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After close call, fire chief calls for tighter code enforcement downtown

Posted by

Susan Norman

in Top Stories & Breaking News, Winder Archives

Thursday, July 19. 2012

Comments (10)

Winder fire chief Matt Whiting told a city council committee last week that the June 3 fire on the second floor of a building at the corner of North Broad and Athens streets was a “very close call” that could have been much worse for the downtown business district.

Because the electrical fire broke out during the day when the building was occupied, the fire was quickly noticed and the city’s fire department responded in less than a minute, bringing the flames quickly under control. But Whiting said if the fire had occurred at night and the delay had been just three minutes longer, the fire easily could have spread to old, adjacent buildings. The chief said if it had spread just two doors down to the tall, 1940s-era building that once housed the old Peskin’s Department Store, it could have destroyed the entire block.

With the council committee’s support, Whiting met Friday with city planning director Barry Edgar and with city building inspector Wayne Holcombe, who agreed to take steps to contact the owner of the Peskin building. The building is owned by Peskin & Co. Inc., according to county tax records.

On Tuesday, Holcombe sent a letter to Phillip Peskin of Atlanta, notifying him that in the wake of last month’s fire, the city had determined that his building has “unsafe and hazardous conditions.” The letter directs him to complete a Vacant Building Registration Form and to submit it with a plan of action for correcting the deficiencies.

For the full story, read the Barrow Journal's July 18 edition.

Defined tags for this entry: downtown Winder, Peskin Building, Top Stories & Breaking News, Winder Archives

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#1 Anonymous on 07/19/12 at 04:14 PM [Reply]

Good thing the entire downtown Winder is empty.

#1.1 positive on 07/23/12 at 10:36 AM [Reply]

do you ever have anything positive to say?

#2 but on 07/19/12 at 11:21 PM [Reply]

now the city has targeted the owner of a building that did not catch fire.... but is it targeting every vacant building or just this guys, is there someone looking to fill thier pockets by shaking down this one building owner?

#3 Anonymous on 07/19/12 at 11:35 PM [Reply]

HAHA. Peskins will tell them to stick it where the sun don't shine. Winder don't have the money or balls to go after him. BTW doesn't the mayors brother own the building next door. Wonder if Jerry will be getting the same letter?

#4 Anonymous on 07/20/12 at 08:12 AM [Reply]

Why do people think that Phillip Peskins does not have to maintain his property? Why is he above the law?

#5 heres the difference on 07/20/12 at 09:24 AM [Reply]

equal protection under the law also means equal enforcement, if they go after this guy for VACANT building they need to go after everyone that has this vague term vacant building which is slippery slope, how about this if he causes harm to your person or property you sue him for thAT, not because you have a feeing something bad may happen and it may hurt you so your gonna use force and threat of fines and or jail to bend him to your will... take some self defending actions if youwish make sure YOU
R insurance is in force and effect!!!! be responsible for YOU, not try to make others meet your expectations

#5.1 You must be new on 07/20/12 at 09:32 AM [Reply]

The UDC in Barrow County is used to enforce political whims not public safety

#6 bubba on 07/20/12 at 10:53 AM [Reply]

Why haven't the owners of these buildings ,regardless of who they are, been required to keep the buildings up to code? Stop playing politics and do what's right!

#6.1 Anonymous on 07/20/12 at 11:57 PM [Reply]

You must not be from here. The mayors brother own lots of down town property. Jerry knew he did not have a snowballs chance in hell of getting elected mayor. He had his brother run. David is just another good ole boy. He is nothing but a puppet on a string for Jerry and his real estate buddies.

#7 New School on 07/21/12 at 10:43 PM [Reply]

Same old crap in Winder. Nothing changes. Come join the 21st century.

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