Candidate accused of violations

A complaint has been lodged with the city accusing City Council candidate Verna Rollinger of code violations at her Temple Hills home.

Attorney Eugene Gratz filed the complaint on behalf of unnamed residents that Rollinger is renting out an illegal third unit in her duplex to an automobile salesman who is conducting business from the residence and parking cars in the driveway that block the sidewalk. A photograph showing the blocked sidewalk was submitted with the complaint.

“I have not been informed of the complaint,” Rollinger said Wednesday. “But I am not renting a third unit. I have been getting mail for a business called South County Services, but I don’t know what it is, and I have been returning the mail. No one is running a business here.”

As for the vehicles that block the sidewalk, Rollinger said three parking spaces are in front of her garage, where she parks her car and recreation vehicle and her one tenant parks a vehicle.

“Cars have been parked there since the 1960s,” Rolling said. “If we need to pull vehicles parked in the driveway back a little, I am sure we can arrange this.”

City Manager Ken Frank said he had been supplied with a copy of the complaint.

“There is no evidence of a third unit, but we will ask Verna,” Frank said. “The blocked sidewalk is a violation of the vehicle code, and I expect Verna will immediately comply.”

Gratz said his client claims the violations have been going on for a long time, but he didn’t make them public because he feared political retribution.

“He is taking action now because Verna is running for City Council,” Gratz said. “It doesn’t make any difference if it is politically motivated; the important thing is if it’s true.”

Code Enforcement Officer Joe Trujillo said complaints are investigated in the order in which they are filed.

“The complaint is given to a field officer to verify the violation,” Trujillo said. “If there is a violation, we try to talk to the occupant and get voluntary compliance.”

If the violation continues, the city sends an official letter, and the occupant is given 30 days to comply or other measures, including legal action, can be taken.