First off, let me say thank you Barb, because I think she did an excellent job delineating the difference between a landlord and a slumlord. Her posts encapsulates at least what I think of as the difference in many ways.
Bill: How many people must you know before you acknowledge your demagogic language? It stuns me that two landlords have said slumlord is offensive and you choose to dismiss us. Jonathan: Bill, I'm truly sorry that you got attacked, but it sounds more like the guy had other issues and then used the term as an excuse, that still doesn't make it the same as the atrocities committed in the name of racism. Nor does it make it demagogic or even actually offensive. It is your take that is offensive regardless of the usage, and I can understand and respect that, and just as Barb described, it makes it harder for good landlords such as you to do your job. But there are other property owners who do think the use is acceptable, at least one of which weighed in here. Because I disagree with you, though, does not mean your dismissed by me or even wrong, just that I disagree with you. And that should be allowed, just as it is okay that you disagree with others that find slumlord acceptable as a word. I can respect your position and your frustration, but if you can't respect my right to mine, then we've reached an impasse and cannot have a fruitful discourse. I'd rather there not be a reason or need for the word, but in my opinion, 'bad property owner" does not encompass the magnitude that you are dealing with when talking about someone like Gregge Johnson. Maybe we'll find another word to use, but until then, I'll respect your feelings and position on it, and I hope you'll respect mine. Bill: I am glad to hear this. Is it new? I owned rental property in Jordan and never heard of JACC's efforts to work with landlords. A year ago, I gave up on the North side and sold everything. There were multiple reasons I left, but Poor Property Managers like Gregge Johnson was one of them. Jonathan: I don't know if it's completely new, but I've been in the position 5 mos, so the efforts that I bring and the approaches I use are new. Case in point, I had a number of residents approach me from a particular landlord's property with complaints and issues, some pretty serious. I spoke with Inspections to verify them, then set up a couple of meetings with him to talk about the problems and solutions. He ended up selling his properties, but it was because he came to the conclusion that he was trying to do to much and had spread himself to thin, and did not want to ruin his family's reputation or the neighborhood. Had he decided to stay, there were some options that I would have plugged him into to help develop and upkeep his property. A neighborhood functions best when all of its components, residents, business, elected officials, etc., are working together not at odds. I'm sorry, also, that you left the Northside. It's an exciting time, and we have a lot of things going on over here. We've got 3 great Council Members that are working together with the Mayor and the neighborhoods to develop and improve the quality of life up here. There's redevelopment already planned on West Broadway and Lowry and we're looking at Penn too. In the next couple of years, there's going to be some great changes, and some wonderful opportunities. So feel free to come back and work up here and I guarantee you'll find a Jordan and JACC that is more active in working not only with property owners, but with neighbors to make our neighborhood and the Northside a great place to be. Jonathan Palmer Victory REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
