Home > Talk of East Texas > Archives > 2009 > July > 02 > Entry
Recycler says councilman targeting him
On Sundays, Jay Youngblood and his family leave church, pick up fast food and open the gates of his scrap recycling business.
As early as July 12, Youngblood might have to lock the gate behind him for the first Sunday in more than two years.
The Longview City Council is set to consider a proposed ordinance next week to limit weekend hours for metal recycling businesses. City administrators say the move could reduce copper thefts.
City Attorney Jim Finley said his office for years has fielded a number of complaints urging fewer business hours for metal recycling companies. Finley said the complaints have come from several sources, though he mentioned only two names — former Mayor Murray Moore and Councilman Sidney Allen, one of Youngblood’s chief business competitors.
Of Longview’s three metal recyclers, only Youngblood’s Scrap and Metals is open past noon on Saturdays and for a few hours Sunday. The extra hours of weekend operation rarely turn a profit as the family cleans and organizes the yard while a few customers trickle in, Youngblood said. He’s confident the city — and Allen — are trying to run him out of business.
“We feel like these complaints are not coming from individuals who are having a theft problem, but maybe with the big scrap companies that are losing business to the little guy down the street by having hours suitable to the average person,” Youngblood said.
Allen countered, “I don’t agree with that at all.”
Longview police could not immediately provide metal theft statistics so far in 2009 or for 2008.
What do you think about the proposed ordinance?
Comments
By grasr
July 10, 2009 6:54 AM | Link to this
Look’s like the city councilman want’s to close the little gut out. This councilman should not be relected next time.
By Ted
July 9, 2009 5:28 PM | Link to this
Poor Tommy, Boy wouldn’t we be luck to have you on council again. Nothing like a halfwit truck salesman to spread his pity around after you gave up last time. I am amazed at your arrogance to even think this city wants you to be part of it’s government again.
By Tommy Finklea
July 8, 2009 2:15 PM | Link to this
Dear Fellow Scrappers,
Now that we have been informed that the “scrap ordinance” has been pulled from the agenda, let’s step back and see where we have been the last couple of days.
First and foremost I can honestly say I believe 97% of the people in this great city of Longview can agree that Sydney Allen tried use his position as a City Councilman in a terrible and malicious way and he should be reprimanded by this sitting Mayor and the ENTIRE City Council for his actions.(Earl, Gaylon, and Sydney himself are the other 3%)
Second, Mayor Jay Dean deserves credit for somehow talking some sense to this man who honestly thought and believed he was going to get away with this scheme he thought up while sitting at the scrap yard with nothing else to do.( He doesn’t return phone calls to his constituents, and if he does answer the phone he will just direct you to a staff member for the usual run-around.)
Third, Former Mayor Murray Moore has proved yet again he is the voice and reason behind citizen concerns and is capable and willing to stand up for what is right. I appalaud ALL who stood up and voiced their opinion and brought this matter to a suitable conclusion.
And to all the people who have wrote emails and called me in the last couple of days, I will consider another run at office, maybe you can convince Murray to do the same!!
Thank You,
Tommy Finklea Former District 6 Councilman
By C Reel
July 8, 2009 11:36 AM | Link to this
Lets address some comments here:
Mr. Youngblood: Congratulations for standing up for your small business. You have alot of support behind you and have brought yourself and your company into the light of the citizens. I’m hope your business will increase and prosper.
Mr Sidney Allen: Thank you for writing in a letter to the editor today. Your arrogance, greed, and desire to push out competition shines through. Blame yourself for future business loss and break ins. You complain about your business being a victim of theft then tell everyone your security weaknesses….. Not smart! Why don’t you go ahead and ask the council to pay for a security upgrade? You should be ashamed of your actions!
Mr. Finley: You have been sucked into a no win issue. Get back on track and deal with the real issues that plague city government. You have done a great job in the past and can continue doing so.
Mr. Finklea: Stick it to them! You have nothing to lose. I know you have ben dying to slam Mr. Allen and you did it great. Keep the good work and I hope you get back in office.
Mr Moore: Your comments once again prove you are a man of the issues. You have provided Longview with great leadership. Your stewardship and knowledge is truly missed. Jay Dean has done a superb job, but your straitforwardness and ability to squash political non-sense was fabulous.
Citizens of Longview: Do NOT allow this kind action by a city council member. Stand up for your fellow citizen and small business owner. With the voice and actions of the community, Mr. Allen will hopefully learn his lesson where it counts….. in the pocket book. Youngbloods or Jennings should be the choice for scrap. Sidney Allen has shown he only cares about himself; not his customers or the citizens for which he was elected to serve.
By Randy Hufstetler
July 7, 2009 8:20 PM | Link to this
Tommy, Thanks for speaking up! Wish you would run again and get involved, I for one am sick and tired of the clowncils antics and irresponsible spending habits.
Wake up citizens of Longview, this is a power play to increase government control over small business. Competition is good for all business when we can keep the government (city) out of our way.
By Tommy
July 7, 2009 6:31 PM | Link to this
Taxpayers and Citizens of Longview, Sydney has been contacted and is refusing to take this item off the agenda for Thursday nights meeting( Which he has the right to do, and should do). Please call your councilman at 903-758-6367 and voice your displeaseure with his actions in this matter!!
By Tommy Finklea
July 7, 2009 11:15 AM | Link to this
I knew it was only a matter of time until Sidney Allen tried to use his elected position for his own benefit. Ironically in the same way he did once before in the 1980’s, when he and his “friend” Bill Owens got caught paying County Commissioners under the table to buy John Deere Equipment. (Sidney Allen used to own a John Deere Dealership in Longview and Bill Owens worked for him) until it was taken away by the manufacturer, and OH BY THE WAY, his friend Bill Owens went to Jail over the whole sorry deal after Sidney turned State’s evidence to save his own butt!! But not Sydney, he turned around and went into the Scrap Business. I know for a FACT that Sydney has made a ton of money and trying to regulate this is nothing but a power move he thought he could get away with. He has proven once and for all what he tried so desperately to hide from all of Longview!! Earl, Gaylon, Sidney, THE THREE AMIGOS!!!! Except Gaylon doesn’t have any money, he relies on the other two for his support!!
I only wish this was a legimate attempt by Sydney to affect change in a good way because Copper theft is a huge problem in East Texas, but my heart knows different, and after this attempt by Sydney to use his position of power once again for his own benefit is terrible!!
I know that Mayor Jay Dean and the rest of the City Council will not stand idly by and let this attempt at utter corruption stand!!
Tommy Finklea Former Councilman District 6
By K Luman
July 3, 2009 3:12 PM | Link to this
There are a lot of things that can be done besides infringe on someone’s rights.
Why punish law-abiding citizens because of someone else’s criminal behavior or because someone else doesn’t care to spend the extra money to protect his goods?
Find creative ways to enforce the laws that are already on the books.
NO MORE LAWS…No more rights taken away by government that is supposed to be serving us, the PEOPLE, not impeding us from life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
By Howard Ramsay
July 3, 2009 1:31 PM | Link to this
Kane Security could solve Mr. Allen’s burglary problems at the scrap yard. Motion sensing alarm technology is easily installed in conjunction with egress systems, and impossible to defeat.
Kane Security was recommended to me by Mr. Allen when I moved to Longview and needed a top notch security system for my home and garage(I detail Harleys).
Sidney, I would like to return the favor. Call Richard Kane at 759-5263. Respectfully, Howard Ramsay, Longview TX
By Frank
July 3, 2009 12:52 PM | Link to this
Where is the logic in limiting metal recycler’s hours to prevent theft? If this works, we can reduce sales to minors by banning sales of alcohol and tobacco after 3:30 when schools out. If bars and clubs had to quit selling at 6:00, we could get a lot of drunks off the road.
What is really not logical, is why a person who is concerned about burglary of his business, posts in the newspaper when he leaves, when his security gaurd comes on duty, and where his security cameras are or are not. Then give them a picture of the best way inside. Very clear and logical thinking indeed.
By Murray Moore
July 3, 2009 12:16 AM | Link to this
One year ago Mr. Allen was adamantly against any type of metals ordinance. I know this for fact. Suddenly he gets a few things stolen and his whole perception changes. The city of Longview has been tossing around a Metals Ordinance since 2007. Councilman Allen was against any type of metals ordinance at that time.
The city needs to leave this item alone. It’s time for the Gregg County Commissioners Court to show the body parts necessary to create protections for business owners, builders, investors, and home owners from thieves.
It’s pretty simple. 1. Require a three day holding period on all copper, aluminum, stainless, and catalytic converters.
If a major theft happens this will give Law Enforcement time to investigate and possibly locate the stolen merchandise. If an item is suspicous and there is information that it may have been stolen. It can be tagged by Law Enforcement and the recycler must hold for 7 more days, until an investigation is complete.
Record on video all transactions, and require a copy of a State Issued valid Photo ID on all transactions of copper, aluminum, precious metals, and catalytic converters. This will require, ID, description of vehicle, tag number, and a photo or video of the merchandise bought.
Law Enforcement should have unfettered access to this data without delay.
Reverse stings should be held regularly on the scrap dealers. I can cite a couple of specific examples with names where state law was not followed at two of the Largest Recyclers here in Longview and it was not Youngbloods.
There are many ways to handle this issue that are relatively simple and do not require changing the hours and the days recyclers are open.
The way the state laws are regarding copper theft, Law Enforcement hands are pretty much limited.
To the City Council, this next Thursday expect Builders, Homeowners, Investors, and Scrap Dealers. This will be a very heated debate.
I urge and hope the city council does not pass this ordinance and puts it in the hands of the County Commissioners.
This past year and a half I have spoke to Commissioners, elected officials, on the city, state, and county level and have a list of people that have lost thousands of dollars to these type of thefts. Expect some to be at the Council Meeting on Thursday.
Please don’t pass this ordinance, it is short sited and will not give the teeth that law enforcement needs to solve these type of thefts.
It must be county wide, and then sold to the surrounding counties.
The argument that they will drive out of town and sell is hogwash. The majority of these thefts are by Crack, Ice, and Meth drug addicts. They want the money fast. And if they do drive a longer distance, their is a greater chance of them getting pulled over by law enforcement.
By Dave
July 2, 2009 9:05 PM | Link to this
Truth is most copper thefts occur over the weekend. If thieves cannot sell thier stolen copper until Monday they will have to hold on to the stolen material until the scrap yard opens which will give the authorities more time to catch the criminals with the material in hand which will lead to more prosecutions and convictions and eventually less stealing. People need to open thier eyes and see the big picture. Thier is a reason other cities like Houston have this ordinance . Mr. Allen is a standup citizen and devoted councilman.
By Randy Hufstetler
July 2, 2009 8:25 PM | Link to this
Once again our illustrious city leaders are using the council for their own personal gain/agenda.
If closing Youngblood down on the weekend, when it is more convenient and offering customer service when it is needed, will stop copper thefts perhaps we should tell Academy & Walmart they can’t sell guns or ammunition on Sunday to prevent gun crimes or Best Buy & CPU they can’t sell computer equipment after 5 pm daily because it will prevent online identity theft.
You can see how silly this whole thing is. Sid Allen needs to either adjust his business hours to compete with Youngblood or keep quiet about it.
We all need to look at EVERY member of the council and start voting them out ASAP. We need term limits for the whole bunch at City Hall!
By Insider
July 2, 2009 4:38 PM | Link to this
We should have an exciting city council meeting next week. A slew of scrap dealers crying and whining, even though this scrap dealer ordiance will not pass. They seem to be all wound up about nothing. The council will not support this.
Then after that more ordinances on landscaping. Telling us how and when to plant, water, mow, cover up things, etc. This one will pass because a “committee” of the community designed it. LOL
By Term Limit City Council
July 2, 2009 2:37 PM | Link to this
By K Luman
July 2, 2009 2:30 PM | Link to this
Citizens do not need any more government ordinances, rules, regulations, etc. For the regular person, governmental intrusion into our private business already makes life difficult.
Notice to public servants: Enough already!
~~District 6 Resident
By AndyDean
July 2, 2009 1:15 PM | Link to this
“Allen, who owns Longview Scrap and Metal, says there’s no customer service in being open a little longer.”
Excuse me Sidney, but it isn’t for you to say what is good customer service for a competitor’s business. That is between that business and his customers, not you. At that, because he is your competitor, I would venture to bet that if you tell your competitor something isn’t good service, it probably means the exact opposite.
Another comment hit the nail on the head, this is CORRUPTION within our city council. A business owner on the council has zero business regulating his competition. In many places, this is called a conflict of interest and is illegal.
I hope that Mr. Youngblood takes this into consideration and makes a legal issue out of this. If a member of the council was willing to take this CORRUPT action, what other things are going on we don’t know about?
By jake sisk
July 2, 2009 12:40 PM | Link to this
JENNINGS SCRAP & SALVAGE IS THE MAN TO GO TO!
By PC
July 2, 2009 12:33 PM | Link to this
Government is getting more and more into peoples lives. I think one of the reasons that the republican party is floundering is because religion in the name of conservatism has kidnapped the party.
I think that the hours a business runs (as long as it is a legal business) should not be governed by the state, city, county or federal government. My wife and I have lived all over the US and were amazed by the amount of businesses that are closed on Saturday or Sunday. In our younger and less affluent days we had to wait till we had time off from work so that left us Saturday and Sundays to get auto parts from a wrecking yard to keep our autos going on our limited budget.
I believe that Mr. Young blood is being targeted for one of two reasons.
1I noticed that may be stating to be politically correct that he opens his business after church on Sundays. Either he is concerned about the wrath from Christians he may encounter by opening his business on Sundays.
2It is motivated by monetary gains by Youngblood and loses experienced by Councilman Allen.
Lets get back to the America that we used to have where people had the freedoms that this country was built upon. If not lets start by closing Wal-mart, Brookshires etc.on Sundays including not Printing the Sunday newspapers.
By Charlie Freeman
July 2, 2009 11:37 AM | Link to this
Mr. Allen should not bully citizens by using his position. I am glad Mr. Youngblood and his family put his church first, and goes to worship, then his business. This is GR8 in itself. I think his business is HIS business. If Mr. Allen doesn’t like it, he can open his business on Sundays also. We really need to re-think about our city leaders the next time we vote!!! Times are hard and we all have to work extra to make ends meet. PLEASE, MR. ALLEN…. GET REAL AND MAKE THE RIGHT DECISION FOR ALL WORKERS, NOT JUST YOURSELF.
By Lorrie
July 2, 2009 11:31 AM | Link to this
It amazes me that reverse stings are not done by the city, county, and police agencies here in Longview. This would see if they are even following the state law. I am familiar with the scrap business and I would say not all, but most are guilty of not even following the weak state laws.
Having lived in Michigan and Houston it was in paper all the time. Have never seen it in the News-Journal.
In Houston they do it all the time. My best friends husband got arrested at his scrap business.
By Brandon
July 2, 2009 11:26 AM | Link to this
This is insane, what kind of direction is Allen wanting to go? I can’t believe that a private business owner in America, and a hard worker, trying to do the best for his family, has someone else telling him how to run HIS business. He follows the laws and gives good honest customer service. Allen and some others pushing for this ordinance, are oppressing our long standing rights as Americans. Giving in to the big change of big government, seems to me to be the way that Allen and these people are wanting to move. Just another thing to weaken our rights and freedoms as Americans, truly a shame. I am only 26 years of age, but troubled by the rapid loss of our once so proudly earned liberties.
By David H.
July 2, 2009 11:21 AM | Link to this
I would not regulate hours, but would regulate the way the transactions occur.
My Air Conditioning got stolen and it cost me $3,800. The AC man told me that someone got probably about $50 worth of copper and aluminimum.
I support an ordinance on recording the transactions, making the dealers hold copper and AC’s so many days. This would give the police an opportunity to investigate and possibly tag an item.
Regulating hours is a waste of time, and anyone saying that the State Law regarding recyclers is tough is taking a vacation from the truth.
This needs to be done at the county or state level as someone else posted.
I am sick of crackhead stealing my stuff snd the recyclers getting rich off of our misery.
By WES
July 2, 2009 11:12 AM | Link to this
So Mr Allen, staying open late and working hours other than what you are considering normal business hours is a great help for working people that work M-F 8-5. Extra hours will help generate more business for a business owner as well as add an extra touch of CUSTOMER SERVICE! Mr Youngblood should be able to work the hours he wants to work as well as you work the hours you want to work along with every other business owner in the City. Mentioning Walmart as someone else did above, just because Walmart is 24 hours a day and people go in there at 3am and shoplift are you going to try and make Walmart close down at 9pm to redice shoplifting?
By Juan Elizondo
July 2, 2009 10:23 AM | Link to this
Henry,
Your question is irrelevant to this conversation and inappropriate for this forum. It will continue to be pulled down as frequently as you post it. My suggestion is you address the subject or stop posting.
Juan Elizondo Managing Editor Longview News-Journal
By Lisa
July 2, 2009 10:09 AM | Link to this
I would like to comment that scrap yards are required by state law to get id on all weights from 1/2 a pound and up on copper,aluminum,brass,bronze, and regulated metals anyone can go on the texas dept of public safety and review the requirements, scrap yards are also required to report any purchases of the metals required by state law within seven days to the texas dept of public safety. there are thieves out there whether they steal from an indivisual or a business but having said that there are plenty of honest people in or town that are scrapping for whatever reasons it could be for extra income to live on or for extra money for kids activities or school supplies and the list could go on, there is always going to be a negative and positive i do suggest however that if mr murray is going to comment about law requirements then he should educate himself on what they are
By J
July 2, 2009 9:22 AM | Link to this
This is ridiculous!! A business owner should be allowed to be open when they want to be open. It is a huge customer service for businesses to be open on the weekend. I have had to wait to deliver scrap at Jennings because I couldn’t get it there early on a Saturday.
By BCS
July 2, 2009 9:19 AM | Link to this
This makes absolutely no sense. I guess I’m just not understanding how closing Mr. Youngblood down for an extra day and a half is going to help control theft. As an earlier poster said, theft occurs when a business is closed, not open. Mr. Allen should consider a little extra security at his business to control theft instead of putting the blame on someone else. Maybe it’s time to start installing those video cameras. And isn’t it just coincidental that Mr. Allen happens to be a scrap yard owner with a position on the City Council? As a business owner, it seems to me that Mr. Youngblood should have the freedom to choose his hours of operation.
By jyf
July 2, 2009 9:12 AM | Link to this
Remember the little fellow, who works every day mon-fri,then pickes up aluminum can for recycling on the weekend,to feed his kids. This should be no different from being able to go to the 7-11, on the weekend for the family’s convenience. thank you
By DoGood
July 2, 2009 9:04 AM | Link to this
Oh, how transparent is this, Mr. Allen? You think they’re stealing from you, then running to your competitor and selling it there? Why don’t you just come out and say that you think Mr. Youngblood is a thief?
Have you pressed charges? I didn’t think so.
I have an idea for Mr. Moore and Mr. Allen. Why don’t we get the government involved and regulate the buying and selling of copper, whether as a raw material or finished?
This pansy effort of yours to restrict competitors is just too weak. A little government regulation will fix anything, huh boys?
By mntx
July 2, 2009 8:57 AM | Link to this
I am glad to read that Murry, the News-Journal’s reporting sure does paint you in the light of being with Allen on this. Of course, our local rag doesn’t exactly have the best reputation for accurate reporting. I think we all can agree about the ID issue, same requirements that pawn shops have.
Someone does need to step up and call Allen out on this corrupt action and his conflict of interest in this matter.
By Murray Moore
July 2, 2009 8:48 AM | Link to this
Trust me. I have not aligned myself with Mr. Allen.
I support scrap dealers obtain a copy of a valid drivers license on ALL copper & aluminum transacations. Not just the 50 pounds of copper as required by state law.
A photo of the vehicle and person transporting the material, a photo of the materials being sold.
Law Enforcement should have unrestricted access to this information.
Most scrap dealers follow the state law, which is very weak because of the strong recyclers lobby in Austin.
The city passing an ordinance is just smoke and mirrors. Is it election time?
At a minimum the county should act or perhaps all the members of our region of the East Texas Council of Governments.
The state needs to pass a law that is very similar to the ordinance that the city of Shreveport goes by.
I have no sympathy for the whining of any scrap dealer profiting off other peoples misery.
In a debate I am sure Mr. Allen and I would have very little in common when it comes to dealers buying copper and aluminum.
By C BREEZE
July 2, 2009 8:39 AM | Link to this
So, let’s limit the hours that Wal-Mart is open. I suppose they are immune from this… I say leave it alone. If Mr. Youngblood wishes to be open on Sunday, it’s his business. If Mr. Allen wants to stay closed on Sunday’s, it’s his business. Personally, after reading this article, I will do business with Mr. Youngblood instead of Mr. Allen. And my reasoning is this: It doesn’t seem that Mr. Allen has any common sense. Thefts occur mainly while a business is closed, NOT while it is open. If Mr. Allen doesn’t have the common sense to know this, then I will deal with someone who is a bit brighter.
By mntx
July 2, 2009 8:28 AM | Link to this
This is completely asinine. The city should remain out of the issue completely, especially as Mr. Allen owns a competing business and being on the city council, wields undue influence on this issue. There is only one word for actions like this- corruption. This, in no way, will reduce copper theft, it only changes the hours someone people can/may cash it in.
I am most of all, shocked at Mr. Moore for joining Allen in this. Mr. Moore, as a business owner, should see the risk of opening the door for Big Brother to step in and over regulate businesses, even something as simple as hours of operation.
This is nothing but Mr. Allen yielding undue influence to go after his competition. Corruption at its finest. I hope mayor Dean reigns in this corrupt action and if Mr. Allen doesn’t recuse himself from the issue, he is removed from the city council.
By Daniel W.
July 2, 2009 8:15 AM | Link to this
ALL the scrap dealers need reined in. They steal $40.00 worth of copper, AKA, my air conditioner. It cost me $4,000.00 to replace fix it.
I did the math, someone can steal 3 air conditioner units and never have to give there drivers license. Something should of been done with this a long time ago.
All these scrap dealers are profiting off of other people’s misery.
By Brian
July 2, 2009 8:00 AM | Link to this
Listen to this bull… this is not going to curb copper theft one bit. This only sounds like Mr. Allen is lazy and does not want to open up longer on the weekend. With our economy right now you would think that SOMEONE would want to work. Answer this, How is an ordinance going to stop thieves? This is stupid…. lets be ignorant and close our doors longer so that the thieves have more of a chance to rob us.
By Jamie
July 2, 2009 7:36 AM | Link to this
Sounds to me as if Mr. Allen is trying to push Mr. Youngblood around. This has to stop immediately. This certainly isn’t the first time an official of the city of Longview has used their position to bully others. This actually happens quite often. Mr. Allen needs to learn he can’t always have it his way. The mayor of Longview should have already put a stop to this bullying. Further, the proposed ordinance isn’t going to help or hinder copper thefts. It is absurd.
By Murray Moore
July 2, 2009 7:26 AM | Link to this
Gregg County has the authority to pass an ordinance and should. The legislature gave them this authority several years ago.
If they can control naked women running around on tables, they should be able to control the sales of copper and other metals.
The drawback to the city passing this ordinance is the scrap dealers located right outside the city.
The legislature actually should have dealt with this, but until Rick Perry gets his AC stolen from his house during the summer, nothing is going to happen.