Lack of Town Hall Response Pitts Neighbor Against Neighbor

(PENSACOLA) -- Once upon a time, like right now, the City of Pensacola pitted two neighbors against the other.

True story. Seventy-five year old widow Carol Burns reached out to OpGov.ai on Nextdoor hoping the outlet could help her with an issue she has with her neighbors Sharon Shuford and her daughter Susan Martin.

The issue: a shed. Prior to the below shed placed in Shuford's backyard, Burns had a slight view of the water, a view, though tiny, much enjoyed, especially since losing her husband two years ago.

"I have about 20 feet behind my house before it hits the alleyway, and they have about maybe 5 or 6 ft behind their house," Burns said, adding one day she looked outside and sees the below view.

Lack of city hall communication with residents keeps the neighbors upset over a shed, which both parties want moved but the city will not allow it.

Burns has all the right documents to prove her case, however, over time and much frustration, both neighbors remain upset with the other while waiting for the city to respond.

Enter Martin, who spoke on behalf of her mother and property owner yesterday explaining her side of the story. After speaking to both residents, it is obvious why they are both so upset. Burns thinks Shuford does not have a permit for the shed and wants it moved, but little does she know Shuford does have a permit for the shed, but she also wants it moved.

Martin said the matter has gotten worse, feeling as if the city's delay and lack of response leaves her and Burns on bad terms.

"They came out and ridiculously analyzed and everything," Martin said.

That analyzation came at a cost.

"I did not want to put the shed there and the shed was not there to begin with," Martin said. "I had to move it to a different spot and I had to pay extra to have them move the shed to where the city told me I had to put it."

Now, both neighbors are upset with the other, and the city does not seem to care.

"She has been really ugly about it, and I am just waiting for it to calm down myself," Martin said, referring to a confrontation between both property owners and their daughters.

“Her daughter is cussing me out,t and I just want to leave it there longer," Martin said.

Burns confirms the confrontation.

"There was a little back and forth with them," Burns said. "The daughter got very angry, and she's actually, jeered at me."

It is a Catch-22, according to Martin.

"I did exactly what you told me to do," Martin said of the city. "I had it out of this lady’s way and I feel so bad about it being where it is at."

Meanwhile, Burns' emails to Mayor D.C. Reeves, and Assistant Planning and Zoning Division Manager Greg Harding go either unreponded to or provide no help.

The mail addressed to Reeves Executive Assistant Amy Dumas shows Burns battle to be heard, writing, "I have spoken to the Building Permits Dept. numerous times, but now no one will call me back even though I keep leaving messages."

Even the AI Google Overview of the email picks up the lack of respect, reading "Carol requested that the shed not be permitted because it blocks her view and diminshes her home's value," and "Carol noted that previous calls to the Building Permits Department have gone unanswered."

Then you have Burns attempts with Harding last year, beginning with a thanks for her call, which are now not returned.

Harding cc's Christi Sheals, who also never got back to Burns.

Email from Greg Harding, explaining there is nothing the city can do, citing codes and ends with "I hope this information is helpful."

It wasn't and remains not to be. So while this widow who pays property taxes to Pensacola gets no assistance in resolving the matter by helping her connect with the correct officials.

Email to Greg Harding after directed to Christi Sheals  

So, "that’s where it stands right now," Martin said.

"I want to move it back after this is as soon as it is over with, even for Mrs. Burns' sake because I hate where they placed it," Martin said.

Though the Good Book says to love your neighbor as yourself, it is hard when the city you live in makes it harder.

With that, OpGov.ai is going to reach out to officials, giving them an early next week deadline to respond on how they can help two neighbors that want the same thing and deserve the same since they pay hard-earned American taxes to live on their property.

If you would like to add to this story, leave a comment below or email me at reporterangelunderwood@gmail.com.