Roger Farah’s ordeal
The Colonial Heights neighborhood of Lawrence is alarmed since Roger Farah placed a sign in front of his building at 555 So. Union St. announcing that he’ll be bringing level 3 sex offenders, drug addicts and alcoholics.
His actions resulted from a disagreement with Inspectional Services’ revocation of the Building Permit soon after it was issued. Mr. Farah was told to apply again which means that he’ll have to go before the Planning Board and the Zoning Board.
Upset with having to start the process again, he placed the sign.
“I really don’t want to bring sex offenders and drug addicts,” Roger told me. “My intention was always renting the studio apartments. If the city won’t reverse the revocation, I will have no other choice.”
Having spent more than one million dollars renovating the building into 26 studio apartments, he was told that there won’t be enough parking spaces for the residents, so he purchased the empty lot across the street for $125,000 and then came the revocation of permits.
According to Michael Armano, interim director of Inspectional Services, when they became aware that the building permit specifically said “assisted living” and there was no state-issued license on file for an assisted living building and what he created was 26 studio apartments for rental. This is a different purpose from what was stated before; that was the reason for having to apply again to the Planning and Zoning boards.
Mr. Farah said that a group home such as the one the sign specifies needs no city approval and he will have the state’s blessings. He believes there are no rules against group homes anywhere in the city.
The opposition will come from the neighborhood and they have been heard already.
Rep. Devers still does nothing (part two)
Last week I said in the Carmen Chalas Open Mic program that a politician we should get rid of is Representative Marcos Devers. It has been more than three months since his swearing-in ceremony and he has not drafted a single bill.
A man called the program disgusted by my accusation as if I were lying. I explained to him how to find the information on the internet but he did not want to listen to me. It is very easy to accuse that I lie when they should be advised before doing so. They may be family or good friends but that does not force them to deny reality. It seems that Marcos’ fans have been vaccinated against the truth.
And he continues to use his legislative aide as personal chauffer.
