[Winona Online Democracy]
Arlene, great thoughts. As a person who lives in the central city and who walks the neighborhoods daily with my dog, I can tell you that the absentee landlord issue is a real problem. I'd love to see families take over these homes and renovate them, particularly when there are so many For Rent signs placed in the lawns. I implore those who are concerned to walk down Howard St. between Main and Franklin during the school year; this is a perfect example of so many homes with absentee landlords who tolerate bad behavior. The trash strewn on the lawns and sidewalks is the first thing one notices. I have begun to avoid this street during the school year because I don't want my dog's feet to be cut by the broken glass on the sidewalks. After a snowfall, sidewalks of many of the rental houses are not shoveled, and walking on these surfaces is dangerous. I'm not trying to condemn every landlord, but families are moving away from the area because the students and landlords are not held accountable for their actions (or inaction). I had friends who moved from that street to Knopp Valley because they couldn't take the noise and the trash any more, and were concerned about the influence on their children.
The dorms on Franklin have served the community well so far. I hope that this may be a wake-up call for those landlords who want to earn something from their investments. We need landlords who will visit their property weekly, establish a relationship with their tenants, and hold them accountable for noise and trash--not landlords who just want to milk the cash cow. If the renters are not expected to shovel the walks, then landlords must hire someone to do it. There are also a number of senior citizens in these neighborhoods who need to walk and they shouldn't be made shut-ins because they are afraid of the ice. We need landlords who are willing to improve their rental properties, keep sofas off the porches and lawns, and rent to people who are willing to pick up after themselves. If there are no consequences for bad behavior it will continue. I know; I'm a mother.
Regarding storm sewers; as Master Gardeners, Arlene and I have been promoting an "adopt a storm sewer" and rain gardens for several years. It would be great if the city would formally get on board!
Vicki Englich
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