Discouraged after attempting to resolve dilapidated housing situations

My entire life, I have tried to live by the Martin Luther King quote “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter” and do meaningful things.

City leaders are calling me a “complainer” and “negative” for speaking out and raising awareness about the mismanagement of this city of ours, Columbus. They conveniently left out that my husband (Will) and I have spent two years trying to work with them, and they were not interested. It is my hope the citizens of Columbus understand our efforts are out of determination to make this town a better place to call home for everyone.

I thought I was making an easy ask when I contacted the city two years ago asking them to make secure a dilapidated and vacant home owned by Fannie Mae. The property was being used by vagrants and others participating in illicit behavior. Instead, the nightmare began. The City has codes and employs code enforcement officers intended to address such issues.

Will and I travel frequently, so we resorted to watching council meetings and reading the minutes to stay informed on this code enforcement matter. In the process, we discovered how dysfunctional the city operates on every level. We wanted to help!

We offered our expertise. We spent countless hours researching what other cities have done to be successful in eliminating dilapidated properties. We sent them what other cities have done to create new businesses and recruit talent. We presented plans and offered to do the heavy lifting in implementing them. We met with several people in the city administration, including our councilman. They listened politely. And nothing happened.

Meanwhile, when we returned from travels, another house beside us became a nuisance property. We had over 30 inbred, feral cats removed. In that process, we learned that animal control was understaffed and short on traps. Did I mention that we have learned about dysfunction at every level-to the minor to major in trying to get the city to act?

We painfully watched people receiving notices of code enforcement violations for the minor offence of overgrown grass and yet seemed indifferent about our alarming situation. We were dealing with vagrants partying and pooping (yes, literally) and the city viewed us as “complainers” and “tired of hearing from us.”

These once-charming homes now need to be demolished. Our once owner-occupied street is no longer the same. The properties across the street are all vacant and have sat on the market for years. It seemed there was no hope. I was ready to leave Columbus. It’s the easy thing to do.

But, Will asked me to stay and help turn things around in his little hometown, where his parents still call home. “You know, you couldn’t live with yourself if you didn’t do your part,” Will reminded me.

Will knows I am embarrassingly emotional about good government. See, I am an overly optimistic, true believer in the democratic process and still believe one person can make a difference and create change. And a committed group can change the world or at least Columbus.

Please tell me you haven’t given up. Will you join our “A Better Columbus” movement? We’re doing things that matter and seeking solutions. I’d like to hear from you: [email protected]

Leslie Sorrell

Columbus

The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.

READER FAVORITES

• 

  Roses and Thorns: 7-25-26

  By Dispatch Editorial Board • 1 day ago