Editor:
When I picked up the title of your editorial “Council needs to ensure cure for substandard housing isn’t worse than problem” (Nov. 30), I immediately remembered my years on the City Council of a small town in Texas. No police department – we were dependent on the County Sheriff’s deputies for any policing. A low-income county on the border of a much wealthier county, we were an older established small town plagued with non-law-abiding citizens, drug traffic and substandard housing.
Over the 14 years I served, we supported the County Sheriff’s deputies with a satellite office, we watched the citizens become more involved in reporting and standing up against the drug traffic and those who were trying to run from the law. We built a police department.
It was a battle we watched win. Through grants it became possible to repairs houses. In that prosperity, the little town grew, development brought in more business, more valued homes, more tax base.
However, those with more money wanted control of city business. They campaigned for “change” and they got it. In their “plan to change,” they closed down the police department, refused to cooperate with the County Sheriff’s Department, refused to work with local business owners. ‘
They turned the little town back into a haven for lawlessness and the inevitable drug traffic. And the housing issues fell by the wayside.
I moved on. If nothing else I learned, I know that “change” is not the key. As you so very well put it. “legislating morality works poorly, if at all, and the cost-feeding the beast of government is often greater than the benefit.”
Having been a renter over the years as well as a homeowner, I am well aware of the lack of respect persons have for themselves in a housing environment. They take no ownership for the building or the owner.
However, there are owners who just give up on keeping a dwelling in good condition due to that neglect. There are also owners who neglect the faithful renter who tries, pays and does not get the respect they deserve either. Then there are the combinations that remain diligent on both sides, who watch what is being done to give them both a future.
As you so well pointed out, the options to help the future of this town is up to decisions made of where to go from here.
There is an alternative to warrantless, unconstitutional searches, and unfruitful demands of only one side.
It would be very wise for all homeowners, landlords and the City Council to take this issue into wise counsel from as many aspects as available for a solid future outlook.
Bonnie J. Neal
Sweet Home