Earle resident cries foul over lack of building permit

Earle resident cries foul over lack of building permit

Man claims personal issue with council member

news@theeveningtimes.com

A Earle resident wants to know why he can’t get a building permit from the city for his mobile home.

Local contractor Chester Hardy told the city council that he has been waiting since August 21 for building inspector Bobby Luckett to issue a building permit.

“I just want to understand why I can not get a building permit and why I am being stonewalled by Bobby Luckett?” Hardy asked.

Hardy said he bought a 50foot mobile home at a foreclosure auction in August in Little Rock and asked Luckett for a permit on August 5. According to Hardy, Luckett then asked for pictures of the mobile home, which he gave to Luckett and hand delivered copies to city hall on August 21, but hasn’t heard anything from him since.

“He said he would have to talk to the city council,” Hardy said. “I’m being told you guys are the reason I’m not getting a permit.”

Luckett, who is also a city councilman, was not at the December 13 council meeting.

Hardy said he has since moved the trailer to the lot but can’t get power or water hooked up without a building permit.

“I can not even put the foundation under it without a permit,” Hardy said.

Hardy said the trailer meets or exceeds all building codes and is a big improvement to what was there.

“I have removed an eyesore trailer and put up a new trailer which is a vast improvement to the community,” Hardy said. “So why should it take from August until December and still have no building permit?”

Hardy said other cities where he does business have procedures in place where you pay for a building permit, they come and inspect it, and issue a permit.

He said he never had a problem getting a permit from former building inspector Manuel Clouse when he renovated his home in Earle.

“When Manuel was in there within three days he hand delivered it to my house and it was done,” Hardy said. “Why am I having a problem with a simple building permit?”

Councilwoman Jimmie Barham attributed it to miscommunication.

“I don’t know anything other than it must be a breakdown in communication in some way,” Barham said.

Councilwoman Sarah Johnson said she didn’t see any reason for the delay.

“That lot is cleaned up real good,” Johnson said.

Councilman Charlie Young said it was the first time he had heard there was a problem.

“He’s saying we knew about it?” Young said. “I’ve never seen any pictures of anything. I don’t know what is going on.”

Hardy said he believes it is a personal issue with Luckett.

“I will tell you why,” Hardy said. “It is across the street from Bobby Luckett’s house. He doesn’t want a mobile home across from his house. It has nothing to do with business.”

Councilman Donnie Cheers said he also was unaware of the situation, but would talk to Luckett about it.

“This is my first time hearing this,” Cheers said. “I really can’t make a decision because I am only hearing one side. But I will personally get back with you to find a reason why you are not getting a permit.”

Hardy said it already cost him another $5,000 because he wasn’t able to move the trailer in 30 days after he bought it because he didn’t have a permit to put it in Earle.

Hardy said other properties in Earle — including a shed in a residential neighborhood that is being used as a bait shop — got building permits, and probably shouldn’t, but he is still waiting for his.

“If you’re giving him an office and he isn’t doing it, then he should not have the authority in the first place,” Hardy said.

Hardy said he would be back in January if he doesn’t get an answer.

“I was hoping Mr. Luckett would be here,” Hardy said. “If I don’t have one by the next council meeting I would like to be able to address this body again.”

By Mark Randall