Colonial Beach Town Official charged with trespassing

Town of Colonial Beach:

“Code Enforcement Official Teresa Davis was charged with trespassing following a complaint by the owner of 320 First Street Carl Springer. At the March 28 Town Council meeting, town officials discussed the issue, publicly, with respect to providing Davis with the funds to obtain representation for the case. Four of the six council members at the meeting voted to allow up to $4000 for her attorney. Linda Brubaker and Wanda Goforth voted against the measure and Gary Seeber was absent.

According to the council, Davis saw work occurring at a home and approached the contractor who was on the property. State Code allows for code officials to investigate possible code violations.

'104.6 Right of entry. Where it is necessary to make an inspection to enforce the provisions of this code, or where the building official has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in a structure or upon a premises a condition which is contrary to or in violation of this code which makes the structure or premises unsafe, dangerous or hazardous, the building official is authorized to enter the structure or premises at reasonable times to inspect or to perform the duties imposed by this code, provided that if such structure or premises be occupied that credentials be presented to the occupant and entry requested. If such structure or premises is unoccupied, the building official shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person having charge or control of the structure or premises and request entry. If entry is refused, the building official shall have recourse to the remedies provided by law to secure entry.'

Goforth questioned whether or not Davis was within the scope of her job. According to her direct supervisor, Gary Mitchell, town manager Val Foulds and building inspector Dexter Monroe, Davis was following her job description.”

~ Writes Westmoreland News

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