A small number of people cause big problems

With regard to the letter from Dan Cinowalt ("Trash Control," July 20), I felt he was not in full understanding of the problem facing the Sheraden community.

Many of our residents take a very active role in our community and "redd up" their homes and those areas surrounding them. The majority of our residents maintain their homes, clean up their trash, mow their lawns and are responsible for their pets and children. Our property owners are proud of their homes and their investments in the community. We have an active community council, which organizes a number of projects, including community clean-ups and a public garden.

As is frequently the case, a small number of people create a large problem for the rest of us. This is the case in the Sheraden community. For Sheraden the problem came as we saw an increasing number of absentee landlords who neglect their properties. It is these properties that pose the real challenge to our community and it is in these areas where we have requested and received help from the city.

We work closely with Councilwoman Theresa Smith. Our most recent effort was in response to the series of arsons, and with the assistance of city services, we were able to respond in a proactive manner to a crisis situation.

I agree that people need to accept responsibility and teach their children how to be good residents of whichever community they reside in. As my granddaughter, Rachael says, "It is God's world. We are just supposed to take care of it."

DEBBIE WHITFIELD
Sheraden
President, Sheraden Community Council