PITTSFIELD ROTARY CLUB   District 6460   8-1-07

Make Up:  Linda Bradshaw made up via internet in London!!

Eric and Roberta Dolbeare made up at Lake  of the Ozarks Rotary.

Board meeting will be Thursday, August 9, at noon at Airsman-Hires facility.

Singing featured vocal talents of Connie Schroeder along with our fine pianist, Linda Bradshaw.

Program:   Harry Wright introduced Pike County Code Hearing Officer, Ken Edwards.

Ken explained that a Code Hearing, or Administrative Hearing hears violations of county ordinances that have been cited.

This takes the load off of the Circuit Court and States Attorney by removing miscellaneous minor offences from the court docket.

The Hearing Night is the 4^th Thursday of the month at 7:00  p.m. at he lower court room.

Advantages of the Code Hearing procedure:

1. Speed….hearing is usually heard within 30 days.
2. Follow-up:  ordered enforcement is done within 30 days.
3. Hearing officer has the authority to charge offenders not responding to rulings up to $75.00 per day
4. Offenders not accepting the decisions have the option of then going through Circuit Court procedure, (but, most often  are found to be guilty of the citation and are subject to bigger penalties).

Ken went to schooling for this position after being appointed.

In order for a case to come before the Code Hearing, the County, or municipality has to first issue a warning letter to the alleged offender.

Most respond to that letter, and this saves a lot of time.

Pike County’s policy is to abate, not fine…if possible.

There are usually about 200 total cases per year.  Most of the  violations involve ‘Demolition Derby’ cars and Dog complaints.

The big advantage to this system is residents don’t have to miss work for the minor violations, nor do they have to hire and attorney to represent them in Circuit Court.

The Code Hearing Officer’s position is to try to be fair to all.