It's about the future: City's decision to put owners' feet to the fire is best choice

When you drive into a city and you see dilapidated buildings and overgrown weeds, it makes you think twice about its viability.

Why would you want to locate your business or expand your business in a community that has empty, rundown structures in key locations?

And would a city with such eyesores be somewhere you want to locate your family?

So, the fact that Goldsboro city officials are clamping down on those who do not keep up their properties in general -- and on a decaying hotel in the city limits in specific -- is good news not only for residents, but also for the city's future.

But there is even more work to do.

The problem of rundown property and weed-filled empty lots is not under control -- and it won't be as long as there are property owners who do not see the need to get the work done.

It is going to take a commitment from city residents and from officials here to send out the message that if you are going to own property in the city of Goldsboro, you are going to have to take care of it. And that includes those who are landlords of rundown property.

There are many problems facing communities right now -- not the least of which is the up and down economy.

But the economic slowdown is a chance for us to prepare for better times -- mostly by making sure we are prepared to take advantage of opportunities when they become available.

This is a good first step.

Published in Editorials on October 6, 2010 11:01 AM