clevebtch's Blog

What is with people today?  Is there THAT much laziness in this world when you're supposed to live in a decent community and expect things to be kept up, only to see the same people over and over neglect their properties?  It's the same ones, year after year, who don't cut their grass, their houses have peeling paint, garages falling down, and just trash everywhere!  It's plain disgusting and unfair to those of us who work hard with our own property upkeep.

You can be nice and discuss this with these slobs, but they just give you a look like YOU'RE crazy and offer a very nice "F - U" look.  Sure, you can also call the City and complain, but nothing ever gets done.  Instead, you have these trouble makers (many of whom are younger) who feel THEY'VE been violated and begin creating all sorts of [...] in the neighborhood.  These people who CLAIM they have no time to clean up their yards are the same people who, night after night, hang out and drink and party until all hours.

Each year, our taxes go up, but the service of the City goes down.  They claim they have walk-by inspections to issue citations to violators of their alleged code, but yet, the same people who supposedly get these citations, continue to allow their properties to become very run down and unkept.  Driving down my street, you'll see 3 or 4 really decent yards - nothing fancy or showy, but just basic upkeep and neat looking properties.  Then, after those 3 or 4, there's one or two bad ones where you know the people can't even take the time to cut their grass.  There's one yard where the weeds have grown almost to 4 feet tall!  But, from what I've been told by a city official, the inspectors go around, write their citations on these properties and charge a fine of $100.  Apparently, it's much easier for these slobs to pay the $100 because it seems once they do, they're untouchable for the rest of the year.

Come on, people!  There really is no excuse for not cutting your grass and keeping your lawn looking neat.  One doesn't need all sorts of fancy flowers and landscaping to have a nice looking yard.  And, what's up with the City?  Why are they allowing these people to keep getting away with this?  As a homeowner, I think people would want to be proud of their properties and keep it looking nice.  Owning a home is a big investment and I, for one, definitely want to keep my investment decent.

If they rent, my next question is, what the hell is wrong with these landords?  I mean, really - there is no excuse whatsoever.  It's called responsibility.  My next door neighbor is a young guy (mid-20's) who sponges off of grandma and doesn't even hold down a job.  He doesn't do a thing to help out that woman!  He parties very hard every single night and sleeps the entire day away.  Their yard looks like the city dump and the garage is ready to cave it because it's so neglected.  If it were just the old woman living there, I would not have a problem with helping her out by cutting her grass for her at least.  But, why should I?  I work long hours all week long, have a family to take care of, as well as my OWN property to tend and she has this young guy living there who won't do a thing?  No way!  I've tried to talk to her about it, but she just blows it out her @$$ and makes 50 million excuses for her grandson - excuses which are getting rather old and tiresome.

Then, we have a young family a bit further down the street - the couple is at best in their late 20's or early 30's.  Three kids, which the parents allow to run the streets like unruly and disrespectful kids - so much so, that these kids were busted throwing rocks at a house.  The parents, however, were offended when it was brought to their attention about their innocent little angels doing that.  The kids were caught red-handed and seen by many.  Give me a break.

Their yard is trashed - they never cut their grass and it's so weed infested.  They have weeds as high as their fence in their back yard and [...] just thrown everywhere.  Again, this couple claims they just don't have time, but from what we all see, they certainly have time to sit with their buddies, drinking all night long or hibernating in the house doing God knows what all day long while the majority of the people on the street are out working to keep their properties tidy.

Sadly, one of the houses for sale on our street has yet to be sold due to the surrounding "eyesores" which has been noted by a few potential buyers.  And, I certainly do not want to sell my home and move, not just because the market is so rough right now, but because I don't have much longer before my home is paid off and I shouldn't HAVE to move because of these pigs.  Many of us here have attended council meetings, made formal complaints, and written letters and the like regarding this situation, but nothing has yet to be done or enforced.  Soon, what was once a nice neighborhood will end up looking like the inner city ones, run down and a complete sloppy mess.

Frankly, I think more cities should crack down on these situations and maybe we wouldn't see so many run down properties everywhere.  If their grass isn't cut after a period of time, the city should cut it and charge them heavily for the service.  If their sidewalks aren't shoveled or plowed, the city should do so and charge the residents a hefty fee.  If the fees rack up and are not getting paid, then the city should be permitted to file a lien on the property.