What do you do when there is a blight in your neighborhood? Who ya gonna call? (If you answered, “Ghostbusters,” you’re dating yourself 🙂
Every now and then, we visit a citizenship issue that pertains to living in community with our fellow Americans. Notice the word “unity” in community. Today’s topic fits right in.
A person in our area reported that she lives next door to an abandoned building. The owner is deceased. The company that holds possession is unreachable. Every year, weeds are overgrown, trash is all over, and the place is an eyesore. Yearly her family has gone over to clean things up a bit, but she now is advised to stop doing that. She posted her situation on a city social media site. Over fifty locals chimed in with suggestions like:
-Call your precinct committee person. (She didn’t know who it was, so neighbors supplied the contact info).
-Contact City Hall’s property standards division. (She called; no response).
-Take pictures. Fill out the necessary government forms online and check all the boxes that apply. Then, send it to the property standards division.
-When the mayor has a meeting, post the issue in the comments section online.
-Get on the meeting schedule to speak at your next local city council meeting.
-Two citizens located more information on the property and advised her to continue her search for resolution. She could end up owning the property for a meager amount of money. Then, she might pursue a teardown price with a local bank.
Notice how many people offered helpful, even creative solutions to this woman’s problem. We build community-not by highlighting and exploiting our differences but by assisting others who need our help. That type of community leads to unity.
I’m becoming more convinced. If we want a resolution to our nation’s problems, it starts with Common Sense Civics and Citizenship right where we live.
