Being in the midst of the filing period for Town Council, it might be a good time to respond to recent complaints.
Between now and February 6, residents, (and especially those with all the answers), should be lining up to file for a council position, including mayor. Time is running out. Your Town Council needs your help. Significant change could be a good thing.
That is not all.
Consistency is lacking in our community.
Citizens have complained about abandoned and dilapidated buildings for years. But when those structures finally start coming down, Town Council is accused of taking short-cuts and avoiding certain protocols. Anyone interested in improving conditions within the town should be more concerned with the end result, than with the process of getting there.
When a property owner spends thousands of dollars taking down an abandoned structure that has plagued our community for decades, we should work with that person. It is hard to believe a local resident would call DEP, complaining about potential non-compliance.
Also, while going about revitalization, the Town is sensitive to the fact that we already have a housing shortage. It will not be our policy to willy-nilly board up apartments.
I am not sure how a person who does not live within sight of a building knows about traffic going in and out at all hours of the day and night. But, any citizen who sees drug traffic coming and going – at any location – needs to call 911 and report that activity.
Your description of deplorable people in our neighborhoods sounds very broad and judgmental. However, convicted drug pushers and thieves should already be known by law enforcement. We can agree the livelihoods and property values of residents are at risk, while these conditions exist.
When a vagrant recently tried to break into a locked apartment, some said to tear the building down.
I would rather see the building revitalized and occupied by productive individuals who have real jobs.
We all want to address the drug problem and homeless issue.
You say, “The Town’s lackluster leadership needs to DO SOMETHING.”
You have no idea what we are doing. Take a ride around town.
The town is dealing with more than one trashy place and will continue to do so – to the best of our ability.
None of this is as easy as it may seem.
