Woman Sentenced To Jail For Filthy House

local6 ^ | Nov 6 2004

[stainlessbanner]

OMAHA, Neb. -- After ignoring six years of prodding from the city, a woman is going to jail for having a filthy house.

A Douglas County judge Thursday sentenced Rosie Fellman to 45 days behind bars for littering, with breaks every 10 days to clean up her central Omaha home.

Trash and debris has been piled up to 5 feet deep in the house and garage, which are a health and fire hazard, the city's chief housing inspector Kevin Denker said.

Last month, inspectors found more than 100 garbage cans in the driveway.

City Prosecutor Marty Conboy said the city has spent six years trying to get Fellman to clean up. There was not much else the judge could do, Conboy said.

At the end of Fellman's sentence, the judge will decide if she has improved the home's condition. If not, she could be sentenced to another 45 days in jail.

The city has ordered the home demolished, but Fellman, who lives alone, is appealing the order.

"If she doesn't clean it out we'll just tear down everything," Denker said

[RosieCotton]

I believe it is related to that thing that people call an 'iron'.

Both of which are buried somewhere in my closet, but I'd have to dig to find 'em... ;-)

Actually I don't own a vacuum cleaner anymore. Hardwood floors are quicker just to sweep and mop - gosh I love that!

[Chad Fairbanks]

I think I heard of that. So, then, A "Vacuum" is, essentially, a mineral?

[najida]

Well, it ain't an animal...
Nor a vegetable.

[sparkomatic]

I bet her parents are proud.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

It is always on any Best of Dr. Demento CD.

[anniegetyourgun]

As one who went to many a frat party, I know for certain that we never dated. How? Because it never would have even crossed my mind to do such a thing!

[agrace]

Heh heh, Where the Sidewalk Ends, great book. :)

[ConservativeMan55]

Just Damn!

[NotJustAnotherPrettyFace]

Well I guess since she lived in a house, we can't say she's......

trailer-trash-ed.

[ConservativeMan55]

LOL!!!

[mhking]

Just damn.

If you want on the list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[Eaker]

Ping for later

[farmfriend]

I quilt so my house is in pieces.

[BeerSwillr]

That's just wrong.

[Jaded]

From a blog last summer...

July 20, 2004

Tell Your Mom to Stop Calling Me...

There is a heartwarming story today from my hometown of Omaha, Nebraska. The local news has a running coverage of sorts, but foxnews.com provides a nice summary. Given the recent discussions about cleanliness, I thought this seemed appropriate.

---

An Omaha, Neb., woman's house is so dirty she may be going to jail.

Two Douglas County judges on Thursday sentenced Rosie Fellman to five days behind bars, in lieu of $5,000 bond, for failing to get rid of the trash piled six feet high in and around her house...

City inspectors first took Fellman to court in May, showing the judge photos of her house with an estimated 114 garbage cans outside. They threatened to have the building razed as a health hazard.

Fellman was given 2½ weeks to clean the place up, then another month when Fellman's sister tried to appoint a guardian to take control of the house.

"Hopefully, we can get someone [to] take some of her money, clean up the property, eliminate problems with the city so the house doesn't get bulldozed," said the sister's lawyer, who added that Fellman suffered from "hoarding syndrome."

Neighbors had been complaining about the mess for years, but were afraid to act against Fellman in fear of retribution. None were willing to speak on the record with reporters.

Fellman has sued a neighbor, a former lawyer and city inspectors, seeking $200,000 in damages.

"In her particular case, I don't believe that she can really, fully comprehend what's accepted by society," Fellman's own attorney, Ralph Peppard, told the TV station.

---

There are two things of note, here. First, Fellman's lawyer says that she isn't capable of understanding the situation at the SAME TIME that she is filing lawsuits against everyone in sight. Nice work there, Mr. Ralph Peppard, Esq. Maybe next you could teach a class on the ethics of morons.

The second thing that I would like to point out is that maybe my house isn't all that dirty after all.

http://www.lonestrangers.com/blogs/pat/archives/2004_07.html

[Born Conservative]

Kinda makes you wonder where the cigarette is gonna go, huh?

I'm sure Bill Clinton can show her where, er, no, I guess he only deals with cigars...

[Twinkie]

Me, too. Thought I was failing as a housekeeper. We NEED
more housekeeping flops so we don't feel so bad about our
bad housekeeping.

[Ez2BRepub]

Note to self: Look up definition of vacuum cleaner

[ValerieUSA]

I lived in a small city that charged outrageous rates for garbage pick-up and huge add-on fees for extra bags and cans. It was no surprise that many people (especially tenants) hoarded garbage in the yards or garages rather than be charged prices they could not afford to haul it away. The city had a terrible pest problem --- duh.

[bannie]

...she fell in a bucket of
shaaaaaving creeeeam
be nice and clean
Shave every day,
and you'll always
look clean.