Proposed ordinance restricts rights
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Editor,
On June 25, the Ronan City Council moved a “community decay” ordinance to a second reading. The ordinance is not in its final form yet, but the motion was passed with a 3-2 vote.
The community decay ordinance was discussed on June 11. The original discussion was on keeping yards clean, mowed and in a safe condition. In the last meeting. abandoned, wrecked or dismantled vehicles and equipment or machinery was added to this list of violations.
The final version of the ordinance could have items in it such as items as these: “Grass, weeds, and lawns which are not regularly cut and mowed and maintained. Grass length shall not exceed 8 inches; weeds must be controlled and not allowed to propagate so as to adversely affect adjoining properties.
“Trees, bushes, hedges and shrubs that are not regularly trimmed and maintained. Foliage which is allowed to intrude upon public property and trees and bushes that impede normal flow of pedestrian or vehicle traffic.
“Fences which are not maintained and are allowed to deteriorate into an unsafe condition. Buildings which are not maintained, not secured, or represent a safety or fire hazard.”
The enforcement of this would fall upon the public works director to observe and report violations to the mayor and the council. If the problem is not fixed within a stated time period, the city may bill $30 per employee, including equipment, rounded to the nearest half hour for the time it takes the city to deal with the problem. If the property owner does not pay the bill, the city may place a lien against the property.
I moved to Ronan 22 years ago to live in a good American small town. I did not move to Kalispell or Missoula to live in a gated community with covenants.
Also, during this time of economic uncertainty, if we as a community were to increase spending, I would prefer to spend it on the roads and police force of Ronan, not on making sure that every citizen in Ronan has mowed his lawn.
I urge the public and press to be at the next city council meeting on July 9, when this ordinance may be passed.
Roger Romero
Ronan
