My Property Tax Dollars Hard At Work

From the Boston Globe:

To the casual eye, it is an inconspicuous ground-level window, streaked with soot perhaps, but nothing that detracts from the 19th-century charm of the red-brick Victorian rowhouse in Boston's South End.

But to city officials, the double-hung vinyl window on the side of the stairs to Gary Multer's historic apartment building is an affront to the neighborhood's lovingly preserved architectural character, one worth a fine of up to $1.4 million.

Yesterday, in the latest twist in an eight-year legal brawl between Multer and the South End Landmark District Commission, the city asked a judge to let it file a suit against Multer seeking fines of $146,000 to $1.46 million if he is found to have violated regulations that prohibit vinyl windows and changes to brickwork.

Bear in mind, this is not the owner of the property taking legal action against a tenant. Nor is it the case of a condomium owner's association suing the owner of one of its units. This is the city government suing the owner of the (supposedly) private property.

Quote of the Day:

"Yikes!"

~ Suffolk Superior Court Judge Thomas P. Billings

My sentiments exactly, your honor.

(photo by Evan Richman/Globe Staff)

What an absolute fucking paradise we must be living in today if the city has sufficient resources to take this guy to court over a friggin' window. When, according to our courageous leaders, it's George Bush's fault that the city of Boston can't afford to put more cops on the street.

My.

White.

Ass.