Are we that bored or nosey???

[Timmay]

I was reading the Indianapolis Star this morning and on the inside of Section B page 2...they have a section about trashed properties that they print everyweek.  OK, I am all for keeping neighborhoods clean and picked up but to devote a whole half page full of pictures of these trashed up places?  They even have an area there where just the general public can write in their comments. 
It seems as though the local gov't should be the ones to take actions against people like that.  One would think so, but no...its the Indy Star staff members.  The heading on the article reads ...Is there an abandoned house, giant pothole or other infrastructure that is broken or neglected in your neighborhood? Let us know through the star and the Star Watch feature.  Star staff members will check out the problems. 
Well let me tell ya, If I was one of those people who owned property that was trashed up ( although I wouldnt)  Do you really think Im going to listen to some nitwit at a newspaper office?   I think this section of the newspaper is dedicated to all of those neighbors who sit around their house all day and peer into other peoples lives.  If you are that bored and nosey...get your ass out there and help clean it up instead of taking the time to write an article and take photos of them.  Seems as everyone is ready to point fingers more easily than just helping. 

OK that was my rant for the day....Do we have any Raves?

[Tyro]

Good morning TimmJ,

That's not called being bored or nosey. That's called civic awareness.
My local paper has a similar page for fallen trees, broken curbs, potholes, trashed properties. People report thses places to the paper and the paper takes action to get these eyesores resloved.

TGIF, Tyro

[Timmay]

But what is it going to help by putting it in the newspaper for everyone to see?  If you are from around here....all it does it just gives other people something to do.  They will see it in the paper and they will jump in their cars to drive by and see it.  Those people who drive by...are they going to help do anything about it? No, they just have nothing better to do. One just just report it to the local authorities and get it resolved that way...not have some uneducated newspaper person try to take action on it.  What do they know?  Sorry but just my view on it.

[Mikekoz13]

I think the point of those kind of newspaper pieces is to "shame" people into going into action to fix the problems.

[BALDANDRE]

I think the point of those kind of newspaper pieces is to "shame" people into going into action to fix the problems.

MY thoughts exactly!

[Paul]

Living in a small town with only one zoning official it is often difficult for the town to know about particular problems or violations of ordinances, especially if they involve backyard problems.  That just sounds like a great place for residents to consolidate problems so officials are forced to take action, correct the problem and ensure that everyones home maintains its value.

[Timmay]

I guess my grip is that most of the time the newspaper is just a big gossip forum.  I know the people at the newspaper offices work their butts off to give us the news that we need to know about..but in the same time....they usually tell the general population more than we need to know or want to know. 
You all have a point there about putting Shame on the people who do it...but ....I think it is going to take more than Shame for someone to clean up their property.  I mean if the owners have already trashed their property in plain site..... that having their pic in the paper of their trashed out property...do you really think its going to be any different or make them think "OH NO! SOMEONE SEEN OUR TRASH" ?  I doubt it.  They know it is there...and it is obvious that they dont care.

[Pshrynk]

TimmJ

What if it was your next door neighbor that had the crappy yard or house. 

I'd wanna try anything possible.

[Timmay]

I wouldnt call the local newspaper office...I would call the city gov't.

[Pshrynk]

I wouldnt call the local newspaper office...I would call the city gov't.

Good morning TimmJ,

That's not called being bored or nosey. That's called civic awareness.

Exactly, you can't always count on government to do stuff for you and the wheels often move at a snails pace, especially in civic government -- civic awareness and community involvement is great!!!!!