Blight Is Not an Excuse for Bigotry

IRONWOOD, MI - (EDITORIAL) - Tuesday, September 16, 2008 - Last night the Blight Committee held a workshop at 5:30 PM in the Women's Club Room on the second floor of the Ironwood Memorial Building.

I am deeply concerned about the direction the City is taking on blight. There are a number of severely blighted, dangerous, abandoned homes and commercial buildings in the City, and the Committee seems to put that issue on the back burner.  Our roads and sidewalks are the worst I have ever seen. Our water and sewer systems are antiquated -- over half of every drop of water this City treats is lost to leaks, improper metering, and theft. Unemployment in Ironwood is at an all time high. Before the City starts telling people how to live, they need to clean up their own act.

Issues mentioned on the Workshop Agenda should be a red flag to anybody that holds freedom and democracy dear to their hearts. The first item listed under old business was a discussion of "access to 'inside' blight!"

The focus on blight is going in a very dangerous direction. First they tell you how tall your grass is allowed to be. At previous meetings they discussed, in depth, "acceptable colors" for homes. There have been many words passed regarding "proper siding" and other domestic cosmetics. Now they want to enter our homes! Will we be fined for not making our beds or doing our dishes? I am deeply concerned that the Blight Committee is going too far!

Another item listed on the agenda is "garnishing wages (ways to apply fees to individuals)." This is merely another tool to control people! Has anyone ever given any though to the idea that the blight might just be a symptom of a very poor economy? If you can't afford to fix up your home to the "City's Standard," are they now going to attach your wages so you can't even feed your family? Many people are just scraping by, and I believe these actions are form of class discrimination.

"Length of time allowed for building permit (and method(s) of enforcement)" is another issue discussed last night. So if you are low-income, and are doing your best to improve your property... but, because of your financial situation... it takes too much time to suit the blight police, you will be fined? Whatever happened to community? Whatever happened to decency? Where did compassion and understanding go?

The Committee also discussed the possibility of adding severe penalties to "repeat offenders!" So if you are a little old lady on a fixed income that has lived in Ironwood all of your life. And you aren't physically able to mow your lawn, and you don't have enough money to pay someone to do it for you, the City will pressure you -- fine you! What a great way to treat people that have paid taxes and supported this community their entire lives!

In addition to agenda items listed, the Committee also kicked around ideas such as "black-balling" violators -- putting them on special lists that make it impossible to rent anywhere in the City. Nabbing people's tax refunds to pay fines was another idea suggested.

I'm not saying that the people on the Blight Committee are bad people. I just don't see the need to be so aggressive with minor infractions, while at the same time, being so lenient with major violators that are risking public safety and health.

It's sad when you don't even feel welcome in your own community. I was born and raised in Ironwood. I have lived here my entire life. It saddens me to see what is happening to the City. Back in the days when my grandfather opened Albert's Clothing and Shoe Store, many families were struggling. It was not unusual for my grandfather to give away shoes and clothing to families in need. My Uncle John continued that tradition all the while he ran the store.

When new businesses opened in town, in days gone by, it was customary to send flowers and a welcome card.

What has happened to our community? What has happened to the City? What a shame!

Jim Albert