Editor,

On Dec. 16, I talked to the Hinesville City Council about National Night Out’s Project 365, which was initiated by city code office for the Georgina Court townhouses adjoining the Irene Thomas city park.

How did our neighborhood of 28 years get this dubious "project?" Simple: over the years it has developed into a trashy, slum associated with criminal activity. We do have homeowners — yes, there are a few of us who generally maintain their properties. However, other — mostly unoccupied — properties, per Project 365/enforced city ordinances/codes should and will be required to repair issues like drooping and missing siding, overgrown weeds, neglected lawns and redtip bushes that are growing to the heavens; maybe Jack and his bean stalk live there.

Some of these homes were and are occupied by Marne soldiers.

There are also many inoperable, junk cars sitting in yards and they’ve been there for years. That’s an ordinance violation, which, Mayor Thomas admitted to me, means the cars can legally be removed.

Also per a city ordinance, TV satellite dishes should/will be moved from front yards. At the council meeting, Mayor Thomas asked what he could do to help. Visit our neighborhood, monitor and support the progress being made, meet with homeowners.

This neighborhood situation involves Fort Stewart military personnel. Another idea: Mayor Thomas and Councilmember Anderson, whose district includes this neighborhood, are both retired military members. They’re both associated with the military affairs committee. They could get together with the Marne command, have spots on Marne TV and in the Frontline newspaper encouraging off-post soldiers to keep their residences up to Fort Stewart housing standards (properly mowed lawns, free of trash with no cars parked in yards). Soldiers’ chains of command could monitor this and address any unacceptable housing situations. Yes, I want my neighborhood to have high standards. Who wouldn’t?