FYI, this email about what can be done about problem property owners:
David Isom, owner of the most blighted rental properties all along
Getwell and now spreading inside neighborhoods in the University
District, will be answering a summons to appear before Judge Potter in
Environmental court tomorrow (Jan. 21), and the Sherwood Forest Neighborhood
Association has decided to stand together and attend, hoping to send the
message that this man's failure to maintain his properties has very real
consequences for all of us. This isn't a civil trial; that comes next,
as we plan to sue him in the near future for violating community
standards and maintaining nuisance properties. Tomorrow is simply about
answering to the judge for his many violations.
While I don't believe the judge will make much progress impressing upon
Mr. Isom the serious need for him to rehabilitate his properties, I do
believe a large group of neighbors might at the very least communicate
to Mr. Isom that we've all had enough. Any further inaction on his part
will result in litigation on our's, and as you are probably aware, we've
had success suing slum lords in 4 neighborhoods so far.
Please consider joining us and encouraging all our neighbors in the
University District to attend, and please forward this email to any
interested stakeholders.
And as always, my warmest regards to our neighbors across Park Avenue!
Tk Buchanan, MA
Senior Research Associate
Center for Community-Building and Neighborhood Action
Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice
University of Memphis
600 Jefferson Av, Suite 453, Memphis, TN 38105
(901) 678-1188 office
(901) 678-1483 fax
http://cbana.memphis.edu