Bust the blight
Phil Dillon, Emporia
Thursday, July 1, 2010
The Gazette recently published a five-part series outlining the root causes and potential solutions to Emporia ’s blight problem. In the last op-ed in the series, the Building Futures committee issued a call for public support.
On the 28th, I spoke with the city manager’s office and found there have been eight responses. That’s gratifying, but also discouraging. Eight responses are not what I’d consider a groundswell.
Part of the problem lies in the inertia that all too often comes with a festering problem. When I was growing up in Boston there was a downtown area near the Boston Common that had become a safe haven for criminals, slum lords, etc. In the absence of substantial public demand for change, the city’s leaders decided it was best to leave the sleeping dog lie. Bostonians dubbed it the “Combat Zone.” The blighted area was ignored, crime increased, property values plummeted, and people voted with their feet. In the months that followed the city discovered, unfortunately, that the problem didn’t go away, nor was it contained. It grew bigger and bigger. The city’s inertia had more than been matched by the entrepreneurial spirit of the crooks and bad guys.
I realize that Emporia isn’t Boston , but I also know that we have a significant problem here crying out for solutions. The slum lords and the profiteers have had the upper hand far too long. I find it hard to believe that anyone could deny that.
I’m sure that part of the problem lies in the gaps inherent in the communication of ideas. I’ve been involved in a number of projects here in Emporia, from Clean Sweep to Habitat for Humanity to Building Futures. I’m one member of the current Building Futures committee and I support the committee’s objectives. We’re not members of a city wide cabal intent on becoming Emporia ’s dictators of taste or decency. We simply want to be part of solving the problem. I can also say, unequivocally, that the committee is not a political or philosophical monolith, nor do we consider ourselves elites. I’ve been in many committee meetings. We’ve never had any discussions about the need to be in lock step politically or philosophically. I’ve known that our political/philosophical views wouldn’t always mesh, but never believed those differences, whatever they might be, prohibited us from working together to solve the problem.
The committee has never operated ex-cathedra. We’ve made our share of mistakes. In the time I’ve been involved in the various improvement projects I’ve cast a critical eye inward and seen the many times I’ve stumbled or miscommunicated. There’s a lot I could have done better. I’m sure the other committee members feel the same way. Our failures, as much as anything else, have shown us that the problem we confront cannot be fixed by a few. From the beginning, we’ve seen that a groundswell of public support is THE critical ingredient to success. Without it, the slum lords will retain the upper hand.
We all need to do our respective parts to turn things around. To that end I’m issuing a few challenges.
To Emporia ’s ministerial alliances and houses of worship — there’s a great harvest of need and far too few laborers. You need to be far more engaged where the rubber meets the road than you have been.
To the city — make a concerted effort to publicize improvement programs available to Emporians with limited financial means.
To our critics — we hear your criticisms. They help keep us grounded. But we need more. In the four weekends of Clean Sweep I spent a lot of time lugging sofas, refrigerators, brush, and trash with folks some say are elite snobs. Bob Agler wasn’t too proud to his pull share of the load, nor were Matt Zimmerman and the rest of the commissioners. City crews worked tirelessly. Don Hill did his part. So did Scott Cronk and his crew. One of our volunteers was a paraplegic. Some volunteers were Republicans; others were Democrats or Independents. Many were college students, home grown and international. Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts pitched in. Business men and women donated time, equipment, and money. Retirees and college professors, the young and old manned the dumpsters. Unfortunately, few, if any, critics ever showed up to help. Was there something you could have done? I think so. Stay tuned, there will be other opportunities.
To the Gazette and KVOE — keep the spotlight on the issue and keep it there until the problem is solved.
To our commissioners — the issue of blight needs to be on the front burner. Left unattended, the problem will only get bigger and the slum lords will continue to wreak havoc on the community. You cannot let that happen.
lowereastside (anonymous) says...
OMG only 8 people were bothered enough to call the city. Leave your neighbors alone Emporia Building Futures and stay off and out of their private property!! Maybe as a group the Building Futures committee could get a group rate on psychological counsling to help them curb their obsession with cleaning. There's a TLC show coming up about obsessions watch it EBF members and I bet you all will see the characteristics in yourselves. To the newspaper are you really going to keep publishing these call to arms from this small group of obsessed individuals with 8 followers or go with the majority of Emporians and publish something else a little more positive? These people urging others to call the city or police against their neighbors for what they see as an infraction is a terrible waste of time, for the city worker who has to come out, and money, and creates rifts in the neighborhood. I live next door to a blighted house and like my poor neighbors and I don't think that they would have anywhere else in town that they could afford to live. Can we afford to lose more population so those of us left can pay more taxes to fund the neatness police?
July 1, 2010 at 2:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
arminius (anonymous) says...
I agree Phil... this is a good cause. Keep giving the call to action and in time more people will respond.
July 1, 2010 at 2:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
White washed tombs.
July 1, 2010 at 2:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
lowereastside
Right on brother " lowereastsider" .
Perhaps Mr. Dillon and the rest of the do as I say and do police would rather force people out of the only homes they can afford and out of Emporia. And when that happens you can bet your bottom dollar these so called " Do Gooders " will bitch and moan about having to take up the slack in lost property tax revenues .
And in case these " Do Gooders " don' t know it " criminals " are found in all walks of life and also can be found in some of the prettiest and nicest houses and neighbor hoods and drive the most expensive vehicles in the world. So to lable or even think that a person or family who may have to live in a " blighted " house as a criminal is just plain wrong . I and my sister live in a house that most likely is not up to the standards of Mr. Dillion or the other self appointed " Do Gooders " on the " Dictatorial Committees ". It would seem that it is easy for the " Do Gooder " to turn a blind eye to why a person or family may have to live their particular situation . Therefore I am issuing a challange to anyone on the " Do Gooder " committees to accuse me and my sister of being criminals, because of where and how we have to live. When it comes to the point, and it apparantely has, that you are judged by where and how you can afford to live, then the world has become completely devoid of humanity .
July 2, 2010 at 9:16 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
There's something fundamentally wrong with saying we need to allow disadvantaged people to live in blighted houses. For God sakes, there's a health problem to be concerned about if nothing else. Children breathing mold? Lead paint? And you wonder where learning disabilities come from? C'mon!
So we should just continue to allow slumlords to take advantage of these people and refuse to fix their properties? Where did humanity go when someone can so easily coin the phrase "neatness police"?
Keep it up, Phil. You and the committee have made some valid points. This is definitely a good cause. The longer this campaign continues, the more it will become part of the community conscience to keep up their properties. Even renters can keep a tidy residence. It doesn't cost much money to keep clean.
July 2, 2010 at 9:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...
What about properties that are well maintained and have won the garden club award but have over-run the sidewalk with lilies? My daughter is getting tired of said lilies smacking her in the face as I push her stroller by this house. I would move farther away from them, but there is a deep ditch just on the other side of the sidewalk. I have seen other children in strollers with the same problem. The owners of this lot do take good care of their yard, but I guess they don't consider the sidewalk or the ditch to be their responsibility because they don't trim the ditch either.
July 2, 2010 at 10:08 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Slumlords, exactly what is a slumlord ?
The problem is these " Do Gooders " and those who agree with them are not only pointing fingers at the " Slumlords " , but are also pointing their fingers at individual property owners, who do not own rental propertys .
As for disease, disease is comming into this country every minute of every day, it is not born/carried just by those who may live in a less than standard home. It comes in to this country in the form of human born/carried diseases, born/carried by people, drug smugglers, etc., those who come here, under the border, over the border, over the fence, under the fence and under the radar .
You know, all this domination of the less fortunate by those who think they know whats best for and how everyone should live, whether they can afford to or not, really makes me wish and hope that some day my sister and I can/will be able to move out of this god forsaken hypotrical, City and County .
July 2, 2010 at 10:10 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lowereastside (anonymous) says...
AGAIN OMG, Now Create is recommending testing for LEAD PAINT and Mold as a means for the Gestap... errr Neatness police to charge into a legally rented or owned residence and deem it BLIGHTED. I urge any residents of Emporia who are harrassed by this committee, publicly embarassed, or otherwise violated to call the ACLU and have them decide whether or not your civil rights have been violated. That's what I will do if harrassed by them and I urge everyone to do the same.
July 2, 2010 at 10:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
lowereastside
Amen, to that. This whole dictatorial regime of Emporia is getting or has already gotten out of hand and is turning once friends and neighbors into enemies . And that is a sad state of affairs . I can' t help but ponder what the slogan, " Emporia an inclusive community " really means .
July 2, 2010 at 10:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
When a person lives at the same place for a long time their eyes become accustomed to seeing their house as home sweet home and their brain filters out the blight that is obvious to fresh eyes.
This is something that happens with everyone regardless of their social status. It happens to entire neighborhoods and even to entire cities when the residents become accustomed to seeing the same things over and over. Eyes focus on the pretty yards, the new buildings, the colorful flowers and ignore the blight.
It isn't until someone we respect, someone we are comfortable with, or perhaps an old friend points the blight out to us do we see these things with new eyes and feel compelled to take action.
Find that someone you respect and stand with them at the front curb facing your own property and let them open your "new eyes". What do you see? Make a list of the things you haven't noticed until now and a plan on how to make it better.
Pointing fingers at one another will solve nothing and will only cause resentment. Outsiders can use the bully pulpit of the law to force someone to clean up but it will be temporary and fleeting. The desire to improve has got to come from within if there is any hope of permanence. JMO
July 2, 2010 at 12:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lowereastside (anonymous) says...
And REWBA will come over with the checkbook and pay for the improvements??? How Nice.
July 2, 2010 at 2:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
The " desire " may be there, but the money to do something about it may not be there . I just can' t get over how some people have the misguided notion that everyone has a money tree growing in their yard and has the money to fulfill their desires, dreams and wants and satisfy the dictates, wanting, desires of those who manage to look down upon those who may have the desire, but not the means/money to satisfy certain peoples view of the way all Emporia citizens should live.
Boy, I am really beginning to hate Emporia, the town of my birth and settling place of my ancestors and what Emporia is becoming.
Would someone please explain to me, exactly what does the slogan " Emporia An All Inclusive Community " is supposed to signify ! To me the way certain people act, regard their friends, neighbors and fellow citizens is not being " inclusive ", Main Entry: in·clu·sive
Pronunciation: \in-ˈklü-siv, -ziv\
Function: adjective
Date: 15th century
1 : comprehending stated limits or extremes
2 a : broad in orientation or scope b : covering or intended to cover all items, costs, or services. But, is being " exclusive " , Main Entry: 1ex·clu·sive
Pronunciation: \iks-ˈklü-siv, -ziv\
Function: adjective
Date: 1515
1 a : excluding or having power to exclude b : limiting or limited to possession, control, or use by a single individual or group
2 a : excluding others from participation b : snobbishly aloof
3 a : accepting or soliciting only a socially restricted patronage (as of the upper class) b : stylish, fashionable c : restricted in distribution, use, or appeal because of expense
4 a : single, sole b : whole, undivided <his exclusive attention.
It would seem to certain people, in order to be included in Emporias' inclusive community, everyone must adhere to certain peoples standard of living and social status . No, by God, Emporia is not an inclusive community, but, has become or is becomming an " Exclusive " community and it may not be long before those " Gods " of Emporia start setting certain standards before anyone will be allowed to move to, live in, or visit Emporia . It is very sad to think of what Emporia is becomming .
July 2, 2010 at 2:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
Here is a suggestion. Purchase perennial flowers in seed packets. Dig up some dirt and use the paper strewn around your property to form cups to put the dirt in. Plant the flower seeds in the recycled containers and water daily.
Frame the borders of your decrepit home with large planting beds. and transplant those flowers into the beds. Read the back of the seed packets to determine each plant height and place the tallest flowers in the back, medium height flowers in the middle and the shorties up front. Water daily and weed weekly until the flowers are full grown.
Mow the lawn weekly and hide unsightly furniture and junk behind your home out of sight from the curb.
Remove fallen gutters and anything else falling from your decrepit structures and save your pennies to purchase some paint and brushes. Choose colors that will complement the flowering beds of wonderment and everyone will be in awe of your beautiful curb appeal.
Less than $50 out-of-pocket and some elbow grease and your home will look like a million dollars and you will feel like the weight of the world has lifted from your shoulders. You might even do something to the inside too.
July 2, 2010 at 4:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
Weeds grow tall and look unsightly. Commercial weed killer is expensive but if you mix Mix 1 gallon apple cider vinegar, one container table salt and four tablespoons dishwashing detergent. You will have something to spray on those weeds growing in the cracks of the sidewalks, driveways and curbs. Hit the fence line too. Saves on the string trimming work too.
July 2, 2010 at 4:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lowereastside (anonymous) says...
REWBA - pronounce Rue-Bah (get it). So Rudeba does think he/she is better than the rest of us and the only thing that matters is her/his visual perception of aesthetical beauty. As long as we all knuckle down and make our properties appealing to her/him with flowers everything is going to be all right. MYOB Rewba, didn't your mama teach you any manners? If it's not in your yard, ignore it. It doesn't affect you. The only ones really worried about property values are the ones that want to sell and get out. I personally hope my property value stays the same because property taxes are exorbent here. So good luck with your home sales EBF because truly that's the only time anyone is concerned about property value. And by the way, could the owner of the highest valued house here on my street please stop letting their garbage blow off their back deck into my yard? Thank you
July 2, 2010 at 4:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
"Now Create is recommending testing for LEAD PAINT and Mold..."
lowereastside: Where exactly did I recommend testing? See, that's the problem with these issues. People like you take comments out of context and make up things just to state a point.
You see Phil? Your well-written article tried to defend the people who are on that committee, but look how far you came. People are going to view your efforts with a poisoned eye, no matter how hard you have worked or how honorable your motivation. You can't win.
July 2, 2010 at 4:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lowereastside (anonymous) says...
Well we don't have to worry about killing the weeds along the sidewalks driveways or curbs because we don't have curbs, sidewalks, or concrete driveways here on a big part of the East side of Emporia. Take a drive and look at how we are segregated and discriminated against down here. From what I understand, the street that I live on wasn't even paved until about 15 years ago and street lights were only installed 10 years ago. Take a drive out of your neighborhood and have a look.
July 2, 2010 at 4:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Well, you see, I was right. This whole thing is not just about " SLUMLORDS " that own unsatisfactory rental units and property . This whole thing has become a blame your neighbor, friend, fellow citizen home/property owner and yes possibly even your brother, sister, cousin, Father, Mother etc.. And REWBA has just proved this to be so, with his last comment . Yes, REWBA, you do believe that you are the wise and all knowing wizard of " Intolerance " .
Oh, and there are those who, after expenses, do not have even 50 cents to spend on satisfying the likes of you and others. But of course you would know nothing about these people, as you and others live in an untouchable, intolerant " Ivory Tower " and these people mean absolutely nothing to the likes of you and others who live in their own, lofty, " Ivory Towers " . Until you have lived in their situation and know what it is like, you should not throw stones at something you know nothing about .
July 2, 2010 at 5:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lowereastside (anonymous) says...
Don't you think that if we had the same luxuries, like sidewalks, curbs, etc.. that we would take pride in our curb appeal. I was infuriated when the city built the sidwalk along south avenue that went to IBP and another that goes toward Norfolk iron on the other end. Have you ever seen anyone on that sidewalk. We are down here with neighborhoods that have children and need sidewalks and the city built a sidewalk to nowhere instead.
July 2, 2010 at 5:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
arminius (anonymous) says...
How interesting that some people are so passionate about law & order with immigrants, but have no intention of following city codes with their own house and neighborhood.
July 2, 2010 at 5:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
I didn't have sidewalks and I still don't have curbs, gutters or even a paved street. My driveway is made of gravel that I personally put there with a wheelbarrow, rake and shovel. My home is inexpensive and is located in an undesirable location which will be hard to sell after I die. As long as I'm alive, I will work at improving my position. That is something I learned in the Infantry.
Now, 1 sack of ready mix concrete costs $2.50. 3 sacks will pour a 3' x 3' square 4" thick. Measure your property front from left to right. Let's say it's 50 feet. A 3 foot wide sidewalk 50 feet long will take 50 sacks of ready mix, 12 1/2 old 8 foot 2x4's and one days worth of hard work will give you a new sidewalk in front of your home. Total cost = $125. What is that...like four cases of beer? Trust me, the sidewalk will last a lot longer.
July 2, 2010 at 5:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Yes, create, Mr. Dillions' article was in defense of the people on the Committees. That is all well and good to a certain extent . But who is going to defend those who cannot, because of one situation or another, that cannot or do not have the monetary means to spend to satisify a dictatorial Committee that believes they know everything about life and living and makes demands instead of requests, has intolerance, instead of understanding and compassion, succeeds in nothing more than turning neighbor against neighbor. I and my sister do not own any rental property and we include ourselves among those home/property owners who are doing the best we can, with the money and ability we have to present to those who desire to dictate to us and others, certain of their perceived standards of living, but I will not bow down to their looking down their noses at me or anyone who is less fortunate than they. And I will defend the less fortunate, with as much zeal as Mr. Dillon defends the Committees who wish to dictate to and rule all/everyone.
Did I not say, when this all began that this was going to get out of hand and result in finger pointing, complaining about all, instead of just rental property owned by " Slumlords " and would turn neighbor against neighbor and may even escalate beyond turning neighbor against neighbor ? And that is exactly what the result has been . Whether that was the intention of the Committees or not, that is beside the point, the making of enemys who were once neighbors and friends has been/is going to be the end result . Therefore the end result does not justify means and I would be ashamed to see the results that I have managed to achieve, if I were on such a Committee. But, I will not be on such a committee, because I think more of myself and my fellow humans than to force them to live by my percieved standard of living or set rules and demands on those who could not possibly meet them.
July 2, 2010 at 5:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lowereastside (anonymous) says...
I don't know what beer cost because I don't drink. We have, in the last year, put new vinyl siding on our house, replaced the windows with Low E windows and put on a new roof. We spend our money on our house and not beer. But under the EBF guidelines, we are blighted because you can see our rusty barbecue grill from the street. Does you grill have a fresh coat of paint REWBA? For about 2.99 which if my calculations are correct is about a can of beer by your standards. We also have some building materials that we anticipate using on one of our other houses, again against EBF guidelines. Go have a beer and chill unless you know who you're talking to. The truth backs up from no man. I have told the truth about the cities lack of interest in our neighborhood. I hope they wake up and provide us with the same convienences as the rest of the city.
July 2, 2010 at 5:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
arminius
You need to take a look at the following,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUlhYk...
This is why a lot of us are adament about immigration laws. And there is a big difference in what an illegal immigrant costs a taxpayer and what a not so nice property/home costs the taxpayer.
July 2, 2010 at 5:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
As you can see by the comments, this whole thing goes way beyond rental properties that are owned by " Slumlords " and that my friends is fact and happening right here, right now.
And if this sort of thing continues, Emporia will be ablaze with hatred, bigotry, intolerance, discrimination and inhumanity.
July 2, 2010 at 5:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
That's what I'm talking about lowereastside! Do what you can as you are able to make your home beautiful to you. My suggestions don't fit everyone's liking but if they do, they are inexpensive ways to get a certain look. Hollyhocks grow really tall. Mine are about eight feet in height. African Daisies are medium height and really brighten up a space. Mine are about four feet tall and really make a statement. English Daisies are a little shorter and come in mixed colors. Mine are about three foot tall and add a splash of color to accent the yellows, pinks and whites of the other flowers. Place some Foxgloves in the mix and a few Purple Cone flowers and your perennial garden will shine. Each year it will grow into thousands of plants that can be transplanted into other places in your garden or you can give them away as gifts to your lovely neighbors.
BTW My BBQ is stainless steel so I just polish it up and store it in my 1,400 square foot garage in the winter so it will last for years to come.
July 2, 2010 at 6:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I learned today that if you live on a property where there is a stop sign or yield sign and it is blocked by branches of a tree on your property, then you must trim those branches. It is not up to the city to do that.
If you only rent the place, and don't want to take the time and courtesy to trim the tree, notify your landlord to do it. What does it take to trim a few brances for goodness sakes? Trim the tree. It's only courteous and you may be preventing a serious traffic accident and/or injury.
July 6, 2010 at 3:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )