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Paterson Takes Possession of First Home Using its Abandoned Properties Ordinance

Legislation Update
August 3, 2016

The city successfully took possession of an abandoned Sherwood Avenue home that belonged to the family of former disgraced mayor Martin Barnes through its abandoned properties ordinance in June of this year, according to city officials and court papers.

Mayor Jose “Joey” Torres celebrated the first actual success story of the abandoned properties ordinance during his state of the city speech. He said the city has learned the process of taking over properties as a result of this test case.

Torres noted taking possession of the property took a longtime – almost two years. Some council members criticized the delays to argue the mayor failed to make use of the ordinance after the council approved the measure back in 2014.

The city sued the owners of the eyesore Gregory Barnes and Kathy Sims for failing to maintain their abandoned property at 304 Sherwood Avenue. It also filed actions against the property’s mortgage and tax servicing company, according to court records.

The property was not legally occupied for six months, was in need of rehabilitation, posed a safety and health hazard, and impacted the property values of the neighborhood, argued the city in its case filed in February 2015.

John Villari, whose property is next to the abandoned home, has been constantly complaining and urging the city to take actions against the property. He has repeatedly said that during rain events water flows from the unkempt property into his.

The city was given possession of the property in early June of this year.

Torres and others have said the case sends a clear message to property owners who fail to maintain their properties. The threat of the city launching legal actions to take possession of abandoned properties has spurred great renovation activity in the city, according to officials.

It’s not clear if the city plans on taking possession of other similar properties. The city’s law director has repeatedly said the city has no wish of becoming a landlord.

Source: Paterson Times

Additional Resources:
Paterson Times (Council unanimously passes abandoned properties acquisition ordinance)

City of Paterson, NJ (Ordinance No. 14-004 Registered Vacant & Abandoned Properties information)

CEO

Alan Jaffa

Alan Jaffa is the Chief Executive Officer for Safeguard Properties, steering the company as the mortgage field services industry leader. He also serves on the board of advisors for SCG Partners, a middle-market private equity fund focused on diversifying and expanding Safeguard Properties’ business model into complimentary markets.

Alan joined Safeguard in 1995, learning the business from the ground up. He was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2002, and was named CEO in May 2010. His hands-on experience has given him unique insights as a leader to innovate, improve and strengthen Safeguard’s processes to assure that the company adheres to the highest standards of quality and customer service.

Under Alan’s leadership, Safeguard has grown significantly with strategies that have included new and expanded services, technology investments that deliver higher quality and greater efficiency to clients, and strategic acquisitions. He takes a team approach to process improvement, involving staff at all levels of the organization to address issues, brainstorm solutions, and identify new and better ways to serve clients.

In 2008, Alan was recognized by Crain’s Cleveland Business in its annual “40-Under-40” profile of young leaders. He also was named a NEO Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award finalist in 2013.

Esq., General Counsel and EVP

Linda Erkkila

Linda Erkkila is the General Counsel and Executive Vice President for Safeguard Properties, with oversight of legal, human resources, training, and compliance. Linda’s broad scope of oversight covers regulatory issues that impact Safeguard’s operations, risk mitigation, strategic planning, human resources and training initiatives, compliance, insurance, litigation and claims management, and counsel related to mergers, acquisition and joint ventures.

Linda assures that Safeguard’s strategic initiatives align with its resources, leverage opportunities across the company, and contemplate compliance mandates. She has practiced law for 25 years and her experience, both as outside and in-house counsel, covers a wide range of corporate matters, including regulatory disclosure, corporate governance compliance, risk assessment, compensation and benefits, litigation management, and mergers and acquisitions.

Linda earned her JD at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. She holds a degree in economics from Miami University and an MBA. Linda was previously named as both a “Woman of Influence” by HousingWire and as a “Leading Lady” by MReport.

COO

Michael Greenbaum

Michael Greenbaum is the Chief Operating Officer of Safeguard Properties, where he has played a pivotal role since joining the company in July 2010. Initially brought on as Vice President of REO, Mike’s exceptional leadership and strategic vision quickly propelled him to Vice President of Operations in 2013, and ultimately to COO in 2015. Over his 14-year tenure at Safeguard, Mike has been instrumental in driving change and fostering innovation within the Property Preservation sector, consistently delivering excellence and becoming a trusted partner to clients and investors.

A distinguished graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Mike earned a degree in Quantitative Economics. Following his graduation, he served in the U.S. Army’s Ordnance Branch, where he specialized in supply chain management. Before his tenure at Safeguard, Mike honed his expertise by managing global supply chains for 13 years, leveraging his military and civilian experience to lead with precision and efficacy.

CFO

Joe Iafigliola

Joe Iafigliola is the Chief Financial Officer for Safeguard Properties. Joe is responsible for the Control, Quality Assurance, Business Development, Marketing, Accounting, and Information Security departments. At the core of his responsibilities is the drive to ensure that Safeguard’s focus remains rooted in Customer Service = Resolution. Through his executive leadership role, he actively supports SGPNOW.com, an on-demand service geared towards real estate and property management professionals as well as individual home owners in need of inspection and property preservation services. Joe is also an integral force behind Compliance Connections, a branch of Safeguard Properties that allows code enforcement professionals to report violations at properties that can then be addressed by the Safeguard vendor network. Compliance Connections also researches and shares vacant property ordinance information with Safeguard clients.

Joe has an MBA from The Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and holds a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University’s Honors Accounting program.

Business Development

Carrie Tackett

Business Development Safeguard Properties