Jorene Moratto: Fireworks fines unfair to property owners
Re “Modesto’s fight against illegal fireworks fizzles” (Page 3A, June 28): As a long-time property manager, I object to the mandate that property owners pay $1,000 fines for illegal fireworks. We are not their parents.
In the 1990s, if a tenant didn’t pay their water bill it became a lien on the property. Back then, our California Rental Property Association went to bat and helped pass an law where it became the responsibility of the tenant to pay for their own outstanding water bills, not the property owner. Currently, if a tenant wants to sign up for water service, they have to pay their outstanding bills first. If again they don’t pay their bill, a city employee comes out and shuts off the water. If the tenant attempts to turn the valve back on, the lid to the meter box is padlocked shut.
We need to adopt the same philosophy with fireworks. Go after the tenants who used the water. Prevent them from signing up for a new cell phone – that will get their attention. Is this the financial means to pay for extra police officers? Not on the backs of rental property owners – we have enough to pay as it is!
Jorene Moratto, Modesto
This story was originally published June 29, 2016 at 12:54 PM with the headline "Jorene Moratto: Fireworks fines unfair to property owners."