Letter: Area homeowners deserve better

Sunday, Feb. 27, 2000 | 9:40 a.m.

In a city with your revenues, how can your building departments and city planning be so inept? I am afraid to enter one of your casinos, because I can't believe the builders and city did any better inspecting and planning there.

I applaud Vickie Fort and all the other distressed homeowners for their effort. I also applaud the Sun for its objective reporting and obvious concern for its residents. I am a board member of a national effort to wipe out construction defects, Homeowners Against Deficient Dwellings. It is our mission to hold cities and builders accountable.

Most individuals don't realize that the homeowners lose and that developers have taken our cities and elected officials by siege. Everyday we receive letters and phone calls from homeowners, but to date I have not seen anything that tops Las Vegas.

Buying a home is the most expensive investment a person makes. It is not only an expensive venture but a sentimental one as well. Why are builders allowed to break the laws? These codes and regulations are the barest minimum in health and safety laws, and their blatant disregard for a homeowner's safety is beyond comprehension.

Homeowners becoming ill to molds? Living in substandard new homes? I am sorry, Las Vegas, but you truly are the city of the brand new fixer-uppers.

SANDY SKIPPER LOPEZ

Madera, Calif.