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Man Tells Town Of Century ‘Stay Off My Property’ After ‘Illegal’ Work
August 2, 2016
Two weeks after Century Mayor Freddie McCall said that he may have broken the law with work he had performed on a private road in the town, the man claiming to own the property put the town on notice to stay away.
“Stay off my property,” David Knight told the Century Town Council Monday night. “Leave me alone.”
On July 18, McCall said that about six to eight months prior he had a load of dirt dumped into washed out areas on Ashford Alley, a dirt roadway off Jefferson Avenue. His move came after a resident approached McCall and requested additional maintenance on the road. He said recent research found that Century does not have a deeded right-of-way or easement on Ashford Alley according to Escambia County Property Appraiser records.
“There is no such thing as Ashford Alley,” Knight said, waving paperwork in front of the council. “It does not say anything about Ashford Alley on my deed.”
For a previous story, click here.
Pictured top and inset: Resident David Knight warns the Town of Century to say off his property during a Monday night council meeting. NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
23 Responses to “Man Tells Town Of Century ‘Stay Off My Property’ After ‘Illegal’ Work”
Retired
Citizens need to do what ever it takes to get the attention of some of these officials. Including lack of respect.
ps: I speak in general terms and have no knowledge of Century politics. My comments are not directed toward Century specifically. However, “if the shoe fits”…
If you look more carefully at the photos he was not in anyone’s face pointing a finger as some other commenter stated. He was back at the mic pointing his finger. In the other photo he was at the desk handing the council a paper.
I agree with Mr Knight, it is his property if it is not recognized by the county and if he doesn’t want the drive/alley/road fixed that is his prerogative. We do not need to start letting the Government/State/County invading our properties doing with it as they want like they own it. Next step is busting into your house without a warrant.
@Kane
I have read up on the sunshine law and for the sake of transparent government the meetings are OPEN to the public.
From what I read they do not HAVE to make the meeting about HEARING from the public every single time.
@David I disagree with that tactic
I do believe in speaking out, paying attention, contacting representatives, changing laws. Write a letter, find the facts.
Its not that hard to become one of “The good ole boys”
Ask what they are doing, inform yourself, ask what you can do to help.
Do it.
It’s an open membership and and the “club” needs our help
I do not condone disrespect or violence.
In another places there have been shootings at school board meetings, fist fights in small town council meetings. (AND WORSE)
Some folks are prone to assault and violence and it seems the climate and tolerance for this type of behavior is growing and being expected to be tolerated.
Nothing good will come from that.
Check the laws for conducting meetings. A brawl can be circumvented before it can happen. I think this should be seen as a wake up call.
A person could speak from behind a podium when they are recognized to have the floor.
Act like Civilized Americans of
Century Florida
As far as Hateful behavior. the way I feel about that is:
NOT IN MY TOWN
If Mr. Knight believes the city has no right to be on the non-existant “Ashford Alley” he should then make efforts to block people from entering his property where the non-existant alley is located.
No need to make threats at a public meeting.
P.S.
Who is Mattie McCall, owner of another property that is “host” to this Ashford Alley?
Is she the resident that asked Mayor McCall for “additional maintenance” of the alley?
I guess everyone deserves their 5 minutes of fame. Mr. Knight just got his. I wouldn’t make too big an issue of it, though. The town could turn around and claim imminent domain on the property. Clearly there is an erosion problem and unless the resident is willing to keep the property up himself, there may be just cause in doing so.
Retired
The problem with this country is that not enough people stand up in front of their elected officials and get in their face. If more of us would do that then some of this complete nonsense that’s happening would go away.
>>>The council DOES meet in PRIVATE to discuss matters BEFORE having a town meeting.
Then they would all be in jail, because private meetings are illegal.
I agree this man is fighting a losing battle he should have said something at the get go not wait several years to tell them to stay off. @ Retired are you not aware of how “PUBLIC” council meetings work? They GIVE CITIZENS a chance to voice their complaints, opinions, gratitude’s to THEIR town council. The council DOES meet in PRIVATE to discuss matters BEFORE having a town meeting.
Prescriptive or adverse possession can give ownership rights to someone other than the owner if they use your property without you stopping them for a certain number of years. This number differs depending on what state you live in. If the city paves a portion of your land, They will likely lay ownership to it. If your land is used to access waterfront and you are not successful in preventing it, It could become public usage and you would loose control of who enters. Had to address this to keep drug use off of a property I purchased. The entire acre of waterfront was in jeopardy. I was successful and cleared my neighborhood of a bad drug problem which was my primary reason for purchasing the property. The county vacated the paved section
I purchased with the support of my neighbors. Safe and Peaceful now.
Not sure of all the background here but for one, I think the town council should consider to get in charge of their own meetings and in order, although open to public.
As the president of the council and mayor hopeful and military background Boutwell, we would be impressed by this type of move.
Any member of the public should not come up to the table and stand over the council pointing a finger in their face. If they do they are out of order and should be dismissed. Athough in the Sunshine, they do not have to hear people at their meetings and if they do, the citizen should not leave the area of their own seat.
The council has an agenda themselves and this is disruptive. A deputy sherrif should be in attendance.
If a citizen has a complaint or suggestion it should be brought forth to a member of the council they chose, preferably in writing but NOT at the council’s meeting but prior to it.
This guy sound like a loose cannon. I suppose the town could withdraw and let the other resident get his legal easement as he has used it over a period of time.
Mayor and town council we support your efforts, it must be difficult at times.
There is hope.
I agree with Mr. Wiggins. I think he has an implied easement situation, where he can’t now go back and deny access. The smart move would be to negotiate a sale of that portion of the parcel and at least get some money out of the deal.
I think everyone is missing the point if your will read – or recall from – the previous article, Mr. Knight’s ownership of the property may already be in jeopardy:
“The mayor said the town may already have a valid claim to an easement because the town had previously maintained the road for several years, and the town has been paying for a street light for 15 or more years on Ashford Alley. Florida law allows a city to assert ownership of certain rights-0f-way under Florida law if the city has maintained the road for more than seven years.”
This is what is also known as “squatters’ rights.” Most states have some form of this rule, even though it is most often used by private citizens to claim land that, by deed, belongs to someone else. Under the circumstances given in the story, Mr. Knight’s “notice to stay away” may be a few years too late.
>>>Now he is all over the newspaper. What is wrong with this picture? Just leave the man alone.
He is the one that chose to go to a public meeting and chastise the city council.
“Stay off my property.” “Leave me alone.” I didn’t see anything wrong with either one of those statements. The previous story stated a resident had called for the road work. Maybe this is a family feud, since the story also states there are only two families living on the road. Now he is all over the newspaper. What is wrong with this picture? Just leave the man alone.
Mr. Knight has a Case — Do an Arial view and Ashford alley is nothing more than a Drive way from two ways to homes. No property is land locked,
Every time I think I have seen und heard it all, a story like this one comes along. He must have a huge feud going on with one or more of his neighbors to be willing to deprive himself of an improved way to get to his property. Poor neighbors!
I could see why he would want the city off his property. He might think that he will be charged for the services done. He may not have the funds to address the issue with the road on his property at the moment. If the city starts taking over they may eventually start charging him to do so. Think about the big picture before you start judging.
If this guy is going to be like this, he’s asking for trouble. Trust me, the right phone calls can pull up records in a heart beat, and those records will say that not only does that alley exist, it’s supposed to be right through the center of his yard… or better yet, his home.
What I’d really love to see is that all this ballyhoo results in someone finding a buried Spanish cannonball right beneath Mr. Knight’s front doorstep so the whole area becomes an archeological dig.
Then the conversation becomes: “So, Mr. Knight, did you want us to move the road, or do you want to move your house?” (if you notice, it’s the same option worded two different ways.)
If no good deed goes unpunished, no misdeed by arrogance does either… I’m gonna go make some popcorn. You can’t script movies better than this.
Dumping dirt on a washed out road did not hurt anyone Mr Knight needs to get a grip. I’m sure the people that live on that road would love to drive to their homes without jumping potholes or driving through 3-4 feet of water everyday.
I am glad you said that Mr. Green because I did wonder if I was missing something!
This is the kind of fella that will probably try and sue the city, because they made a mistake that benefited him.
No good deed goes unpunished