"The laws are enforced equally, and across the board; which is the way things ought to be."
I really would beg to differ.
http://www.washtimes.com/metro/20051106-112137-2824r.htm
and
http://www.neighborspac.org/code-breaches-a-pattern.htm
[The Civic Federation issued the report after a monthlong study prompted by the widespread violations at Clarksburg, where more than 500 homes in July were found to have been built too high or too close to the road.
Planning Board staffer Wynn Witthans was found to have falsified a site plan last fall to try to cover up the violations. Mrs. Witthans, a 17-year Planning Board employee, resigned in May.
The county inspector general and the state special prosecutor are investigating.
To produce the civic federation's report, about 24 volunteers worked for the past month to collect and copy site plans, building permits and other documents integral to the planning process, Mr. Humphrey said.
Mr. Humphrey said the federation "did not think that an investigation by the county government, which was largely responsible for the problem, would help to restore citizen confidence." ]
So, as I understand things now ... People are upset that the County (ie. corrupt local gov't) allowed violations on more than 500 homes in the area.
Furthermore, Mrs. Witthans was caught falsifying documents to cover up the corruption. There is very little faith in the local gov't in doing just about anything legal/right.
But, these people who DID violate ordinances and have been caught are now somehow excused? Why, because everyone else got away with violating the laws and spec; these people should get a green light too?
This is the exact same line of rationale we are hearing from the illegal immigrants .... 'There's too many of us to deport; so you are just gonna have to allow as many other illegals as you are going to get'.
The law needs to be applied, consistently and fairly across the board. If the house is standing, and is habitable there isn't much you can do. However, if the house is under construction; you must stop building and fix the violations.