Displaced Texan

Tex for Moderator?!

I would never even joke about things like that. Awww, aren’t you sweet, Peel! I have not yet begun to fight.

Ha!!! That job doesn’t pay enough to deal with assholes like me!!

Whoda thunk!!?

Here’s my email to the mayor of Stratford: Hi Mayor Keenan, My name is Displaced Texan, and I live at XXXXXX in Stratford. My wife and I have been homeowners, taxpayers, and voters in this community for 15 years. In the time we have resided here in Stratford, we have watched an abandoned home across the street from us (XXXXXX) steadily deteriorate. It has been abandoned and neglected for 10+ years now. This abandoned property is not only an eyesore to all the residents of Stratford, but it presents an imminent health, safety, and fire hazard to the residents of our community. My neighbors and I have observed vermin (mice and rats) in the yard, and I have personally witnessed a raccoon enter the house through a broken window on more than one occasion. There are homeowners with small children in close proximity to this house, and the vermin present on this property pose a VERY real danger, and health risk to them and all members of our community. There is significant overgrowth of bushes and weeds which, until recently, (courtesy of another concerned neighbor) has completely obscured the front of the home. There are 2 abandoned cars on this property adding to the list of code infractions. The roof of this house is in abysmal shape and squatters have cut out the copper pipes of the home. We are extremely concerned about the safety and security of our neighborhood, and the negative effect that this sorely neglected property has on our community. Numerous complaints over the years to the township (both under your administration, and previous administrations), have been unanswered...and most likely, not even documented. We have heard all the excuses, we all know the family history, we know the property is changing hands, and it is well past time for action. This property has long been a nuisance to the neighborhood, and it MUST be adressed ASAP. Sir, myself, and my neighbors are formally requesting via this email, that you, and the town council take immediate, aggressive action to remedy this unacceptable situation. It’s time to actually REPRESENT your constituents, and be a part of the solution, instead of being part of the problem. Should you and the town council fail to take action, I am prepared to take this issue to every relevant county and/or state agency the situation warrants, to bring attention to this property, until a satisfactory resolution has been achieved. Feel free to contact me via email with your plan of action. I’ll be sharing all correspondence (or lack thereof) with my neighbors, so that we are all keenly aware of the township’s intentions to rectify this imminently hazardous situation. We all, await your response. Respectfully. Displaced Texan and concerned residents of Stratford Email: I took a walk on the property a few moments ago, and see that the township boarded up the broken basement window. Mrs Tex things that they will clean up the back yard, and probably leave it as is. Still haven’t heard back from the mayor. ETA: I have also heard via a member of the Stratford FB page that Royal Farms may have pulled out, and that a Tim Hortons has also backed out. Have not confirmed either one yet, but I will.

I have heard that the old Bradlees shopping center is getting a Royal Farms. They tore down the old Chinese place that was abandoned for years, but haven’t progressed on any construction yet. I hear they are trying to put some retail shops there, including another Dollar Store. Great....just what we need...another crappy Dollar Store. Nothing says desirable, like a crappy Dollar Store!

There has been some traction on this today. The Camden County Health inspector was there earlier today. He called me to ask a few question about the property. Asked if anyone was living there, because it still has electricity. He was absolutely dumbfounded that the place had been abandoned for 10+ years, and still has electricity. Said it was a tinderbox. He told me he was going to the borough to speak with them about it. I’m working today, but Mrs Tex is home, she said that shortly after, Stratford Public works paid the place a visit. Seems as my work is beginning to get some attention. We shall see how far it goes. I emailed the mayor on Sunday, but have not heard a response yet. I’ll redact some personal information, and post the letter later this evening. It was worded ‘strongly’, and left no doubt the natives in the neighborhood are restless about it. I told him I will only correspond via email, as I’ll be sharing his responses with the neighborhood. Hehehehehe! Its a great suggestion to take this to the news media...and I will at some point, if action stalls. Stratford is trying to attract new businesses to the town, and I’m pretty sure the township won’t like the negative attention. For the moment, the pot is stirred. Let’s see how much soup we get out of it.

Townhomes with retail on the bottom floor. People around here aren’t too thrilled about the idea.

I thought it was $5K, but i seem to be incorrect.

This

Subject to one gun a month rule too

Oh holy mother of BBQ!!! I NEED that!! I’d have to host a NJGF bbq with that! I wonder if the Colt SAA smoker is NJ Legal....

Ha!!! With my luck, you’re right!! Lol

I can handle, and would welcome construction noise. I want this safety/security/fire hazard house gone.

Bank is foreclosing on the house, and taking possession within days. Son has already given notice of intent to surrender the house to the lien holder. You’re right, it could be an agent for the bank.

Not the son. I’ve met him, he’s younger than I am. This was an older gentleman. Maybe late 60’s early 70’s. Could be a real estate agent or possibly a house flipper.

Possibly!! Exposure helps.

Probably the town FB page

The Ruskies are notoriously BAD at nuclear safety. Ugh.

Mildly interesting incident..... Someone pulled up to the house and took pics. I have no idea who this was, as he was gone before I could get outside and speak to him. Possibly somebody from the township...maybe a potential house flipper looking at the property. I doubt it was a county inspector. Guy was nicely dressed in slacks, dress shirt, and tie, and drove a newer Tahoe/Suburban. I wish I had the opportunity to speak with him, but I couldn’t get my boots on fast enough. In any case, attention is being drawn to this house.

Thanks brother!!

That’s the plan, GB. I’ll take this as high as need be. Like a good sailor, I’m going to take it up the chain of command until this shit gets sorted. I’m happy to shake things up. I WILL be at town council meetings, asking LOTS of uncomfortable questions. We have a Dem mayor, and 3/6 of our town council is dem. To be fair, when it was a republican administration, they didn’t do much either.

I’m sure you’re right. Tomorrow, Mrs Tex and I are going door to door, hitting the rest of the houses in the neighborhood. She made flyers, with a website to complain about the abandoned house. This should be fun. Apparently, according to Mrs Tex, people on the Township FB page are talking about it...... One neighbor on the block got a ticket for some weed growth on her curb...while that horrendous house that’s falling apart didn’t receive ANY citations. Hmmmm.

I’ll check it out. Right now, Mrs Tex is raising eyebrows on the Stratford FB page. Somehow, I think this is going to be painful for Stratford. I know the admin for the FB page (via the Stratford Republican Club), so I doubt it will get nuked.