367 GRAND Latest citation: Weeds

WSU ex-student: City harrassing my housekeeping

WINONA, Minn., Aug. 15, 2001 -- A Winona State University ex-student said the City of Winona is "out to get" him for his messy living habits. Alex Prochno, 22, said that city authorities have been bullying him around for house code violations since he moved to 367 Grand St., from Elk Grove Village, Ill., four years ago. Prochno said he has received 19 inspection violations for various "stupid" reasons as early in his Winona stay as he can remember. Violations at the house, which his father bought for him while attending college, include lawn litter, lack of fire safety equipment, broken roof shingles, and snow piles, he said. "The list goes on and on," said Prochno. "I don't even remember everything."

EXPANDED COVERAGE Reporter: Sanjeev Misra

Prochno's most recent citation, two months ago. cited abundant weeds around his house. "They're trying to fuck me as much as possible," he said. Prochno considers himself unfairly singled out: "There are a bunch of other houses in Winona that look a lot worse than ours. I know they're not getting fucked like this." Prochno's father, also named Alex, had his rental permit for 367 Grand St. revoked for six months by the City Council in March because of the numerous violations. Until the six-month revocation is complete, the father cannot collect rent. If the house comes up to city standards by October, the license to rent may be reinstated. Prochno has three friends living with him. Each friend stays rent-free in one of the two-story house's four bedrooms.

What about a report that his father plans to end the ongoing headache by selling the house? "Hell no, we're not planning on going anywhere," said Prochno. Later in an interview, however, he said he may consider relocating because he is "sick of the harassment."

Why does Prochno believe that city inspectors have made his housekeeping and tidiness an issue? "Way back when they first came and told me I had to do all this shit, I told them where they could shove it." Since his initial hostility, city representatives, haven't left him alone, he said: "I don't think they like me very much."

The real problem, he said, is a neighbor: "All my neighbors are cool except for this bitch that's got a problem." He refused to name the person.

Prochno said there is no reason that his father should not receive his renting license back in October. He and his Winona State student-friends have done everything possible to make amends with the city, he said. Prochno said that upgrades have been made to the white house, even though it's still missing a front door doorknob. He has restored missing tiles on the outside, bought a fire detector and extinguisher, and "cut the grass a few times." Prochno said he plans to add a fresh coat of white paint to the green-shingled house in the fall.

Each tenant does an equal share of cleaning chores, he said, even though the place is cluttered with food wrappers and beer cans. Prochno works full-time to support himself.

Last winter when the revocation issue was being considered at City Hall, City Council member George Borzyskowski was blunt: "No reason to keep your property like a garbage can." Borzyskowski was not available for comment on Prochno's claim of unfair harassment.

Jimmy, a 7-month-old Labrador-mix, is the newest Prochno addition at 367 Grand St. addition.