What about those eyesores?

Published 6:18 pm Wednesday, March 27, 2013

In response to two letters on Nancy Backus (March 22, Auburn Reporter): One of the them mentioned that Ms. Backus “has served on our City Council for a number of years” and “has always had time … to listen to the concerns of our community.”

May I ask Ms. Backus then to listen to my concern as a citizen of this community?

For over 10 years now, I’ve lived here in Auburn, up at Lakeland Hills. I like this quiet, little town. I like the people here, too. I’ve formed a bond with this community, especially with a couple of groups, such as the VFW Post 1741 and the Holy Family Parish Church of Auburn.

I am fully retired now, and I’ve found a “home” here in this town. I am here to stay for the rest of my life.

When I go on short car trips and errands out of Auburn and back up the hill, the road I usually take is A Street. I think the scenery on this street just past Ellingson Road on the railroad side is disgusting.

The litter on that side of the road and the rundown buildings and rusting structures, especially those two World War II quonset roofs inside the Tyee Cedar & Lumber Co., next to the Ellingson Crossing Shopping Plaza, and those dilapidated shacks under the bridge next to Third Street are eyesores. They have been there over a decade now since I’ve moved here.

I pointed that out to one of the members of the City Council, but the response I got was merely a mumble that those eyesores are “on private properties.”

My question, as well as my concern, are these eyesores: Are these deteriorating and rusting structures legally allowed to remain on private properties? Are eyesores such as these here to stay in the city of Auburn?

May I please hear from Ms. Nancy Backus about this matter? Thank you.

– Jesse Jose