LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Toledoans will have to act on blight

6/25/2014

Now that The Blade has presented a fascinating report on the state of decay in Toledo, our city leaders can sit back and play the blame game (“Blight blame game heats up between city, housing court,” June 22).

They say it’s not the fault of anybody in government because there aren’t enough housing inspectors. And Mayor D. Michael Collins is working to bring his “tidy town” concept into reality.

If conditions are going to improve, city residents will have to take it upon themselves to cut overgrown grass in a vacant lot, or it will never get cut.

You would think that after six months in office, Mayor Collins would have made his plan more than just a concept.

MIKE YOUNG

Claredale Road

 

Click here to submit a letter to the editor.

 

City officials need to see conditions

I agree with Toledo City Councilman Jack Ford that the city’s laws against blight need to be better enforced (“Ford calls for creation of city Blight Authority; Councilman wants inspection chief gone,” June 17).

City Council members need to drive through their districts. I have called city offices to report tall grass and houses that are eyesores, but to no avail.

Years ago, I was a volunteer with NIFTI (Neighborhood Improvement Foundation of Toledo Inc.), which helped clean up blight in the city. After 46 years of living in my neighborhood, I have never seen it look this bad.

We need city leaders to take action immediately.

LOREAN QUINN WHITAKER

Rosewood Avenue

Enforcing law would curb blight

The decay that is afflicting Toledo has been caused in part by the failure of city officials to hold owners of blighted properties responsible under the city’s municipal code.

Any owner of record should be held responsible for securing, maintaining, and repairing property until it is sold.

DAVID NEUENDORFF

Scottwood Avenue

Reasons abound for city’s disrepair

There may be many reasons that people neglect their property. Some might not have the financial means to do upkeep. Some might be old.

Each case of blight must be looked at and handled individually. I pass many houses that have fallen into disrepair. My first thought is to feel sorry for people who no longer can afford to take care of the houses they live in.

JoANNE VanSPARRENTAK

Grand Rapids, Ohio