Sweep of city’s South Side gives hope to other areas

One of the most blighted blocks in the city of Youngstown is finally receiving the attention of various government agencies that it has long needed. For years, proud residents of the area bounded by Oak Hill, Myrtle and Garfield avenues and Market Street have complained to City Hall and the press about dilapidated structures, occupied houses in violation of building codes, and property being used to store abandoned vehicles. The Rev. Edward Noga, pastor of St. Patrick Church, has been one of the most vocal.

And yet on Friday, Father Noga steered clear of any kind of “It’s about time” reaction and, instead, expressed his appreciation for the sweep of the block by city police and firefighters, health, building and zoning inspectors, Mahoning County deputy sheriffs and Dog Warden Dave Nelson.

“I’m thrilled because many neighbors, including us, are trying to maintain our properties ... so that we lift up the neighborhoods,” said Father Noga, whose church is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Many members of the parish live in the suburbs, but remain faithful to St. Patrick. That is why the parish priest has been so adamant about making sure the area does not deteriorate any further than it already has.

Father Noga has been especially concerned about the property at 1300 Oak Hill where Hasper Leggett owns a trucking business. Members of the team that conduced the sweep found a large dump truck piled high with debris that appeared to come from the demolition of a house.

Citations

Leggett is scheduled to appear in Youngstown Municipal Court to answer citations for litter and tire accumulation, abandoned vehicles and unlicensed dogs on the property.

Brenda Williams, an architect who serves as the city’s chief building official, found eight residences which she said would be red tagged because there are no utilities or are structurally unsound and, therefore, are unsafe to enter.

Warden Nelson caught five loose mixed-breed dogs that were roaming the neighborhood.

“This is only the first phase of our series of inspections,” said city Prosecutor Jay Macejko of the residential and commercial properties.

Macejko’s observation about what the team found certainly vindicates Father Noga and his neighbors, who have long decried the lack of an aggressive response by city government to the problems.

“This is probably one of the worst sites in the city of Youngstown” for inoperable vehicles, debris and other solid waste storage, the prosecutor said. “It’s absolutely shameful what’s going on here.”

Yes, it is a shame when residents who remain committed to Youngstown despite its population decline and physical deterioration find themselves battling government bureaucracies.

The clean-up of the Oak Hill-Myrtle-Garfield-Market block should send a strong message regarding City Hall’s commitment to fight blight wherever it exists.