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Scranton Businessman’s Home Condemned

Scranton businessman Bob Bolus can no longer live in his home legally. The move comes after neighbors complained Bolus was breaking the law, thumbing his nose a...

Scranton businessman Bob Bolus can no longer live in his home legally.

The move comes after neighbors complained Bolus was breaking the law, thumbing his nose at them by parking trailers on his property for a year and a half. They also complained the city wasn't doing enough to get him to move the trailers.

When Bolus returned to his East Mountain home from a trip this week he was met by a "Condemned" sign.

"What idiot would go and do something like this?" Bolus asked.

A Scranton code officer condemned Bolus' house as unfit for human occupancy, and a vacant abandoned structure.

"There's nothing about this home that condemns it because it's not a vacant house. It sure as hell isn't abandoned," Bolus said.

What do the trailers that neighbors complain about have to do with the home the city just condemned? According to Bob Bolus, everything.

For almost a year and a half, Bolus parked up to four truck trailers on his property and two others on the right of way on the road leading up to his home.

He moved the right-of-way trailers in February after a judge threatened Bolus with a $500 a day fine.

Neighbors said the trailers now on Bolus' property should not be there.

"Is Bob Bolus committing zoning violations? Yes, unequivocally yes," said city of Scranton Solicitor Paul Kelly recently. He was not available for comment Friday.

At a recent neighborhood association meeting, Kelly heard an earful from neighbors claiming Scranton city hall did little to stop Bolus from breaking zoning laws, keeping trailers on site.

"He just thumbs his nose and keeps doing what he wants to do," said one neighbor at the meeting.

"The city is not enforcing the zoning law by not having them removed," said another neighbor.

Bolus said the city is catering to angry neighbors. When asked what he was going to do about the "Condemned" sign, Bolus tore it up and said, "That's what I'm going to do about it. If he wants to, let him charge me with something."

Bolus could be cited for ripping down that the "Condemned" sign. According to city code, he could be fined between $200 and $600.

There is no word if the city plans to take action in the escalating battle between Bob Bolus, the city, and neighbors who said they have put up with the trailers for too long.

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