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Several weeks ago, after seeing the topmost segment of Burger King's flagpole whipping madly and dangerously side to side in the wind, I spoke to the manager on duty about it, and I also phoned Lakewood's Building Department, leaving a voice message. In both cases, I stressed the safety issue should it snap off, possibly injuring, or worse, anyone who happens to be in its path.
The manager assured me he would deal with it, and I'm assuming the Building Dept. gets their voice messages.
Today, again a windy day, several weeks later, the situation remains exactly as it was. It's perhaps to be expected on the part of Burger King, for whom it might be more cost effective to pay for the lawsuit when someone gets injured or killed, rather than properly maintain its properties. Or maybe it's a franchise, and Burger King is not responsible at all.
But why again do we pay such high taxes in Lakewood? (And isn't this in our precious "Downtown" if nothing else?) I'd feel better if everyone who sees this possible danger independently reports this so that it can't be said that no one reported this.
Havn't noticed that flagpole lately, but I would say it looks unstable. Common sense would dictate that it should no longer be used. Common sense would also dictate that it should already have been removed and replaced.
Mike-- I too reported this a couple of weeks ago. The manager on duty seemed unconcerned. Hope this gets resolved prior to it falling and hurting someone or damaging property.
Zack van Brakle
Downtown Lakewood Resident since 2009.
That doesn't look good at all. If I'm not mistaken, that is a corporate owned Burger King. When I called, after exiting the driveway where the drive is about a foot lower than the apron that leads to the street and bottomed out, braking my exhaust nearly in half, I was told to call a corporate phone number.
The flag is gone! Yesterday we were watching it catch wind as effectively as the sail on a sailboat because it had somehow attached itself in two places, thus producing those crazily-twisted shapes in Mike's pictures.
noflagzone.jpg (109.32 KiB) Viewed 2556 times
The lonely, dangerous flagpole.
I know the connector joint in it is still bent, but now they'll be able to take it down without removing it from the hood of someone's car-- or worse.
I have found that it takes the following four steps to get any "soft issue" addressed (the "soft issue" phrase is a term of art used at many a block club meeting):
Second, when the problem is still not addressed, post the problem on the Deck. Yes, the Office of the Mayor and City Hall read the Deck.
Third, when the problem is still not addressed, report the problem again at http://onelakewood.com/ReportProblem and call the Office of the Mayor. City Hall actually has a “Have you reported this issue before?” button ready for you.
Fourth, when the problem is still not addressed, report the problem again at http://onelakewood.com/ReportProblem, call the Office of the Mayor again, and again post on the Deck the fact that the problem has still not been addressed.
After the fourth step, the "soft issue" usually gets addressed.
Matthew John Markling wrote:I have found that it takes the following four steps to get any "soft issue" addressed (the "soft issue" phrase is a term of art used at many a block club meeting):
Second, when the problem is still not addressed, post the problem on the Deck. Yes, the Office of the Mayor and City Hall read the Deck.
Third, when the problem is still not addressed, report the problem again at http://onelakewood.com/ReportProblem and call the Office of the Mayor. City Hall actually has a “Have you reported this issue before?” button ready for you.
Fourth, when the problem is still not addressed, report the problem again at http://onelakewood.com/ReportProblem, call the Office of the Mayor again, and again post on the Deck the fact that the problem has still not been addressed.
After the fourth step, the "soft issue" usually gets addressed.
Thanks, I will print this out and keep it on my wall! (I called Building Dept., then a few weeks later posted to Deck, then called Building again, and yesterday emailed Mayor's office.)
Yes, the problem is partially addressed, as without the flag itself catching the wind like it was, the pole segment is moving less. But I'd still like to see that pole repaired/replaced, and I think the city is well within its rights to demand this. I hope that this is in the works at this point, and maybe Burger King is getting "maintenance" out now. We shall see.
1306.31 EXTERIOR PROPERTY AREAS. No owner or operator of any premises shall maintain or permit to be maintained at or on the exterior property areas of such premises any condition which deteriorates, blights or debases the appearance of the neighborhood; or creates a fire, safety or health hazard; or which is a public nuisance; or which adversely alters the appearance and general character of the neighborhood and shall keep such premises free of any debris, object, material or condition which may create a health, accident or fire hazard or which is a public nuisance. Furniture used on open porches, decks and patios shall be of the type and style designed and intended for exterior use. Lawns, landscaping, trees and driveway shall also be maintained so as not to constitute a blighting or deteriorating effect in the neighborhood. All parking surfaces, both existing and new, and all parts thereof, shall be maintained in a safe and sanitary condition. (Ord. 68-97. Passed 4-20-98.)
1306.32 MAINTENANCE RESPONSIBILITIES. (a) Owner. Whenever any habitable or occupiable structure or part thereof, or any accessory building or structure or part thereof, is in such state of disrepair, or whenever the light or ventilation, or any other condition in or about such buildings or structures or part thereof, or in or about the lot on which they are situated, is, in the opinion of the Building Commissioner, in a condition or in its effect dangerous to life or health, the Building Commissioner may order or cause repairs to be made, or may order or cause the light or ventilation to be improved, or take such other action as he may deem necessary to remove such danger to life or health.
(b) Occupant. The occupant of a dwelling unit in any dwelling structure and the occupant of an occupiable structure shall be responsible for maintaining in a clean and sanitary condition that part of the dwelling unit, dwelling structure, occupiable structure or premises which he occupies and controls. In addition, such occupant shall be responsible for maintaining in good and safe working order the equipment and appliances which he owns.
(Ord. 68-97. Passed 4-20-98.)
If you would understand anything, observe its beginning and its development.
- Aristotle
Matthew John Markling wrote:I have found that it takes the following four steps to get any "soft issue" addressed (the "soft issue" phrase is a term of art used at many a block club meeting):
Second, when the problem is still not addressed, post the problem on the Deck. Yes, the Office of the Mayor and City Hall read the Deck.
Third, when the problem is still not addressed, report the problem again at http://onelakewood.com/ReportProblem and call the Office of the Mayor. City Hall actually has a “Have you reported this issue before?” button ready for you.
Fourth, when the problem is still not addressed, report the problem again at http://onelakewood.com/ReportProblem, call the Office of the Mayor again, and again post on the Deck the fact that the problem has still not been addressed.
After the fourth step, the "soft issue" usually gets addressed.
I have to give a shout-out to the Lakewood Housing & Building Department.
I just received confirmation that my complaint has been received and is officially filed with the “commercial division.” I even have a complaint number!
I would also note that the Lakewood Housing & Building Department reports that my complaint is the first that it has received regarding Burger King’s menacing flag pole. So, again, written documentation is the key.
And, I would also note that customer service at City Hall has improved greatly over the past few months because the written response provided to me was timely and professional. To that, I am grateful, as I was not looking forward to Step Three.
Thank you, Lakewood Housing & Building Department!
