New FC Ordinance Committee Considers Updates
A trio of Ford City Borough Council members held an open committee meeting last night to gather input regarding some much-needed ordinance updates.
by Jonathan Weaver
Before the end of 2015, Ford City residents may have to learn some new animal, nuisance/junk and burning regulations.
A newly-formed three-person committee formed by Borough Council President Kathy Bartuccio met last for about two hours last night with their brainstorms concerning three most-commonly violated ordinances.
Borough Manager Eden Ratliff was glad the committee meeting was open to the public, and that a handful of residents attended.
“I think the ordinances in Ford City need to address the needs the Borough has,” Ratliff said.
Council Member Vicki Schaub led discussions on the possible ordinance changes.
“Basically, I wanted to get everybody’s input in what they felt (would be) a direction to go toward,” Schaub said. “Whether it goes through or not, my goal is to have (them) done before the end of the year.
“I don’t want to see all the time I spent on this stuff just thrown in the trash. If I don’t (get re-elected), at least I know I did something.”
When it came to additions to the ordinance regarding pets, Schaub, Council Vice-President Jerry Miklos and Councilwoman Beth Bowser first analyzed a similar ordinance that has been law in Leechburg Borough since 2006.
Their brainstorms, as well as those of the local residents, included making sure all pets are properly-licensed and have all immunizations, forbidding residents from feeding or watering stray animals and possibly requiring owners to fence in their properties.
Schaub also suggested limiting residents or tenants to two of a list of the Top 10 dangerous dogs – which on some lists include breeds of pit bulls, Rottweilers and German Shepards.
Pets are already forbidden from municipal parks, and Schaub would like to see fines for any of these violations “maxed out.”
In regard to recreational fires and burning, local officials studied a copy of Fire Chief Ron Wojcik’s proposed ordinance.
Residents last night were concerned with grilling and burning they have seen take place close to structures, as well as burning recyclable and flammable materials and recreational fires that last until the early-morning hours.
“The longer the night goes, (usually) the louder it gets,” Schaub said.
Ratliff clarified that, while there are regulations concerning the recreational burning, it is not illegal for there to be a recreational fire certain days of the week within the borough.
During the next discussion on recreational burning and fires, Bowser defined “recreational fire” as “a fire set for the purpose of added enhancement for enjoyment to an observer and/or gathering.”
While Ford City does have a current nuisance ordinance in regards to garbage, abandoned vehicles and dilapidated structures, it hasn’t been updated in nearly-40 years. Council members considered Freeport Borough’s 2001 junk ordinance as similar legislation that might lead to some new ideas.
Miklos suggested contacting the state Borough Association for further help on the ordinances.
“Rather than try to hammer all of these points out, there are surely municipalities in the State that have addressed these issues and may have a model ordinance,” Miklos said. “We have to be concerned with legalities – what can you and can you not do. We can all sit here and think what should be but whether it will hold water in court, that’s a different issue.”
The ordinance committee members meet as-needed.
By bob, October 22, 2015 @ 5:58 PM
Seriously? Requiring dog owners to fence the property they OWN? In case you all haven’t noticed, Ford City is not a gated community. It is it even legal for you to pass this ordinance? Withholding food and water from a stray animal?? So you are encouraging people to be completely heartless by wanting to pass an ordinance that lets an animal starve to death?
I am torn as to what to do this evening. Thinking about going to find some strays to feed, tear my fence down, then pound a big “FOR SALE” sign into my yard. Way to go F.C. Council members. You Rock (sarcasm of course)!
By Just sayin, October 23, 2015 @ 12:48 AM
I agree, Bob.
You get TAXED more if you have a fence, too! Possible money-making scheme there.
Do they want to fine kind-hearted, responsible citizens for feeding,catching, neutering/spaying, and releasing feral cats?
Do they know that cocker spaniels are meaner than German shepherds?
Will we not be allowed to feed birds, either?
Why don’t they work on getting rid of the sewage smell that permeates this town often. Sometimes the entire town smells of sewage. Is it coming from the sewage plant or what? Why Ford City? I’m really sick of it. That CAN’T be good for our health. Get to the bottom of this, please, and then do something about it. I have to cover my nose and mouth sometimes, it is so bad.
And they should fine people who burn garbage (smells like toxic garbage burning).
People are being told not to park in the alleys, even if there cars are on their properties. Ludicrous!!
We may as well move to North Korea. Oh, maybe they eat their stray animals to get rid of them.
Oops. I don’t want to give this committee any ideas.
By Just sayin, October 23, 2015 @ 1:16 AM
And while they are at it, why don’t they fine people who leave their dogs on a chain near a dog house for their entire lives? What is the purpose?
How absolutely insane and cruel. I don’t care what the reason. Don’t have a dog if you don’t like fur in your house. It’s called “brushing daily.” Train the dogs not to jump on you.
Dogs are PACK ANIMALS.They do not like to be ALONE. How would they like to be tied up on a small chain, never going for a walk, for the rest of their lives?
I just don’t see a purpose of having a dog tied up 24/7. They don’t deserve that. It’s heart-breaking.
By savvynewshound, October 23, 2015 @ 7:40 AM
my question…why the same council members on every committee?
By Snarf, October 23, 2015 @ 8:32 AM
Hey Bob, good luck selling your house. If things don’t change in this town, I see the same thing happening in New Ken/Arnold happen in Ford City: People just letting their houses go because nobody wants to by them. I know an older gentleman who had a friend who did just that, because nobody wanted to buy his house. I haven’t lived in Ford City for several years, but I’m sorry, but it’s time for the state to step in. I think these new planned “ordinances” are just councils way of trying to piss off (sorry Dave, for a lack of a better word) residents in hopes of making them forget about the boro’s debt, which these idiots think will go away. Ha! I feel sorry for the good people in Ford City.
By Snarf, October 23, 2015 @ 8:33 AM
I should clarify “letting go” in my last comment. That is letting them go for taxes.
By blutoblutarsky, October 23, 2015 @ 12:34 PM
I see the photo at the top of this page and then I saw the word “brainstorm” in the article. Surely these two items can’t be linked together with this crew!
My favorite quote of the article-
“If I don’t (get re-elected), at least I know I did something.”
Yes, you all did do something. You put FC in the hole for decades!
By sickofpayingforit, October 23, 2015 @ 11:03 PM
just sayin
your comments about “them” eating stray animals could have been racist; at the very least stereotyping Asian people.
By Just sayin, October 25, 2015 @ 2:52 PM
sicko: Really? That’s all you have to write about my comments?
I’m no racist. Some Asians really do eat dogs. It’s a fact. It is part of their culinary cuisine.
Our society is no worse for eating pigs. Pigs are smarter than dogs (a fact).
I mentioned N.Korea because of the Communism; the dog comment was an aside since they mentioned about not feeding strays. Get it?
Nit picker, are you? Am I racist against gorilla’s, too?
By Just sayin, October 25, 2015 @ 2:57 PM
“I don’t give a schnitzel!” [in honor of Octoberfest]
Ooooh, maybe I’m a language bully, too?
By bob, October 25, 2015 @ 4:28 PM
@ Snarf,
I realize it would be difficult to sell a house in the borough with all the antics of council lately. And I absolutely agree they are trying to divert attention away from the whole $581k issue.
@ Bluto,
Thanks for pointing out the irony of “brainstorm”. LOL
By Elderton Parent, October 26, 2015 @ 10:44 AM
Cats are the issue and a fence isn’t going to fix that problem. Keep your cats inside and if you take them out, put them on a leash just like I do with my dog.
Don’t feed strays, it just brings more issue. If they need food/water, they will find it. A feral cat isn’t much different that any other wild animal (i.e. raccoon, rabbit, etc.)
By sickofpayingforit, October 26, 2015 @ 9:06 PM
Just sayno,
Interesting reply. If I said those comments with your stated reasons, I wouldn’t defend them. To be honest, I wouldn’t make comments like that to begin with, but hypothetically if I had, again, I wouldn’t defend them. Your first line was I am not racist then came more examples of not being racist. Are you next going to tell us how many minority friends you have to more clearly show how your racist comments don’t make you a racist?
Interesting………
By bob, October 27, 2015 @ 7:24 AM
Elderton Parent,
The cats and fences are two separate ordinance proposals. Fences to keep your dog in being one issue, no feeding strays being a different one. I agree that the strays will find food. They most certainly will damage property to get that food and get into garbage much like a racoon would. The feral cat population in F.C. has been gradually been trapped, vaccinated and spayed by a group of volunteers. Eventually this population will die off, but until then they do need fed to avoid property damage and garbage scattered.
By steve, October 27, 2015 @ 7:46 AM
“In the 21st century, dog meat is consumed in many parts of China although it is actively campaigned against more recently. Particularly in areas of Asia where the housing and treatment of these dogs is found to be unsanitary and cruel. It is also eaten in Korea and Vietnam, as well as parts of the African continent, such as Cameroon, Ghana and Liberia.
Today, a number of older generations in Asian cultures view the consumption of dog meat to be a part of their traditional and day-to-day cuisine, found to be fading away as younger generations tend to abhore the practise, as other cultures, particularly Western culture - consider consumption of dog to be disgusting, a taboo akin to eating your child or family member.”
Sickof, if you would visit wikipedia you can also read an Asian region by region breakdown of how dog meat is eaten. They even mention a festival dedicated to the practice.
When will you be writing an email to Wikipedia admonishing them for their racist page?
By jorn jensen, October 27, 2015 @ 7:51 AM
Just sayno.
By Just sayin, October 27, 2015 @ 10:12 AM
sicko: Really? That’s all you have to write about my comments?
I’m no racist. Some Asians really do eat dogs. It’s a fact. It is part of their culinary cuisine.
Our society is no worse for eating pigs. Pigs are smarter than dogs (a fact).
I mentioned N.Korea because of the Communism; the dog comment was an aside since they mentioned about not feeding strays. Get it?
Obviously not.
By Just sayin, October 27, 2015 @ 10:42 AM
Elderton parent: The feral cats come from domesticated cats who were left outside to fend for themselves by irresponsible cat owners. They eventually breed feral cats. The average outdoor cat lives two - three years. They die from starvation, sickness, poisoning (antifreeze), fighting/infections, getting hit by cars, hawks/coyotes, etc.
Cats CANNOT fend for themselves in the winter, especially. All animals need water. When it is freezing outside and the ground is snow-covered, where do you think the water and food is coming from? Water freezes and birds can spot a cat more easily in the snow.
The news reporters ALWAYS warn to keep the animals in warm shelters in extreme cold and wind (cats and dogs).
The plastic dog and cat houses should be outlawed (even with straw). They DO NOT retain heat.
I adopted strays all my life. I also adopt animal shelter cats. They provide so much love and comfort. The two I have now are some of the softest, cutest, funniest, and smartest cats I have owned. I wouldn’t trade them (or let them back outside) for the world.
How about helping out, instead of ignoring a creature in need and being inhumane?
The feral cats need TNR (trapped, neutered, returned). Then they can be fed and watered until their death. Most truly feral cats cannot be adopted. They do not trust humans (can’t blame them). It is not their fault they exist.
There will always be feral cats, unfortunately. But partaking in the TNR program can prevent thousands more of existing.
“Memory…all alone in the moonlight…
Touch me; it’s so easy to leave me
all alone with the memory
of my days in the sun.
If you touch me,
you’ll understand what happiness is.
Look! A new day has begun.” [CATS]
By Just sayin, October 27, 2015 @ 11:01 AM
sicko: Please explain your jumbled mess of a writing about WHY you think I am racist?
Did you ever see gorillas looking for lice and nits in their band? That’s where the term, “Nit Picker,” came from. Are you insinuating something else?
I am prejudiced against Satanism and communism. Sorry.
And quite frankly, [getting back to the topic, shall we?] I think controlling when and if Ford City residents can grill and have recreational fires is quite communistic and authoritarian.
That’s all people on a budget have for recreation. Don’t take that away.
If someone is making noise, they have to abide by the rules or pay the consequences (no loud noise from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.).
If you see a neighbor hanging clothes out on a line, don’t be rude and start a fire or grill near the clothing.
Have common sense with burning— deal with the “problem”-don’t take it away.
Don’t grill on porches with a roof.
Have a hose ready when lighting recreational fires and don’t place them close to buildings. Wet the grass in the area before burning.
By sickofpayingforit, October 27, 2015 @ 5:20 PM
Just say-no’s comment: “We may as well move to North Korea. Oh, maybe they eat their stray animals to get rid of them.
Oops. I don’t want to give this committee any ideas”
Contextually it is overtly stereotypical shading on racist given the the negative tone the implication is being made, in my opinion. If it is an accepted practice with no harm, why would it be “oops, I don’t want to give the committee any ideas.”??? Obviously Just sayno views this as something negative and used the comments to negatively speak of another races cultures and practices. So, if Jensen was on blast for sand people, surely this doesn’t get a pass does it Steve?
By steve, October 27, 2015 @ 9:55 PM
Sickof,
Why did you give Jensen a pass for his sandpeople comment, but jumped all over justsayin?
Besides, not everyone in an entire country can be considered all of one race. That’s like calling all Americans just black or just white. North Korea is a place… simple as that. You’re being foolish.
By sickofpayingforit, October 27, 2015 @ 10:09 PM
Steve-
Agree to disagree on Justsayno’s potential racist commentary. 🙂
By steve, October 28, 2015 @ 7:54 AM
So you’re agreeing to disagree with me that North Korea is a place and not a race? lol
Be honest about why you would say something here and not to Jensen. You could care less about racism and you simply wanted to embarrass a “liberal”. You failed and embarrassed yourself.
By Elderton Parent, October 28, 2015 @ 9:40 AM
Thanks for clarifying Bob. If I am required to have a fence to keep my dog, then cat owners/lovers should not be able to have their cats run free or feed feral cats.
just sayin, personally I do not care for cats. However, even if I did, I would not feed stray or feral cats. IN MY OPINION, the more they are provided the more they will come around and continue to breed. I’m all for people catching/trapping them and taking to a shelter. But, most people that feed strays are happy with just doing that and not catching them and taking to a shelter.
Again, a feral cat is not much different than a raccoon, rabbit, etc. However, IN MY OPINION, it seems that their litters are larger than that of a raccoon or rabbit or they are just not as desired as a rabbit for food by another animal.
Why don’t we have a stray dog problem? Because a majority of people keep their dogs in their houses, on leashes, or in a fenced in yard. Why can’t cat owners do the same?
I hate it when a neighbors cat wanders into my yard because the owner opened the door and let it out to go wherever it wants. It’s your cat, not mine. Chances are, if my dog would wander into their yard it is because it accidentally broke loose from leash or somehow got through the fence gate. I would immediately retrieve my dog and bring it back home. Most dog owners will do that as soon as they are aware that the dog is missing.
I wish people cared about the homeless and starving humans more than stray or feral cats.
By Just sayin, October 28, 2015 @ 11:49 AM
Not racist, sicko. I’m just against eating dogs; just like I’m against our culture eating pigs and cows. Am I prejudiced against Americans, then? NO!
“Oops” = I might give them a negative idea about what to do with the strays, and I really wouldn’t want them to do it. [made a purposeful mistake by sarcastically expressing it]
Get it? Or do you still want to be delusional and insist I am something I am not?
As I said before — some Asians eat dogs and North Korea is communistic.
I know who I am and what I stand for. I don’t need your unnecessary and untruthful comments.
About your pretending-to-be-smart writings: [and I am going to nit pick since you are asking for it]
How can you write “overtly” and “shading” in one sentence? They contradict each other.
Don’t you have anything better to do, sicko? Can you comment on the topic or are you enjoying trying to run me into the ground over negative
pretenses?
Let me explain my comment in detail for you:
“People are being told not to park in the alleys, even if their cars are on their properties. Ludicrous!!” [like communism]
“We may as well move to North Korea.” [referring to comment above] “Oh,[pause] maybe they eat their stray animals to get rid of them.”[reflecting on how some Asians eat dogs and being sarcastic about controlling animal population]
Oops. I don’t want to give this committee any ideas. [explained above in today’s comment]
Again, MM, I am NOT against Asians— just against EATING DOGS AND COMMUNISM! I’m an AMERICAN! I HAVE THE RIGHT TO FEEL NEGATIVELY ABOUT SUCH THINGS!
BACK OFF!
By Just sayin, October 28, 2015 @ 11:58 AM
Jorn Jensen: “Just sayno?” Brilliant. I agree, Just say no to drugs. I abbreviated sickofpayingforit’s pen name because it too long. You are really in the running to be elected as commissioner. [sarcasm] God, help us!
Sicko is drinking the Jensen Juice,again; maybe she is your wife???
By Just sayin, October 28, 2015 @ 11:59 AM
It’s too long.
By sickofpayingforit, October 29, 2015 @ 12:06 AM
Jensen is too ugly for me………
By Just sayin, October 29, 2015 @ 9:19 AM
Jensen is not ugly. I wish he were as good looking on the inside as he is on the outside.
By Just sayin, October 29, 2015 @ 9:34 AM
Elder Parent:
Feral cats are not wild animals; they are raised as if they are wild, due to the neglect from humans.
They became domesticated by the Egyptians over 4000 years ago. They were honored due to the fact that they kept the rodent population down.
What happens when Europe got rid of cats? The bubonic plague happened.
This article is not discussing homeless people —another issue entirely. People have the means to get help if they wanted; stray cats and dogs do not.
One can have compassion for both humans and animals.
Cats get a bad rap. They are very loving creatures and are very temperamental and more like humans than dogs. They want to be bothered or hugged on their terms (just as humans do). Dogs will let you love them just about anytime, but that doesn’t mean that cats are unlovable.
There are some homeless people who want to be homeless— they have money, but are eccentric.
All God’s creatures, big and small…
By Marc, October 29, 2015 @ 4:36 PM
Usually someone says they agree to disagree when they’ve lost the argument.
LOL at that Jensen comment though!
By Elderton Parent, October 30, 2015 @ 6:39 AM
just sayin’ thanks for the history lesson.
I was quite clear that my comments were my opinion.
Bottom line the cats are wild as they are not owned or live with someone. My point is if you are going to have a pet cat or feed a stray cat, then you need to take it in as your own. I don’t understand why people think it is ok for pet cats just to roam or feeding feral cats. Again, my OPINION.
My point about the homeless (those that do not choose to be homeless) is to feed/cloth humans first. We have children in our own communities that go hungry every day, not by choice.
By sickofpayingforit, October 30, 2015 @ 2:47 PM
Marc- Agree to disagree with your summation of why I earlier said agree to disagree. I choose not to argue a point endlessly when there is no real financial gains to be had. It is a waste of time. I make a point, counter once or twice, then move along. Not sure that means I am losing anything and honestly believe I am gaining time and sanity by opting out of the drama.
By Marc, October 30, 2015 @ 3:49 PM
“I choose not to argue a point endlessly when there is no real financial gains to be had.”
Yet, here you are.
“Not sure that means I am losing anything and honestly believe I am gaining time and sanity by opting out of the drama.”
You attempted to start drama by calling someone racist for no reason.
Nice try.
By Just sayin, October 30, 2015 @ 11:24 PM
sickof- you are full of it. If you didn’t want to waste time, you would be writing something meaningful.
I think you are jorn’s doppelganger.
By Just sayin, October 31, 2015 @ 12:03 AM
elder parent:
Who cares what your opinion is when it is mean and not humane?
A child does not have to go hungry when there are food stamps. It is the parents who sell food stamps or waste them on junk that is the problem.
There are shelters for humans. Churches and other organizations can help.
It’s the mistakes of humans that leave millions of homeless cats and dogs to be left roaming in search of food and shelter. It is not the strays’ fault.
People like you think that cats can fend for themselves, and that is why supposed cat “owners” think that they can let the cat outside to roam at will (and be okay).
Also, some people get a kitten and keep it indoors. Then when it gets older and starts to spray, they push it outside. [lacks knowledge]
Instead, they needed to get it neutered or spayed, and most likely it wouldn’t have happened anymore. They could have continued to leave it indoors.
I agree with your comment that if a person feeds a stray, they should take it as their own.
It’s not an overnight process, though. You have to gain the trust of the animal. That takes a while.
I save all bugs, if I can (except those that harm). You have to be compassionate whenever the opportunity presents itself, whether it be human or animal.
One more thing: there are more homeless out there because of drug use and the government shutting down institutions for the mentally ill. Many have no where to go or do not know how to get the help they need.
A kind and loving person helps all. Just my opinion.
By jd718, November 2, 2015 @ 5:06 AM
@ Just sayin, You are right he is Full of IT! Over at another article he said there is Nothing Modern in Armstrong County, when someone said the YMCA is new and modern, he came back with the YMCA is losing money and the rates are going up! Strange! Yes, he’s full of Dew! Don’t let him play you, he has little to work with that racist junk.
By jd718, November 2, 2015 @ 5:25 AM
There was a student that had drugs and a knife in their car at the New School, the knife never made it into the school, probably because of the metal detector! How about that sickof? No need for a metal detector at the new school, right? I Know, I know, the YMCA is losing money and the rates are going up! LOL