectors, tax accessors, and every other bureacrat they can find to ruin him. It might take a year, but they do it, because that’s what spiteful little dictators do.
  
  Public servants my AS*!!!
  
  Report this comment
- PeteOH
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 10:41am
  Philly is run by Degenocrats! ’nuff said.
  
  Report this comment
- JQCitizen
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 10:47am
  NHWinter, YOU NAILED IT! THAT is his Dream from his Father!
  
  Report this comment
- Wayner
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 10:49am
  Good ol progressive government… you just can’t beat it.
  
  Report this comment
- SShink
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 10:51am
  No way, you can’t just randomly turn a vacant lot into an outdoor seating area/park for your coffee shop. He went much further than “cleaning up”. Let’s be real here.
  
  Report this comment
- Xiccarph
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 10:59am
  Put a vote for Obama sign and the city libs will probably pay him his $20k back.
  A classic example of power corrupting.
  
  Report this comment
- fcbs46
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 11:13am
  Lowerclassrepuclican Your right, spray some good graffiti (ART) and he will get his thanks..
  
  Report this comment
- justangry
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 11:13am
  No doubt government gone wild. Can you imagine how nice this place with be if there were a lot more guys like him and a lot less bureaucrats?
  
  Report this comment
- turkey13
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 11:19am
  Obama and a college were going to sort through it and look for artifacts. Another man’s tarsh is another mans treasure.
  
  Report this comment
- Maji
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 11:23am
  I know this is a tangent thought “but” apply the constraints of this story to dealing with your local
  school boards!!!
  You can apply the same outline to many actions (or in-actions) gov.takes towards most anything
  it does!
  Step 1 Identify the problem. (Gov response” Who are you to tell me there’s a problem”)
  Step 2 Needs of the public (Gov. response “This person is drawing attention how do we make
  him stop)
  etc.
  
  Vote Honestly
  Honestly Vote!
  
  Report this comment
- I am 'We the People
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 11:29am
  I think that every single government official involved in this should be prosecuted for abuse of power and fraudulent neglect and market control.
  
  Report this comment
- My Two Cents
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 11:33am
  Liberals always get angry when someone in the private sector shows them up. Nothing makes them madder than seeing the results of a little initiative and some elbow grease. I think Philadelphia could use a few more people like Ori.
  
  Report this comment
- LIBSALWAYSLIE
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 11:35am
  SSHINK, are you really that stupid??
  
  Report this comment
- Leader1776
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 11:41am
  @lowerclassrepublican
  Yes, but Philly government is very left (surprise) so to be called art the little park would have to be covered in dung or urine.
  
  Report this comment
- 4XGrace
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 11:44am
  Should sue the city for maintaining an attractive nuisance and determent to local property values.
  
  Report this comment
- Bum thrower
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 11:44am
  Stunning proof that ‘no good deed goes unpunished!!’
  
  Report this comment
- fb274
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 11:45am
  We need to start with local government in replacing the ‘servants’ who lack common sense. There should also be only a token dollar amount for the actual hours spent and not salaries, insurance, retirement pensions and paying for their R & R for their ‘so-called’ symposiums at resorts for days on end. Fees upon fees, tax this, tax that and no end in site with no improvements is what we see. Take for instance a recent situation of a town being put on severe water restrictions, high dollar penalties for over use of the minimum——months later, water dept whines about revenues being down because too many observed the restrictions. Result: Water rates now being increased to make up for lost revenue, but restrictions still in place. Go figure!
  
  Report this comment
- johnjamison
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 12:12pm
  Apparently the government wanted him out that’s why they left an eyesore of a lot by his business.
  The shop owner should take the city to court over these corrupt action…..I guarantee the Jury will side with him
  
  Report this comment
- ambrosia
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 12:12pm
  Oh sure,
  eventually, the city would have had Union workers do the cleanup.
  This guy “done did ‘em” wrong”.
  he should have taken a page from the Union playbook,
  opened up his coffee shop
  and had his patrons walk in front of the squalor lot
  with signs of incompetence & City Hall phone numbers.
  
  Just imagine if the businessman placed an American flag on the site-
  he probably would have a date with the City’s guillotine ?
  
  Report this comment
- PeachyinGA
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 12:13pm
  The city ought to calm down In no time at all it will once again be covered in litter and graffiti.
  
  Report this comment
- PATTY HENRY
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 12:18pm
  FIRST: Lets see if someone can get us a link to this guy: Paul Chrystie, director of communications for Philadelphia’s Office of Housing and Community Development and THEN the Editor of the Philadelphia Daily News. NEXT let’s encourage Real estate developer Ori Feibush to hold several PUBLIC DEMONSTRATIONS there (sit ins) to bring attention to it. GOOD GRIEF!!! EVERY dirty/trash-filled lot in every city could be cleaned up by the locals and turned into some type of garden/play area if the BLOODY CITY WOULD GET THE HELL OUT OF THE WAY.
  
  Report this comment
- DarkJello
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 12:23pm
  Hower DARE he care about his business! He works at their–gooberment–pleasure. Shame!!
  
  /sarcasm
  
  Report this comment
- PATTY HENRY
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 12:27pm
  THIS IS page to write your comments to Philly Daily News: http://www.philly.com/philly/about/feedback/
  
  AND MORE TO THE STORY: http://www.philebrity.com/2012/09/19/ori-feibushs-lot-of-dreams-if-you-build-it-the-guardian-will-report-it/
  
  AND THEN : PETITION YOU CAN SIGN: http://www.change.org/petitions/philadelphia-redevelopment-authority-stop-considering-legal-action-against-ori-feibush-and-thank-him-instead
  
  Report this comment
- WarMunger_Al
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 12:38pm
  He should have just sued the city for the violation of environmental laws and the eye sore of the trashed lot. It doesn’t pay to be a responsible citizen and do public service.
  
  Report this comment
- rt elms
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 12:45pm
  He has my sympathies, but government, of, by and for the people has long left Philadelphia and he should have known better. A quick mow and blow with trash removal would have been sufficient to meet his needs. He went too far within the confines of the People’s Republic of Philly!!!
  
  Report this comment
- desertspeaks
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 1:17pm
  if he was muslim they wouldn’t have said ONE STINKIN WORD!!!!
  
  Report this comment
- Patriot Mommy
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 2:40pm
  Agreed!!!! It will only get worse if Obummer gets reelected. God willing he will not.
  
  Report this comment
- rustyb
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 3:02pm
  This is a shining example why this city is known as”FILTHYADELPHIA”. Shame on city hall for once again working against what should be commended.
  
  Report this comment
- Chinishque
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 3:08pm
  He didnt built that coffee shop and he didnt clean that lot…how could he have possibly violated anything?
  
  Report this comment
- YourVoiceMatters
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 3:35pm
  You can call it : “Indictment on Serenity” “A CLEAN Slate”
  or make it park and call it: “Feibush Respite Park”
  Possibly it is time for new representation in your government!
  they’re evidently not functioning on any brain cells!
  They just ignore a citizen or a citizens request pretty elitist!
  Shouldn’t the city be subject to every law the citizens are?
  concerning the upkeep on their (our/the peoples ) property?
  I think this guy should get the key to the city,
  he has more on the ball than any of your elected officials….
  He shamed them and they should waive the regulation for him and
  give him a medal for initiative or in the respite park he created should have a plaque acknowledging such a great gift to this city!…He should be a hero not a scourge!
  
  Report this comment
- 4xeverything
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 3:35pm
  Yes, I agree. He ought to countersue for the neglecting of a public space. I don’t own the planting strip between the sidewalk and the street and have no right to plant anything in it or take anything out (cut down a tree) yet I’m still responsible for making sure that the grass is cut there. I say he just uses there own laws against them.
  
  Report this comment
- BJC
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 3:52pm
  I think if the old man forced to jail time because he had some junk in his front yard to help support his wife has to do time then the city leaders need to share a cell with him. What gives the city the right to keep property junky and then go after a old man?
  
  Report this comment
- KevINtampa
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 3:55pm
  How dare you take the initiative in cleaning up your neighborhood. People that live and work elsewhere while on the government dole are the only ones with the IQ high enough to know what’s best for you and your neighbors. You just increased the land value of that lot and neighboring lots making it harder to spread the wealth in your neighborhood. See you in court.
  
  Report this comment
- KKC003
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 4:40pm
  He should have done like the smart old man did. He called the city to say a body was buried in a vacant lot, he saw someone do it. the city came out and cleaned the lot and dug looking for a body, they removed every piece of material that could possibly be evidence. when no body was found the old man said, I am old I Dont see so well.
  
  at least he got the lot cleaned up.
  
  Report this comment
- DenverKitty
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 5:01pm
  This is tragic. You did such a good job…and government is so unappreciative.
  
  Report this comment
- MastrSSG
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 5:25pm
  He would have been better off vandalizing the area and spraying graffiti everywhere! The Government would have issued him an award for urban art.
  
  Report this comment
- clinker
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 6:04pm
  No, don’t call it art. Just call it a drug haven.
  
  That’ll satisfy the city.
  
  Report this comment
- starman70
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 8:40pm
  Here you have the results of many years of rule by Democrats. If anyone shown any form of initiave and tries to improve the area or make the lives of other citizens better, they are cited, fined and harassed by city officials. Just look at the woman who cooked meals for children it the neighborhood (Same City Philadelphia) and gave them the food for FREE. No charge whatsoever for her services. The city told her she had to cease and desist from helping those children or face a fine or even jail time.
  
  The trouble with the liberal, leftist Democrats who run Philly and most of the other majoe cities is that they think they are smarter than their residents so therefore they must and will control every facte of life in their city.
  
  Instead of thanking the business owner for his service to the city, they want to fine him. STUPID! STUPID! STUPID! I’m really at a loss for words to try to describe the city’s action. When will the residents of these cities ever real;ize that it is time to clean house and remove the idiots in charge?
  
  Nanny Bloomberg of New York City is another PRIME example of this stupidity. I guess that I will open a smuggling business, importing 32 oz drinks for public consumption. If I can sneak them on the street at lunchtime, i might become a millionaire.
  
  Report this comment
- Caniac Steve
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 9:36pm
  yep in Philly Government BS is just as bad as BS any place else..I hope someonwe shames the crap out of the city…Long live Liberty !!
  
  Report this comment
- Mil Mom
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 9:37pm
  Sort of similar to a “Garden” that b o and m o and valerie jarrett and her husband got Federal Grants to develop under the el in Chicago years back. I was told by a friend residing in Chicago, that it was a garbage dump and no one could find what happened to the money. Maybe they all had the original developer who likes the “dumpy” look.
  
  Report this comment
- RSHLUVER
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 10:50pm
  This sounds like an Obama wet dream.
  
  Report this comment
- braddock66
  Posted on September 22, 2012 at 12:41am
  Don’t stoop to the liberal name calling there fellas. Wow I disagree sorry . YOU cannot just decide to turn public property into your idea of Better Homes and Gardens! CMON! yes It’s better than trash but what if he put up a shrine to Obama…then you have a problem? Its the principle of Law and order.
  
  Report this comment
- kchercmech
  Posted on September 22, 2012 at 2:08am
  It has not gone wild – it is as designed – a debacle.
  
  Report this comment
- love the kids
  Posted on September 22, 2012 at 8:32am
  Man, can you believe this? The Govt. just can’t stand people doing something for themselves.
  My first thought was to send a little donation to this man to help offset legal costs, but then I thought, the city is still the landowner, so they are responsible for the way the property is.
  Here are some examples:
  If your car was stolen and the crook was in an accident, your insurance and you are still responsible for the damages.
  If you bought a house that had a lein on it that wasn’t caught at the time of closing, you would be responsible for it. I have a close friend that this happened to, from 2 owners before him, he even went to court and judge ruled against him and he had to pay.
  If you were installing an inground pool and vandels knocked down the barriers, you, the land owner would be responsible to re-install them or be fined.
  So my suggestion here is that a class action lawsuit should be brought against the city by everyone using the lot for having what they call an, “unsafe parcel of land”.
  It is time to start fighting the backdoor way.
  
  Report this comment
- sak
  Posted on September 22, 2012 at 8:53am
  He should of dumped all 30 tons of debris on the city lawn and let them deal with it.
  
  Report this comment
- starman70
  Posted on September 22, 2012 at 9:04am
  @LOVE THE KIDS:
  
  Right you are. The city near where I live became owner of a block, due to the original owners failure to pay property taxes, where 1 or 2 delapidated houses and a number of old stately oak trees were located. They removed the houses . (A good move) Then they stated that the block would be developed for “Public Housing”. They then proceeded to remove the beautiful trees, turning the block into a barren wasteland. Since then (7 years ago), the block has become an unsightly jumble of weeds, grass and saplings. The city won’t even bush hog it. It, even though near a main theroughfare, is a gathering place for drug users and is littered with hypo needles, broken crack pipes and other detrius from drug trade. The area is unfit for anyone, especially children, to use because of the chance of being stabbed by a used needle.
  
  This is another exmple of government’s inability to produce anything in an effective manner. Had the property been sold to a private developer, a business could have been located there or an apartment complex developed.
  
  When it comes to government, the old phrase ” If it can’t be done wrong, it won’t be done at all.” is proven over and over again. Remember President Reagan”s statement, “The most feared words anyone could ever hear is: I’m from the government and I’m here to help”. These truisms remain a fact of life.
  
  The people of Philadelphia need to clean house in city hall!!!! NOW in 2012!!!
  
  Report this comment
- Evantoo
  Posted on September 22, 2012 at 12:21pm
  Let me guess: the city is governed by Democrats? Or maybe they used the weeds to do their drug deals? It was their mother’s home? All of the above?
  
  Report this comment
- symphonic
  Posted on September 22, 2012 at 4:37pm
  I always like to know who I am dealing with on these kind of stories. Here’s a PIC of the man at the City making the stink:
  
  http://www.flickr.com/photos/phillycityrep/4791541206/
  
  From all outward appearances, it looks like he truly fits the part. He looks like an angry person, his face.
  
  Report this comment
- trappedinwv
  Posted on September 22, 2012 at 11:23pm
  His mistake was not inviting the mayor or city council to the ribbon cutting.
  
  Report this comment
Escapee1
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 8:17am
Wake up America! This is why we the people should be DEMANDING smaller government and not allowing these idiots to make a shambles of our lives and businesses….

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- Dirty Harry
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 8:50am
  Ditto.
  
  Report this comment
- VRW Conspirator
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 9:29am
  The People of Philly should support this owner and DEMAND the city pay him back the money it cost to clean up the place. There should be a local protest every day with business owners and residents of the area using the new park setting and posting HUGE signs saying “Our City Government wants this area turned back into a TRASH DUMP.”
  
  Report this comment
- strats
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 10:03am
  The government has saved me from myself more than once.
  Everytime they did it cost more.
  I saved myself the last time.
  The sensation was truly awesome.
  Then I received a bill for not using government resources.
  
  Report this comment
666Sucks
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 8:16am
LMAO! Folks, this is just first 4 years, they have 996 left and they are just getting started!

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proliance
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 8:14am
The worst city in America.

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- Walkabout
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 9:16am
  Contrast the extremes of the idiocy of power mad bureaucrats
  
  “Kelo v. City of New London” is on one end of insanity & this case is at the other.
  
  Report this comment
- ambrosia
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 12:39pm
  Ahhh, Philadelphia…..the “City of Brotherly Love”-
  what’s NOT to love ?
  
  One of the most historical cities in the country,
  streets paved with the footprints of our glorious Founders
  and look what it’s become…another Democratic Union sinkhole-
  so much for Independence Hall !
  
  Report this comment
tbeachhead
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 8:13am
It looks like he picked up trash…and then dumped a picnic table and cement of equal value. What is the uproar…one bit of unauthorized trash is more insipid than another? He wasn’t opening Alice’s Restaurant…

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clayrunnels
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 8:09am
Democrats in control. Philadelphia chooses it’s own leaders.

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- Walkabout
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 9:04am
  What does Democrat Mayor Nutter say about this. He is the executive of Philadelphia? The bureaucracy he is in charge of is not responsive.
  
  Generally a city would try to resell properties like these so they can be redeveloped & they can take in property & sales taxes. I guess a person connected to the establishment has not stepped forward to say they not only want the empty lot but the inhabited & well kept houses & businesses adjacent to the empty lot to make some grand project where lots of graft will be spread among politicians.
  
  Report this comment
- SShink
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 10:56am
  Analyze what you are reading here…the guy has a coffee shop next door. He tried to acquire the lot for years. He then went ahead and cleaned it up, put in a fence, a sidewalk, a picnic table and essentially made himself an outdoor seating area/patio for his business. I wish I could blame leftist stupidity for this, but realistically, the guy is no better than the occupy bums that are squatting in empty houses. you can’t just use property that you don’t own for your own personal gain. Stick to your principles here, people.
  
  Report this comment
- IBUILTTHIS
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 11:31am
  You are right SSHINK he should have pitched tents, raped a few women, taken a dump on some cars, harrased people on the streets and everything would have been fine. My God lets fine him for making the world a little better. Oh yea, only goverment can do that!
  
  Report this comment
- Walkabout
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 11:33am
  SShink
  Picnic tables are not beneficial to rats & other vermin like a lot used as a garbage dump. Plastic bags lying on the ground would not be flat. I bet water pooled on some plastic bags if they sagged & had crease enabling mosquitoes to lay eggs. I bet there were dirty hypodermic needles in the lot & near the broken up sidewalk.
  
  The business owner was not challenging the ownership of the lot with the city. They could have bull dozed the site & built a statue to Mayor Nutter or some other goobermint official.
  
  A clean site encourages foot traffic. It is the opposite of the “broken window” effect. It encourages people walking (GET out & move). It encourage window shopping & community. It is community revival.
  
  How many years does a city allow a condemned property to sit? 3 years? 10 years? 20 years (a generations)? 100 years?
  
  OWS permanently occupies stuff. They smash stuff. The tie up traffic. They shut down business.
  
  They don’t build. They don;t go to the city offices & try to talk. They demand
  
  He is nothing like OWS.
  
  Report this comment
- LIBSALWAYSLIE
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 11:42am
  SSHINK, where does it say its a seating area for his coffee shop? No better than occupy? REALLY?? You have no ability to think if you really believe that nonsense. So the 40 tons of trash is better? I dont blame him one bit. He tried to go through the proper channels, but government idiots have no clue what they’re doing. Its clean and safe now, and thats a bad thing according to the local government morons.
  
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- curly1973
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 12:22pm
  SSHINK…..Really?? You would rather have bums laying around taking dumps, leaving trash next to your house or business?..Lets say you are trying to sell your house but the lot next to you is run down with druggies, bums, you name it. With tons of trash. You going to wait years down the road after you have asked repeatedly to buy the lot and clean it up at your own expense??? Go to your bathroom and look yourself in the mirror!!!!! I will give you a few minutes………Ok, a few minutes have past….Feel better??? Hopefully you took a hard look and decided on a different outcome….Wow, he put in a park bench! whoop de do…really??? worried about a park bench….come on…..Nice principles to leave the lot looking like a dump yard for years…..wake up america…..
  
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- crazyrightwingmom
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 12:51pm
  Shink: He is not taking ownership!! He is just making the neighborhood better..I’m sure the owner, whoever it is (the city?) can legally take it back for a dump at any time.
  
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joekoets
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 8:06am
Another example of government employees that need to be replaced. It’s TEA party time for the next five years to straighten out America.

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phillycornerboy
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 8:05am
an excellent example of why we need smaller government.

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Murkman
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 7:54am
[QUOTE]The barriers are supposedly for the safety of the public, and to prevent trash dumping.[/QUOTE]

Uh hu…so how the frack did 40 tons of crap get there in the first place? Idiot bureaucrats.

This is just as stupid as the guy from Texas that couldn’t wash the pigeon crap off his sidewalk.

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nilo
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 7:44am
Where are the citizens of Philadelphis in all of this? Shouldn’t they step in and help and support this fellow citizen? Americans need to wake up NOW! It is time to say enough is enough! Tell local government to support common sense, or else get out of office and the people will find and vote for representatives with common sense.

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Dougral Supports Israel
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 7:37am
Its another stunning example of government hypocrisy. If a taxpaying property owner kept his property in such a state of disarray, the city would send crews over there to mow the weeds and remove the trash. The property owner would be billed big time and city officials would appear on the news crowing about how they were watching out for the neighborhood. When a citizen dares to pick up the city’s mess, the city plays the “victimized” property owner and threatens action unless the property is returned to its proper state of squalor.

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- lordjosh
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 9:20am
  Excactly right. The city would have been harrassing the property owners and levying fines.
  
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freenj
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 7:35am
If Feibush brings the lot back to its original condition, watch, he’ll be fined for illegal dumping. Government at all levels is just plain dumb and way too powerful.
Limit government at all levels.

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- ambrosia
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 12:20pm
  If Felbush celebrated his “Opening”
  with FREE coffee & pastries-
  you’d better believe,
  ALL the City workers would be camped outside his door,
  followed by all the school teachers to & fro !
  
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Optimist4now
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 7:32am
Philthadelphia! Nutter cannot clean up the crime, why should he want anything but squalor?

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- braddock66
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 7:44am
  Your all missing the point of this story. You cannot build trespass on public property without approval. Picking up trash is one thing. Installing sidewalks and a fence on public land? We can’t have citizens just decide to remodel public land to their discretion. The real problem here is a guy who bought a coffee shop next to a city owned do nothing piece of crap land!
  
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- loriann12
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 7:55am
  Yea, next thing you know there will be an empty lot near an apartment complex and the people of the apartment complex might want to (gasp) build a community garden or something on public property and tend it themselves, and it wouldn’t be a food desert anymore!
  
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- Mil-Dot
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 9:38am
  That land (dump) does not belong to some commie prog govt goon is an office somewhere. It belongs to the people. I suspect that the real reason they are bent out of shape is that it took work away from some govt union lackys. Govt must be smashed. Top to bottom. And then rebuilt with proper restraints.
  
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- LIBSALWAYSLIE
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 11:50am
  BRADDOCK, your as stupid as SSHINK. The problem is a guy trying to open a business?? What freaking planet are you from?? If the city wanted to take it over and build on the site, it would be easier now, than before. I’d agree with you IF the guy had not bent over backwards trying to get the city to do something about the mess, but in this case, I side with Mr. Feibush 100%
  
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Delores at CH WV
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 7:26am
Sorry, you forgot that only government can change the lives of your community. The government employees lost their chance to bring out the press and show how great there are using public funds. You took their chance to charge for overtime, ask for more money from the citizens, and exploit the city’s treasury!

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HOOT_OWL
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 7:23am
You didn’t get a thank you, because you just screwed some city officials plan to buy
that property dirt cheap at auction.

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- quiltgal
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 8:28am
  You’re on the right track here. This probably has more to do with corruption than stupidity. It’s the city of Philadelphia after all.
  
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obfuscatenot
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 7:19am
Build it and they will come and take it.

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- Walkabout
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 9:09am
  Tax it or seize it, aye!
  
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obfuscatenot
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 7:18am
Didn’t the organizer in chief just say, you can’t fix it from the inside?

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billrow
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 7:15am
Look who the mayor is and you will know why this is happening and why they prefer squalor.

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- woodyl1011fl
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 2:54pm
  The democrat sewer rats that rule Philadelphia just another sterling example of democrat controlled cities. and proof of why no democrat should ever be elected to anything anywhere for any office, murder is ok but people working to improve the environment in which they live and work must be controlled and approved by democrat party elected morons. That party is made up of the greatest snake oil and shell game con artists.and American tyrants of our time -democrats all!!!!!!.
  
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HKS
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 7:10am
Since Philly is a trashy city, that would ruin their image.

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kcinco
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 7:08am
You would think in tough economic times, the city would forgive this perceived “trespass” and accept the gift. I’m sure officials are embarrassed that their chronic lack of response and action has been exposed. Get over it, already. We are so ruled and regulated that people can’t act like humans anymore and be grateful, thankful and happy about good things we do for each other.

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- Walkabout
  Posted on September 21, 2012 at 9:14am
  “Like any property owner, [the authority] does not permit unauthorized access to or alteration of its property. This is both on principle (no property owner knowingly allows trespassing) and to limit taxpayer liability.” – Chrystie
  
  A trash filled lot could boost the number of vermin like rats that could spread disease. Homeless sleeping there in the elements could weaken them further & cause them to catch & then spread disease like pneumonia or flu. Unattended (ungoverned) space like the lot invited junkies to shoot up & leave their dirty needles on the lot or on or near the side walk. My point is the lot as it was already out the city at risk for a lawsuit.
  
  PAUL Christie is a least a grey unimaginative hack & at worst is a poorly reasoning m0r0n.
  
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NewLife56
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 7:07am
Government has gone completly insane. I hope some attorneys see this and help this guy pro bono

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paulusmaximus
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 7:04am
What did he expect really a thank you for spending his own money to do what the city bureaucrats should have done?

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oxycontinxx
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 7:03am
some guvmint bureaucrat…………..flexing his DUMBMASS (no brain) muscle.

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rickroland
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 7:00am
The city, if it has half a collective brain, should issue a proclamation thanking the guy and then stop any and all consideration of legal or other options it has engaged in. To do otherwise would be sheer insanity.

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13th Imam
Posted on September 21, 2012 at 7:00am
No good deed goes unpunished, when Socialist DEMOCRATS are involved..
13th Proverb

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