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| Dixie Cup in 1931 |
Richard Yetter is the magisterial district judge in Wilson Borough. He would be the person with jurisdiction over code violations at the former Dixie Cup factory. The 608,000 sq ft building is full of broken windows. Did Wilson Borough ever cite owner Joe Reibman with code violations? Let me tell you what I've learned.
Wilson Borough, through its third-party code enforcement officer, cited Dixie Cup nine times in 2018 and 2019 for broken windows and failure to remove snow. All these actions were filed with Magisterial District Judge Yetter. All but one of these cases, a guilty plea to snow removal, were transferred to other minor jurists. Why?
I learned the answer to that question by reviewing a complaint filed by Wilson Borough against Reibman in 2020. Borough officials inspected the site and observed lead paint, asbestos tiles, nonfunctioning fire doors, holes in the floors, broken windows, unidentified 55-gallon drums and unlicensed vehicles being stored. This included "a vehicle designed for racing with decal 'Yetter 3.'" They also observed a "black sport utility vehicle."
As some of you may be aware, Magisterial District Judge Yetter at one time raced cars. He likely transferred these matters because he has a conflict of interest.
The Wilson suit, seeking an injunction against the site as a nuisance, alleges numerous health and public safety hazards. It also contends that owner Joe Reibman "was engaged in the business of renting commercial space in the Dixie Building to individuals and/or entities without first obtaining the necessary approvals and/or permits from the Borough of Wilson."
When he spoke to Northampton County Council in support of a proposed LERTA, owner Joe Reibman acknowledged he had rented space to Frick Transfer, a local hauling company. He failed to mention any other arrangements, including the storage of Yetter's race car.
Wilson Borough's case is dormant in court, almost certainly because Reibman has represented yet again that he has a buyer.
I've previously told you the site is subject to $346,000 in municipal liens owed to Wilson Area School District. Yesterday, I learned that he's $63,000 delinquent on other real estate taxes.
Now he wants an unprecedented LERTA for yet another buyer.
When is enough enough?
He was unable to sell the property with a TIF. He was unable to sell the property with a KOZ, the mother of all tax breaks. He's had help from Pa.'s Department of Environmental Protection.
In the 40 years he's owned this property, Reibman has never missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity.
Last week, Wilson Borough Solicitor Stan Margle instructed Northampton County Council they must ignore a property's intended use in deciding on a LERTA. That position, of course is absurd. LERTAs are created for the very purpose of encouraging homeowners and small businesses to improve their properties without getting stuck with a giant tax bill all at once.
In addition to considering intended use of blighted property, taxing authorities really should consider the current owner as well. Reibman has a poor record in previous promises and predictions.
It is easy to condemn a property owner, but refuse to acknowledged that owning property in today world is an increasing risky situation. Most likely this building will be owned by the taxing authority, because the property will be unsaleable with all the red tape and penalties.
ReplyDeleteI am sure this landlord is regretting every owning this property. It will also send a message to others, don't attempt to make use of questionable properties, you will be just a sitting duck or a cash cow for the bureaucracy.
This is why many cities become place of desolation and places to be avoided for any investment.
This is depressing. It's a turd of a property being misrepresented by liars and tax cheats with friends in the right places. Residents lose again. Wilson used to be a Lehigh Valley gem. It's steady, painful, 30-year decline continues.
ReplyDeleteOnce upon a time I parked my car on my landlords property while he was behind on his property taxes, hadn't shoveled the walk after the last snow, and might have had a cracked window in my basement. Even worse, I was renting in Wilson Borough! District Judge Yetter did nothing in this situation either, because I rented on the same street as his office! Could you help me smear him by association and speculation, too?
ReplyDeleteReibman reminds me of Mark Mandelson of Allentown fame. He obviously cares nothing about the Borough, the neighbors or the a tax payers. I am sure he has had offers to sell but wants to wring every last dime out of the building. Bernie, at what point can they do to him what Allentown did to Mendelson and take the property from him? I mean the guy hasn't paid his taxes in 4 years. You're right, enough is enough!
ReplyDeleteIt looks to me that we are dealing with a little Trump.
ReplyDeleteIf Yetter was aware of any arrangements in that building that were not legal (e.g. zoning and permitting), wasn't he required to report them?
ReplyDeleteReibamn is a greedy bum! They should take that eyesore from him!!
ReplyDeleteAnother job well done by the only true local reporter. The Morning Call just picked up on the Dixie Cup tax story, so expect this connection to be reported on next week. The Express-Times is all Musikfest with a fireworks ban thrown in for “real” news. Thanks for keeping us in the know, Bernie!
ReplyDelete"I am sure this landlord is regretting every owning this property. It will also send a message to others, don't attempt to make use of questionable properties, you will be just a sitting duck or a cash cow for the bureaucracy."
ReplyDeleteLocal government has bent over backwards with this guy. He had a TIF and could not sell. He had a KOZ and could not sell. He allowed the property to go to hell, and only started to get cited in 2018 and 2019. And the MDJ had to transfer the cases bc Reibman let the judge store hios racing car there. Seems to me that Joe Reibman has taken advantage of everyone.
"If Yetter was aware of any arrangements in that building that were not legal (e.g. zoning and permitting), wasn't he required to report them?"
ReplyDeleteNo, but it was poor judgment on his part to store a racing car at that site. He had to know it was in prime condition to be cited.
"Could you help me smear him by association and speculation, too?"
It is clear to me that his decision to keep a race car on a dilapidated property likely to be cited was poor judgment on his part. He managed to conflict himself when the property was ultimately cited.
A few points:
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure about the relevance of Yetter renting there. The cases were (properly, in my view) transferred to others. The landlord, not the tenants, is responsible for the upkeep of the property. I also don't think it's reasonable for a tenant to be expected to check that a landlord has the proper approvals to rent the property in the manner the landlord is representing it. Again, that's on the landlord. Unless there's an allegation of some kind of meddling into the cases, I don't have a problem with Yetter renting there.
Doesn't Northampton County (and the borough, and the school district), have ordinances against considering a property for grants and/or tax-favored status before ALL taxes and fees are brought current? That means BEFORE any such awards are even discussed/applied for, and the requirement to remain current on taxes should continue as long as the property holds that status. I know other counties have such provisions on the books.
That's just common sense and should be basic policy for any level of government. Given all the other tax-favored statuses that have previously been given to the property, there's no excuse for it the landlord being years behind on the taxes.
Paying your property taxes shouldn't be a game of "Let's Make a Deal" with local politicians. That county council has taken the discussion this far without having the taxpayers made whole is appalling and a dereliction of duty. They need to remember who they're supposed to be serving.
"I'm not sure about the relevance of Yetter renting there. The cases were (properly, in my view) transferred to others. The landlord, not the tenants, is responsible for the upkeep of the property. I also don't think it's reasonable for a tenant to be expected to check that a landlord has the proper approvals to rent the property in the manner the landlord is representing it. Again, that's on the landlord. Unless there's an allegation of some kind of meddling into the cases, I don't have a problem with Yetter renting there."
ReplyDeleteYou indicate the cases were properly transferred, and I agree a tenant should not have to check and ensure that a landlord has the necessary permits and approvals. He was renting (maybe for free) at a building that was obviously dilapidated. Those broken windows and otherissues have been there for many years. Quite a number of red flags should have gone up, including the question whether Reibman was trying to curry favor with a judge who might be later asked to rule on conditions. It was poor judgment.
"Doesn't Northampton County (and the borough, and the school district), have ordinances against considering a property for grants and/or tax-favored status before ALL taxes and fees are brought current? That means BEFORE any such awards are even discussed/applied for, and the requirement to remain current on taxes should continue as long as the property holds that status. I know other counties have such provisions on the books."
I cannot speak to other counties, but NorCo does have ordinances under which the county is unable to give $ or its equivalent to an entity that is tax delinquent. I do not think it is triggered, however, until the rubber meets the road. I have not reviewed the actualordinance in some time.
Anon 6:11 I know for a FACT that Reibman has had many offers to sell the building and always refused because he thought it was more and more and more. He is greedy! Don't feel sorry for him.
ReplyDeleteIf Yetter didn't know the place was on shaky ground for rented storage, it's not illegal. It is kind of stupid, though. I'd bet anything he had suspicions, but figured the connected never get trouble for this stuff.
ReplyDeleteOh please! The owner of this dump has been renting and leasing and letting people, including national tucking companies. use this place for over 25 years. Where do you think Brown Daub parked new vehicles for many many years?
ReplyDeleteBernieOHare to 12:25, Never said Yetter acted illegally. Did say he exercised poor judgment. Looks like you agree.
ReplyDeleteI can’t believe people are opposed to a Dixie deal, the building has been empty for 40 years. Sad state of affairs.
ReplyDeleteNobody opposes a Dixie deal, except maybe Reibman himself. What people oppose is yet another tax break.
ReplyDeleteBernie -
ReplyDeleteI didn't know if you are aware but ALL Code violations regarding the Dixie building have been handled by Judge Carpora, there is NO conflict regarding who is proceeding over any violations at the Dixie property. Code violations have been issued for that property by Wilson Code Enforcement. As the Constable for Wilson I have also handled warrants that were issued for the Dixie property when there is a failure to respond. They (hearings) have ALL been handled by Judge Carpora's office. Judge Yetter has recused himself from any and all legal issues that may arise with that property.
Fred Schoeneberger
Constable Wilson Borough
Fred, I noted that he transferred all but one, a guilty plea to snow removal. Corpora did not handle all others. They were handled by at least four different MDJs. I have the records.
ReplyDelete