OAP threatened with eviction after branding housing officers Nazis (From The Argus)
Get involved: Send your news, views, pictures and video by texting SUPIC to 80360 or email us.
OAP threatened with eviction after branding housing officers Nazis
6:00pm Friday 8th March 2013 in News By Tim Ridgway, Local government reporter
John Melson
A pensioner could be kicked out of his council home for comparing housing officers to “Nazis”.
John Melson has fought for the rights of more than 13,000 council tenants in Brighton and Hove for the last decade.
However, the 74-year-old has been issued with an eviction notice after claiming some tenants had likened housing officers to “Nazis”.
The local authority claimed the language was “very alarming, inappropriate and offensive”, adding it was a breach of tenancy to abuse its staff.
But Mr Melson, who says he is of Jewish ancestry, claimed he was only raising the views of fellow tenants that their input was being ignored.
Mr Melson, of Wiltshire House, Brighton, said: “Democracy is the key issue. If we’re to comply with Government guidance that council housing policies are to be resident-led then consultation is key.
“The amount of consultation which goes on at the moment is negligible to nil.”
According to the local authority the comments were made in a phone call on November 20 and a meeting of the High Rise Action Group on December 4.
‘Swastikas’
The council letter claimed that Mr Melson said some tenants were “thinking of ‘hanging out their swastikas’” to housing officers.
Documents seen by The Argus show a notice was served on December 17.
The latest order, which was sent out yesterday, said: “The comments you made on the phone and then substantially repeated at [a public meeting] comparing officer’s behaviour to that of Nazis and Fascists were abusive and offensive.
“It is a breach of tenancy to do anything which causes or is likely to cause a nuisance or annoy someone else.
“It is also a breach of tenancy to abuse our employees.”
Mr Melson said he would be seeking legal advice about the notice.
Jugal Sharma, the council’s head of housing, said: “We do not tolerate racist, homophobic or anti-semitic comments directed at staff or anyone else.
“The tenant had been warned on a number of occasions that being abusive to staff is a breach of his tenancy.
“He chose to repeat his comments and as a result he has been served with a notice to say he is in breach of his tenancy.
“At this stage he is not being evicted, but the notice means that if he repeats his comments we can take court action to do so.
“If he does not repeat them, no action will be taken.”
- Victim "fabricated" sex assault story - day eleven of Albion players' trial
- Dad-of-two was visiting brother and nephew when he was gunned down in Hove
- UPDATE: A27 closed in both directions near Worthing after serious accident
- Sussex artists put their skills on show
- Sussex's sewage will become drinking water under new plans
Comments(52)
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
6:56pm Fri 8 Mar 13
I suggest the council officers involved and this tenant have some sort of
Mediation as there is obviously something causing the rift.
But to make someone homeless because of words is heavy handed and its rather odd that when private tenants play up and are reported to the councils environmental health team the council won't take words into consideration only behaviours.
spuddah
says...
7:21pm Fri 8 Mar 13
sedwardsESQ
says...
7:36pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Boris D
says...
7:38pm Fri 8 Mar 13
sedwardsESQ
says...
7:41pm Fri 8 Mar 13
sedwardsESQ
says...
7:42pm Fri 8 Mar 13
Boris D wrote:you failed to read article obviously.
if any one else behaved like he does they would be thrown out of their home , why does he get away with it , if he is bulling the council and calling them names evict him , and any other trouble makers in council homes , its about time something was done about these people ,
Andy R
says...
8:12pm Fri 8 Mar 13
sedwardsESQ wrote:You're Melanie Philips and I claim my £5
Google "Common Purpose" and you will find out all you need to know concerning this case and many others, it will explain everything you see and read at the Argus concerning the Authorities ie; Low Moral in Police, Council Staff thinking they are better than you! and everything around you seems to have attitude and you have noticed this change in last two years? it is all for the common purpose?
After you with the tinfoil hat...
Boris D
says...
8:25pm Fri 8 Mar 13
sedwardsESQ wrote:he called the council officers nazis , thats should be enough to evict him , anyone else would be , its about time the council got tough with these trouble makers
Boris D wrote:you failed to read article obviously.
if any one else behaved like he does they would be thrown out of their home , why does he get away with it , if he is bulling the council and calling them names evict him , and any other trouble makers in council homes , its about time something was done about these people ,
fredflintstone1
says...
8:32pm Fri 8 Mar 13
What is abuse? Don't do a job where you're likely to be criticised; if you can't take the heat, stay out of the kitchen.
If referees were seemingly as sensitive as Council employees, there would never be a football match for example played anywhere.
Fight_Back
says...
10:12pm Fri 8 Mar 13
So if I now call them Nazi's do I get evicted from my privately owned home ? I'd like to see them try !
tenerifeisland
says...
1:11am Sat 9 Mar 13
Angryoldman
says...
8:26am Sat 9 Mar 13
He is a well respected by all the tennants
Tenants are often talked to with sarcasm and treated like dirt by some council officers. They forgot along time ago that they are our servants and believe themselves to be our masters.
Our communual lobbys are often littered with threatening letters typed in red from officers.
I had an officer from Lavender st office turn up at my door uninvited and unanounced. It was 11 am and after realising that she had the wrong address she looked me up and down, gave me a dirty look and said " Sorry for TIPPING you out of your bed"
Its ok for some of these PUBLIC SERVANTS to threaten and abuse us!
Fight them John.
Angryoldman
says...
9:19am Sat 9 Mar 13
But Its ok to BULLY and victimise a frail, sick old pesioner. And throw him out of his home.
Shame on you!
Valerie Paynter
says...
10:52am Sat 9 Mar 13
As Chair, he drew very senior officers to the meetings in a highly intelligent and professional manner, to mutual benefit, and before all this enjoyed the respect of both officers and residents in Council-owned housing (leaseholders, council tenants, private tenants and Housing Association tenants alike).
Mr. Melson suffered a serious stroke a while back and soldiers on, still using his time and reduced health within the system of participation and engagement between residents and the council - for mutual benefit.
He repeated comments he had been hearing from resdents which the officer did not want to hear or take on board. What is happening now does the Council no credit.
thevoiceoftruth
says...
10:57am Sat 9 Mar 13
Brighton Council treat tenants with total disdain. Sounds like he has been a strong voice for his community, so they will do anything to silence him. Keep fighting, John!
taxidiy
says...
11:48am Sat 9 Mar 13
I am sure that you will have the backing of the vast majority of Brighton and Hove residents if the numerous posts on this forum about the council are anything to go by.
John Steed
says...
12:10pm Sat 9 Mar 13
Boris D wrote:surely the report above states he advised the council officials that "some" tenants were "comparing the council officials to members the ww2 german government". Its a subtle difference, I could call you a fool, or simply say I think you are a fool. one is an insult, one is an opinion. in this case Mr Melson has shown extreem lack of judgement especialy if he is as he claims of jewish descent. Eviction however is not an appropriate reaction, and if after 10 years of campaigning Mr Melson is acheiving nothing but "own goals" he should consider a new vocation preferably one involving keeping his mouth shut. some serious facing up to facts is needed on both sides, particualy council officials remembering they are public servants, not bosses of the public also some very sincere apologies especialy from Mr Melson. the sooner this sort of needless comfrontation is resolved the better.
sedwardsESQ wrote:he called the council officers nazis , thats should be enough to evict him , anyone else would be , its about time the council got tough with these trouble makers
Boris D wrote:you failed to read article obviously.
if any one else behaved like he does they would be thrown out of their home , why does he get away with it , if he is bulling the council and calling them names evict him , and any other trouble makers in council homes , its about time something was done about these people ,
Kawasaki998
says...
12:32pm Sat 9 Mar 13
We should as Residents be able to ask questions and deserve an answer. John only repeated what others were saying and now he is being threatened with eviction. Come on Brighton Council let us go back to how it use to be and let Tenants run their own Estates.
Kawasaki998
says...
12:32pm Sat 9 Mar 13
We should as Residents be able to ask questions and deserve an answer. John only repeated what others were saying and now he is being threatened with eviction. Come on Brighton Council let us go back to how it use to be and let Tenants run their own Estates.
qm
says...
12:54pm Sat 9 Mar 13
Boris D wrote:You still haven't read (or understood) the article!
sedwardsESQ wrote:he called the council officers nazis , thats should be enough to evict him , anyone else would be , its about time the council got tough with these trouble makers
Boris D wrote:you failed to read article obviously.
if any one else behaved like he does they would be thrown out of their home , why does he get away with it , if he is bulling the council and calling them names evict him , and any other trouble makers in council homes , its about time something was done about these people ,
qm
says...
1:19pm Sat 9 Mar 13
As for unforgivably picking on an elderly gentleman of obvious intelligence, integrity with an unblemished and admired record of conciliatory interfacing with the Council on behalf of fellow residents, defies belief.
Suggest someone with an iota of common sense and maturity picks this up on behalf of the Council and resolves it promptly! Shouldn't take more than 5 minutes although there will be some noses a bit out of shape at the end of it!
Maxwell's Ghost
says...
1:24pm Sat 9 Mar 13
What we haven't heard is what provoked the residents into feeling such fury.
Come on Argus, let's have some transparency here.
At the moment it seems as if irritated officers have trawled through the code of conduct book to try to remove someone who is highlighting issues which we have not been told about in this story.
What are the issues behind the fury Argus?
atlantis88
says...
1:43pm Sat 9 Mar 13
NickBrt
says...
3:39pm Sat 9 Mar 13
qm
says...
3:56pm Sat 9 Mar 13
"OAP threatened with eviction after branding housing officers Nazis"
6:00pm Friday 8th March 2013 in News By Tim Ridgway
I hate picking on journalists but suggest you read your article and correct the headline please Tim!
No point in fanning the flames with mistruths!
Kawasaki998
says...
5:33pm Sat 9 Mar 13
Boris D wrote:He did not call the council officersNazi he reported back what others were calling them
sedwardsESQ wrote:he called the council officers nazis , thats should be enough to evict him , anyone else would be , its about time the council got tough with these trouble makers
Boris D wrote:you failed to read article obviously.
if any one else behaved like he does they would be thrown out of their home , why does he get away with it , if he is bulling the council and calling them names evict him , and any other trouble makers in council homes , its about time something was done about these people ,
Kawasaki998
says...
5:37pm Sat 9 Mar 13
Angryoldman wrote:Well said I agree with all you have said
This has shocked me. Mr Melson has done more for the tenants of Brighton and Hove Council than any housing officer.
He is a well respected by all the tennants
Tenants are often talked to with sarcasm and treated like dirt by some council officers. They forgot along time ago that they are our servants and believe themselves to be our masters.
Our communual lobbys are often littered with threatening letters typed in red from officers.
I had an officer from Lavender st office turn up at my door uninvited and unanounced. It was 11 am and after realising that she had the wrong address she looked me up and down, gave me a dirty look and said " Sorry for TIPPING you out of your bed"
Its ok for some of these PUBLIC SERVANTS to threaten and abuse us!
Fight them John.
Kawasaki998
says...
5:43pm Sat 9 Mar 13
atlantis88 wrote:Maybe a few sackings are in the pipeline
I have known John for 13 years both as friend and chair of various tenant groups. The only way he has got things done for the benefit of hundreds of people is to be outspoken. It is a pity then, that a few jumped up council officials have misconstrued his comments.
Kawasaki998
says...
5:45pm Sat 9 Mar 13
sussexguy wrote:Yes John is a Thorn in their sides and with good reason and they do not like it.
For heaven's sake! Talk about over reaction by a local authority. "Alarming, inappropriate and offensive"? The poor council employees! How disastrous for them! Oh, grow up! The man is obviously a thorn in their flesh and they are using this as an excuse to get back at him. And what a feeble excuse it is. And since when is calling people Nazis and Fascists a form of racism, homophobia or anti-semitism? Sounds like Jugal Sharma needs to read up on his (or is it her?) history.
Kawasaki998
says...
5:57pm Sat 9 Mar 13
george smith
says...
6:52pm Sat 9 Mar 13
davyboy
says...
7:26pm Sat 9 Mar 13
sedwardsESQ
says...
7:34pm Sat 9 Mar 13
Kawasaki998 wrote:because of common purpose Kawasaki, officers are trained in common sense on how to divide human beings from the bovine and treat as such but don't think for one second that City Councils behaviour has only been in the last two years as my previous posts outline!
I wish to thank everybody who has written in support of John Melson. He is a Good man and well respected by the Council Tenants. He is asking questions and not being answered by the Council. Up to 2 years ago we could ask questions and get answers but not any more. WHY.
Kawasaki998
says...
7:56pm Sat 9 Mar 13
sedwardsESQ wrote:i know but has got worse then ever
Kawasaki998 wrote:because of common purpose Kawasaki, officers are trained in common sense on how to divide human beings from the bovine and treat as such but don't think for one second that City Councils behaviour has only been in the last two years as my previous posts outline!
I wish to thank everybody who has written in support of John Melson. He is a Good man and well respected by the Council Tenants. He is asking questions and not being answered by the Council. Up to 2 years ago we could ask questions and get answers but not any more. WHY.
scoobysnax
says...
9:21pm Sat 9 Mar 13
Brighton Visitor
says...
11:04pm Sat 9 Mar 13
Childish employees should be sacked.
Angryoldman
says...
7:21am Sun 10 Mar 13
Brighton Visitor wrote:I think that vindictive council employees who have harassed and tried to deliberately make a sick and frail pensioner homeless need to be held accountable for what is nothing more than a personal attack, while hiding behind the power of the Council. These overpaid employees have nothing better to do cost us dearly in taxes and do not represent the people of Brighton and Hove.
Typical council wimps.
Childish employees should be sacked.
It is my belief that they have tried through their own personal reasons to construct a case of racial hatred and I hope the courts throw the book at them.
They state that it is against tenancy rules to even 'annoy someone' or ‘cause annoyance.’ That is how petty and pathetic the council rules for eviction have become.
If any of these three employees are council tenants then I can safely say that they have greatly annoyed and caused distress to the vast majority of tenants in this city so have fallen foul of their own eviction rules. Council tenants are demonised enough without these PUBLIC SERVANTS trying their hardest to throw people out of their homes (for a political correctness that would put any loony left council to shame) and make every tenant in this city feel insecure in their homes.
The anger of tenants that I am hearing just in this area of the city is immense and Brighton Council better think very carefully if they want to take the wrath of 13000 tenants. It seems as if they revel in being made to look stupid in the press.
jonem1
says...
8:34am Sun 10 Mar 13
One of the reasons for asking the Chief Executive of the Council for an Audit Investigation of Housing Management was the bullying and gagging of staff, so it is not just the Public who suffer from this.
Mr Sharma took post late in December and has been pitchforked into this mess and, despite his Corporate loyalty to his staff, still has my respect. He and I have worked amiably and productively together in the past. So a little tolerance please?
Boris D is quite right that action should be taken against those who hold and express extremist views, though I wonder what he means by "these people", council tenants? Perhaps he is unaware that many of those are hard-working people on low incomes and that within the current Allocations policy some Working Households are given a higher priority and a Community Contribution recognition?
Somethingsarejustwrong
says...
10:24am Sun 10 Mar 13
Where trouble makers are allowed to generate additional unplanned work, this has to be paid for and the irony is that this is coming from people who are already benefiting from my taxes.
Simple solution is to continue with eviction and that of any other trouble makers. There, job done!
qm
says...
10:45am Sun 10 Mar 13
SomethingsarejustwroYes they are - bottom speaking on a Sunday morning might be considered one of them by some . . . . .
ng wrote:
Its clear in my mind that people who are enjoying tax funded subsidy should fully comply with the rules under which such arrangements are made.
Where trouble makers are allowed to generate additional unplanned work, this has to be paid for and the irony is that this is coming from people who are already benefiting from my taxes.
Simple solution is to continue with eviction and that of any other trouble makers. There, job done!
redwing
says...
11:47am Sun 10 Mar 13
jonem1 wrote:Careful, John. You are in danger here of perpetuating central government and local government propaganda that seeks to divide tenants and pit them against eachother to detract from the massive continuing failure to provide housing for all who need it.
While I thank all of you who comment on this forum, please let's keep a sense of proportion. The majority of Council staff are good, honest hard-working people and should not be tarred with the same brush as the small element of arrogant bullies which are endemic in any large organisation.
One of the reasons for asking the Chief Executive of the Council for an Audit Investigation of Housing Management was the bullying and gagging of staff, so it is not just the Public who suffer from this.
Mr Sharma took post late in December and has been pitchforked into this mess and, despite his Corporate loyalty to his staff, still has my respect. He and I have worked amiably and productively together in the past. So a little tolerance please?
Boris D is quite right that action should be taken against those who hold and express extremist views, though I wonder what he means by "these people", council tenants? Perhaps he is unaware that many of those are hard-working people on low incomes and that within the current Allocations policy some Working Households are given a higher priority and a Community Contribution recognition?
Yes, there are many tenants on low incomes who are working. But the council's/government
's policy blames and punishes tenants, or prospective tenants, who are sick/disabled/ carers/job seekers for their situation by implying they need 'incentives' like the "Positive Contribution" policy to work. It's the usual 'divide and rule' gargage.
Social housing has a lot of tenants with these difficulties for simple reason that it is now in such acutely short supply (thanks not least to Right to Buy). The way to get a better social mix is not to pander to the skivers/scroungers agenda, but to have more social housing and rent controls on the private sector landlords that have grown fat on Landlords (Housing) Benefit.
Keep fighting for us John, and ruffling the feathers of Authority!
lillylou
says...
11:27am Mon 11 Mar 13
Mel@cityclean
says...
10:03pm Mon 11 Mar 13
Somethingsarejustwrong
says...
8:24am Tue 12 Mar 13
Mel@cityclean wrote:The world has truly gone mad.
And a man who sells drugs from his council flat with Brighton and Hove council, still lives in his flat. Police raided his flat, his is on tag and a curfrew. But still keeps his council flat, while selling drugs and gets all the Beneifts, does not work, and the council will transfer him!!! Just does not make sense!!!!
Why would any normal society allow people to enjoy benefits for sustained periods of time, why would it subsidise people's housing, why would it not lock criminals away for long periods of time?
Why would it tolerate the behaviour set that is described in this article and also commented on above?
Time for action!
Valerie Paynter
says...
1:17pm Tue 12 Mar 13
Valerie Paynter
says...
1:39pm Tue 12 Mar 13
It clarifies surely? And deserves o be retained online HERE.
Valerie Paynter
says...
1:39pm Tue 12 Mar 13
It clarifies surely? And deserves o be retained online HERE.
wippasnapper
says...
3:46pm Tue 12 Mar 13
sedwardsESQ wrote:If you know John Melson you would change your opinion of him – if you had worked along side of John Melson you would see that his heart is in working for the tenants of B&H to bring about a better council and tenant coalition but sins this GREEN administration has been in power they have tried to change the structure of how this council works along side use tenants!
Google "Common Purpose" and you will find out all you need to know concerning this case and many others, it will explain everything you see and read at the Argus concerning the Authorities ie; Low Moral in Police, Council Staff thinking they are better than you! and everything around you seems to have attitude and you have noticed this change in last two years? it is all for the common purpose?
wippasnapper
says...
3:49pm Tue 12 Mar 13
Boris D wrote:If you know John Melson you would change your opinion of him – if you had worked along side of John Melson you would see that his heart is in working for the tenants of B&H to bring about a better council and tenant coalition but sins this GREEN administration has been in power they have tried to change the structure of how this council works along side use tenants!
sedwardsESQ wrote:he called the council officers nazis , thats should be enough to evict him , anyone else would be , its about time the council got tough with these trouble makers
Boris D wrote:you failed to read article obviously.
if any one else behaved like he does they would be thrown out of their home , why does he get away with it , if he is bulling the council and calling them names evict him , and any other trouble makers in council homes , its about time something was done about these people ,
wippasnapper
says...
4:05pm Tue 12 Mar 13
Mr. Melson has made it quite clear he was speaking on the behalf of other tenants but instead of this council doing the right thing by holding mediation they issue him with a warning of eviction if he so much as speaks out of tone as far as the council is concerned i.e. A GAGGING ORDER this comes as no surprise to me as some others not so long ago have had the same treatment for speaking out agents the council and the way the council staff treat and speak to its tenants
Even sins this GREEN administration has been in power they have changed the way our council services are run making it harder for tenants to contact council staff or giving them the wrong information or by taking away the support most venerable tenants had and some of the staff put in its place have not had the proper training i.e. some council staff have a very bad attitude towards council tenants regardless of there backgrounds, colour or race and they talk of homophobic behavior o’ yes they want to try listening to themselves when they are speaking and watch how they come across as being aggressive and forceful in there mannerisms, So what have they to say about there behavior?
jonem1
says...
12:08pm Wed 13 Mar 13
Maxwell's Ghost wrote:A number of key Housing issues raised are being considered by the Chief Executive, so it would be inappropriate to include them here at this time. I will put them up here after the CEO has reached a conclusion.
Exactly QM. The story is focusing on the inappropriate words.
What we haven't heard is what provoked the residents into feeling such fury.
Come on Argus, let's have some transparency here.
At the moment it seems as if irritated officers have trawled through the code of conduct book to try to remove someone who is highlighting issues which we have not been told about in this story.
What are the issues behind the fury Argus?
Among the matters not among the above, as I cannot get enough information to formulate the question, is why was the New Homes Bonus grant (tax-payers' monies from Central Government for Regeneraton) not used for that purpose but applied to plugging deficits in the General Account?
At a time when Council Departments are having to cut staffing-levels why is Housing creating and filling new (never before required) posts? Can the posts be justified, or are they simply 'jobs-for-the-boys' (and girls) and a way for the Council to avoid its obligations for the redundancy packages by passing costs onto the Housing Revenue Account?
Housing Committee on 6th March was asked to a approve the recommendations in a draft Report of the Proposed Tenancy Policy for 2013/14. The closing date for the finalised Policy to be in the hands of Central Government was 15th January, yet only a draft was presented to Councillors. Doesn't that suggest that there is the same disregard for our elected representatives by some staff as they have for the general public?
Finally, for those who think I should be taken to Court - so do I. Notices of Seeking Possession are essentially Trial-without-Reply unless Court action follows.
sussexguy says...
6:40pm Fri 8 Mar 13