Earle officials set to hash out trailer permit dispute

Earle officials set to hash out trailer permit dispute

Contractor wants decision on delayed document

news@theeveningtimes.com Officials in Earle have agreed to sit down with a local contractor to hash out why he did not receive a permit for a trailer home in a timely manner.

Chester Hardy, who appeared before the city council in December, was back again looking for answers from building inspector Bobby Luckett about why it took four months to get a permit for a mobile home.

Hardy bought a 50-foot mobile home at a foreclosure auction in Little Rock in August and claims he asked Luckett for a permit on Aug. 5.

According to Hardy, Luckett asked for pictures of the mobile home to show the city council because the trailer was over ten years old.

Hardy claims he hand delivered pictures to city hall on Aug. 21 then never heard back from Luckett.

He had the trailer hauled to Earle in September but can’t get the power or water hooked up without a permit.

Luckett was not at the December council meeting to answer questions.

Hardy again told the council that he believes he was denied a permit because Luckett has a personal grudge against him.

“I delivered these pictures in August,” Hardy said. “I never received a permit until Dec. 30. That is uncalled for.”

Luckett responded that he told Hardy he needed to see pictures of the trailer to show the council but never received them. “You came three or four times to me about the trailer,” Luckett said. “I told you I need pictures. You didn’t give me pictures.”

Hardy said he hand delivered the pictures to city clerk Cynthia Conner at city hall because he didn’t trust Luckett.

“You’re saying you never received any pictures?” Hardy asked. “You’re looking me in the face and calling me a liar, that I did not hand deliver pictures?”

“You did not give me the pictures,” Luckett said.

“I am going to call you a liar in front of everyone,” Hardy charged.

Hardy also said Luckett incorrectly filled out the permit listing Luckett as the owner of the trailer and overcharged him for the permit.

Hardy was charged $106 instead of $70.

Luckett conceded he made a mistake on the permit, and that part of the delay was due to the fact that he had been ill in December.

“I agree. I made a mistake,” Luckett said. “Do you make mistakes?”

“We all make mistakes,” Hardy responded. “But we don’t openly deny people permits on the basis of your own bias.”

Hardy told the council he is concerned that Luckett will be tougher on his trailer because of the controversy and again deny him an occupancy permit.

“Even with a permit, is he going to deny me a permit on your personal vendetta with me?” Hardy said.

“How is my council going to assure me I won’t have problems with my inspection? I don’t believe this is over.”

Luckett denied that he withheld the permit due to any bias against Hardy.

“I don’t have a personal vendetta,” Luckett said.

“Everybody knows me. I have always tried to treat everyone the same. I have always been cordial. And I have been cordial to you.”

Councilwoman Jimmie Barham said she does not believe Luckett denied the permit out of any personal bias, but added that the council would meet with him soon to get to the bottom of the matter.

“I know Mr. Luckett is not a person who is going to endanger this community,” Barham said. “I want you to know we want to do the right thing. Bobby wants to do the right thing. You had a long time to wait for your permit. But as a council person we would not let Mr. Luckett do the position he is in if we didn’t think he would do the right thing.”

Interim Mayor Robert Malone said the council only found out about the permit delay last month and promised to meet with Hardy to resolve the issue.

“It’s got to be an oversight on him,” Malone said.

“This has been going on a long time. And like we said. Let us talk to him and we will try to finish this up.”

Luckett apologized for any inconvenience.

“I don’t know where we got off wrong. But I am going to sit up here and ask you to forgive me once again if I caused you any trouble about that trailer,” Luckett said. “I apologize

for any mishap I caused you. I’m not trying to hurt you. I have no reason to hurt you. It doesn’t make any sense.”

Luckett said he would correct the permit and have former building inspector Manuel Clouse conduct the final inspection.

By Mark Randall