Dear Carl Carpenter, Beth Hinebaugh, Rosemary Ketchum, Denny Magruder, Chad Thalman, and J.T. Thomas:
First, we would like to encourage you to offer much gratitude on behalf of the residents of Wheeling to the members of the police, fire, and operations departments, and to Ohio County’s sheriff’s office, health and emergency management agencies, and the 911 Center for their dedication to serving the citizens during this flood recovery process.
Second, please address these questions during your respective campaigns:
What now happens with the vacant houses on Wheeling Island and South Wheeling once the Ohio River recedes back to her banks? Who cleans THOSE basements?
Since the obvious answer is, “No one,” does that immediately deem those structures public safety hazards and therefore classify them all in need of immediate demolition? On the vacant house owners’ dime?
If not, why not?
Those structures now could be unstable from the flood’s force, and the environment on THE bottom levels must be disgusting and dangerous, right? And if it’s about the money – because it’s always about the money – then please figure out a way to hold those house owners accountable because, right now, it does not harm them AT ALL to allow a house to rot and crumble to the ground in Wheeling, W.Va., no matter where it is.
Yes, there are liens placed on those properties, and sure, the property proprietors would have to pay off the liens IF they even attempted to sell the land, but that NEVER happens and we all know it.
So, can those unpaid bills to the City of Wheeling and the State of West Virginia be placed on a list for collection? Can the unpaid debts then have an impact on credit ratings? Could those delinquent owners of grossly dilapidated dwellings face other real-life realities that might provoke payments?
If current state laws prohibit such action, could the City of Wheeling, as a “Home Rule Municipality,” establish one with state approval?
You all know as well as we do these properties are holding us back, and “We The People” of Wheeling are faced with property taxes, maintenance ordinances, and even a “311GovAlert” system that promotes one resident tattle-telling on a neighbor.
That’s one of many, many reasons why NOW is the time to investigate this idea or any other legal method that would assist with holding accountable these out-of-town property owners who could care less about the present or future of the Friendly City.
Sincerely,
Your Potential Constituents
