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Marijuana sign unsettles housing authority
Tommy Hawkins sits on his balcony at his Housing Authority of Grant County apartment at Continental Heights. His reed sun screen allows shade when he sits outside and is attached inside of the railing, but is said to be in violation of his lease. A marijuana flag that was also attached to the inside of the railing and is also in violation of his lease is covered over by an American flag. The HAGC has threatened Hawkins with eviction.
The flag in question.
A veteran who is said to be in violation of the terms of his lease is being threatened with eviction by the Housing Authority of Grant County.
Tommy Hawkins, who has a third-story HAGC apartment on Continental Heights, was notified July 27 that if he didn't take down a marijuana flag attached to his balcony, along with a willow-reed sun screen, he would be evicted.
Hawkins said that Monday he asked for an informal hearing on the matter. By Tuesday afternoon, he hadn't heard back from the HAGC.
The housing authority letter stated: "We are asking that you take down the poster/sign and the bamboo lined against the balcony as you are in violation of the lease. Also there was a disturbing sign posted on your balcony early last week that has now been removed. ... The sign was disturbing to other residents and again not allowed."
Hawkins says that complaints by another tenant, who told housing authorities he didn't like the behavior of Hawkins' female visitors, contributed to the reasons for the eviction notice. Hawkins has also charged that members of his family, home-care employees, and guests have been harassed by other tenants.
First, HAGC officials had verbally asked him to remove a marijuana flag and the willow-reed sun screen. When Hawkins didn't do so, a letter was sent, giving him 10 business days to "cure or vacate."
Hawkins stated Friday that the marijuana flag has been covered up with an American flag and the sun screen remains because it provides shade when he sits outside. He said he had it attached to the inside of his balcony, which he thought was not a violation of his lease.
Tenants have also charged that some of his visitors have been to his apartment for "illegal" activities. Hawkins said he is still trying to figure out what that is all about.
Hawkins has a severe spinal disorder and most of the time has trouble getting around, he says. He currently has in-home health care.
Hawkins hails from Fresno, California and is honorably discharged from the service. He has been a resident at Continental Heights since 2013.
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