Mayor Jim Watson is warning owners of neglected properties that he won’t let them defile communities, while directing his scorn chiefly at developer Claude Lauzon.

Watson on Thursday summoned reporters to a pair of derelict buildings on Beechwood Ave. owned by Lauzon.

He vowed to clamp down on property standard bylaws and have staff present more options to address run-down buildings, regardless of who owns them.

But Watson’s biting comments were reserved for Lauzon.

The last straw appears to have been more legal action threatened by Lauzon but this time directed toward councillors Peter Hume and Mathieu Fleury over comments they made regarding the state of 287 Cumberland St.

That’s the old, crumbling schoolhouse subject of a court battle between Lauzon and the city.

Lauzon wants the courts to green-light demolition, but the city has been trying to protect it because it has heritage designation.

Watson released a letter from Lauzon’s lawyer, Charles Gibson, threatening to sue Fleury for defamation based on comments he made in the media.

The mayor also handed out a letter he delivered to Lauzon that scoffs at the threat of legal action.

“No one wants a run-down building in their neighbourhood. No one wants a building on their street that is an eyesore detracting from their own property or value or business potential. That needs to be said and none of us are afraid to say it. Any attempt at intimidation will not succeed,” Watson told reporters.

Hume and Fleury, who flanked Watson on Beechwood Ave., are standing by their remarks.

Gibson said his client has the right to defend his reputation.

“Mr. Lauzon feels he has been defamed,” Gibson said, adding that Lauzon has compiled with past work orders from the city.

Lauzon went to court over 287 Cumberland St. because it’s a “safety issue” with multiple engineers agreeing the building needs to be demolished, Gibson said.

“This is not a political issue for Mr. Lauzon,” Gibson said.

Watson slammed Lauzon for putting up hoarding at the site and allowing revenue-making posters to be plastered on it, which he says isn’t allowed.

The city will now enforce all property standards bylaws “to the absolute maximum,” Watson said.

Owners must keep up regular repairs — like maintaining the roof, woodwork, windows, cladding and brickwork — and keep the property clean, he said.

“Show some pride in your city and show some respect to your friends and neighbours,” Watson said.

Mayor Jim Watson’s March 7, 2013 letter to developer Claude Lauzon calls out seven of Lauzon’s properties for being an “eyesore.”

269-275 King Edward Ave. 277-279 King Edward Ave. 287 Cumberland St. 143 Murray St. 86 Beechwood Ave. 84 Beechwood Ave. 207-209 Murray St.

jon.willing@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @JonathanWilling