Jim Anderson, a candidate for Toledo housing court judge, today explained what he called his judicial philosophy for dealing with blight, suggesting that the property of so-called “urban farmer” Thomas Jackson don’t fit that description.
“When we look at the property we see obviously an improvement — the kind of efforts that should be rewarded and encouraged by the city,” Mr. Anderson, a Republican attorney, said. He said “stern and punitive measures” are required to address emergencies and health and safety.
He made his comments in front of 1446 Macomber St., one of three parcels cited by the city as a nuisance.
The owner, Thomas Jackson, was convicted of three misdemeanor counts for maintaining piles of wood chips on three residential parcels. He contended the wood chips were to create a bed for an urban farming effort. Mr. Jackson’s properties generated complaints from neighbors who said the piles are unsightly, create odors, and attract rodents.
Mr. Jackson was ordered to remove the wood chip piles. Mr. Jackson tilled them, mixed in in some soil, and trimmed the lots, promising to begin planting soon, but did not remove the wood chips.
Housing Court Judge C. Allen McConnell on May 2 declared the case resolved and then imposed a $1,000 fine on Mr. Jackson’s business, Jackson Industries Inc., for each of the three counts.
Judge McConnell said Mr. Jackson was not in compliance when the city did not clear the wood-chip mulch from his properties by a deadline.
Mr. Jackson has also attracted a strong following, including the Green Party, which has said there is no evidence of rodents, and that his wood chips are a legitimate part of growing an urban garden, which is not prohibited in Toledo. Supporters raised $3,000 to pay the fine.
The prosecutor on the case, Joseph Howe, is Mr. Anderson’s opponent in the election, set for Nov. 7. Mr. Howe is the endorsed Democrat.
“The Toledo housing and environmental court should encourage people who are doing good things and should deter property owners who either by act or omission, are doing bad things. Somebody doing good things in the community should not be hampered by the legislative, executive, or judicial branch,” Mr. Anderson said.
“When we look at the property here today and we see the condition it’s in and that it’s well-maintained and how a lot of energy, effort, and love went into was used in improving property that was no use to the community, it’s difficult to understand why those kind of efforts, the resources of the city prosecutors, and the court would go to the lengths that they did,” Mr. Anderson said.
Mr. Jackson, Mr. Howe, and Judge McConnell were not immediately available for comment.
Judge McConnell is barred by term limits from seeking another term.
Contact Tom Troy at: tomtroy@theblade.com, 419-724-6058, or on Twitter @TomFTroy.
First Published May 10, 2017, 6:35 p.m.
