To the editor: Good intentions, bad results
6/12/2018
A lead hazard sign is posted on a home on Putnam Street in Toledo.
As a small landlord with three properties due for inspection at the end of the month, I am still perplexed why the lead ordinance law was written to only target rentals with four units and below. Most of the landlords that own small units are working a full-time job, do all the recurring maintenance, and lease administration and accounting. We have no crew to renovate our places like the owners of the 32-unit apartment complexes. With this law, we now have to take off work to paint detached garages for homes that no children live in.
I was deployed during 2016 when this law originally rolled out and have asked for an extension for one of the properties that I cannot get done at this time. I have replaced all the windows in one unit and have spent weekends stripping paint and repainting rooms. I was told by the city that in order to receive a hardship extension I needed to have my unit fail, which I am not going to do because I do not want that on the property’s record.
I am also not evicting my tenants. That is not right. What am I left to do but pay the $100 fine for the duplex per day until I can comply with the ordinance? I have written the Health Department and Toledo City Council but only Sandy Spang took time to address my concern.
This law has good intentions but is causing horrible repercussions. I know each of my tenants personally and have been good to them, but if it stands I will never buy another property in Toledo and plan to sell these rentals.
BRAD LURING
Sylvania
Click here to submit a letter to the editor
Local vets travel to D.C.
I had the unique opportunity to join with other local veterans of World War II, Vietnam, and Korea on the Flag City Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.. We toured the war memorials and watched the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Our three busloads, including a guardian for each veteran, enjoyed a police escort to each location. The experience was unbelievable.
The day ended with a grand reception at the Grand Aire Hangar at the Toledo Express Airport, to complete a truly memorable trip. I, for one, felt that our sacrifices during the war were not in vain.
The two ladies in charge of this massive undertaking were Deb Wickerham and Kim Rice-Turley.
NORMAN F. HEYDINGER
South Toledo