Topic: Burnsville Man Arrested, Jailed for Siding Code Violation

[Pandora]

Here’s how a simple code violation spiraled into a criminal case

Mitch and his wife Jean say it all began back in 2007 when they received a letter from the city of Burnsville saying, in part, "you must complete the siding of your home."

“We were in the process of finishing,” Mitch insists. “This wasn't something that we were trying to avoid doing.”

But in 2009 there were two more warning letters, and in 2010 yet another--this time requiring Faber to appear in court. Burnsville leaders provided 5 Eyewitness News with these 2010 photos of the Fabers' home as proof there was a problem.

“I was expecting maybe a $700 fine,” Faber said. Instead he was given an ultimatum -- finish the siding or go to jail.

So Mitch returned to his house and he and Jean say they spent about $12,000 putting a stucco façade over the plywood exterior. They thought they were finally in compliance. They were wrong.

Faber was then taken into custody in November 2011 after Burnsville inspectors ruled the work was still not satisfactorily completed.  A warrant for his arrest had been issued when, according to the city, Faber failed to turn himself in because the house was still not up to code. Faber is adamant it was. Regardless, what came next, he says, was absolutely uncalled for and humiliating.

“I'm walking around in a green and white jump suit, I had to shower in front of a sheriff, I was shackled, my wrists were handcuffed to my waist — for siding.”

“It was insane,” said Jean. “Absolutely insane.”

After two days locked up, a judge agreed Mitch should be released but required him to submit to electronic home monitoring. In Dakota County, that process requires participants — no matter what their crimes -- to blow into a drug and alcohol device every time an alarm goes off.

“They could call me at 2 in the morning and they did,” Faber said.

H/T Drudge

[LadyVirginia]

OBEY your masters and you'll have no problem, people!
/

[IronDioPriest]

This is just unbelievable - yet all too believable. I don't even know what else to say. I feel like making somebody pay, and it didn't even happen to me.

[Glock32]

The Laaaaand of the Freeeeee, and the Hooooome of the Braaaaave!



I would call it a sick joke, but it's all too real and tragic. Is that what all those guys died for in the Revolution? In WWII? This crap will continue and it will get worse unless and until it becomes literally dangerous for the perpetrators. And the perpetrators ain't people like the Fabers either.

[Pandora]

The Laaaaand of the Freeeeee, and the Hooooome of the Braaaaave!



I would call it a sick joke, but it's all too real and tragic. Is that what all those guys died for in the Revolution? In WWII? This crap will continue and it will get worse unless and until it becomes literally dangerous for the perpetrators. And the perpetrators ain't people like the Fabers either.

What's the saying, "politics is personal"?  Yep.  Start local, work uuupppp.

When we were building our garage, the County Health and Sanitation bitch threatened to cut the power off to the house unless we toed the line.

She didn't say "I'll HAVE it cut off"; she said "I'LL cut it off".

She's one of the multiple reasons why and how I got right the hell here 'tude wise.

I WILL NOT comply.

[Sectionhand]

Instead of stucco , a fresco of Stymie would have gotten him off the hook !

[Libertas]

Asses should be fired for ridiculous crap like this!