One year ago ClearysNotebook began. One of the first Opinion articles (Bill\’s Point of View) I penned was called Action Speaks Louder Than Words. The date was August 3, 2006. A year later some of the problems mentioned below have been resolved or are in the process of being resolved. While others still exist. Let\’s hope by 2008 we can report even more progress.

To read the entire article click here

Here are my recommendations for free on what needs to be done to \”Enhance Our City\’s Image\”.

*Start with the painting and repair of the rusted park benches, park fences, and playground equipment. Remove the unlicensed, unregistered broken down vehicles that exist in many neighborhoods.

*Strictly enforce the ordinances that deal with rental properties. Make slum landlords clean up their properties or they would face heavy fines and the property condemned. Go after residents who don\’t cut their grass or remove the trash around their homes.

*Get Animal Control to trap the feral cats that run throughout the city. In my neighborhood we have one woman who is feeding 15 cats. The little kittens grow up they have more cats and the cat problem keeps growing. Call Animal Control they will tell you to pick up a cage lease it from them for $75 and you are suppose to capture the cats. When you bring the cage back your $75 is returned. I thought that is why the City hired Animal Control people.

*Begin with the cleanup of the blighted businesses and properties along Broadway. One property on South Broadway is surrounded by so much junk you can barely make out there is a house behind the weeds and refuse.

*A final suggestion is for you, the public. Get involved in the running of your local government. Tell mayor and council you don\’t want your money spent needlessly on a Government controlled newspaper. Speak out. Instead of more written words and promises let see some action for a change.

Stricter Penalties Needed to Deal with Slum Landlords

 

Re: The above property; Monday the grass was cut along with some of the weeds and bushes. However, the trash on the porch is still there.

Bill’s Point of View-An apartment complex on Thompson Avenue in Gloucester City is being overrun by weeds and trash. The grass hasn’t been cut for months. Old newspapers and circulars are littered about at the front door to the building. The weeds are so high they block the sidewalk at the entrance way and in front of the building. The high weeds are also hazardous to vehicle traffic since they obstruct the view of the driver to oncoming traffic.

The condition of the property was brought to the attention of Joe Stecklair of the Gloucester City Housing office on July 23. Mr. Stecklair said a notice would be sent to the owner of the property to clean it up.

Rental properties such as this devalue the homes in the surrounding neighborhood. It is not fair to those individuals who take care of their house.

I would like to see the City clean up these types of properties and add the cost to the landlord’s property tax. Unless stricter fines and penalties are introduced and enforced, those out-of-town landlords who don\’t care about their property as long as the rent is paid, will continue to thumb their noses at our community.

What is your opinion?