The resolution process of cleaning unkempt or dilapidated properties within Yazoo City has recently started to resurface on the Board of Mayor and Aldermen’s meeting agenda. And considering the process has been at a standstill for several months, we were pleased to see the process return to normal operations.
With resignations and lack of activity, the city’s code enforcement office was quiet for several months. Two city employees resigned from the department last year. And during the interim head’s tenure of about five months, the resolution process to address unkempt properties never appeared on the city agenda.
The city of Yazoo City welcomed a new building inspector earlier this year with the hiring of Arnold Woods. And almost days after his arrival, he got to work tagging junk cars and inspecting construction projects. Now, he is beginning to tackle unkempt properties with three parcels being brought before the city board this month. It may only be three properties, but at least it’s a start.
Blight has been a topic we at this newspaper have covered for close to two decades. We understand that it is a lengthy process to tackle such properties, but it is still a job that needs to be done. The appearance of your community matters. And vacant houses, dilapidated buildings and rusty junk cars are not a welcoming sight for residents, visitors and potential businesses.
It has been challenging in the past to continue the resolution process with aggressiveness. Some clean-up efforts are met with resistance with personal relationships involved. Turnover rates contribute to the process running smoothly. Equipment breaks down.
But if we can get a person, or team, who is ready to take the role seriously, let him do it. We have seen it work in the past. We support Arnold Woods in his future efforts. Following the department’s resignation of Danny Neely and Richard Patterson, the process was at a standstill until Woods was hired. Seeing Woods presenting three parcels for the resolution process to our city leaders is a start. Let’s keep it going.
