11/05/2023
While out campaigning over the past six weeks my constituents have pointed out huge concerns of theirs to me - one of many things is the neglect of established city neighborhoods.
Some examples are found below of the out of ordinance homes that have been exactly as you’ll see them for YEARS.
Residents tell me that they contacted city hall for help on so many occasions only to get empty promises or no response at all that they simply stopped trying.
When I first brought this to attention on this fb page a few weeks ago after hearing from many frustrated voters - like the one home on Pine St - someone did go put a citation on the door shortly after - nobody is getting it, it’s been on the front door for weeks, it still looks the same, the neighbors report that they were promised PRIOR to the last election that the home would be torn down when elected.
Nothing has been done. Conditions have only worsened.
Many homes in the city can barely be seen from overgrown “vegetation” that is clearly spelled out in city ordinances as a violation - a breeding ground for invasive insects, rodents etc…our paid officers have the ability to keep on this week by week until the ordinances are followed. The taxpayers pay this position.
On Owen Street I have learned that said landlord has several homes, some with no running water, and that a HUGE rat infestation is tormenting residents all around them all the way to craig park. One of the individuals reported not being able to sleep at night because he watches for the rats.
Why are individuals not being held accountable to the city ordinances? Why adopt them if we aren’t going to enforce them?
This has been taken to city hall, many times pleading for assistance, with little response, no solution or follow up. Of course that was my first question while learning about this huge problem. I wanted to give the benefit that something had been done. I do not believe any of our citizens deserve to have slumlords bringing down neighborhoods with no accountability by our city on the ordinances put in place to prevent such matters! Not a good use of taxpayer funds on a city ordinance officer if we aren’t laser focused on the big problems. I believe if you are going to own a home you have a responsibility to maintain it to a certain standard that does not impose a negative reality on others at no doing of their own.
My vote in this matter would be to fully enforce the ordinances we have AND adopt new ones if need be! It’s extremely disappointing these below conditions have been tolerated where help has been requested with little concern for any of it.
How many ordinance tickets have been wrote in district 3 the past 4 years? This is public record. I know it’s not much. What little has been issued is for grass that’s too tall. Let’s please worry ourselves with grass that actually iS tall enough to pose a problem and maybe stop ignoring the REAL problems that neighbors have dealt with for years that have major negative consequences on the neighborhood.
If elected I will request the documents from citations from the past 4 years. My constituents deserve answers. I will expect answers on why we have not done the job of enforcing ordinances, protecting taxpayers who do follow ordinances and valuing our taxpayers in established neighborhoods.
My final comment on this post is the most disturbing. While conversing with residents about their current thoughts on our city and the visions they have for the future - so many of them said they want to feel seen and heard again. Repeatedly I heard about “failed promises”, people being blown off and dismissed as if they did not matter.
The most disturbing of which was learning of a homeless man that died because no services were offered to him! None.
My constituents shared how they went to city hall talking directly to the said leader for help on several occasions during the severe freezing conditions of winter about a man in a tent near the railroad tracks. They shared how they took him warm soup and blankets. When they approached our city leader on multiple occasions, four to be exact, they were told “oh, it’ll be alright.”
The man died.
The individuals still feel guilty they didn’t do more.
I told them they were not responsible. That I had not heard about this. I told them I was sorry they went through that. And that our leaders are going to have to address the growing homeless population. Also that anyone running a city should know about the RESOURCES for citizens. It’s a public service position. It appears we need some major accountability with what is appropriate responses and actions when needs arise. Our community has no shortage of generous, genuine people who would’ve had a variety of options to choose from as options in this situation. Doing nothing is not one of them. Being a leader calls for seeking solutions. Calling upon a team of experts when you don’t have an answer. We cant just ignore an area we’re uncomfortable or uninterested in. For starters, we have amazing churches made up of wonderful people.
Why did this man not get the chance to be put up for a few nights until the blizzard conditions passed or a call could have been made to adult protective services for assistance or a taxi called to a mission/shelter??? I know our churches and I know something could’ve been done.
Yes, SERVING people can be complicated. There’s no doubt. But Ignoring the GROWING homeless population and also the abandonment of established neighborhoods is not serving the community.
Only serving a select group of interests and projects is not going to get our community where we need to be!
Our city streets didn’t look like the inner city projects until the past few years.
I share my constituents anger at the conditions of our city neighborhoods…places that have been abandoned eye sores, breeding rodents, homeless squatters, crime and potential safety hazards for unsupervised children.
Law abiding citizens do not deserve this in their backyard!!
Would YOU want this permitted month after month, year after year on your block??
When I put myself in these people’s shoes to really think about how I would feel it’s much easier for me to agree that I’d expect action - not words…
👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻👇🏻
I’ve learned a lot by listening to our taxpayers over the past several months.
THANK YOU for your time, feedback and honesty! You’ve provided valuable feedback!
I’m more sure now than I was during the primary that there is so. much. work. to. do.
The Republicans are up for the task.
I’m ready to work with fellow councilman as a team - to get as many things accomplished as possible.
This 👇🏻 is totally unacceptable!
With your vote on Tuesday, Nov 7th, if elected, I will ask our elected leaders to join me in making these issues below a priority…
Kevin Smallwood for City Council
Christian Evans
