During the 6 p.m. City council meeting on Tuesday, I read into the public record that three properties located on 2005, 2007, and 2009 Milne Street in the Avondale community in District 8 were promised to be revitalized by Mayor Berke and former Councilman Anthony Byrd on February 25, 2019. That same year council persons approved the rezoning of the properties to R-2 by May 13, 2019.
The following month, budget money was allocated for the program and additional funding to allow the city to put up $20,000 for a homebuyer incentive for purchasers who want to invest in the neighborhood.
Fast forward to now, the duplexes are still boarded up, and where our taxpayer dollars have gone is a mystery. This is unacceptable, especially since we are in a housing crisis. District 8 and every taxpayer deserves transparency, and here's how we can limit another occurrence like this in the future:
- Our Mayor sets a budget with seemingly little pushback or involvement other than rubber-stamping from our council. Government checks and balances will not exist without a more robust legislative body.
- Follow-up on community initiatives must be the standard of every council person across the board. We cannot continue to allocate taxpayer dollars that go unaccounted for or, at worst, are fraudulently wasted. We must improve government efficiency, taxpayer dollars accountability, and our constituents' desired deliverables.
- Leadership not only sets the example for everyone in our city, but you are also responsible for City hall's culture. Acknowledging mistakes and moving towards corrective action shows accountability, empathy, and integrity. Now more than ever, this is the leadership our city is desperate for.
Issues like this are too important not to address. Since it's been adequately notified, I expect our city to step up and deliver on its promise to the Avondale community and provide housing to those who need it the most.
Marie R. Mott
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Unfortunately most of our representatives locally and across the country were busy dealing with the extreme failure and short sightedness of the “Defund the Police” movement trying to prevent riots, looting, blockading of critical emergency vehicles and arson during that time. It took resources and attention away from the law abiding lower to middle income families when they needed the support the most.
Thank goodness for all the law abiding citizens that funding for police in most municipalities has now increased to get the rampant crime back under control so we can now focus on the important issues you are referencing.
Chris Morgan