In mid-April, major improvements will begin taking place on old Hwy. 10 and eventually become a well groomed boulevard and I am one of the benefactors, of course, a financial contributor also to this future marvel.

I have no complaints to upgrading the sewer system, it’s been long past due. From the information I’ve gathered, this project will consist of widening the street and sidewalks, grass and trees planted, plus new streetlights, a Rockwell painting, will come to mind upon completion...almost.

My concern and question to city officials is, with the old Hwy. 10 “makeover” will the run down neighborhoods on this scenic route get a well needed face-lift as well?

There are homes in shambles, some to the point of being uninhabitable, or used as trash bins, storage sheds or just sitting empty, deteriorating and yards, a haven for junk blending in with these eye sores.

Slumlords blend in readily with the same mixed set, renting their shacks to tenants who are so thankful having a roof over their heads, regardless if the interior or exterior is properly maintained.

By the way, what really is the job description of a building inspector? I certainly haven’t seen any improvements in my area and I’ve lived here nearly twenty years. Surely, I would have noticed.

The only improvement made was by MnDOT, constructing the four lane highway. Greatly appreciated.

Residents who continually maintain their homes and yards with hard effort and pride, do it, not only for their satisfaction, but consideration for neighbors and city as well.

We have absolutely no protection from the value of our property declining because we live within the radius of those who just don’t care.

Moving isn’t an option. We are not the problem.

I am really hoping with all the major and expensive “beautification” our city officials have achieved in a short period of time they’ll continue using the same tenacity in cleaning up or clearing out the “I don’t care sites” throughout our town and surrounding areas, informing the owners, slumlords, whomever, it will be done at their own expense. They’ll get the message once they see the sanitation truck(s) lined up and if not enough incentive, how about the robust noise of a bulldozer?

There is a good 95 percent of Staples residents who step up and pay out in order to maintain our town and neighborhoods in the highest standard possible and you have the other “I don’t care” percentage protected by loopholes the city officials cannot resolve, ridiculous.

Totally unacceptable that slums linger for years from one set of governing officials to another, enough.

It’s time you city officials dig your heels in, roll up your sleeves and resolve the detrimental slum issue and slumlords able to run amuck, it’s time their protection plan comes to a halt. Look into other communities who won’t tolerate the nonsense our town does, find out how they enforce their rules and regulations at a zero tolerance and maybe even avoid any court expenses, using their governing system within their very own town and making it work. Just do it.

I was told by a previous city official that to clean up a town, it falls under a “due process” mode. I suggested the process is quite dormant, I remembered Wisconsin Avenue from 50 years ago. Same shacks barely standing to this day, sad, but true.

Do you think it is time, putting an end to deterioration and putting your beautifi cation plan in high gear?

I will expect the city offi cials to compensate for any depreciation the value of my property incurs because the “Do Nothing” syndrome exists in my neighborhood. The rights for all people should be protected, not just the chosen few, who just don’t care.
Grandma In The Hood
Living On the Dark Side
Impatiently Waiting For
Prim Rose Lane

Arlene Ludovissie
Staples, Minn.