Chronicle Editorial

Prioritize those properties, people

     Recent efforts by the Hampton City Council to keep our town looking nice have been valiant attempts at addressing a perpetual problem – too many people are failing to keep up their properties, and too few are taking city ordinance seriously.

     Most residences throughout Hampton are well maintained. Lawns are mowed each week, trees are trimmed and weeds are kept under control. However, a brief stroll through town reveals plenty of other properties contrasting their neighbors' manicured yards and homes. There are far too many dilapidated houses in our city, and there's more than a few overgrown yards with unkempt brush cover. Junk cars fill lawns, rotting fences mark property lines and garbage heaps stink up the backyard. The list is nearly endless.

     These eyesores affect far more people than the individuals failing to maintain them. They devalue neighboring properties and also create a strain on city resources. Employees are forced to inspect negligent properties and law enforcement officers have to waste time serving notices if they're found in violation. Not to mention court expenses and other fees associated with litigation and appeals process. Code enforcement comes with a price tag, and it's clear we're all picking up the tab.

     Despite minor dissent from some local residents and property owners, the city has pushed forward with efforts to address these frustrating problems. The council, along with the police department and city attorney, has discussed ways to strengthen city code and target habitual offenders that constantly hamper officials and burden resources. The council wants to address these problematic properties and make Hampton a more appealing community, and local residents should be vocal in their support.

     Admittedly, city code can be frustrating. Sometimes we're simply too busy to keep the grass under six inches one week or maybe we just didn't have time to shovel the side walk after a late-December snowstorm. Neglecting to comply with these basic ordinances can net you a sternly worded letter and a small fine, but they're on the books for a reason – some people wouldn't do it if they didn’t have to.  The same is true for other ordinary property upkeep. Without constant pressure from City Hall to keep houses and other buildings in compliance with code, many more people throughout Hampton would be griping about a rundown house on their street or a collapsing shed next-door.

     Caveats exist within the debate over stricter code enforcement. Some people simply can't afford to replace every broken fencepost, or maybe don't have time to keep every stray dandelion under the legal length. However, city officials are lenient when people are willing to work with them, but that's where problem lies. A handful of property owners throughout town like to be thorns in the side of elected officials and city employees, and they most likely always will be. The council has been left with no choice but to target those properties and pursue stricter ordinances with the hopes of bringing them into compliance.

     Basic property upkeep is all elected officials and city employees are asking from Hampton's residents. It's not hard, and it's certainly easier and less expensive than the alternative. Cut your grass, fix up your porch or trim that ragged old pine tree. The small amount of time and effort put into improving your property pales in comparison to the headache you'll face from the city and community should you choose not to.       Your neighbors will resent you less, too, which is always a plus.