This just can't be permitted!

Rip it down! Return John Loeffel's super-sized Colonial to the humble one-story Cape of its origins! No other penalty will suffice! Isn't that what Hempstead's suddenly ex-building commissioner would have ...

[Bob]

I agree with you that it should all be torn down. You can be sure that's what they'd make any of us "regular" people do if we had something illegal done to our property. He should be no different. What a can of worms this is going to open for the contractors who didn't ask any questions, as well as the rest of the folks in the Town who turned a blind eye. It's a disgrace that the people in power never have to abide by the rules that us little people have to abide by. An illegal apartment? Where is Weissman on this? Didn't he say he was going to be checking for electrical meters, etc, to weed out people with illegal apartments????

[J A Waters]

I agree that John Loeffel should have to tear down the monstrosity he built. Tax-paying, law abiding citzens would have no choice but to tear something like that down -- ignorance is no excuse for the law!! I also believe that Ms. Murray should have to resign as Supervisor. She had to have known that he was renovating his house since she lived only down the street from him. The new colonial did not just appear overnight.
An entire departmental investigation needs to be performed -- including the contractors who built the house.
Mr. Loeffel should not be just allowed to pay whatever fines and taxes. He must tear down the house and start anew.

[Political Watch]

I doubt the house will be torn down, even though it should. The fines will be paid, inspections done with some walls opened up, and the cover up with "political connections in Hempstead Town Hall". Its corruption at is worst, just a slap on the wrist and in the pocket. He will keep his pension and his benefits too, i'm sure. remember, he resigned, not fired just in time.

[FOXYJOHN FRANKLIN SQUARE]

In my opinion there is no body in the Town of Hempstead who is straight. I would like to know who is the one who turn him in? Probley the same one looking for his job. the higher up should bring some one from the out side who is clean. If that is possible.

[John P]

Political Watch wrote:

I doubt the house will be torn down, even though it should. The fines will be paid, inspections done with some walls opened up, and the cover up with "political connections in Hempstead Town Hall". Its corruption at is worst, just a slap on the wrist and in the pocket. He will keep his pension and his benefits too, i'm sure. remember, he resigned, not fired just in time.

The inspection job should be given to an outside agency, like a special prosecuter when insiders are involved in a crime. Bring in building inspectors from the state or other locals to do the job without bias. Remember Newsday keep us informed.

[TSS]

Where's your commentary on corruption and incompetence in North Hempstead, Glen Cove and Nassau County?

[Grumpy]

Political Watch wrote:

I doubt the house will be torn down, even though it should. The fines will be paid, inspections done with some walls opened up, and the cover up with "political connections in Hempstead Town Hall". Its corruption at is worst, just a slap on the wrist and in the pocket. He will keep his pension and his benefits too, i'm sure. remember, he resigned, not fired just in time.

First of all the Town cannot make him tear it down thats up to a Judge. The Judge will order an inspection to be done which includes plumbing, electric and new framework. If it means tearing down walls that will be done at the owners expense. Regardless if he resigned or was fired he cannot lose his pension unless he is convicted of a federal felony and only when the judge orders it. Ms. Murray is busy enough without trying to check on each and every employee to see if they have building permits. Like any other politician she probably sees her home late at night and early mornings when leaving for work. She did the right thing by requesting his resignation. I wish I could say the same thing about the North Hempstead investigation where it is now leading to Kaiman and the funny part is there is no human outcry. Why you may ask? Because Newsday hates to report negative items when Democrats are involved. Like it or not thats the truth. I happen to be a registered Independant and dislike Republicans and Democrats for what they have done to our great County of Nassau. Public Sector and Private sector will always have their bad apples. Go after them and not a group collectively.

[Jay from Burbank]

RE: "this should not be permitted!"

Actually, none of this was "permit" - ted ...

[www]

gee, what a surprise.a politian caught doing something illegal... in nassau county. and nobody, thats nobody, knew a thing about it. i would think there are several hundred , or more, friends of the former department head, who are now waiting to see if they will be found out. it's simply the way business is done... in nassau county.

[Concerned]

Please be aware that in no way would the Town of Hempstead order any homeowner to tear down any addition of any kind. They first issue a notice of violation and make the homeowner apply for a permit to legalize and maintain that addition or alteration. Why should he have to tear it down? Yes he should now have to follow all of the necessary procedures in order to legalize it including fines, permits and possible variances just like any other homeowner.

While there is and obvious accountability on the part of the supervisor, it would have been very easy for either Loeffel or his contractor to post a copy of a fake permit in the winodw and she would have not known the difference. Should she stop and check the permits on every house that she drives past or should we hold her accountable for those too?

More attention should be placed on how the republican machine is running the Town of Hempstead Building department. Why can one of the so called "higher uppers" make a phone call and get a permit immediately while the average homeowner has to wait four to six months? Why does one of the plans examiners have a son who is a draftsman and receives favortism in the approval process. Why does another plans exminer have a brother who also gets fast approvals on his plans while the rest of us wait in agony.

How does a securtiy guard become the building commissioner? Shouldn't he/she be a licensed P.E. or Engineer? It was my impression that was one of the requirements of the job. The commissioner has to make some very important decisions.

Why does a former park ranger with no relatice education have the right to become a plans examiner and question the ability of our local Architects. An Architect generally requires 8 years of education and experience as well as pass a rigerous exam to receive a lecense. And a park ranger can tell him that he/she did not design something properly.

Why is it that the cival servants exam to become a plans examiner is never posted for the public. Typically, only people who crrently work for the townfind out about the exam and get the opportunity to take. Just like some plumbing inspectors, secreteries and park rangers.

The main answer to all of these concerns lies within the boundries of the republican machine. The entire system is designed to work to the advantage to the machine and not to the public. In order to get anything done, a favor is required.......

The whole system needs to be analyzed!!!

[Political watch]

TSS wrote:

Where's your commentary on corruption and incompetence in North Hempstead, Glen Cove and Nassau County?

Start a new post then.

[Political watch]

Grumpy wrote:

<quoted text>
First of all the Town cannot make him tear it down thats up to a Judge. The Judge will order an inspection to be done which includes plumbing, electric and new framework. If it means tearing down walls that will be done at the owners expense. Regardless if he resigned or was fired he cannot lose his pension unless he is convicted of a federal felony and only when the judge orders it. Ms. Murray is busy enough without trying to check on each and every employee to see if they have building permits. Like any other politician she probably sees her home late at night and early mornings when leaving for work. She did the right thing by requesting his resignation. I wish I could say the same thing about the North Hempstead investigation where it is now leading to Kaiman and the funny part is there is no human outcry. Why you may ask? Because Newsday hates to report negative items when Democrats are involved. Like it or not thats the truth. I happen to be a registered Independant and dislike Republicans and Democrats for what they have done to our great County of Nassau. Public Sector and Private sector will always have their bad apples. Go after them and not a group collectively.

I agree with you, and I am only commenting on the TofH, however, the Town of Hempstead Builidng Department has no problem, and enforces, all persons in Hempstead township to put up the money in the hundreds for application fees, permit fees, variance fees before any work to begin on any construction in the town where they may be. They want their money fast, paid in full or you are not building anything. But, not Mr. Loeffel. And, with many homeowners doing renovations in the last few years, all town residences were abiding by the "rules" set forth by the building department and the chief enforcement officer, commissioner Loeffel.

[Jac]

www wrote:

gee, what a surprise.a politian caught doing something illegal... in nassau county. and nobody, thats nobody, knew a thing about it. i would think there are several hundred , or more, friends of the former department head, who are now waiting to see if they will be found out. it's simply the way business is done... in nassau county.

Yes it is! These are very powerful local governments. The only chance we have is the District Attorney Kathleen Rice and the Attorney General for the state of New York (Cuomo), the Governor, Spitzer. It is very complex to root out corruption in the example of the Town of Hempstead which is by definition a Municipality (i.e. Self Governing). So who has jurisdication? That all depends on the politicians with those powerful connections to these Public Officials. It will take a couragious Public Official who is charged with the responsibility in their proper jurisdication and reform once the dust settles with new and tough legislative laws. All a very tall, but worthy order.

[Hopeful Toh Resident]

I hope John Loeffel cooperates fully with the District Attorney Kathleen Rice on a grand scale to assist in rooting out a very corruption municipal governmental department aka Town of Hempstead Department of Buildings. John should realize someone on the inside took him down. It is time for him to name names and give full disclosure to the District Attorney's office of all illegal and or questionable activities at the Town of Hempstead, One Washington Street, Hempstead, NY. That could take sometime, so John pack your bags and don't forget your pajamas and toothbrush.

[Mother]

DO YOU KNOW THIS OBESE A-HOLE, ALONG WITH "TARA" IN LEVITTOWN OWNS TWO SUMMER HOMES, ONE IN ROXBURY NEW YORK, DELEWARE COUNTY, AND ONE IN HARDENBURGH NEW YORK, ULSTER COUNTY, LET HIS FKING KIDS LIVE IN THEM!, THE GREEDY FAT PIG!, JUST LOOK IT UP! http://www.uspdr.com

[abc]

This is just the tip of the tip of the iceberg. Look into the Town of Oyster Bay.

[over taxed]

The Federal Gov. should get involved, they need to investigate the whole TOH Building Dept, as of now all the roaches are scattering, applying for there building permits, Kate is handing out gold stars for there honesty! They all need to go! Time to bring out the can of raid, exterminate them all!

[MATT LOVEL]

FIRE THEM ALL" KATE MURRY ALSO MUST GO!! WHAT ABOUT ALL THOSE BACK TAXES AND FINES KATE!!!! ARE YOU ABOVE THE LAW TOO.

[Nemo]

Seize the home and use it to house the homeless!

[John P]

It seems like 7 more people who are charged with enforcing the building codes have now come foward to say I FORGOT TO GET A PERMIT get rid of this department an staff it with honest professionals