Near East Showdown

Thursday, September 11 appears to be a showdown day at the city council for the Near East Neighborhood revitalization program.

Council member Paul Esslinger has offered up three different ways to eliminate the program. Several organizations are lining up to weigh in and encourage those opposed to the program to tell the council just how awful they think it is and how unfair the the city inspectors are being when evaluating their properties.

I have heard it said more than once that folks on the east side would move to the west side if they had money.

My question to all of you is - what do you think?

When someone recently told me folks on the east side live there because they don't have the money to live on the west side, I got really annoyed. This is not just offensive, but truly stupid. Why would someone want to pit different parts of this community against each other?

As most readers know I live on the east side and I love it here. There is no better place to live in Oshkosh than the east side, but I would never denigrate someone who lives on the south, west or north side of town.

Now, as to the Near East Project. I think it is a great step towards helping the neighbors and neighborhoods in that community. There are a few property owners (yes many of them landlords) who do not take an active interest in maintaining their houses. Is the project perfect? What first step ever is perfect? Is it better than nothing - absolutely, and better than most of us who supported it in the beginning thought it could be at this stage.

There are rumors of mass intimidation, threats and reprisals by city staff of anyone who dares speak out against this program or their property citations. Rumors are easily propagated but difficult to believe without evidence. If people are being intimidated I hope they show up at the city council meeting next Thursday and testify.

I also hope those neighbors in the whole east side show up to stand up for our selves, our neighbors and our neighborhoods. Let's fill the council to show our support for the city's efforts towards making every street a neighborhood.