Not the Sam Rand Way
As the City of Portland announces yet another spendy, heavy-handed scheme to solve a problem -- this time, derelict, abandoned homes -- we see in another Pacific Northwest city a sensible alternative approach:
Auburn has created an online Wall of Shame to put pressure on banks holding mortgages on these houses. Many of the houses have neglected front yards; some have moldy or interior walls. The site lists the properties that need work, including a picture, and names the banks that hold the property and contact information.The banks KING 5 reached out to stated they knew ownership of the property had been transferred and they maintain the properties. However, Auburn Mayor Peter Lewis said it's taking too long for the work to get done.
Lewis actually bikes around the city, taking pictures of properties to post to the Wall of Shame.
Cheap, easy, minimal bureaucracy, no massive fines -- and it might even work. Of course, that means it will never be tried in Portland. [Via the O.]
| Posted at 10:24 AM | Permalink |
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Comments (7)
"Lewis actually bikes around the city, taking pictures of properties to post to the Wall of Shame."
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Maybe if the story told of a Mayor driving his pickup truck around town (with his pants unzipped), then it could motivate Portland's Mayor to do likewise.
But a Mayor biking around town, cleaning up the eyesores? Not in Portland!
Posted by Harry | September 14, 2012 10:51 AM
Sounds like a good business opportunity...
Drive around to "abandoned" properties and clean up the frontage for a small monthly fee. All one would need is a pickup truck, lawn mower, hammer and nails, light bulbs, and some miscellaneous garden tools. For an extra fee, I would even come armed with a shot gun and run out the squatters.
Posted by Anthony | September 14, 2012 11:01 AM
Anthony -
In Oregon, of course, one would need a license from the Construction Contractors Board, multi hours of "professional continuing education classes, insurance and a bond.
Kiss that reasonable small monthly fee goodbye.
Posted by Nonny Mouse | September 14, 2012 11:23 AM
Stand by for incoming blog entries from taxpayer funded, outside "consulting & communicating facilitators" that are paid to "educate stakeholders" to visionate and forge consesus.
Posted by ltjd | September 14, 2012 11:32 AM
nothing an envelope full of money cant handle :)
Posted by Anthony | September 14, 2012 12:11 PM
States where residential contractors are licensed at the state or local level: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, DC, Hawaii, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Wyoming
Economy-killers. All of these big-government socialist states.
Posted by Zach | September 14, 2012 3:44 PM
Sam is good at creating eyesores in some neighborhoods while "looking" for land and fees under the pretense of helping areas. I do recognize there are trouble spots that need to be cleaned, however, in my view, it is really about the fees, more revenue needed and who will benefit.
Of course, they can always come up with a jolly good reason, so the program looks good, such as it is for the children! It is for the neighborhood! Since when have they been concerned about our neighborhoods?
Posted by clinamen | September 15, 2012 1:09 PM