Editor, No money for cleanups and crime prevention, but money for salaries?
On March 13, a neighborhood watch was formed for Sharon, Lesa and Elaine streets in Hinesville, in response to correspondence from Eugene Turpin, whose property on Elaine Street was burglarized in February, as well as to other disturbing incidents and a need to improve the quality of life/rent profit.
Attending the meeting were three homeowners from Sharon Street, two landlords, a renter from Elaine Street and two “minions” of other homeowners, one representing Mr. Turpin. Mayor Thomas and Councilman Anderson, who represents this district and who lives nearby, also attended.
Mayor Thomas told us what’s going on in the city, but forgot one itsy-bitsy item — tripling both his and the council members’ salaries.
People in attendance expressed their concerns to the elected officials, to include criminal behavior (fights on Elaine Street), a school bus on Elaine Street blocking views and young people climbing on it for pleasure, junk cars in yards, cars parked for over a month on two yards and the repaving of Sharon Street.
Mayor Thomas said he will look into the school bus, but there’s no money for repaving. And, I am still befuddled, but [he said he] can’t do anything about the cars despite city ordinances. As of March 19, the bus had returned to Elaine Street, possibly subject to vandalism and criminal acts, to be repaired by the taxpayer.
The landlords wanted me to be the “commander” and at first I agreed. But after one landlord stated he owned four properties on filthy, crime-ridden Elaine Street, I have decided that I’m not going to work for free so he can get a bigger, better rent check.
The next meeting is at 11 a.m. on June 19 at Irene B. Thomas Park Pavilion. I’ll probably be there. Maybe Mayor Thomas and Councilman Anderson will be there and others, homeowners, landlords, renters and “minions.”
On March 13, a neighborhood watch was formed for Sharon, Lesa and Elaine streets in Hinesville, in response to correspondence from Eugene Turpin, whose property on Elaine Street was burglarized in February, as well as to other disturbing incidents and a need to improve the quality of life/rent profit.
Attending the meeting were three homeowners from Sharon Street, two landlords, a renter from Elaine Street and two “minions” of other homeowners, one representing Mr. Turpin. Mayor Thomas and Councilman Anderson, who represents this district and who lives nearby, also attended.
Mayor Thomas told us what’s going on in the city, but forgot one itsy-bitsy item — tripling both his and the council members’ salaries.
People in attendance expressed their concerns to the elected officials, to include criminal behavior (fights on Elaine Street), a school bus on Elaine Street blocking views and young people climbing on it for pleasure, junk cars in yards, cars parked for over a month on two yards and the repaving of Sharon Street.
Mayor Thomas said he will look into the school bus, but there’s no money for repaving. And, I am still befuddled, but [he said he] can’t do anything about the cars despite city ordinances. As of March 19, the bus had returned to Elaine Street, possibly subject to vandalism and criminal acts, to be repaired by the taxpayer.
The landlords wanted me to be the “commander” and at first I agreed. But after one landlord stated he owned four properties on filthy, crime-ridden Elaine Street, I have decided that I’m not going to work for free so he can get a bigger, better rent check.
The next meeting is at 11 a.m. on June 19 at Irene B. Thomas Park Pavilion. I’ll probably be there. Maybe Mayor Thomas and Councilman Anderson will be there and others, homeowners, landlords, renters and “minions.”
— Joseph B. Stuart
Hinesville
Hinesville