HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007 -Complaint Letter
September 2007
To Whom It May Concern:
We are writing this letter of concern regarding the vacant property at 1902
Roosevelt Street. Our property is right next to it at 2121 Minerva Street. We
have lived here for over 3 years now. This neighborhood is a family orientated
neighborhood with many young children present in the area. Our son is 8 and
we have a baby on the way.
When we moved into this house we became aware that the property at
1902 Roosevelt was a rental. At the time it had occupants. Shortly after we
moved here the occupants moved out claiming that the owner filed bankruptcy.
The house then sat vacant for between 2-2.5 years. Over that time several of us
in the neighborhood had to call to get the corner tree trimmed, the grass cut and
snow removed from the sidewalks. There is dead tree behind the house that has
been dead since we moved here. Again neighbors have expressed concern and
nothing has been done about it. The tree is infested with ants and who knows
what else. We have also noticed an unusually high number of rodents on that
property.
This past December (2008) a lady and her two young children moved in;
needless to say we were a little surprised! Her younger daughter and our son
would play together. Shortly thereafter the mother complained to me about mold
in the house that made her youngest daughter extremely ill. It was at this time
that the city and the housing department became involved in the property.
We have since spoken with Andy, an Oshkosh housing inspector. He has
told me some about what is going on with the property and what happens to it
now. It is our understanding that the property has 14 violations against it. We
understand thatthe property owner has rights regarding the property. However,
we feel that our rights to a safe neighborhood are not being taken seriously.
The dead tree poses a serious risk to several properties in the area. If it
were to fall it could seriously injure if not kill someone in addition to the property
damage it could cause. Being infested with ants, adjacent properties are put at
risk by the ants migrating. The unusually high number of rodents on the property
put children at risk of being bitten, especially when the grass is very long. While
we have never had any rodent issues, some of the neighbors have had
opossums and rabbits in their garages. Skunks have been observed as well.
The walnut tree on the corner of Minerva and Roosevelt is often overgrown over
the street and sidewalk. Being a vacant and rundown property, we feel that there
is a higher risk of vandalism and crime that could occur on the property resulting
in potential crimes against other properties.
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Over the years my husband and I have even tried to help the image of the
property. We have cleaned up some ofthe bark that has fallen off ofthe dead
tree that was piled where the torn down garage used to stand. We were afraid
that it would make a nice home for ants and small rodents that would eventually
find their way onto our property since our garage is a few mere feet away. My
husband also weed eats the area next to our garage on a regular basis to help
keep our property look nicer.
As a property owner, we do not feel that we should have to baby-sit this
property. Everyone else in the area keeps their homes and yards looking nice.
The only time that property has even remotely looked decent is when one, or
several of the neighbors have called about it. We also have concerns that if we
were to sell our house, that house could affect the sale of our home.
At this time we are asking that the city and court system stay on top of this
issue. It is our wish that the house and dead tree be torn down. While we
understand that may take time, we would appreciate prompt action taken with the
property. Thank you for the opportunity to express our concerns.
Albert Cortinas Jr.
Jenni Cortinas
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