slums in mckenzie

I think that the city is getting ahead of itself. Instead of rezoning residential property into commercial property to satisfy the wants one a few people and place additional restrictions on the homeowners that are already living in those properties; and the addition of a "historical district" to McKenzie limiting how homeowners can change the look of their house and property if they want to, they need to be focusing more on enforcing the laws and ordinances they already have. There are numerous properties all over town that are in serious violation of building code and pose a hazard to the citizens and pretty much are just an eye sore to look at. Some of those properties are trailers that no one lives in and are falling apart literally behind the Charter building on West Morris St. These trailers are owned by Boyd H Blackburn. Another house that is a serious fire threat is 680 Walnut Ave owned by Andrew Glen Higdon Sr. The city is always saying that they want to spruce the place up and make it look good to attract business, how do you expect to attract business when you have properties like this littering your city. Before you start making new laws and regulations you need to be able to enforce the ones you already have. The city should not even be thinking about an annexation plan until we as a city are up to code.

rebelfan01 wrote:

I think that the city is getting ahead of itself. Instead of rezoning residential property into commercial property to satisfy the wants one a few people and place additional restrictions on the homeowners that are already living in those properties; and the addition of a "historical district" to McKenzie limiting how homeowners can change the look of their house and property if they want to, they need to be focusing more on enforcing the laws and ordinances they already have. There are numerous properties all over town that are in serious violation of building code and pose a hazard to the citizens and pretty much are just an eye sore to look at. Some of those properties are trailers that no one lives in and are falling apart literally behind the Charter building on West Morris St. These trailers are owned by Boyd H Blackburn. Another house that is a serious fire threat is 680 Walnut Ave owned by Andrew Glen Higdon Sr. The city is always saying that they want to spruce the place up and make it look good to attract business, how do you expect to attract business when you have properties like this littering your city. Before you start making new laws and regulations you need to be able to enforce the ones you already have. The city should not even be thinking about an annexation plan until we as a city are up to code.

"LIKE!!!"

Well for most I agree with all that. But one thing they dont realize is they dont get any buissnes in this god for saken town there will be nobody to fix anything up.

I see your point but I know at least 1 of the aforementioned people can afford to take care of their own property. If nothing else the drug money could pay for it.

rebelfan01 wrote:

I think that the city is getting ahead of itself. Instead of rezoning residential property into commercial property to satisfy the wants one a few people and place additional restrictions on the homeowners that are already living in those properties; and the addition of a "historical district" to McKenzie limiting how homeowners can change the look of their house and property if they want to, they need to be focusing more on enforcing the laws and ordinances they already have. There are numerous properties all over town that are in serious violation of building code and pose a hazard to the citizens and pretty much are just an eye sore to look at. Some of those properties are trailers that no one lives in and are falling apart literally behind the Charter building on West Morris St. These trailers are owned by Boyd H Blackburn. Another house that is a serious fire threat is 680 Walnut Ave owned by Andrew Glen Higdon Sr. The city is always saying that they want to spruce the place up and make it look good to attract business, how do you expect to attract business when you have properties like this littering your city. Before you start making new laws and regulations you need to be able to enforce the ones you already have. The city should not even be thinking about an annexation plan until we as a city are up to code.

Dont like the way they do it? You have choices.
1. Voice your concern at a city council meeting.
2. Run for office.
3. Move
4. Use your money to fix the slums.

Do something about it dont just complain. Thats wahts wrong with the world. People want to complain but they wont take action.

I look foward to hearing what you personally did to fix the problem.

With all due respect guest u have no idea where my view point is from. Trust me I do all you have described, I don't just complian. I am telling you this bc all the other things u mentioned have not worked. We do need more people to.get involved in these issues maybe u should contact you council person to voice tor opinion too.

rebelfan01 wrote:

With all due respect guest u have no idea where my view point is from. Trust me I do all you have described, I don't just complian. I am telling you this bc all the other things u mentioned have not worked. We do need more people to.get involved in these issues maybe u should contact you council person to voice tor opinion too.

Totally agree. If no options have worked there is a serious problem. Is there an outside source that can be contacted that would force the city to di something? Maybe some type of state or federal branch that can look into these issues? Just a thought.

As much as I would love to have the problem fixed I must say that I would rather ha e the. Irt take care of it foe a few reasons. 1 I don't believe a higherlevel ocgovtshohld betelling a lower level bow to run their business, the state would vet mad ic the fed govt tried to do the same. 2 I dont think any other higher govt agency would do anything bcthey will say its a city issue we have no dog in that race unless itbreaks a state or federal law. I want the problem fixed as much as anyone but I think it should be done at the lowest level possible. We elect and pay a city council I think they should do their job by ensuring policy is followed. Or if u want to get technical appoint the police dept to do so. The council is the legislative branch of city govt.

Sorry for typo errors I am typing on a cell phone. Lol

Mckenzie has many placees that need cleaning and fixing up but it is hard to do when there is no jobs or money for these people to do it with that is what are cousle needs to consintrate on.

Its one thing if you dont have the money to do so, but I KNOW that many of these properties are owned by individuals who DO have money but they dont want to put it into their rental properties. These are also the same properties that have been in total disrepair for many years even before we hit tough economic times.

The ppl that own these run down homes sh ould be shamed to rent them to ppl. I bet they wouldn't live in them? The mayor and all th e coucilman need to try to get jobs here that pay desent wages!! Ppl have tol work threw manpower or hamilton ryker and the pay sucks. I justr dolnt understand why they can't get any factories in this town or colunty? They got rid of our WalMart and I t hink that was bull. This town is run by what your name is and where hou live or how much money you have and you know we are all the same in Gods eyes.

Well I will say this factories actually look for communities that have programs like man power, they provide cheap labor which attracts businiess for the low labor cost. I am not saying they may not exploit the situation but as a company it is a smart investment. Not necessarily but the way it is.

Well you got ppl that have worked at some of thes plants for many many years and when they close all they have is temporaryh services. Don't get me wrong thank God they at least ave that to go too but I think our town reps and the indstrial board need to be doing more to get factorikes here. If the man at the ikndustrail board ehich will remane nameless would have actually tried or even cared he could have had at least 300 jobs for ppl. Mars wanted to buy the opld murray building but got turned down and if he had of fought a little more I believe they would have been able too. I don't thiknk he even tried to help the situstion at all. I speak from a good source on this.

Oh I will say the name, Billy Barksdale. But that is an entirely different topic to be discussed on here.

The current mayor of McKenzie seems to only care about making the city "look pretty" and doesn't seem to care anything about getting new employers or anything that fundamentally improves the city and the lives of its citizens.

The historic district the mayor is trying to impose is completely unnecessary and a waste of time. Getting jobs is more important.

Well to me everyone up there at city hall are nothing but a buntch of crooks all they are worried about is improving the town for bethel. And there again I ask is bethel going to pay to make my house look better are they going to pay my bills when there is no work I think not.

Oh and another thing do they really think that alot of the houses around that need repairs would not rather fixup there homes than look the way they do hello not everyone can aford to have a fancy smancy house like jill,or billy most ppl are living off unemployment these days. Lets see them live that way for atleast a yr.then come and talk about it then alot of you On here have no clue what it elder be like oh but everyone knows better or has an opinion. Bout the way everyone else should live

I agre with citizen!! The average unemployment pay iks 275 a week!! I bet they couldn't live off of that for a month? Who can that's why there are so many ppl on foodstamps and ppl stealing. I mean what good is it to have a college if when you graduate there are no juobs to go too. If I had the money I would fix up some of these ppls homes. The elderly can't do it because they live on fixed incomes and they have tol choose between medicine and food little alone even think about trying to fikx up there homes! I've lived here al my life and I never seen any of the ppl at city hall ever once offer to help out under priveledge ppl or the elderly. The gov. Just wants to let our elderly die well my parents are elderly and I prefer them alive so they need to think about how they treat the oleder folks because one day they will be the elderly. I had a man that was crippled call me week after week needing food and I took it out of my own pantry and bought him food with myown money and I've got 3 kids and my husband and I both lost our jobs 2yrs ago. I have a heart and I care but the ppl that can get thikngs done don't worry about the citizens having food or meds just as long as there house is nice so that ppl will come to this dead town and want to live here. There is nothing for our kids to do at all. Then ppl ask why do they drink or get into drugs and so much teen pregenancy well they have nothing else to do. If I had the means I would do smething about ti but I live pay check to pay check and I can't but if they would offer I would get involved and help. I would move but I can afford too. Who aouls buy a holme on this economy?

People don't have jobs that is a given in this area, but the slums being described on here are not places that anyone young or old are living in they are run down houses in town that are emptyand falling apart. The owners of these properties do have money they would just rather not spend it on something that requires so much work. If you get the chance drive down barksdale st and look at the last standing house on the right before you get to Morris ct that is the kind of property we are talking about. Not one that an elderly couple lives in. That is understandable. Oh and just to touch on the subject I think the historic district is a joke and a bad idea too.