Just because the economy is in the dumpster and there have been numerous foreclosures of private homes, this is no reason for the entire city of Sparks to begin to look like a ghost town. I’m specifically talking about the lawns of the foreclosed homes. These homes are owned by the lending institutions that foreclosed on them in the first place, but have allowed the yards to run down ever since. Many of the homes were the pride and joy of the former owners and they would turn over in their graves if they could see the deplorable state to which they have been allowed to deteriorate.

Just because the carpetbagger lending institutions own the place, they should be made to maintain the property so at least the curb appeal remains intact. That doesn’t mean painting the lawn area green either. The city council needs to get off their collective duffs and hold these carpetbagging, bonus-getting, stimulus-sucking, no-account lending firms accountable for maintaining these properties they have foreclosed upon.

When the home finally sells, it would bring more money if it looked better from the get-go. I don’t know how in the world they expect to sell a home with a lawn that has weeds and grass tall enough to hunt lions and tigers in.

I feel the community is suffering enough with the short sale of these properties at lower than true value, thus causing each of the surrounding homes to suffer a loss in their appraised value as well without having to look at a blighted property to boot. Our loving city fathers are so proud to entice new businesses to our fair city then they should also ensure that we don’t look like some closed down motor city community that just lost its auto manufacturing facility.

If we have a 12 percent unemployment rate, then there surely are some workers who would jump at the chance to maintain the lawns of these homes while seeking other employment. Car dealerships wash their cars so that they look good for prospective customers. Then why don’t the sellers of homes not only do this as well, but are made to do so by city ordinance?

During our recession, we have seen many things decline. Let’s not let the look of our fair city become one of those things as well. We love this place. If that is true, then let’s not just give that phrase lip service; let’s put our money where our mouth is and keep our city beautiful.

Additionally, people shouldn’t be allowed to do what I saw one landowner had done. This person very neatly put a strip of indoor/outdoor, green Astro Turf in about a 20 foot by 20 foot block in his front yard. I guess that was to simulate a lawn. Nice try. The city fathers need to outlaw that type of lawn as well as outlawing parking on what would be the lawn area as well.

Just because we’re in a financial bind nationally, we can ill afford to let our communities deteriorate as a result. As my wife says, “Soap is cheap.” We need to maintain our pride not only nationally, but locally as well.

Larry Wilson is a 50-year resident of Sparks and a retired elementary school teacher. You can contact him at lawilson16@aol.com.