gazette_reader (anonymous) says...

While I appreciate that not everyone has bucket loads of money to keep up their properties, I believe that the property to which Ms. Felix was referring is a rental property. This means that someone is actually paying money to a landlord for the privilege of living there, which means that a landlord is making money on the fact that they could actually find someone willing to live there.

This property is not a case of someone who is barely scraping by on social security. It's a poorly maintained rental property. Someone is collecting an income on this house, and not reinvesting any of it into maintaining the property. What's more, the renters throw some pretty crazy parties there. While on my way to the grocery store one night around Halloween, I saw so many people packed into that house during a party that I couldn't believe it didn't cave in on itself.

And if you think that your average college professor, especially at ESU, is rolling in money, you're really out of touch.

November 27, 2007 at 1:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

MrCmonkeeDo (anonymous) says...

gazette-reader,

You make a very valid point...and stated it well.

However, Mr. Kennison never once stated that "your average college professor...is rolling in money." Tis rather manipulative of YOU to insert an assumptive like that into HIS point of view; don't YOU think?

MrC believes Mr. Kennison said what He meant and meant no more than HE said. His statement needs NO clarification.

Well put Richard Kennison.

November 27, 2007 at 4:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

emporialifer (anonymous) says...

I can understand an individual's frustration with a fixed income and the constantly rising costs of living. I can also understand people wanting to beautify (is that a word?) the community they are living in. The problem with this form of written communication is that too many generalizations are made, which gets people heated up. I don't have Antonia Felix's original article in front of me to reference, so I won't comment on that, but I do not think it was fair of Mr. Kennison to say "but there are those of us who simply do not have the income to keep up with the higher-income individuals of the community who seem to do nothing but complain." Gross generalization there about all higher-income individuals being complainers.

I think most people want the same thing - to live in a beautiful community that they are proud to call home. So what do we do about it? Well if the people with the disposable income to spend on keeping their house maintained would do so, and if the city follows through on their codes about properties (including rentals), then what do we do for people who cannot afford to it? Perhaps the school district could get involved. Back in the day, I had a class where a group of us went out and volunteered our time for some elderly people who simply couldn't do certain things like yard work, painting, etc. We probably mainly did it for the extra credit, but still - the end result was good. Just a thought.

November 27, 2007 at 5:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

MrCmonkeeDo (anonymous) says...

What is wrong with YOU people?

Mr. Kennison never once stated that, "all higher-income individuals" are complainers.

Again...MrC believes Mr. Kennison said what He meant and meant no more than HE said. His statement SHOULD need NO clarification.

Must be one-o-them "sore eye" problems so many of YOU High Falooters suffer from.

November 27, 2007 at 6:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

mythoughts (anonymous) says...

Monkey see, monkey do, you seem to have a chip on your shoulder. I'm sorry, and hope you find inner peace--soon.

I don't even ask for a "beautiful" community, but at least a neat and relatively clean one. You can't go two blocks in the downtown/college area without seeing at least one property that is an embarrassment to any civilized person. Look at the 1100 block of Merchant, the 1000 block of Commercial, the 800 - 1100 blocks of Union.(I didn't even mention Constitution or Congress) If it's a rental property, then it needs to be cleaned up and kept that way. If a landlord is making money off it, then they need to plow some of that money back in.

If it's a homeowner with limited resources--ask for help! Ask around to our local service groups. Maybe some scouts will haul off the junk, some Greeks might help paint the house...I know it sucks having to ask for help, but if you will give people the chance to do something nice, they just might take you up on it! Maybe an agency could keep a list of people who meet age or income requirements to be on a wish list, so the 85 year old who has no children or living relatives willing to take care of them and only Social Security coming in could get their yard mowed for free, their trees trimmed up, their sidewalk or porch steps fixed--whatever it needs to improve.

I know I'm a Pollyanna, but there has to be a modicum of self-respect, a desire to be the best you can, to fix things like rotting couches in the front yard, holes in the porch and "beer can Christmas trees." I think Felix's article was well written and important. I'd like ESU to have a little talk with their student's about the image they present in the community when they treat rental properties this way IN ADDITION TO the code-people having a little chat with property owners about things they can do to clean things up. just "my thoughts," thanks for reading.

November 27, 2007 at 6:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

emporian (anonymous) says...

Maybe its time for him to get a job. Walmart greeter isnt to strenuous and it will put some extra cash in his pocket. I want a house that looks nice so I work 3 jobs to have it. Instead of complaining about a fixed income why not go try to find a way to supplement it so your property does not look like total crap. If you cant take care of it move in the Horizon Plaza or the Holiday resort apartments. I am sorry, but if you are whining cause you are on a fixed income and have bills to pay then find a way to get more money. Thats what us folks who are motivated to have nice things do.

November 27, 2007 at 8:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

create (anonymous) says...

Right on, Mythoughts. A little self-respect and a can of paint goes a long way. There are so many organizations in this town that will help out those who need a little bit of a hand with fixing up. We hear about them every spring. Even a newly painted porch can spruce up a place. How about the city program to help low-income homeowners fix up their homes? All you have to do is make a phone call.

"...but there are those of us who simply do not have the
income to keep up with the higher-income individuals of the community who seem to do nothing but complain."

That statement claims that higher income individuals do nothing but complain. Pretty simple to see that this is a hasty generalization, a flaw in logic.

November 27, 2007 at 8:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

MrCmonkeeDo (anonymous) says...

mythoughts,

It probably seems like MrCmonkeeDo is sittin' here, hunched over His keyboard with a coffee in one hand and a tightly clenched fist in the other, rantin' an' ravin' redundancies, between drags of His long-ashed, filter-chewed, second-hand-coffin-nail, whilst frantically typing His crazed, mostly incoherent thoughts to an easily up-set public. But He's not.

Nor does He want to be so all-fired obstinate.

In fact MrC doesn't know why He feels so strongly about this issue. He owns no rental property. He doesn't know Richard Kennison, or "create" or any of the other posters on this forum. He's got a great job, even has most of His college loans paid-off. His yard is pretty nice most of the time. His little "fixer-upper" of a house is pretty fixed-up now with it's new roof, siding and central air. He loves all His neighbors and even knows the names of one or two of 'em, 'cause it's on their mailboxes. We pretty much leave each other alone, unless we see one or another needing. Heck, it's practically Shangrila.

Certainly, MrC is NOT going to defend those Rascals with the couch on 12th Ave--which really has been removed. Nor does He mean to defend any "slum lords" that would take advantage of folks in dire straits.

But Antonia Felix's idea is to punish the offenders with $500 fines and even jail time. And though this is a "gross generalization" on MrC's part everybody on these forums said, "Yeah, burn the Witch!"

It just makes MrC uneasy.

November 27, 2007 at 10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

gazette_reader (anonymous) says...

I'm a little startled by your anger, MrCmonkeeDo.

I think (and I'm basing this on my memory of Antonia Felix's article, since I don't have it in front of me) that what it comes down to is the impact that property, and others like it, have on outsiders visiting our community.

If you were driving in from Kansas City, or Topeka, or St. Louis, or Nashville, for that matter, and you followed I-35 and the directions to the William Allen White house, and then you went home and your friends asked you what Emporia was like, you might be inclined, based on what little you saw, to say, "Well, there were a few nice houses, you could tell it was a great place in its day, but it's looking a little run down. The city must be falling on hard times." It doesn't matter that there has been a lot of development on the west end of town. It doesn't matter that the downtown area has brought in several wonderful new businesses. If the extent of someone's drive through Emporia is what they see at a handful of stop signs between the I-35 exit and the WAW house, that's what they'll base their description on.

I wonder if, this Christmas, the tenants of that house will cleverly decorate their tree out front with beer cans again?

November 27, 2007 at 10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

hogan77 (anonymous) says...

I have the opinion that Mr. Kennison is complaining about something which is not quite the true subject here. I think, when people are saying things about cleaning up property, they are speaking more along the lines of picking up the trash, perhaps mowing the overgrown yards, or straightening up that broken down fence. As far as I am concerned, all of that can be done with little to no money, all it takes is some getting up off your rear. Yes, perhaps 2 or 3 jobs takes up your time. However, I am sure there is some downtime there somewhere, even an hour or two, where you can grab a trash bag, and go out and clean up the filth laying in your yard. Ks, you hit the nail right on the head there... there ARE places that will GIVE away free paint, or come and take away the old appliances or cars. All it takes is a simple phone call. I am thinking that this response was written just to complain about the people who have the money to do more to their yards.

I know of one person in particular, not naming names here, but let me say... their house has been a monstrosity for well over 20 years. The house is in dire need of paint, the yard is filled full of filth, old toys and the like. Why do they not go outside and pick things up? I know that the owners do have jobs, but in the past years, that wasn't always the case. It was more of a laziness than anything else. And as for the paint.. good heavens, I know they had access to it!

I have seen many people wishing to go in and flip houses like this. I just wish there were more in the area, willing to take on such a project. Perhaps it might be better if they did. At least that way, you would all know it is getting done right, instead of old owners not giving a flip about their property.

November 27, 2007 at 10:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

siamesefred (anonymous) says...

Does anyone know if Christmas in April is still in operation? Seems they did some good work on houses where the homeowner wasn't able.

I agree with reaching out to the college's Greek community... especially because some of these houses are in their neighborhoods. On the other hand, I think landlords earning money on the properties should find their own ways to maintain.

Please, if you are elderly and need work done around the house... reach out and tell others of your needs. We may be sitting next to you in church every Sunday, but get so wrapped up in our own schedules that we forget to ask. If you mentioned you were having trouble raking leaves, mowing grass, cleaning gutters, cleaning out the basement, etc., I'm sure we could find time to come and help.

I appreciate what MrC says about knowing his neighbors' names because they're on the boxes. I enjoy my privacy as much as the next person. But sometimes, we all have to reach beyond that and develop enough of a relationship that we can lend a helping hand.

November 28, 2007 at 6:51 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

momus (anonymous) says...

The city also has the ability to apply for community grants that help aid low income individuals trying to "fix up" their property. I believe it is a federal program. So, between grants, NRA, free materials and other efforts to help clean up Emporia, there is really very little excuse for housing in a state of disrepair over a long period of time.

I think the fines mentioned in the original article were the "stick" when all other efforts of using a "carrot" failed. Some people need that type of negative reinforcement before they will make a move. There are those in the community that think that their property is theirs to do whatever they wish with no regard to their neighbors or the community at large. A simple knowledge of property assessments and real estate sales should tell everyone that no in-town property exists in a vacuum. Blighted property has a real negative effect on property values, and thus, the tax base.

And, I'm not talking about requiring everyone to build the Taj Mahal, simply pick up your yard, mow, paint, make sure you have windows in your home, make sure the property is structurally sound with sound electrical and plumbing (just for safety's sake, I don't want a block to burn down or someone getting crushed under an unstable porch). There is help out there for families that own a home. For people that are renting out property to others and refuse to keep up their housing, maybe you should find a different place to invest your money.

November 28, 2007 at 7:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

mythoughts (anonymous) says...

Thanks for all the great ideas, everyone. I would hope, when it comes to the $500 fine, there would be a measure of compassion shown to those who are in need. I'm sure that the person assessing the fine would take into account the household's status, and not give Granny Fanny who can't afford her meds a fine, when Larry, Moe and Curly (no offense, boys) are sleeping on ratty recliners in the front yard with a pile of empty bottles of White Lightening in their laps, or Suzy Studentrenter has to leap off the porch because the steps are about to collapse.

I know most of my neighbors names, because I took time to introduce myself. We may not actually talk to each other, but we wave when we're out doing the yard work, or driving to work. That really helps build a sense of place and pride.

Keep your chins up! Help those in need! Lay down the law when it needs to be.

November 28, 2007 at 8:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

under_score (anonymous) says...

***NEWS FLASH***
Emporia has fallen on hard times. Emporia is ran down. I can't think of a single way into town where someone going to the WAW house couldn't figure that one out. Unless they were sleeping or drunk. Can you believe that the new police chief's wife wouldn't move down here from Olathe???? Why, I can't imagine why someone wouldn't rather live in Emporia than Olathe. Oh, except maybe because we have a meat packing plant here that aside from stinking up the town employs hundreds of illegal aliens, which by the way are people who came here because they are unable to be successful in 3rd world countries to the south of us. That could have something to do with why property valuations, and along with them property taxes, have increased for the last 10 years at an amazing rate and yet the wisest among us have managed to take all of that extra revenue and dig ourselves a multi-million dollar deficit.

If you want to live in a nice, well kept place, maybe Emporia isn't for you.

November 28, 2007 at 12:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

mythoughts (anonymous) says...

Honestly, now that I think about it, most of the properties I don't care to look at on my daily routes are either owned by or lived in by caucasian Americans. I'm sure there are just as many in the ethnically diverse neighborhoods, but there's plenty of "white trash" (pardon the double entendre), out there.

November 28, 2007 at 1:42 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

mythoughts (anonymous) says...

tee-hee - we've all had our moments.

November 28, 2007 at 2 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

nutsaboutools (anonymous) says...

When I read the article by Mr. Kennison my first comment was that he missed the point. How much does it cost to pick up the trash in your yard? How hard is it to keep it from getting there in the first place? If you’re renting, why hasn’t your landlord made any effort to clean up or maintain the property (there are resources to contact if you have a delinquent landlord)? Like mythoughts (and Kstrebuchet, hogan77, emporian, etc) mentioned, there are many volunteer groups that can also help.

Although I currently have a good paying job, I was unemployed (no income, other than what was in our savings account and 401K) for almost 2 years. I never had trash (furniture, beer cans, etc) in my yard. I did whatever it took to at least keep my head up and prevent my home from becoming a lost investment.

We need to be accountable for our actions (and lack of action) and we need to make sure our neighbors are also accountable (maybe they need some help & you don’t know it). We (all Americans, and especially Emporians) need to stop whining, pointing fingers and making excuses. We all need to get off our butts and see what we can do to help each other and our community to make it more attractive to new business and residents. First impressions go a long way.

November 28, 2007 at 3:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

TruthBeTold (anonymous) says...

Another simple thing that could be done is if everyone would only place their trashcan out on trashdays. Leaving it out all the time is lazy and against city ordinance I believe.

November 28, 2007 at 3:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

hottopics (anonymous) says...

Mr. Kennison:

I agree with everything you said. You struggle to be a home owner and when retired and on a fixed income you SHOULDNT have to be forced to be the Walmart greater. You worked all you life and look what your town does to you.
My taxes DOUBLED in the first 5 yrs of owning my home. It feels down right criminal with home property taxes and good grief vehicle tax. I drive used and still get, gee whats the nice word for.......screwed?

But on the flip side, I agree that many run down rentals are eye sores and good people who rent dont have a prayer at finding affordable housing because of the trashy renters or the landlords who allow these people to rent and ruin.

Leave Mr. Kennison alone. He is just as frustrated with EVERYTHING that has happened to a once quaint and wonderful town. Its all gone down hill and no end in site. I think a pole on the Gazette of how many people would relocate if they could would prove how bad it is.

December 5, 2007 at 9:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )