Couple told to remove ramp
Tyrone says structure required permit, not built to codeBy Greg Bock, gbock@altoonamirror.com
Article Photos
TYRONE - An act of kindness in Tyrone has run afoul of borough officials who say a wheelchair ramp must go.
George and Kathy Kaup crashed their motorcycle while riding in the Central Pennsylvania Humane Society's Bikers for Barkers ride July 6, crushing and breaking Kathy Kaup 's legs and leaving her in a wheelchair.
With supplies donated by the society and local business G&R Excavating, friends built the Kaups a ramp into their Lincoln Avenue home.
George Kaup said Tyrone Borough Code Enforcement told him Friday that he would have to take down the ramp because a permit was required for the project, and it wasn't designed to proper specifications.
''He said I had to have an engineer drawing of the steepness, and I said, 'You're crazy,''' George Kaup said.
He said he isn't taking the ramp down.
''They want your money,'' he said, referring to the borough's requirement of a building code and adherence to the state's Uniform Construction Code.
''I really can't comment on that right now - not until the the issue is resolved,'' said Jim Metzgar, code enforcement officer.
Metzgar said he planned to meet with George Kaup and take measurements of the ramp, which he indicated would need to be inspected. Because the family will only use the ramp for six to eight months, George Kaup can't understand why such measures are necessary.
''There's nothing wrong with that ramp,'' said Rich Weyer, who helped install the ramp that navigates the steps that lead to the Kaups' porch.
''He needed help because he and his wife were all banged up,'' Weyer said. ''It ain't a permanent ramp.''
Kathy Kaup goes into surgery next week and again in a few weeks to repair damage done by the wreck that nearly severed her left leg and her husband said the ramp was built last weekend so she could get from the house to a doctor's appointment earlier in the week.
''They showed up Sunday and said, 'We're here to build you a ramp,''' George Kaup said of Terry Hite and Weyer.
Kathy Kaup, wheelchair bound with pins keeping her legs immobile, said doctors told her she was ''healing at a slow pace.''
George Kaup suffered injuries to his right shoulder and still doesn't have full use of his right arm.
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notsureofanything
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07-26-08 10:52 AM
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You've been in my thoughts! I am interested to know how the surgery went on Thursday? I hope all went well.
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ImaBlogger
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07-24-08 4:20 AM
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Typo: would not consider*
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ImaBlogger
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07-24-08 4:19 AM
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There is always a few that spoil the bunch. Good for you Mr. Kaup, for defending yourself and your wife. Nobody in their right mind and in time of need would turn down an act of kindness, for many reasons other than the fact that most people probably would not considering, in a time of crisis, is this ramp up to code??.. Im sure as long as you dont pull any wheelies helping you wife up the ramp, it will be fine as a temp. Hope the code office realizes this and can let your familly alone. I do have a question for juniatachick though. My sister in law is hartless as well, can you help her get a job at the code office?..
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notsureofanything
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07-22-08 3:27 PM
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Juniatachick, if you "were going to help them", you should have offered to do so in one of your earlier posts instead of coming out swinging. You said, "As someone that deals with the building code everyday of my life, I can tell by the picture that your ramp doesn't meet code". Not all of us have the "code" knowledge! Just because you know where your leg is doesn't mean that Mrs. Kaup wouldn't think you were qualified to perform surgery on her!! Irregardless, there are ways to express things to people than to come out swinging like that. Take into consideration that this entire family is suffering from this tragedy; they don't need further stress! Stress, not only coming from your posts, but from the whole situation! TO THE FAMILY: I'm glad you are able to see there are some wonderful people on your side; you've already seen some of them coming to your aid in the form of volunteers building your ramp. Praying for you & blessings to you.
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backoff
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07-21-08 10:39 PM
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i find it very hard to believe that bluemoon and juniatachick would be able to post these negative comments about Mr. and Mrs. kaup when im right here living everyday since the accident and see how they are struggling everyday with these things and you people have the guts to says things that you dont even know the whole story, you only know half.
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backoff
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07-21-08 10:34 PM
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hey bluemoon, for your info Mr.Kaup was not pushing Mrs.Kaup up the ramp i put her there and held her until the exact moment of the pic then Mr.Kaup took her and they took the pic, then i took her back into the house, i am there sons girlfriend and have been here since the accident and of you look closley enough you would see that the brakes are on the wheelchair in the pic, and i know his arm is hurt and he isn't doing anything to strain himself at all.
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Marine94
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07-21-08 9:46 PM
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To virago750, may God watch over you and your family. We pray for a speedy recovery for both your wife and yourself. To the rest of the commentors Try to realize that not everything in life is in black and white. Ive spent 14 years in the Marine Corps and have learned the above statement the hard way. Life is not always cut and dry. If everyone spent as much energy helping one another as we all have on typing responses then Tyrone would be a much better place. Maybe better than it was when I grew up there, and hopefully better for my kids to grow up there.
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RazMnaz
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07-21-08 8:14 AM
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I can think of two words of contempt I'd be telling that Borough Council if I were in your shoes, Mr Kaup! Best of luck to you and your wife for a speedy recovery.
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virago750
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07-20-08 9:46 PM
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AMEN,thank you chuxspringer,help me with the comments you made about me juniatachick???I told you to call me and get the facts but you never did.Oh well enough is enough Thank you everyone for your prayers and support.I will keep you all posted on the outcome of the ramp and my wifes condition.BY THE WAY Juniatachick are you by any chance the code enforcers wife??? HAVE A NICE DAY
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Chuxspringer
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07-20-08 5:44 PM
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Yea juniatachick BUT, IT WORKS, Help him by sending $100, not your criticism. Maybe if some of our finest leo's would start enforcing the traffic laws there would have been no need for the ramp or the medical care.
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juniatachick
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07-20-08 4:08 PM
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What's with all the attitude towards me? I simply used the info provided in the article and in your comments. If it's incorrect, take it up with the Mirror. I didn't cause your condition or have anything to do with your ramp. As someone that deals with the building code everyday of my life, I can tell by the picture that your ramp doesn't meet code. It's too steep, not wide enough, and lacks adequate handrail. I was going to offer to help you, but, if you have as much attitude in real life as you do in your comments, I'm glad I didn't. Good luck to you.
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BlahBlahBlah
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07-20-08 3:40 PM
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No good deed goes unpunished.
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twinsmom
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07-20-08 2:43 PM
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I am married to George's brother. Right now, they need kindness and understanding. They need prayer and financial help. George is unable to lift his arm any higher than 90*. Kathy is in a wheelchair or bedridden. It saddends me to see my brother-in-law have to defend himself; to prove that they are truely injured. When the ramp was built, it was made out of the love of friends. George was not trying to scam the borough of Tyrone. He did not even think of a permit and was shocked to find out that he did. I would like to see less scepticism and more support from those who comment. George and Kathy would help any in need. Helping others was how this happened. The Lord will supply their needs. They do not have a lawyer, and have no plans to hire one. They are just trying to heal. Instead of being critical, pray!
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virago750
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07-20-08 1:41 PM
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OHHH and by the way,BLUEMOON lawyer????? I am not in this for money, I want my wife to get better!!!! MONEY,MONEY LAWYER,LAWYER,SUE ME, SUE ME, thats all this world is about nowadays.FYI the tractor trailer that ran us off the road just kept right on trucking,I have no lawyer,would not get a lawyer,and dont need a lawyer.GOD WILL TAKE CARE OF US
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virago750
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07-20-08 1:27 PM
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Hey bluemoon are you my doctor,I wear the sling 4 hours on and 4 off as ordered by my doctor so my shoulder dont lock up,it just so happens that wtaj showed up with the 4 hours on and the altoona mirror the 4 with it off and if you were here when they took the picture my nieghbor put my wife on the ramp and i am only holding the chair in place for a 5-10 second picture.At no time did I or am I able to even tempt to push that chair....Get your facts staight.....JUNIATACHICK get a life!!!I said she may never walk right again I admitted nothing about it being permanant or being in a wheelchair the rest of her life,and if in this 6-8 month period god forbid an accident would happen on the ramp well the good lord up above will take care of us.I have an engineer coming today ( volunteer) and boro council,manager,and mayor,are all working with me to resolve this.get your facts first...... call me
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BlueMoon
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07-20-08 12:09 PM
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I am sure that we all wish Ms. Kaup a speedy recovery. And special thanks to those provided the charitable act of donating time & materials to set up the ramp. However, charitable acts are subject to the law. This isn't about robbing from the rich & giving to the poor. This is about the safety of the public. It amazes me that Mr. Kaup has told WTAJ & others that he's unable to use his right arm, yet, there's the picture, clear as day - he's pushing her up the ramp. . . amazing. Make sure that your attorney doesn't see that, Mr. Kaup!
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metrohick
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07-20-08 11:42 AM
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Good ole Tyrone for you here.... I wish Mrs. Kaup a speedy recovery and hope that this ramp is only temporary. If (God forbid) this needs to be a permanent ramp, then they should get it built to code specifications for the safety of Mrs. Kaup and to comply with Tyrone code then.
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SCHart
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07-20-08 11:22 AM
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Is this the only news out there? Leave these people alone for GODs sake. they will be fine the ramp will be fine, and Tyrone will be just fine...MOVE ON everyone who libes ANYWHERE in this state knows code is well... you fill in the blanks LORD forbid they dont get thier $25.00 fee for your heartbreak. I swear it seems like the only part in PA gov that is out there working is code enforcement...
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Chuxspringer
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07-20-08 10:04 AM
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virago750; Are you sure she wasn't driving the truck that caused your crash. I pray you and your wife come out of this well. My wife called me that day thinking it was my group. Fortunately for us we were well gone by then. Keep the ramp, s c r e w the authorities and I'm sure the DJ will see it the same way. May God Bless both of you.
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juniatachick
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07-20-08 9:44 AM
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virago750 - By your logic, it's OK to do ****** today because all the cops have the day off. You are obviously having a run of bad luck, but, poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency to the rest of the world. How would you feel if your wife's wheel chair crashed off your ramp causing further damage to her body but your insurance company denied further benefits due to an illegally constructed ramp? By your own admission your ramp may be permanent. Get a permit.
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virago750
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07-20-08 12:41 AM
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First off JUNIATACHICK let me say this do you have use of both your legs and feet????This is my wife laying here with a left foot almost severed off and a crushed broken right ankle,you are as bad as the code enforcer,NO HEART,NO MERCY!!!! shame on you!!!!Get your comment right and call and talk to me before you post it my number is in the book!!!!My wife was in the trauma unit at Altoona hospital for 4 days and may never walk right again,we didnt have 2 weeks to construct a ramp she came home Wed.7/9 and had a doctors appointment Mon.7/14 the volunteers showed up Sun.7/13 to build the ramp what do i tell them get out of here,get lost it is sunday the boro office is closed???I THINK NOT!!!Get your facts staight before opening your big mouth and oh by the way she has surgery this thursday 7/24 will you come down and carry her wheelchair down the steps,,NOT THE RAMP at 6 am to get her to the hospital for surgery I THINK NOT!!!!!!!!
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redman
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07-20-08 12:03 AM
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welcome to the united socialist republic of the united states were free ya rite.
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Techguy
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07-19-08 7:52 PM
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Welcome to Tyrone and what we have to deal with every day. It is abundantly clear to those who follow the daily operations of the borough that these ordinances are not evenly and fairly enforced. There is a new sheriff in town by golly, and his weapon is the good 'ole code enforcement book. And, while we need rules and regulations to avoid unsafe, unsightly or dangerous situations, it is crystal clear that this is ego and financially motivated. I don't know if anybody else noticed that Tyrone's chief of police had an uninspected, unlicensed and I can only assume uninsured car parked on the sidewalk behind Lincoln school for a very long time. He only moved it last week when the demolition crew came to start tearing down this old school. Where was code enforcement officer Metzgar on that one? Hmmmmmmmm
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BlahBlahBlah
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07-19-08 6:17 PM
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Did juniatachick alert the inspector????Seems to know alot more than others about this family...lol
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itsmee
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07-19-08 5:41 PM
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I too was a contractor and tried never to break the law but couldn't the same ones who made the law make exceptions in extreme cases? This is going out of the way to make someone's life miserable.
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