So let me get this right...if I have a job and care for what I have worked hard for I am an "elitist"? So be it.

I am also a supporter of the government and not paranoid to say we "CANNOT TRUST THE GOVERNMENT ANT ANY LEVEL." What is that all about? Our government represents the people and our laws and ordinances which we have enacted through our elected officials. How are we able to live in our democratic society if we don't have rules and guidelines to follow. I have voted in every election since I turned 18, and active within my community. Maybe those who complain about our government should voice their opinions in the appropriate forum, i.e. contacting their elected officials, voting, volunteering in their community, etc.

We do have zoning laws and ordinances, but what good are laws and ordinances if there is no enforcement? If it is left to individual homeowners to "police" themselves we are back to where we started. I wish we lived in a utopia where everyone chose to take care of their property, but I live in the real world.

I know in other communities (in Portage County) where these same minimum standards are enforced, there are provisions for citizens who are unable to maintain their property due to financial or other problems. I think it would be irresponsible for any governing body to not consider these problems. However, the number of people experiencing who are financially unable to care for their property are the minority of the offending property owners.

In reply to tklsr. You are more interested in your property value than you are in others. That makes you an elitists and proves my point. I said, that we need some procedure that separates the lazy dirty property owners for those that can not afford to fix up. If you don't think this issue is worth arguing, I hope you are never disabled or saddled with huge medical bills and that you can continue to work in you yard when you are 80 or so.

You CAN NOT TRUST GOVERNMENT TO HAVE YOUR BEST INTEREST IN HEART. The government is only interested in itself. Ask the people in the Cleveland suburb whose' home were declared blighted and take from them to sell to a commercial developer so as the city could get more tax money. These were older homes well kept, but because they did not meet what the city wanted they declared the whole area blighted. Check it out. Talk to some of these people. There are several other communities that are suffering the same faith. Once you let a governing body set standards, you will have to meet those standards and all after that. It is the first step in taking property. They say that it does not meet the minimum standards and take it. Check it out. You said, "also believe if you can demonstrate intent to fix problems in your yard with some sort of action plan, the city would take that into consideration." How nave. Akron, tore down a man home while he was remodeling it and had already put several thousand dollars in it. That property became part of Goodyear project. It is that type of thinking that the government relies on to get their claws into the people. Some one once said, The greatest fear is when some says, " I am from the government and I am here to help."


You have zoning laws that should take care of junk cars and such. The difference here is that you can take these to court and be represented by an attorney. Ravenna tried to do this a few years ago. The law turned into one that told you how big of a kitchen sink you had to have, and how big of a window to allow a minimum amount of light into the house. Now tell me that the elitist are not pushing these laws.

If you still think this is not worth arguing, remember this, once the law is passed you will never be able to get rid of it, and they can add to it anything they want at any time they want. Then you have to meet the city requirements and go the expense of getting in on the ballot and then win against all the money the city has.

Instead of targeting property owners for now! Why doesn't the City of Streetsboro fix Price Rd. out there!!! Going out there and grading the drainage ditches does not help the road with the big trucks racing down there loaded either, that is the only road as far as I know they will not touch and you know what when people start losing there axles or breaking things on their cars because your to ignorant to fix things maybe then when the car repair suits start coming in you will all do something about it. But I or others will not hold our breath.

There is an obvious need for some sort of property maintenance enforcement. As we all know, you can have laws and regulations, but without enforcement, they are useless. I think the intent of this new legislation is to "prod" those homeowners who don't keep their property in a acceptable manner. I do realize there are some in our community who may not have the financial means to update their property, but I believe they are in the minority of the objectionable homeowners. I happen to be a resident of Streetsboro and we have a neighbor who has approximately 2 dozen stray cats, junk and garbage around the entire yard, a yard that resembles a dandelion farm which hasn't been mowed this season but the resident is always buying his kid new toys, including a minibike which he illegally zips up and down the street.

I don't view myself as a "well heeled elitist", but I work hard to maintain my yard, not to mention pay my mortgage to keep my home. I also believe if you can demonstrate intent to fix problems in your yard with some sort of action plan, the city would take that into consideration.

Just because you have pride in your home or would like to see some eyesores corrected, you are not an "employed elitist".

"Dowhatsright": Get real and argue something worth arguing. It is so easy to find fault and lay blame, why not suggest solutions to your identified problems, and stop calling those who care about their property "elitists"...

With all do respect I believe this city is in need of some clean up. Yeah I understand people with special needs and help. I do not think folks that are in need will be fined or forced to clean up their yards. I have an issue with people who have all the money in the world and still don't maintain their property. It's horrible to invest in a property and have neighbors ruin the appearence of the street. I don't care what your house looks like from the inside, but have the decency to make the yard look half way presentable. Don't forget this is the cities 1st full time Mayor. I'm sure the past part time Mayor just didn't have the time or energy to take care of this issue. I'm personally glad and quite surprised the issue has come up so soon. All communities have all ranges of incomes it's all how you take pride in your property. It's all about finding a way to pick up the trash that blew around after garbage pick up day. It's about having respect for your neighbor and realize your not the only property on the block. It's about having the guts to ask for help. It's about going after developers who HAVE taken advantage of this city. If you own a piece of property whatever size...clean it up. Try and see what happens. I may have more to learn about this addmendment law but my goodness there are some shabby front yards, businesses, and common areas here in the boro. Why do you think the communities around us have higher property values? Bet your bottom dollar they have a law Mayor Wagner is suggesting already in place for years. Don't shoot the messeger. Mayor Wagner is trying to clean up this city. Nobody can say it doesn't need it. We personally can't afford much. We do all the yard work and planted all our foundation plants ourselves. When we go for walks we take a garbage bag and pick up alllllll the trash in others front yards. I even picked up a maxi pad once by accident. It's amazing what is left in yards. We offer to help neighbors and have even built a beautiful deck for one of our neighbors. I think its time to work together and stop accusing and having a problem about everything good happening to this city. Deal with it Streetsboro the Burbs are here and we are not leaving! We believe in Streetsboro and are raising our children here!Phew I got that off my chest. Ok give it to me. I can take it.

This is a touchy problem, because YOU CAN NOT TRUST THE GOVERNMENT AT ANY LEVEL. They do not enforce the law equally. Those that are in a financial bind and can not defend themselves loose, and those that have access to the city government are over looked. It does not differentiate between those that are too lazy or dirty to clean up and those that just can not afford to make the repairs.

This law is just the first step for the city to get your property and/or increase your property tax.

When people loose their job, or have a big medical problem, they can not always afford to make repairs that the employed elitist think should be made. If they can not afford to make the repairs, how does the city expect them to pay the exorbitant amount that the city charges for their work. Then you add all the fees they clamp on, and you can bet you will loose the property. Streetsboro will be doing the same thing they did in the suburb of Cleveland. They will take your property and sell it to a developer and get more tax money.

This law reeks of the stink of well heeled elitist that wants to force everyone to conform to their idea of property maintenance and dcor. As soon as they get this law passed, they will be adding to it and make it illegal to paint you house any color other than what the city approves. Maybe, even limit your type and height of grass.

Also, you can not get a contractor out to give an estimate in 5 days, let along get the work done. If the property is rented, you have to go through a legal procedure to evict them. It takes a lot longer than 5 days. During this time, the renters can and do seek revenge for being evicted, by causing you a lot of trouble with the city.

We need a procedure that can separate those that are lazy from those that are either physical or financially unable to meet the demands of the elitist.