Housing code violations must not be taken lightly

A jail sentence for violating Youngstown's housing code may seem extreme, but considering the deplorable condition of some of the city's neighborhoods, a hard-line policy is exactly what is needed.
The loss of population, the growing number of residents on fixed income, the declining tax base and city's government fiscal troubles have contributed to the physical deterioration of Youngstown.
Even once stable neighborhoods are now showing signs of squalor.
That is why Sherry Clingerman, 44, of Steel Street deserved to go to jail. Clingerman was sentenced to 14 days in the Mahoning County Criminal Justice Center for a housing code violation. Judge Elizabeth Kobly of the Youngstown Municipal Court also slapped the West Side resident with a 10-day jail stay for contempt of court for swearing in the courtroom.
Such a no-nonsense approach by Judge Kobly should win her accolades from all law-abiding, pride-filled residents of the city of Youngstown. Those who would criticize her for not giving Clingerman a break either do not live in the city, or are blind to what is going on around them. After all, Clingerman had been given ample opportunity to bring her property up to code.
Junk-car sweep
As we noted in an editorial in February in which we praised Councilman Michael Rapovy, D-5th, for initiating a junk-car sweep in several South Side neighborhoods, thoughtful residents are finally speaking out publicly about the physical condition of the city.
Here's what we said: "During the focus group sessions and public meetings that were part of the process of developing a long-range planning document for the city called 'Youngstown 2010,' residents and nonresidents who work in the city talked about the feeling of despair that comes from being in a community that's dirty."
And here's what Mike Damiano, the city's housing code and demolition director, had to say in the wake of the Clingerman sentencing: "Beware."
Damiano made it clear that property owners who repeatedly ignore orders to correct violations will have the book thrown at them.
Clingerman's jailing was the first since the city replaced its housing code with an internationally accepted code. The new code gives city housing inspectors a powerful weapon to bring about a change in attitude on the part of property owners who have previously thumbed their noses at City Hall.
Damiano says there are 50 individuals who risk going to jail if they don't comply with orders to correct violations. These scofflaws should be made to realize that the jailing of property owners like Clingerman is now the rule, rather than the exception.
For too long, the city of Youngstown has been treated like a dump -- literally and figuratively -- by residents and nonresidents alike. If it takes a jail sentence to force some people to walk the straight and narrow, so be it. The deteriorating condition of the community makes it clear that a change in attitude must be forced upon some. That's unfortunate, but that's the reality in Youngstown.