Dennis Plante wrote: > As you all probably know by now, a group of Jordan residents protested > outside of Gregge Johnson's house in Elk River the week before Thanksgiving. > He's an absentee rental property owner that we feel has caused a fair > amount of problems in our neighborhood over the last several years. > Probably the most important achievement (of his) to date, is that he owns > the house that started the "Jordan Melee".
A landlord (who doesn't know Mr. Johnson) responds: Just down the block from my Whittier apartment building is a landlord that rents to jerks. I have been to many block club meetings where we spend most of the time talking about his property. We have drugs and assaults amongst other problems because of the occupants. It is frustrating. I have lost tenants and good neighbors because of these problems. However, I can't figure out where problem occupants should go. Sure, we joke about sending them to Chicago, Detroit or even your Jordan neighborhood, but it is a real problem. Are we ready to declare that some families don't deserve housing? How do we eliminate problem occupants and not exacerbate the homeless problem? You credit the Landlord for the "Jordan Melee." Was he the one that released the pit bull at the officer? Or had the child at a known drug house? Was he even there? If we don't hold the occupants accountable for their actions, how will they ever learn to behave differently? I am not arguing that Mr. Johnson has no culpability. I believe that problem tenants must be removed; and I act on that belief. However, I have looked parents in the eye -- even right before Christmas -- as the sheriff escorts them out of my apartment building. I have listened as these parents ask me where their baby should sleep tonight. Some of my landlord friends and social workers call me cold hearted. Most of my neighbors like me. Who is right? Regards, Bill Cullen Whittier Landlord. P.S. Hey Barbara Lickness! Let me know if you want to come protest at my house. I'll bring the beer and wine. :) REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
