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Community Decay is defined as a public nuisance created by allowing rubble, debris, junk or refuse, including junk vehicles, boats, RVs, trailers or other machinery in non-working condition, or refuse, to accumulate, resulting in conditions that are injurious to health, offensive to the senses, or which obstruct the free use of property so as to interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or the values of property (Thompson Falls Ordinance 327). The ordinance also states “no person shall be allowed to let stand a structure found to be in such deteriorated condition that it is unsafe for human habitation…..” Ordinance 327 is consistent with Montana State law.

This article is directed to two groups of residents: those who feel they can do whatever they want on property they own, and those who silently support the dedicated efforts of a few to get Ordinance 327 enforced and Thompson Falls cleaned up.

To those who feel a property owner should be able to do whatever they want on their property, you are responsible for one half of a large and growing problem. We are all responsible for not doing and not allowing anything to be done on our property that prevents our neighbors from enjoying their property and prevents them from selling their property at fair market value. Decay properties are low in value and appeal, and they sell to or are rented by people who are often not the best neighbors and who may have no interest in improving the property. Criminal activities, including making meth, hiding and storing stolen property, assaults, happen in neglected and abandoned properties. Decay properties are fire hazards due to activities going on in them, or from the deteriorated condition of them. If a decay property caught fire on a dry August day, difficulty containing the fire and protecting other structures, people, and animals in the area could result in the extensive loss to homeowners and the community. Curious and adventurous children who may explore them are at risk, walking on unsafe decks and flooring, playing with unsafe equipment or contacting exposed and dangerous electrical wiring, being bitten animals residing in the debris, or being exposed to feces which can transmit disease. Such properties are also public health hazards. Some do not have plumbing for, skunks and feral cats may reside in them, and structures can be filled with mold. They decrease the quality of life for residents living in the area. They are viewed by our visiting friends and families.

Junk vehicles are overtaking properties across this town. They are unsafe for children to play on or around, are unsightly, reduce property values in the area, and attract pack rats. They can be removed from private property for free, and yet they remain, for years as community eyesores.

The health and welfare of the community at large are affected by decay. People wanting to buy in Thompson Falls will choose to live outside of town because they don’t want to live in the vicinity of community decay. They realize its negative impact on property values its impact on the community as a whole. Decay properties reduce the tax base of the city, provide fewer dollars for community improvements and enhancements, and they hint of a town unable to sustain businesses that would provide employment to residents. Attracting sustainable jobs is worth the effort it takes to clean up the town and present ourselves as a community of people with pride and initiative. Those living out of town are affected. They attend our churches, send their children to our schools, shop at local businesses, use city and county government offices, visit friends, and attend local social events and activities.

None of the things important to quality of life and the health and vibrancy of a community happen without money, and money doesn’t come to a community showing it has no pride in itself.

And to what I hope is the majority of residents in Thompson Falls, if you are silently supporting the few of us who have unsuccessfully fought the battle for over two years to have an ordinance written in 2010 enforced, you are the other half responsible for this large and growing problem. Those responsible for overseeing ordinance enforcement and those responsible for enforcing the ordinance have shown that they will not do so unless residents make it clear that lack of ordinance enforcement will no longer be tolerated. We have the “way” to get this town cleaned up via the ordinance. There is no “will” from elected representatives and city employees to do their job of enforcing the ordinance. If Thompson Falls is to be reclaimed from its current state of deterioration, the silence of residents has to end. If you don’t know how to make your voice heard, contact the city clerk for phone numbers and email addresses of your ward representatives and the Mayor. Or, attend council meetings, the second Monday of each month, 6 p.m., City hall. Speak up or support those of us who do.

It just takes one bad sale in the neighborhood, and there you are, living next to community decay.

Ruth Cheney,

Thompson Falls