Who can stop the city? Oh, the handy man can, the handy man can!

A local handyman has come to the assistance of a local senior who was facing a sixty day demolition order over her house on Overlook street on the east side of the city.

Eric Slack stepped up in a bid to help return the building to a presentable state and take it off the city’s demolition list, a spot it found itself on in September when neighbours issued a complaint over the state of the home.

With time ticking down towards the November deadline, Slack is seeking an extension from council in order to allow more time in the New Year when the weather is more cooperative for home repairs.

Council will examine his request at their next council meeting, which will be the last one before the municipal election.
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Unless they plan on going into an election having decided to move a senior out of her home (not exactly the best way to rack up the votes), we would wager a bet that they will grant the extension, especially considering the help that Slack has provided thus far and the spirit he has shown in making sure that the job gets done.

The story was featured in Monday’s Daily News.

Handyman comes to homeowner’s aid
Senior facing the likely demolition of her home gets welcome support
By Patrick Witwicki
The Daily News
Monday, October 20, 2008
Pages one and three

Prince Rupert is used to having local heroes coming to the rescue of other Rupertites, and in the case of one home-owner on Overlook Street, it has apparently happened again.

The owner of the property was issued a 60-day demolition notice back in September, but Rupert’s Eric Slack – a handyman in his own right - has stepped forward, offering to help in getting the property back to snuff, as he presented his case to council last Thursday at the regular meeting.

He said that the owner is a senior, and while she has been trying her best to maintain the property, it isn’t easy at her age. But Slack is friends with the woman, and quickly stepped in with his expertise.

“I’ve known this woman (a long time),” he said. “But I don’t really agree that her house should be knocked down. It’s all fixable.

“The foundation is solid. There are a couple of rotten places, but nothing substantial. She’s a good worker… but she’s limited by her arthritis.”

Slack has been working diligently on the property through the summer to help make it more presentable to the eye after neighbours on Overlook complained about the property.

“The garden’s already done,” he said. “The front steps will be done, the roof is next… I think it’s going to be real nice and I don’t think it’s really derelict.”

He added that the woman in question is a reputable Rupert citizen.

“She pays her taxes, she’s up-to-date,” he said.

Mayor Herb Pond said that the city doesn’t go around specifically looking for “derelict” properties, but investigates when neighbours complain,” he said.

“We have pretty big files… it’s a process (Demolition) … it’s the last thing council wants to do.”

“We are very understanding when it comes to hardships,” said Pond.

“What we hope for is that there is a local hero who steps forward and does exactly what (Mr. Slack) is doing. Council has the authority to delay any demolition order, but we usually want to see some kind of proof, and some kind of deadline.”

Slack was requesting that the deadline be extended through the winter, as it is difficult to get work done on property completed in the winter, especially when it comes to yardwork and replacing a roof.

He asked that the deadline be extended to April 30, 2009.

Coun. Tony Briglio applauded Slack for coming forward, but reminded the public that the demolition order only came to be issued because of a prolonged record of complaints from Overlook regarding the property in question.

“We have a responsibility to all of the public,” he said.

“Good on you for the doing that. You’ve seen the property, you know it’s an eyesore.

“It’s been in sad need of attention for some time.”

Coun. Ken Cote added: “Here’s a good opportunity for people to involved and be a part of that.”

Coun. Sheila Gordon Payne suggested a report be put together by either Slack or the inspector Mr. Scott in time for next meeting, and a full decision could then be made regarding whether to extend the deadline to April 30.

Coun. Joy Thorkelson added: “As long as we’re of the mind we’re not going to enforce the sixty days.”

Slack agreed to come back with a full plan on how clean up the Overlook property in time for the Oct. 27 meeting.

“I know how Mr. Slack works, a he’ll be here with a plan for the next council meeting,” said Briglio.